Chapter 55: Dr. Vegapunk's Experiment
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"Let me see if I've got this right." Dr. Vegapunk said as they walked together, his eyes fixed on Brontes with a mix of curiosity and fascination.
"Your unique technique boosts your physical power by energizing your cells with electricity, doesn't it?"
Brontes nodded in agreement: "That's correct."
He wasn't surprised that Dr. Vegapunk knew about his ability. After all, it wasn't a well-kept secret; even the pirates were aware of it, so it was only natural that a renowned scientist like Dr. Vegapunk would know too.
"May I see it?" Dr. Vegapunk inquired, his voice tinged with scientific eagerness.
"Of course." Brontes replied, though he was unsure what Dr. Vegapunk had in mind. Nonetheless, he trusted the scientist and consented.
They arrived at a laboratory where a team of scientists, all dressed in crisp white lab coats, greeted them.
Following Dr. Vegapunk's directions, Brontes removed his shirt, and the scientists began attaching a variety of sensors and devices to his skin.
Surrounded by a network of tubes and wires, Brontes stood at the center of the lab. He had volunteered for this experiment to help Dr. Vegapunk with his cell research.
"Everyone, I'm about to begin. Please step back." Brontes said to the scientists.
Dr. Vegapunk reassured him with a confident grin: "Don't worry about a thing. This lab was designed to handle exactly this kind of experiment. Go ahead and give it everything you've got."
With a deep breath, Brontes tightened his fists. As the scientists retreated to a safe distance, he unleashed the power within him. Lightning burst forth from his body, crackling and hissing loudly.
"ZliZli! Rumble!"
Electricity danced wildly around him, and as Brontes opened his eyes, which had been shut for a long time, a powerful aura surged out. The laboratory was filled with intense flashes of lightning, illuminating every corner.
"ZliZli!! ZliZli!!"
From behind the safety of reinforced glass, the researchers watched in awe. They were astounded by the display of power.
If the lab hadn't been specially designed for such dangerous experiments, Brontes's outburst could have destroyed not just the lab but potentially the entire research facility.
"Thor's Enhancement!"
Brontes drew the lightning back into his body, and in an instant, his physique expanded with newfound strength. His muscles swelled, his stature grew, and his entire being radiated an intense concentration of power, visibly enlarging several times in size.
"Dr. Vegapunk!" Called one of the scientists, urgently beckoning the doctor over to the monitoring equipment.
Dr. Vegapunk turned his attention to Brontes, who was now a towering figure of raw energy inside the lab.
This was the first time he had witnessed Brontes's power firsthand, and the sheer magnitude of it was beyond anything he had anticipated.
The idea that a person's cells could endure such intense electricity was incredible.
"How are the readings looking?" Dr. Vegapunk asked, his voice steady but filled with anticipation.
"The levels are off the charts. The cellular activity is through the roof, easily ten thousand times more than an average person. It's only because he's the user of the Rumble-Rumble Fruit. Anyone else would have been torn apart by this much electricity." The scientist reported, his voice filled with astonishment.
"Hand me the results." Dr. Vegapunk said, extending his hand. The scientist quickly passed the papers to him.
After reviewing the data, Dr. Vegapunk looked up at Brontes, who was isolated behind protective barriers: "Admiral Ragnarok, have you reached your limit?"
"Limit? I haven't even pushed myself to the edge yet. I believe I can go further." Brontes responded, his gaze fixed on the papers in Dr. Vegapunk's hands, which would have turned to ash without the protective isolation.
"Then let's take it up a notch. I need to see the full extent of what your cells can handle. It's crucial for our next experiments." Dr. Vegapunk said, his eyes sparkling with the thrill of discovery.
"No problem at all." Brontes said confidently.
"Huu"
He clenched his fists, inhaled deeply, and his Armament Haki solidified even more. His face took on a determined look, as if he were about to face down a powerful opponent.
"Time to go all out!" Brontes shouted, and in that moment, his Conqueror's Haki exploded outwards, amplifying the power of his Armament Haki.
The scientists watched, utterly astounded by the display. Brontes's surge of power was so intense that several of them passed out from the overwhelming presence of his Conqueror's Haki.
Before them stood not just a man, but a living embodiment of thunder, and the sound of roaring thunder seemed to fill the room.
