Chapter 39: Pythagoras

Passing through many corridors, they finally arrived at the core area of the research institute.

There were not many researchers here, but the number of guards almost doubled, especially after seeing Karl beside Kizaru, their eyes locked directly on Karl.

After walking into the room, what came into view was a robot, who was focused on fiddling with a pile of experimental instruments.

"Dr. Vegapunk, I have brought you what you wanted."

"Although I am a clone of Vegapunk, I hope you can call me Pythagoras."

The robot turned around, and Karl was able to see his full appearance. He had a clockwork-Move Move Like headpiece on his head, the word "Wisdom" written on his chest, and the words "PUNK04" on his left chest.

Karl couldn't help but sigh inwardly: Is this the technology 500 years ahead of the world? It really is somewhat magical; it always feels Move Move Like the technology tree in this world was clicked at random.

"This is the blood sample you wanted. It should be enough, right?"

Huang Yuan placed the silver briefcase on the pristine yet cluttered experimental table and opened it, allowing Pythagoras to see the blood samples inside.

"Wow! So much, it's enough, it's enough! With these, the Artificial Devil Fruit project will soon yield results! Huh! Who is this young man?"

Only then did Pythagoras notice Karl standing beside Huang Yuan. The anthropomorphic look of surprise in his eyes made it hard to imagine this was an expression a robot could make.

"This is Marine Headquarters Major Karl, and also my adjutant. He is very... um, he admires you!"

Pythagoras closed the briefcase, walked up to Karl, and looked him up and down: "Hello, I am Pythagoras, one of Vegapunk's satellites."

"Nice to meet you."

"Tell me, what do you need from me?"

Karl straightened his expression; talking to smart people was simple, so he went straight to the point: "Dr. Pythagoras, I heard you developed the technology that allows 'objects' to consume Devil Fruits, is that right?"

"That's right, this project is already very mature. Do you want a weapon that possesses abilities?"

Karl nodded: "That's right, Dr. Pythagoras. I wonder if you have the time to do me this favor?"

Pythagoras glanced at Huang Yuan, a look of difficulty appearing on his face. He scratched his head with a mechanical arm and said: "Hmm! This is really quite difficult! I would love to help you with this, but I don't have any spare Devil Fruits left to create ability weapons, so I am very sorry."

Karl felt a surge of joy; there was a chance! It’s just a Devil Fruit, right? He had one!

"Ahem, Dr. Pythagoras, um, I have one."

Because the Raven Fruit was in his system space, Karl couldn't just take it out directly. After all, he had been searched; he couldn't exactly pull it out of his backside!

And if he suddenly produced it, what if Huang Yuan misunderstood?

Huang Yuan looked at Karl strangely. If he remembered correctly, Karl's Holy Light Fruit had been bought from a fruit stand. How did another one appear now? Since when were Devil Fruits so easy to get?

"You have one! What type is it? Zoan? Paramecia?" Pythagoras's expression was somewhat surprised and expectant.

Karl feigned confusion and scratched his head: "It should be a Zoan, I think! It seems to be the Bird-Bird Fruit, Raven Model."

"Oh, I see! Hmm, let me think. I happen to have a replica of a famous blade made according to ancient sword-smelting techniques here. Once you send the Devil Fruit over, I can help you create the ability weapon."

Karl was stunned. Vegapunk—no, Pythagoras—was he really this easy to talk to, this helpful?

He had previously thought he would have to make some kind of exchange to get him to agree to help make an ability weapon. He hadn't expected the deal to be reached so easily, and he only had to provide a Devil Fruit; he didn't even have to worry about the sword himself.

"Uh, that's great! Thank you, Dr. Pythagoras. Will this be a bother for you?"

Pythagoras shook his head: "Not a bother. Recently, I've had some new ideas regarding ability conversion conditions; this is just the right thing to verify them with."

So that was it. This wave—this wave was called a mutual meeting of minds.

"Since that's the case, I will get the Devil Fruit to you as soon as possible. By the way, which famous blade replica is it?"

Pythagoras didn't speak; he turned and walked into a room, followed by the sound of rummaging through things.

About three minutes later, Pythagoras walked out holding a long, decaying-looking stick that resembled a sword.

"Here, it's this one. 15 years ago, I was very interested in cursed weapons Move Move Like the Kitetsu, so out of curiosity, I copied one according to the smelting techniques in ancient texts. But it seems there isn't much difference from an ordinary sword."

"Take a look, what do you think?"

Karl curiously took the decaying replica of the First Generation Kitetsu from Pythagoras's hand, gripped the hilt, and slowly drew it.

A replica made 15 years ago, the scabbard and hilt had long since decayed due to lack of maintenance, but the blade still revealed a cold glint, emitting a chilly aura.

Just looking at the material of the blade, this replica was already far superior to the Karasu he had obtained previously.

Huang Yuan, who had been watching from the side for a long time, stroked his chin and said: "Hmm~ This sword looks pretty good! Although it's very dilapidated, the material is unexpectedly sturdy!"

Huang Yuan was an Admiral, after all; his eye for quality wouldn't be too bad, which meant this replica really did have something to it.

And no matter what, this was a replica tinkered with by the world's greatest scientist; it likely wasn't much different from the genuine article.

"It really is a good sword! Let's use this one!"

Pythagoras revealed an anthropomorphic smile: "Hmm, it can be considered making use of waste. Alright, if you have nothing else, hurry along! I still have many projects to research!"

Huang Yuan shrugged and turned to leave. Karl reluctantly put down the First Generation Kitetsu replica, bid farewell to Pythagoras, and left the laboratory.

On the way back, Huang Yuan said, seemingly nonchalantly: "Don't you have anything you want to say to me?"

"Hahaha, are you talking about that Devil Fruit? I got it during my internship."

Huang Yuan nodded thoughtfully and didn't ask any further. After all, it was just an ordinary Zoan.

After returning to the warship, Karl went straight to his room, took out the Raven Fruit, placed it in a box, and handed it to Huang Yuan.

"Admiral Huang Yuan, I'll leave it to you to pass this on to Pythagoras."

"Good grief, who is the adjutant here anyway!"

Huang Yuan grumbled, but still slowly took the box to the island and handed it to the guards, casually saying it was experimental material Vegapunk wanted, and the guards accepted it solemnly.

Seeing this, Karl couldn't help but sigh: "Huang Yuan's face really carries weight!" ===== CHAPTER 67 =====