Bab 131: Chapter 131: The Soul Tower!
"I really want to meet Dr. Edie," Vegapunk said thoughtfully.
Kizaru raised his eyebrows, clearly intrigued. "You want to see Edie? What for?"
The idea of the World's No. 1 Scientist meeting the No. 2... Would they discuss what to have for dinner?
"I'll pretend I didn't hear that," Kizaru said flatly. "If the Five Elders find out, there'll be dire consequences…"
"Borsalino, please," Vegapunk interrupted, his expression unusually sincere. "Just help me convey this to Dr. Edie."
Kizaru gave him a cautious look, sighing. "Doctor, I'm just a social creature. You know the risks. If the government catches wind of this..."
He paused, the water in his glass suddenly tasting unpleasant.
"Besides," Kizaru added, swirling his drink lazily, "he moved Beehive Island to the skies. The permanent pointer can't even track it anymore. No one knows where he is."
Vegapunk's voice turned confident. "He will come to you."
"Eh?" Kizaru blinked in surprise.
"A genius can always understand another genius," Vegapunk declared with conviction. "I know what he wants to do!"
Kizaru cursed inwardly, scratching his head. "How's that even supposed to work? Without the government noticing?"
Vegapunk didn't answer directly. Instead, he asked, "Among the known Earthly Branches, has anyone displayed Logia abilities?"
Kizaru opened his mouth but stopped when Vegapunk continued without waiting.
"No, right? Because Logia cannot be cloned."
The statement hung heavy in the air. Kizaru's mind flashed back to events years prior.
About four or five years ago, after the failed Buster Call, Saint Saturn of the Five Elders had come to Vegapunk personally. He had asked for the Shichibukai to be cloned.
The first subject had been Crocodile.
The experiments, however, had all ended in failure.
For years, the reason troubled Vegapunk. It wasn't until recently that he finally understood why.
"Logias can't be cloned… So that's why," Kizaru muttered, realization dawning.
His thoughts drifted further back—to 1503, seven years ago. He had been on a mission near the Sabaody Archipelago when news broke of an attack on the Celestial Dragons. He'd rushed to the scene immediately.
That's when he first met Edie.
Two of the Earthly Branches—Chenlong and Zishu—were with him.
Kizaru had fought Zishu and been violently overpowered, injured, and bleeding. He could still vividly recall Edie stepping forward and taking a sample of his blood.
At the time, Kizaru had thought: "Maybe Edie didn't clone me because I'm not strong enough."
Now, he laughed softly.
"Turns out, it wasn't me. He just couldn't do it." Kizaru allowed himself a rare grin. That's a win in my book.
Vegapunk nodded. "Exactly. I've encountered the same issue. And if I can't solve it, Edie will."
Kizaru frowned. "Why would he come to me though?"
Vegapunk's expression softened into admiration. "Because he's more talented than I am. The problems I can't yet solve—he will, sooner or later."
Vegapunk understood the fundamental reason why Logia abilities could not be cloned.
Their uniqueness lay in the soul.
He had identified the issue, but the solution remained elusive.
"He'll figure it out before I do," Vegapunk added with a strange mix of resignation and excitement.
Kizaru sighed deeply. "You really have that much faith in him?"
"Geniuses sympathize with each other," Vegapunk replied with a mischievous grin, his long tongue peeking out like an old child up to no good. "He will come to you. Please, Borsalino. Just pass the message when he does."
Faced with such a request, Kizaru slouched in his chair, reluctant but resigned.
"If I lose my job over this…" Kizaru began, staring into the distance dramatically. "I'm 46 now. I can work until 80. With an Admiral's salary, allowances, and a pension, that's 34 years of income—over 13 billion berries."
Vegapunk froze. "13 billion?! Why don't you just go rob the World Government's bank, Kizaru?"
"I'm too busy eating noodles to pull something that exhausting."
Vegapunk's eye twitched. "Do you know how much 13 billion berries in research funds can accomplish? That could advance my projects by a tenth!"
Kizaru shrugged lazily. "If you say so… Admiral's pay is worth peanuts, apparently."
Vegapunk sighed in defeat. "Fine. I'll treat you to ramen when the time comes."
"Tonkotsu ramen. Extra pork."
Jinbei, who had been standing silently to the side, finally spoke up.
"Is this seriously a Marine Admiral and the world's… No, the world's second-best scientist casually discussing treason?"