"Armament Thor's Enhancement!"
Brontes shouted, as he once again absorbed the rampant lightning into his body, further energizing his cells already fortified with Armament Haki.
Then, as suddenly as it had begun, the lightning stopped. Brontes's body relaxed, his muscles returning to a more normal size—still defined, but not as excessively enlarged as before.
"We've broken through the ultimate barrier!" One of the scientists exclaimed, eyes wide as he stared at the readings.
"Stop now!" Dr. Vegapunk's voice cut through the tension, booming across the lab.
"Boom!"
In an instant, the equipment attached to Brontes shattered, and a massive explosion rocked the laboratory, sending a cloud of dust billowing out from the research base.
.....
Sitting in a different lab, Dr. Vegapunk said to Brontes: "You've surpassed the machines' capabilities; it seems I've underestimated you."
Brontes, looking contemplative yet satisfied, replied: "I didn't anticipate reaching this level either. It looks like the training I did this year really paid off."
Brontes took a moment to examine his own body, noting how the Armament Haki wrapped him.
He had managed to infuse the Haki directly into his cells, albeit only a fraction, which significantly boosted his strength and took his Thor's Enhancement to a new level.
He considered the possibility of facing Kaido again; the outcome might remain the same, but at least he wouldn't have to spend days in bed recovering from his injuries.
"You truly are a remarkable being." Dr. Vegapunk remarked with a tone of respect: "I had plans to study Borsalino, but you, Brontes, you're the only one in the world fit for this particular experiment."
Brontes, still somewhat in the dark about the scientist's intentions, asked: "What is this experiment about?"
"Do you recall the piece of Kaido's flesh you brought back last year?" Dr. Vegapunk asked, his gaze steady on Brontes.
"Yes." Brontes nodded, remembering how he had intentionally secured that sample for Dr. Vegapunk, hoping to unlock the mysteries of Kaido's formidable body.
"I've discovered some extraordinary cells within that tissue. They're incredibly active, and the sample you provided might as well be considered a unique living entity." Dr. Vegapunk explained as he led Brontes deeper into the base to another laboratory.
This room was filled with various human and animal bodies, all part of ongoing experiments.
Brontes wasn't shocked by the sight. He knew these bodies were sourced from Impel Down, all from criminals whose lives were deemed expendable, now serving the cause of scientific advancement.
They stopped in front of a large glass container.
"Here it is." Dr. Vegapunk said, pointing at the container.
Brontes looked and saw a mass of white liquid. Within it, a piece of flesh twitched slightly.
"Is that Kaido's flesh?" Brontes asked, peering closer.
"More specifically, it's his muscle tissue. The white liquid is a synthetic solution created from his blood. His blood type is incredibly rare; we couldn't find a match anywhere. Our only option was to analyze its components and clone a part of it. That's how we've kept this tissue alive.
As you can see, it's merely a piece of flesh, but it's retained its vitality for over a year. It's a testament to Kaido's monstrous strength, unlike anything I've seen in any human or creature." Dr. Vegapunk elaborated.
"I see the significance, but what have you found after all this time? And what's your plan for this tissue?" Brontes asked, his curiosity piqued.
Dr. Vegapunk gestured towards several machines housing various monstrous forms, which brought to mind the unsettling experiments of Orochimaru's lab from the anime Naruto.
"I've experimented with these animals and some prisoners, injecting Kaido's cells into their bodies to see if any changes would happen. The results are clear; all the subjects have become stronger to varying degrees." Dr. Vegapunk said.
"And the final outcome of these subjects?" Brontes asked.
"The result is right here. Their bodies actually couldn't withstand the power of Kaido's special cells. After gaining strength, they gradually lost control and eventually died from cellular mutation." Dr. Vegapunk stated indifferently.
"So they all died. Then this experiment is meaningless." Brontes said.
"No, these experiments were conducted about eight or nine months ago. Later, we conducted more experiments, altering the cellular state of Kaido's cells to make them more malleable. The strength is retained, but the rejection is gone. In terms of DNA, we've modified Kaido's cell structure to be more suitable for human use." Dr. Vegapunk explained.
"Have you tested it?" Brontes asked.
Dr. Vegapunk didn't answer, but said mysteriously: "Come with me."
Weekly Power Status
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