Chapter 65

Karl couldn't help but sigh in his heart: Is this the technology that is 500 years ahead of the world? It really is somewhat magical; I always feel like the technology tree of this world was clicked on blindly.

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

Kizaru placed the silver briefcase on the pristine, cluttered experimental table and opened it so that Pythagoras could see the blood samples inside.

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

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

"This is Navy Headquarters Major Karl, and he is 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."

"Speak, what is the matter for which you seek me?"

Karl straightened his expression; talking to smart people is simple, so he simply said directly: "Dr. Pythagoras, I heard that you have developed the technology to let 'objects' consume Devil Fruits, is that right?"

"Correct, 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 Kizaru, a look of embarrassment appearing on his face. He scratched his head with a mechanical arm and said: "Hmm! This is truly embarrassing! I would very much like to do you this favor, but I no longer have any spare Devil Fruits to use for manufacturing ability weapons, so I am very sorry."

Karl felt a joy in his heart; there was a chance! Isn't it just a Devil Fruit? I have one!

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

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

And if he suddenly took it out, what if Kizaru misunderstood?

Kizaru looked at Karl strangely. If he remembered correctly, Karl's Glint-Glint Fruit was bought from a fruit stand back then. How did another one appear now? When did Devil Fruits become so easy to get?

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pythagoras shook his head: "No bother. Recently, I've had some new ideas regarding ability conversion conditions, and this is just the right thing to verify them with."

So that's how it is! This wave—this wave is called a two-way rush.

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

Pythagoras didn't speak, turning directly to walk into a room, after which came the sound of rummaging through things.

After about three minutes, Pythagoras walked out, holding a long, decayed-looking stick that resembled a sword.

"Here, it's this one. 15 years ago, I was very interested in weapons with cursed properties like Kitetsu, so out of curiosity, I copied one according to the forging techniques in ancient books, but it seems there isn't much difference from an ordinary sword."

"Take a look, what do you think?"

Karl curiously took the decayed 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 rotted due to never being maintained, but the blade still revealed a cold glint, emitting a chilly aura.

Just looking at the material of the blade, this replica was a huge step up from the 'Crow' he had obtained before.

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

Kizaru is an Admiral, after all; his eye for things naturally wouldn't be too bad, which meant this replica really did have something to it.

And besides, this was a replica tinkered together by the world's greatest scientist; it surely wouldn't be much different from the original.

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

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

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

On the way back, Kizaru said seemingly nonchalantly: "Do you have nothing you want to say to me?"

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

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

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

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

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

Kizaru muttered, 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: "Kizaru's face is still the most useful!" ===== CHAPTER 67 =====