His bafflement broke the tension.
Vegapunk chuckled while Kizaru gave Jinbei a lazy wave.
"Hahahaha," Jinbei burst into laughter.
Vegapunk narrowed his eyes. "What are you laughing at?"
Jinbei shook his head, grinning. "Nothing. I'm just relieved. Let's get started, Dr. Vegapunk."
Vegapunk nodded firmly, his earlier lightheartedness replaced by focus.
"Let's get to work then, By the way what is your Name?."
"His name is Jinbei, and he was a crew member of the Sun Pirates before." Kizaru explained: "his Captain Fisher Tiger was captured by me. He was going to be publicly executed for his act of freeing the slaves, but something happened in the middle.
Jinbei proposed a transaction. In short, he is willing to participate in the experiment as a humanoid weapon. "
Although Kizaru didn't explain it very clearly, Vegapunk understood it.
In order to save his captain's life and freedom, Jinbei voluntarily participated in human experiments on humanoid weapons.
"Hello, Dr. Vegapunk!"
Jinbei said calmly: "As agreed, I will accept the experiment, but please ensure Captain Tiger's life! Can I trust you?"
"Do you know what becoming a humanoid weapon would mean? You will be implanted with brain chips, your self-awareness will become slowly erased until you are merely a weapon that is completely at the mercy of the Five Elders..."
"I already fully understand." Jinbei replied solemnly.
Vegapunk was silent for a while, "This is a Seraphim project based on Dr. Edie's 'Twelve Earthly Branches'"
Plans are just plans.
At present, not a single Seraphim has been built.
Cloning technology is not difficult for him. What is difficult is how to make the clones' combat effectiveness reach Admiral Level!
Vegapunk can't do this.
Therefore, Five Elders decided to do the next best thing.
It doesn't require cloning someone like Kaido... but directly modifying their existing combat force.
The first experimental subject sent now is the fat blue Fish-man in front of him.
Beehive Island floated high in the sky at an altitude of 10,000 meters.
Two days had passed since Edie returned with Usagi from Fish-man Island. Without delay, he launched a colossal new project. To the west of the research institute, what was once an open expanse had turned into a bustling construction site. Hundreds of workers toiled under the scorching sun, digging the foundation as per Edie's intricate design blueprints.
At the construction site, Momousagi, sporting a foreman's cap, stood with authority, directing the workers with precision.
On the rooftop of the Hive Research Institute, Edie gazed down at the construction site, his sharp eyes catching every detail. The progress frustrated him; the foundation remained incomplete even after two days.
Robin, standing beside him, observed Edie's expression and asked curiously, "What exactly are you building? It must be something extraordinary."
Edie smiled faintly. "The Soul Tower. A scientific research structure that will break the barrier between illusion and reality and connect to the Sea of Souls."
Robin blinked, processing his words. "The Sea of Souls? You mean... the afterlife?"
"It's hard to describe," Edie admitted, his tone contemplative. "Think of it as the realm between the third and fourth dimensions. It's not another physical world or space—it's the destination where souls drift after death."
Robin tilted her head in confusion, her dark eyes locked onto him. "That sounds... abstract. And what are the third and fourth dimensions?"
Edie chuckled softly, recognizing her struggle. "It's not something easily explained in words," he said, giving up on an elaborate explanation. "For now, just think of it as the place where souls reside after death."
"What's it for?" Robin shifted her approach, deciding to focus on the purpose of the tower rather than the concept itself.
"Resurrection."
The single word sent a shock through Robin, sparking endless thoughts and possibilities in her mind.
"Resurrection? Are you saying you can bring the dead back to life?" Robin's voice trembled with disbelief.
Edie nodded. "In essence, yes."
He continued to explain. "Souls are tangible—they have weight and mass. The average soul weighs 21 grams, but the souls of stronger individuals weigh even more. I've encountered the heaviest soul in existence so far—that of the Blood Knight of the Holy Knights, whom I killed in Mariejois."
Robin listened intently, her mind racing to keep up.
"After death," Edie went on, "a soul's weight begins to diminish. Ever wondered where that lost weight goes?"
Robin pondered briefly. "Back to the Sea of Souls?"
"Exactly." Edie smiled approvingly. "The key to resurrection lies in retrieving that lost part of the soul. And—this may surprise you—Devil Fruits are also connected to the Sea of Souls."
