At the port of Punk Hazard, a ship flying the World Government flag was docked.
Currently, this sea area, along with the research facility and the island, is under the jurisdiction of Punk Hazard, also known as the Punk Restricted Zone.
Without a pass, any ship approaching this sea area would be considered a pirate ship and sunk.
However, as time passed, this rule seemed a bit redundant, as too many passes had been issued.
As for how these passes were issued, you'd have to ask our dear Caesar Clown.
As the assistant of the research facility, he still had some authority.
After all, in terms of ability, he was much stronger than ordinary people, but he was not an ordinary researcher.
Whether in the eyes of outsiders or Caesar himself, he was being compared to the truly top-tier researchers, and coupled with his terribly uninspired personality, it made him seem incredibly useless.
Even in singing, dancing, and rap, Queen could outdo him by a mile.
Caesar probably couldn't even keep track of how much funding he spent on entertainment; those entertainment ships that could approach the Punk Restricted Zone were using Caesar's passes.
Currently, Caesar still knew how to restrain himself, only letting the entertainment ships stay in the nearby sea area, and then he would sneak out to indulge in debauchery.
According to the original timeline, this place was abandoned due to an explosion accident, and after Caesar defected to Doflamingo, he would directly invite people to the island to play, as he finally became the head of the research facility at that stage.
The World Government is a large organization and generally doesn't pay too much attention to funding issues, provided that results can be produced.
Vegapunk also invested a lot of funds into private research, and those results were not handed over to the government, but the World Government had no objections, as Vegapunk could indeed produce results.
For the World Government, this was already the norm.
But Caesar still tensed up when he heard the word "audit."
After all, Caesar himself knew best what he had done; if the World Government knew that he hadn't achieved any effective results for so many years, and many things were still in the initial project stage...
"Shurorororo... It's just a joke, don't be so serious. I know you're not interested in this position. If you come here, I'll immediately make room for you."
Caesar had already witnessed Oran's auditing skills on the MADS ship back then; he was quite difficult to deal with.
To prevent himself from dying from this, Caesar instantly changed his attitude.
Besides, he knew Oran's thoughts. If Oran wanted to join the World Government, he wouldn't have chosen to go out and work on his own in the first place. What Caesar said at this moment was just for show.
If Oran really took his words seriously and accepted, then Caesar would have no choice but to accept.
Perhaps that would also be a good thing for him; at least in Caesar's perception, Oran was more flexible than Vegapunk, and he might even be able to pull Oran into his own schemes.
At worst, they could split it fifty-fifty, sixty-forty, or even seventy-thirty; it wasn't out of the question.
If two people worked together, they might be able to secure more funding.
Thinking this, Caesar actually felt much more at ease.
"Dr. Sidilier, Dr. Caesar, please follow me. I have been dispatched by the Gorosei to coordinate some matters."
Just as Caesar was lost in thought, a person wearing a sunflower mask and a white suit walked over.
"Dr. Sidilier, your bodyguards and family don't need to follow. I will be responsible for your safety.
The upcoming itinerary is confidential, please do not make things difficult for us."
Seeing that Kate also intended to follow, CP0 stopped her and explained the reason to Oran.
Although doing so had little meaning, the World Government had mentioned this beforehand and instructed Oran not to spread it around, but since he was doing research, Oran's close associates would more or less have some understanding of the matter.
Whether Kate and Lyliana saw it or not, the result would be the same.
The problem was that what Oran said privately was Oran's own business, but CP0 could not let him bring people, otherwise it would become CP0's responsibility.
"It's fine, Kate, you take Lyley to find Dr. Vegapunk first. Tell him I'll come find him in a bit."
"Okay, then I'll wait for you there, meow."
Punk Hazard was not one experimental area, but three, each responsible for different projects.
In the original timeline, only one remained because the others had been destroyed in Caesar's weapon experiments.
At this time, the climate here was still pleasant; without the battle between Akainu and Aokiji for the Fleet Admiral position, the climate here had not turned into the exaggerated ice-fire island situation.
