Devil Fruits, the sea's secret treasures, grant incredible abilities to those who consume them but curse them with the sea's disdain, turning them into landlubbers.
Even fishmen lose their swimming ability after eating a Devil Fruit, though they can still breathe underwater, they sink like stones.
Vegapunk and Oran were experimenting with a special device aimed at isolating Pyrobroin particles.
These unique keratin particles, ejected into the atmosphere by volcanic eruptions, form island clouds and sea clouds due to density differences when contacting moisture.
Seastone contains a high concentration of these particles, and traces exist in rivers, lakes, and seas—virtually everywhere. Yet, they vanish without a trace in the human digestive system.
Sky Island's sea clouds and seawater alike weaken ability users. Seastone, however, is their ultimate counter.
Seawater's weakening effect merely prevents ability users from actively using their powers, though passive bodily changes persist. For instance, in the original timeline at Arlong Park, when Luffy fell into a pool, he could still stretch his head to breathe.
High-purity Seastone seals an ability user's powers entirely, reverting their body to normal. During the Summit War in the original timeline, Marco, handcuffed with Seastone, temporarily lost his abilities.
All of this revolves around Pyrobroin particles—the higher their concentration, the stronger Seastone's sealing effect.
Thus, Oran proposed this experimental model: a generator creating a field to block these particles, allowing ability users to fear water no longer.
As a Brain-Brain Fruit user, Vegapunk volunteered as the test subject, but success eluded them.
"Oran, these particles are strange. Their penetrative ability is extreme, and their affinity for water is bizarre. Conventional methods won't achieve this goal.
Perhaps mimicking the bubbles of Sabaody Archipelago to isolate water entirely would be easier."
"That's too energy-intensive and would limit the user's combat ability. At least this time, you had the strength to wave your hand—progress."
Handing Vegapunk a fresh research outfit, Oran marked another × in the experiment log.
"Oran, remember my hypothesis? About the origin of Devil Fruits. I think to understand this rejection fundamentally, we need to find their source."
Devil Fruits represent humanity's pursuit of evolutionary possibilities, embodying people from multiple imagined dimensions.
Unnatural, they face rejection from the Mother of Nature—the sea. Though cursed, they persist in the world.
This was Vegapunk's hypothesis on Devil Fruit origins, though he himself wasn't sure of its validity.
"If my idea is correct, P-particles are a special substance spawned by nature to counter the unnatural."
"Isn't our research inherently about defying nature? Your goal of infinite energy already breaks laws. Even if your hypothesis holds, I won't abandon this project. Surpassing it is what we should do."
Over two years, Oran and Vegapunk had debated often, growing closer through their arguments. They vied not for group dominance but for research direction.
Disputes advanced their progress. Even with differing opinions, they didn't pull rank but helped refine each other's experiments, letting results speak.
To Vegapunk, Oran's freewheeling thinking and compatible research ethos made him a true friend.
One quirk stood out: Oran could be more radical, with a penchant for weapons.
"When others suspect you have a deadly weapon, you'd better have an even deadlier one."
Oran's words. Vegapunk believed infinite energy could reduce conflict and foster peace. Oran countered that a weapon strong enough to protect that energy from exploitation was a prerequisite for peace.
Over time, Vegapunk realized that despite Oran's polite demeanor, he was prouder than anyone at his core. This pride never manifested in oppressing the weak, though.
Only close observation revealed his gentle side. Offend him, and you'd taste the consequences.
As for how Vegapunk knew those consequences…
Let's just say some on the ship had already experienced them. Oran's mischievous streak made him the deadliest prankster aboard.
The ship's intercom sounded at that moment, summoning Oran and Vegapunk outside.
On the deck, a woman with long blonde hair and a white top hat sat calmly by the railing, awaiting a response. Signs of a scuffle surrounded her—several of the ship's security personnel lay defeated.
"I told you, I just want to discuss something with your leaders. No need to get so aggressive."
She raised her hands slightly to show she meant no harm, sensing threats among the reinforcements arriving.
As she said, she'd come with a specific purpose and had no need to make enemies.
"What's going on? Who's this woman? Does she have a grudge against Cidril or Vegapunk?"
"Shurororo, a grudge would be great. Someone to teach those smug guys a lesson, right, Queen?"
Oran's arrival had solidified the trio's united front, their favorite pastime being verbal mental victories.
But for some reason, Queen, usually the most talkative, stayed silent this time.
"Looks like you're unconvinced again. What, want a fight?"
"Exactly. Want another round with Blitzcrank?"
"!!"
Now Caesar and Judge understood Queen's silence. Kate and Blitzcrank had appeared behind them unnoticed.
Kate was one thing, but Blitzcrank, the hulking metal heap, had learned to move silently like a cat due to its learning module and prolonged time with Kate.
Over the past two years, MADS had held several result-based competitions.
Kate, believing her heart was Oran's creation, considered herself one of his achievements and teamed with Blitzcrank for 2v3 matches.
Caesar's terrified expression spoke volumes about Kate's record, which had left the trio with some psychological scars.
A Hextech-enhanced mink paired with Blitzcrank easily trounced these fledgling researchers.
[Queen, you traitor!]
Caesar's glare burned with fury at Queen's silence, certain he'd noticed something but didn't warn them.
Queen met Caesar's gaze unflinchingly.
[What's it got to do with me? If I'd warned you, I'd be an accomplice!]
While exchanging glares, the three shook their heads in unison. With no new results to show, they weren't foolish enough to pick a fight.
Kate said nothing, standing with Blitzcrank behind them until Oran and Vegapunk arrived.
"That woman—I've seen her on a wanted poster. Buckingham Stussy, a pirate. Why's she here?"