Robin's eyes widened. "Devil Fruits?"
"Yes." Edie's expression grew solemn. "Devil Fruits are born from the longings and prayers of souls. A strong enough will can pierce the boundary between illusion and reality, drawing power from the Sea of Souls. That's how the original Devil Fruits came into existence. When a Devil Fruit user dies, that power doesn't return to the Sea of Souls. Instead, it reincarnates elsewhere in the form of a new fruit."
Robin's lips parted in amazement. "So... if people's desires can create Devil Fruits, why can't the dead be brought back?"
"That's the question I aim to answer," Edie said calmly. "If something like the Underworld Fruit, which returns souls to life, can exist, then technology can achieve the same thing. I refuse to believe otherwise."
Robin stared at him, awestruck. "You're saying that technology can replicate something even Devil Fruits do?"
"Exactly."
Robin's admiration for Edie deepened. She smiled softly, her voice tinged with emotion. "It would be incredible if you succeeded."
Edie noticed the sincerity in her voice. He could guess what she was thinking.
Nicole Olvia. Robin's mother.
Unfortunately, the technology to resurrect someone fully didn't exist yet. Even if the Soul Tower succeeded, it would only restore the soul, not the body. For a complete resurrection, one would need physical remnants—something like blood samples or other biological material. From those, the blood factor could be extracted to clone a new body for the soul to inhabit.
Edie sighed inwardly. Even he had regrets—he wanted to resurrect 66 and 77, his first two clones who had been instrumental in his quest for immortality.
"By the way," Edie added, breaking the silence, "the Soul Tower wasn't originally meant to resurrect the dead. That's merely a byproduct."
Robin raised an eyebrow. "Then what's its true purpose?"
Edie's gaze darkened. "It's inspired by Tot Musica, the Demon King of Song."
The name sent a chill through Robin.
"That creature is unkillable," Edie continued. "Its power comes directly from the Sea of Souls, much like a 'living' Devil Fruit. You can't destroy a Devil Fruit, can you? The same applies to Tot Musica. No matter what I tried, it couldn't be killed."
Robin shivered slightly at the thought.
"So instead, I plan to seal it," Edie revealed. "Not in a musical score this time, but as a Devil Fruit—a Zoan-type, Mythical Beast Species: Tot Musica Form. But even that solution feels flawed. The existence of a seal implies it will one day be broken."
He sighed, his frustration evident. "If I create such a fruit, it could become self-aware, like the Nika Fruit, and find its own host. That's unacceptable."
Edie's tone turned resolute. "The only real solution is to send Tot Musica back to the Sea of Souls. And that's where the Soul Tower comes in."
Robin's awe deepened. "And if it succeeds... you'll finally kill Tot Musica?"
"Yes," Edie confirmed. "And not just Tot Musica. If this method works, it could also be used to kill the Five Elders and even Imu."
Robin's voice brimmed with excitement. "How long will it take to build?"
"The tower itself will take a few months," Edie replied thoughtfully, "but the core material comes from Tot Musica itself. I'll need to summon it repeatedly to collect what's needed. Altogether... about two years."
Robin smiled softly, her voice carrying quiet hope. "I'm looking forward to the day it's complete."
Edie heard the unspoken emotion in her words. Your mother... you still dream of meeting her again, don't you?
He didn't say it aloud, but a small flicker of resolve burned in his heart.
The construction below continued as Edie stood silently, watching his grand project unfold. For Robin, and perhaps even for himself, the Soul Tower represented more than science or ambition—it held the promise of reconnecting with lost loved ones.
And in the end, hope was the most powerful force of all.
Time flows like running water, always slipping away without notice.
Sea Circle Calendar, 1512.
The past year has been nothing short of eventful. Across the globe, the Marines remain relentless in their search for Beehive Island, yet their efforts have been futile.
Hovering at an altitude of 10,000 meters, the island is perpetually beyond reach. Edie ensured this by regularly using degaussing technology to disrupt magnetic tracking. The Hive Island roams the skies unseen, while reports of Earthly Branches sightings keep surfacing. Sometimes in the East Blue, sometimes the South Blue, and often along the Grand Line—always elusive.