Passing through the long corridor, the group entered a new experimental area, where a noticeable drop in temperature could be felt.
"Dr. Sidilier, what we are about to discuss can only be spoken of in here. If you spread it widely after leaving, it will cause unnecessary trouble. I hope you understand."
"Don't worry, I know what to say and what not to say."
"Hmm, according to the Gorosei's instructions to me, the special weapon you created was modified from the Ancient Giant Race.
In this regard, the World Government also has some research. For a long time, the World Government has hoped to revive the Ancient Giant Race and has conducted related experiments based on that."
The mechanical door in front opened with the effort of hydraulic bearings, revealing an environment like a cold storage, where many oddly shaped people were frozen, most of them wearing prison uniforms.
Those were World Government prisoners; many death row inmates were sent here to serve as human experimental material, as many things simply couldn't bypass this project.
"These are all failed experimental products. Currently, Dr. Caesar is responsible for this matter. I am not familiar enough with the technical aspects, so he will explain the rest to you."
"Cough, cough... Well, the Ancient Giant Race, after all, is an extinct species.
They are a species abandoned by time; even on Ancient Island, no trace of their existence can be found. Because of the unique nature of their genes, cloning becomes unrealistic, so..."
Under the gaze of Oran and CP0, Caesar began his lengthy discourse, piecing together a heap of conclusions that were even somewhat bizarre, ranging from living environments to climate change.
He stated that the research was still very difficult, breakthroughs were hard to come by, but there was still hope.
It would require more time for testing before any results could be achieved.
In terms of cloning, Oran agreed with this point of view; after finding Oz's corpse, Oran had already made attempts.
But the rest of the words were clearly Caesar's evasions.
"Therefore, the process of this project is very circuitous. It will take at least several more years to achieve initial results... probably."
Caesar's tone became increasingly uncertain. This set of excuses was enough to fool CP0, but it was a bit difficult to fool Oran.
Since Oran was already here, Caesar couldn't say nothing. At this moment, Caesar only hoped that Oran would not expose him too much, allowing him to continue speaking smoothly.
But in fact, Oran not only didn't expose him, but even helped him patch up some loopholes.
It was as if he was trying to reasonably explain why spaghetti should be mixed with concrete No. 72.
"Yes, yes, that's the problem."
"Yes, yes, it's really difficult to overcome. This is a technology that has never appeared before..."
Caesar echoed Oran's words like a sycophant. At this moment, Caesar felt for the first time that Oran's smile was so reassuring.
"Doctors, let's end the mutual flattery. So, you both think this project can succeed?"
"Perhaps. If we follow this process, maybe it can succeed."
Oran gave an ambiguous answer. In fact, he could be certain that if this project was researched in this way, the probability of failure was 100%.
Even if there were results, they would be deformed failures, but Oran did not say so. He needed Caesar to be an excellent comparison.
Hmm, excellent in Oran's eyes.
According to a classic saying, if you say the room is too dark and you want to open a skylight here, everyone will certainly not allow it.
But if you advocate tearing down the roof, they will compromise and be willing to open a skylight.
Yes, Lu Xun also said this.
If Caesar was used as a comparison, having spent billions of Berries without achieving results, it would make people think this experiment was very difficult.
At this point, when Oran appeared again, he could reasonably charge several times the fee. Although expensive, Oran could indeed produce experimental results.
In this process, Caesar played a crucial role.
After all, every last-place finisher makes the first-place finisher look even higher.
"Shurorororo, you're too conservative. This experiment will definitely succeed, as long as there is sufficient funding."
Caesar didn't know what Oran was thinking. This person's personality was just like that; a little flattery could make him soar.
After the initial confusion, Caesar entered a new state of doubt.
Given his relationship with Oran, Caesar couldn't think of any reason why Oran would help him fool the World Government.
After ruling out many impossibilities, Caesar believed he had found the correct answer.
It must be because Oran was also fooled, which is why he spoke up for him.
Since even Oran could be fooled, the success rate of scamming funds was even higher.
"Then I wish you good luck. This is not my specialty."
As long as Oran himself didn't interfere with this research, whatever the final outcome, Caesar would bear it himself. Even if the truth came out, it would have nothing to do with Oran.
Wasting the World Government's funds, Caesar bearing the risk alone, and also being able to highlight Oran himself – this was simply all gain and no loss for Oran.
Flattery always makes people lose themselves. At least now, Caesar had already started fantasizing.
Of course, what he was thinking about was how much more comfortable his life could become, rather than researching anything powerful.
He never thought the Ancient Giant Race could be successfully replicated from the beginning; accepting this project was merely for money.
After this, CP0 left, clearly returning to report.
Caesar remained in his self-indulgent activities, while Oran himself went to find Vegapunk to retrieve the item he had long had his eye on.
"Dr. Vegapunk, it's only been two years since we last met, but your head has grown quite a bit again."
In another experimental area, Vegapunk was tinkering with some strange things.
"No choice, the more knowledge the Brain-Brain Fruit stores, the bigger my head gets.
Would you like a cup of Vegapunk Coffee? It's something new I've researched. You just need to add one drop of water, and you'll get a steaming hot cup of coffee."
"No, you know I'm not really interested in coffee."
"What a pity, this is one of humanity's dreams."
Saying this, Vegapunk took out a dropper and dripped one drop of purified water into the cup. The unknown substance inside reacted specially, instantly forming a cup of black coffee.
Even without drinking it, just by smelling it, one could feel its bitterness.
"It seems your research has made some breakthroughs. What is this? A lighter?"
"No, that's a lightsaber I developed based on someone's ability from the Marine. Unfortunately, it's a failed product.
Kate has already tried it before; you can ask her."
Seeing Oran still fiddling with the handle, Vegapunk also brought up what had happened earlier.
"Hmm, I used that before, meow. It can emit a blade made of laser waves, but as soon as it's activated, it attracts countless insects."
At this moment, countless dead insects lay at Kate's feet, all electrocuted when they approached her.
"Interesting, Dr. Vegapunk, how did you make this?"
"What, are you interested? It involves a bit of Lineage Factor technology, but for you, it shouldn't be a problem."
"No, I think if you reverse-engineer this device, it should be a perfect mosquito repellent. Firefly Island has a lot of mosquitoes this season, so it would be perfect to deal with them.
However, I think defective products should be destroyed promptly, don't you agree?"
Oran put down the handle, no longer intending to attract insects, and casually brought up the topic of defective products.
"That situation is different; I think there's still room for improvement. But what you said is indeed correct, some experimental waste products should indeed be destroyed. Wait for me for a moment."
Experiments always produce some useless things, and the word "destroy" is not uncommon in laboratories, but this time, the destruction list simply included a failed Devil Fruit.
"Speaking of which, have you thought about how to explain the ability of this Fruit?"
Vegapunk insisted that this Fruit was a failed product precisely because he didn't want to continue researching this area and was instead focusing on researching more Mythical Zoan Fruits for the World Government.
However, as long as it was eaten by someone, some problems would inevitably arise.
"It's not as complicated as you think. While there are no two identical abilities on the sea, there are many similar ones. Many superior and inferior Fruits, apart from their upper limits, even have identical manifestations.
There are many types of dragons, and this one just happens to be somewhat similar to Kaido's."
A simple and straightforward truth.
Under the premise that no two Devil Fruits are exactly alike is still a common understanding on the sea, this logic holds perfectly.
Even if the Lineage Factor technology began to spread, this logic would still make sense.
Mythical beasts are creatures born from fantasy; who can guarantee that there isn't such a pink dragon in legends?
Subsequently, Oran did not linger here for long. He took this nominally failed product and left Punk Hazard, even using the World Government's convenience to directly reach Sabaody Archipelago, preparing to return to Firefly Island.
It wasn't until here that Oran took out the Devil Fruit.
"Come, Lyley, just as I told you before, this special Devil Fruit is for you."