Vista nodded understandingly, then turned and pushed open a door carved with intricate patterns.
Behind it was a spatial passageway glowing with an emerald light, swirling slowly as if alive.
"Please follow me."
The moment they stepped through the passage, Moria felt a slight dizziness.
When his vision cleared, they were standing on a completely new island.
The structures here were entirely white, elegantly streamlined, exuding a futuristic technological aesthetic everywhere.
Two young women in white uniforms approached gracefully.
They had the sun-tanned skin characteristic of the Shandians, with sweet yet professional smiles, and a pair of wings marked on their backs.
"Welcome to the Eternal Kingdom Ability Consultation Center," the girls greeted in unison, their voices as pleasant as a clear spring.
Vista said to Moria, "They will guide you through the next steps."
He added solemnly, "Of course, whether you ultimately sign the contract is entirely up to your personal will. Our Eternal Kingdom never forces any guest."
"Contract?" Moria caught another unfamiliar term.
But Vista's reassuring gaze inexplicably put him at ease, so he nodded and followed the two hostesses toward the main building.
During the subsequent tour, Moria gradually came to understand how the entire process worked.
The girl named Laki professionally explained the detailed terms of the contract and the "special consequences" one might face for violating it.
"...So, you have ample time to consider," Laki said with a smile, leading him into a luxurious lounge.
"You can summon us anytime for details before the trading conference begins."
Moria sank into the soft sofa, holding a glass of specially blended red wine. The taste was unique but definitely worth savoring—he even considered taking a few bottles back with him.
Through the floor-to-ceiling window, he could see other floating islands in the distance.
The lounge displayed detailed introductions of various Devil Fruits and even combat footage of past ability users.
"A contract that no one has ever dared to break..." he murmured to himself, unconsciously tapping his fingers on the armrest.
"It seems I need to consider this carefully."
...
On Egghead Island.
The island was filled with products that surpassed modern technology, with dinosaur projections roaming around, occasionally engaging in fierce battles that produced loud, explosive noises.
Yet, none of this caused any damage to the island.
Deep within the island, hidden away, was a massive and highly confidential high-altitude laboratory.
This laboratory resembled a giant eggshell, suspended high above the entire island.
Its intricate passageways and flickering lights exuded a strong technological atmosphere.
Blinding searchlights hung like scorching suns in the central area of the lab, their intense beams almost piercing through everything around them.
Under this glaring light, Blackbeard was tightly restrained on a specially designed experiment table.
His body, like a beast trapped in steel shackles, struggled violently but could not break free from the cold restraints.
His arm was densely covered with infusion tubes.
In the transparent pipelines, some carried slowly flowing red blood, while others held a bizarre, purple fluid that glowed with an eerie radiance under the lights.
"Zehahaha... Vegapunk, are you sure this blood draw won't drain me dry?"
Blackbeard grinned, his eyes narrowing as he revealed his gap-toothed smile, laced with a defiant provocation.
Vegapunk stood before a holographic projection, his figure appearing somewhat ethereal and unreal amidst the interplay of light and shadow.
Without turning his head, he replied. "Don't worry, Teach. We've calculated your maximum blood loss."
As he spoke, he gently adjusted his goggles, which reflected a cold gleam under the lights.
"Besides... the reward the World Government is offering you is worth this small sacrifice, isn't it?"
His voice was calm and detached, as if discussing something entirely unrelated to him.
On the other side of the laboratory, dozens of pods stood in neat rows, resembling a well-organized army.
Each pod contained experimental subjects of varying sizes, their bodies submerged in nutrient-filled chambers with tubes connected to their chests.
Dark purple energy flowed through the pipelines.
Some of the test subjects were massive, with bulging muscles; others were slender and fragile, like delicate glass dolls.
Their expressions varied—some were as calm as still water, while others wore pained looks, as if enduring immense suffering.
"Doctor!" Shaka suddenly exclaimed, shattering the oppressive atmosphere.
"Sample D-37 is showing abnormalities!" At his shout, everyone's attention turned to the pod labeled D-37.
Inside one of the pods, a test subject suddenly began convulsing violently, its body trembling as if struck by a powerful electric shock.
Strange black patterns emerged on its skin, spreading rapidly like living creatures, gradually enveloping its body.
The next second—
BOOM!
A loud explosion shattered the entire pod into fragments, splattering purple liquid like a fountain across the blast-resistant glass.
The powerful shockwave from the blast made the entire laboratory tremble, and several instruments sounded alarms amid the violent shaking.
"Another failure..." Vegapunk sighed, his voice filled with exhaustion and resignation.
He slowly walked over to the data panel, his fingers swiftly typing on the keyboard to record every detail of what had just occurred.
"The stability of the second-generation Green Blood potion still isn't sufficient," he muttered to himself, a trace of concern in his eyes.
Turning slowly, his lenses reflecting a cold light, he looked toward Blackbeard, who remained restrained on the experiment table.
"Teach, we need to draw another 500cc. This time, we'll incorporate your ability parameters."
Blackbeard narrowed his eyes, the dangerous glint in them growing more intense.
"Zehahaha... Doctor, are you in such a hurry to complete your research before the trading conference?" His tone carried a hint of mockery.
Vegapunk didn't respond, but the speed of his movements with the instruments noticeably quickened.
His hands danced rapidly across the equipment, while complex data and charts flashed across the screens.
Once again, the entire laboratory was enveloped in a tense and oppressive atmosphere.
...
Three days later,
A startled cry echoed from the laboratory.
"Finally... success!"
Vegapunk's bloodshot eyes were fixed on the rapidly changing data on the screen, his voice trembling slightly as if these simple words had drained all his strength.
"Hahaha! The Second Generation Super Green Blood Potion!"
In the pod chamber not far away, the quiet atmosphere was broken.
One of the test subjects lay there quietly, as if having slept for a long time.
Suddenly, his eyelashes fluttered gently, and he slowly opened his eyes.
"Test your ability."