Each time the Hive forces appear, they purchase supplies. The ships ferrying these materials are none other than the nine Marine warships captured during the infamous Buster Call. Now flying a Hive flag, they are symbols of irony, haunting reminders of the Marines' failure. By the time the Marines act on gathered intelligence, the ships—laden with supplies—have already soared into the skies, propelled by the Float-Float Fruit. This game of cat and mouse has repeated itself countless times.
The Marines, though determined, never escalate their pursuit. Fleet Admiral Sengoku, bound by orders from the Five Elders, sends troops to follow any witness reports but makes no effort beyond the bare minimum. He plays his part but knows deep down it's a futile endeavor.
While the Marines chase shadows, two forces make unprecedented strides—Whitebeard Pirates and the Donquixote Family. Now rebranded as the Jinkela Grain Industry Company and Jinkela Waste Fertilizer Industry Company, respectively, their influence spreads faster than wildfire.
The myth of ten thousand yield per acre has taken the world by storm. What began as a marvel exclusive to the New World has now reached every corner of the seas. No kingdom, no pirate crew, no organization can stop the people's pursuit of a full stomach.
With rice fields sprawling across nations, gratitude pours in for the genius behind it all—Edie.
"Saint!"
"Demeter, the God of Agriculture!"
These honorifics have been thrust upon him, whispered in awe by common folk and spread by opportunistic rulers. Statues of Edie have been erected in city squares, with kings and swindlers alike profiting from the spectacle. People flock to worship, paying small offerings to kneel before Edie's likeness, hands clasped in earnest prayer.
"Saint Edie, please bless this year's harvest!"
From his Hive Island, Edie watches this absurd spectacle with utter speechlessness.
What's the use of worshiping me? he thinks, exasperated. Just give me money! I'll guarantee you a good harvest instead!
"These kings and con artists are so shameless!" he grumbles. "If I had the time, I'd charge a licensing fee and take a cut!" Unfortunately, in a world without laws regarding image rights, Edie can do little more than fume.
"Uncle Edie, I heard from Sister Gion that you've earned so much selling fertilizer that you can't even spend it all!"
Yamato's laughter fills the research institute as she teases Edie.
"Funds are never enough," Edie retorts dryly. "What do you want from me now?"
Yamato's tone softens. "Uncle, I want to go back to Wanokuni. I'm… worried about my father."
Edie pauses. Golden Lion Shiki's airborne lair had been devastated last year by the mysterious national treasure weapon. Now, it's only a matter of time before the Five Elders turn their sights toward Wanokuni.
Unlike the original timeline, Yamato and Kaido share a far more amicable relationship, thanks to Edie's advice. Kaido has treated Yamato with greater care, and now, at eighteen, she is eager to return home after five long years.
"Go visit your family, then," Edie says after a moment. "Chenlong will take you."
"Thank you, Uncle!" Yamato beams, rushing out to find Chenlong.
Moments later, Chenlong, the formidable clone of Kaido, transforms into his awe-inspiring Azure Dragon form.
"Going home to Wanokuni, Yamato?" he asks, his deep voice rumbling like distant thunder.
"Yes. Sorry to trouble you, Chenlong."
"No trouble at all. Let's go."
Edie watches from his window as Yamato departs, her figure disappearing into the clouds. With a sigh, he turns and descends into the depths of the Hive Research Institute.
Deep underground lies the No. 0 Special Cloning Laboratory—a place where science meets the impossible. Edie steps into the first cloning chamber, his eyes falling on two slumbering figures. These are the results of years of research: clones of Crocodile and Caesar Clown.
With a press of the activation button, the fluid inside the chamber drains with a hiss.
Click.
The hatch opens, revealing a ten-year-old boy with features reminiscent of both donors. He steps out awkwardly, his body unstable as it flickers between yellow sand and toxic gas.
"Lord Heavenly Father…"
He stumbles, his right foot disintegrating into sand before reconstituting itself. When he reaches out, his hand transforms into vaporous gas, causing him to collapse again.
"Focus," Edie instructs calmly. "How does it feel?"
The boy breathes heavily, his form stabilizing as he suppresses his elemental instincts. "I… I'm not used to it yet. I apologize, Heavenly Father!"
Edie observes the young clone carefully. Though the face resembles Crocodile by about fifty percent, the hairstyle is unmistakably Caesar's. A smirk crosses his lips.
"Your name is Alligator," Edie declares.
Double Logia User Clone Experiment—success!
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone