San Faldo, Paradise
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"You want my treasure? You can have it! I left everything I gathered together in one place. Now you just have to find it!"
WOAHHHHHHHHH! The Crowd roared.
"NEWNEWNEWNEW! Did you hear that, William? A treasure beyond anyone's dreams," Friedrich Laughed, raising his mug. He glanced at the den-den Mushi, now faded to static. "Looks like their plan backfired."
"Damn him!" William slammed his mug on the table, wine splashing across the wood. Friedrich flinched, startled by the sudden burst of life in his old friend. "Just when we're finally old and ready to die, the world decides to get interesting again."
"Haha, we've lived far too long, Will." Friedrich leaned back, savoring a slow sip of wine. "It's time for the younger generation to take over. I'm sure Vegapunk will uncover the secrets of this world soon enough."
William sighed, his gaze distant. "I should've married. Maybe taken in a disciple — someone to carry on my legacy."
"It's too late for regrets now, old friend," Friedrich murmured, his long white beard glinting under the lamplight. "Still… you're right. Before I die, I want to leave something behind too."
As they drowned their sorrows in ale, a short woman with dark brown hair and thick black glasses quietly pulled up a chair to their table.
"Good evening, gentlemen," she said, her voice calm but deliberate.
William looked up, brow furrowed. "And who might you be, young lady?" Friedrich had the same question written across his face.
"My name is Marie," she replied, taking the pitcher and refilling their mugs without waiting for permission. "I've been searching for you both for several months… and I've finally found you."
Friedrich set his mug down slowly. "And what business does someone like you have with a pair of old men?"
Marie's lips curved into a faint, knowing smile. "I know you're two of the greatest scientific minds alive. I have a proposal for you."
"If you're from the Marines, forget it — that's not happening," William said flatly.
"No, I'm not with those scum," Marie huffed. She leaned in, lowering her voice. "I'm from God Valley."
That made both men pause.
"God Valley, you say?" Friedrich's tone shifted from disinterest to curiosity. "Let's speak somewhere private."
The three of them left the bar and made their way through the quiet streets to the scientists' modest home.
"Who would've thought two of the greatest minds in history lived so humbly," Marie said as she looked around. "I must say, it's quite cozy."
"Flattery won't get you far," William said, settling into his chair. "Now tell us, what would a survivor of God Valley want with us?"
Marie met his gaze steadily. "I once worked under your former colleague, Vinsmoke Judge. I helped him perfect his research on Lineage Factors."
Friedrich raised an eyebrow. "Oh? So the old fool finally achieved his dream. Back when we were in M.A.D.S., he wouldn't shut up about it — either that or his obsession with weaponization."
Marie nodded. "Yes, but I didn't just help him perfect it. After leaving him, I took the research further."
"You left him? Why?" William asked.
"I left after what he did to Sora."
"His wife?" William's eyes narrowed. "What did that bastard do — kill her?"
"No, she's alive for now," Marie said quietly. "But he will be a reason for it if she dies. He genetically modified his daughter… stripped her of her emotions."
Friedrich clicked his tongue. "Hmph. He hasn't changed one bit — still a cruel bastard."
"I'm not here to talk about Vinsmoke Judge," Marie said, her voice firming. "As I mentioned, I went beyond Lineage Factors. I've discovered something far greater — a Devil Fruit's Power Factor."
Both men froze.
"A… Power Factor?" they said in unison.
"Yes — a Power Factor," Marie replied. She reached into her bag and unfolded a set of handwritten notes, sliding them across the table. "I've discovered how to grant someone a Devil Fruit's ability… without the curse taking hold."
The room fell silent. The two scientists stared at her in disbelief.
Friedrich was the first to move. He shot up from his chair and hurried to lock the doors and shutter the windows. "How in the world did you manage that?"
Marie's eyes gleamed behind her glasses. "If you want to know," she said, lowering her voice, "I'll need your help."
William exchanged a glance with Friedrich, then nodded. "We're listening."
"I plan to create the Perfect Human," Marie said, each word deliberate. "And with your expertise, I can make the process far more efficient."
"We're in," both men said, almost in unison — their curiosity and ambition outweighing caution.
"Good," Marie said, extending her hand. "Then take my hand."
Without hesitation, they did as she instructed.
A soft pop echoed through the room — and in an instant, the three of them were gone.
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They appeared in the middle of a dimly lit laboratory. Strange machines hummed softly around them, the air thick with the scent of metal and ozone.
"Welcome to my laboratory," Marie said, her voice echoing faintly off the cold walls.
"Whoa…" Friedrich turned slowly, taking in the glowing panels and polished instruments. "This is better than our old lab."
"This way," Marie gestured, leading them toward a cylindrical pod bathed in pale blue light. Inside floated a tiny embryo — no larger than a pea.
"Meet my masterpiece," she said.
William frowned. "You've already created your perfect human. What do you need us for?"
Marie shook her head. "No. I'm not finished yet. There are still several factors that must be added." She pointed to the pod. "What you're looking at is an ordinary human embryo — for now."
"Is it yours?" William asked warily. His tone hardened. "What kind of mother removes her own unborn child? You're sick."
Marie's expression didn't waver. "It's not mine. I created it from scratch."
Friedrich folded his arms. "An embryo still needs a mother. Don't tell me you plan to let it die?"
A cold smile touched her lips. "I've wanted revenge ever since God Valley. During that time, I studied the Lineage Factors… and collected a few rare samples from the battlefield."
Now, both men leaned forward, curiosity overtaking judgment.
"Oh? And whose blood did you use?" William asked.
"For the mother, I considered Charlotte Linlin," Marie said thoughtfully, "but decided against it. Instead, I chose the most beautiful woman of that era."
William's eyes widened slightly. "Shakuyaku, huh… a wonderful choice."
"And the father?" Friedrich pressed.
Marie paused, the corner of her mouth curling into a smile. "Well—"
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"Oh, how wonderful," both scientists exclaimed, astonishment lighting their faces.
"We'll do our best to help you," Friedrich said eagerly.
"Good, because this will be our Magnum Opus."