Chapter 190: Abyssal Sea Contract ×! Star Contract √!
Yes.
In just an instant, "Hitsujii" before Vegapunk and Kuma was replaced by another figure.
That was the mysterious existence with the most prominent prestige on the sea today.
That was... "Star Lord".
At this moment, he seemed like a deity descending from the void, manifesting from Hitsujii.
Even Kuma's usually steady face couldn't help showing shock.
"This... this... this is..."
Meanwhile, Vegapunk's eyes almost popped out—his huge head visibly turned red, clearly overloaded.
"Aby... Aby..."
He pointed at the descended Star Lord incredulously, about to say something.
Puru Puru! Puru Puru!
Suddenly, a Den Den Mushi sound from Kuma interrupted him.
Kuma snapped out of it, expression changing slightly.
As mentioned before—to ensure this secret meeting with The Zodiac wasn't exposed, Vegapunk prepared in advance.
So most surveillance snails and devices on Egghead couldn't work normally now; even surveillance snails would only see prepared fake recordings.
Of course, cutting off all contact itself was suspicious.
So...
"It's a 'Special Den Den Mushi' of the World Government."
Kuma took out the snail immediately; it bore the World Government's "Cross Symbol".
His tone was solemn.
Did the Government discover this meeting?
Thinking of this, even steady Kuma felt uneasy.
"Don't worry."
But Vegapunk, barely recovering, shook his head. "If really discovered, it wouldn't be a snail, but Government fleets and Admirals."
"And Sentomaru would notify this old man anyway—he's at SSG headquarters recently, would receive news in advance."
He tried to calm down, guessing, "Government contacting you now should be related to you succeeding the 'Warlord' position."
Hearing this, Kuma nodded thoughtfully.
"In that case, to avoid exposure... I'll leave for a moment."
So, he stood up.
First glancing at Bonney, then turning to Star Lord.
He didn't understand technology, but understood Vegapunk's words just now—as long as this Star Lord cooperated and broke through that "Essence of Lineage Factor" research, Bonney could be cured.
"Just inform me of the result after your discussion."
"Whatever request Star Lord has, I accept."
He said softly.
After speaking, he took off his gloves again.
VMMM!
Next moment, his figure flashed, disappearing from the spot.
"..."
Watching disappearing Kuma, Vegapunk opened his mouth.
"This guy is really..."
But finally, he shook his head, saying nothing more.
He knew Kuma staying here was meaningless.
Just like his words.
As long as Bonney could be saved, whatever Star Lord asked, Kuma would agree happily.
But undoubtedly, Vegapunk had no extra energy to care about Kuma now.
He turned to Star Lord, finishing his interrupted words.
"Lord Star Lord."
His words seemed somewhat difficult. "You descended here through Lord Hitsujii's body... is this ability..."
"Aby... Abyssal Sea Contract!?"
Speaking here, his voice was almost hoarse.
Under the Star Lord mask, Roy raised his eyebrows.
Surprise flashed in his eyes.
Naturally, Roy's descent wasn't due to the Abyssal Sea Contract.
[Slice-Slice Fruit LV4 — Main body can switch positions with any slice clone anytime]
Yes.
He used this ability of the Slice-Slice Fruit LV4.
As for "Hitsujii", he was now in the detention unit dormitory at Marine Headquarters.
Vegapunk couldn't tell; not surprising—even a genius couldn't guess the existence of the Fruit Encyclopedia, nor guess the entire Zodiac were slice clones of one person.
But what surprised Roy was Vegapunk saying the term "Abyssal Sea Contract".
This fact itself explained a lot.
So...
"Abyssal Sea Contract belongs to 'Imu's' power."
Star Lord said calmly.
"As for the contract between me and my Stars—it is the 'Star Contract'."
He was clearly experienced in casual fabrication.
"Star... Contract!?"
He saw Vegapunk's eyes widen instantly with suspicion and uncertainty.
But then, the genius scientist realized another keyword in Star Lord's words: "Imu?"
A strange name to him.
But from Star Lord's words, Vegapunk seemed to realize a fact.
Next moment, he heard Star Lord's pointed answer: "You should have sensed His existence already, right?"
"Imu—Master of the Empty Throne, true ruler of the world, creator of the 'Void Century'."
Vegapunk's body stiffened.
"I... mu..."
He murmured the name.
Even the scientist leading the world by five hundred years felt the heavy weight in it.
"I never thought 'It' would be a conscious creature."
Yes.
Unknown to the World Government, Vegapunk had secretly studied ancient history for a long time.
After Ohara was burned down, he visited the ruins to pay respects.
Knowing Ohara's books were moved to Elbaf by surviving Saul and giants, he went to Elbaf to read all materials.
From there, he glimpsed fragments of the "Void Century" and the world's truth.
For example, he found the current "Five Elders", although nominally members of Celestial Dragon families of this era, had fake data—they seemed to exist since a very long time ago.
Vegapunk originally guessed the Five Elders might have obtained some powerful force in the past, granting them long life and world ruling authority.
But now, Star Lord's words made him realize the terrible fact.
The "World's Highest Authority" Five Elders didn't obtain a force.
But that "Force" itself was a living creature.
The so-called highest authority was just an extension of an existence's will.
The Empty Throne in Mary Geoise truly had a master.
And he even got the name—Imu.
"This old man remembers among the Twenty Kings who created the world, there was a Saint Imu of the Nerona Dynasty?"
As the "Brain-Brain Fruit" user, Vegapunk recalled this knowledge instantly.
Hearing this, Star Lord didn't answer.
He had a rough guess about Imu's identity—he didn't think Imu was one of the Twenty Kings who created the World Government.
After all, on the Abyss mural, the Twenty Kings were prostrating at the feet of that black shadow inside the tree.
But before confirming, he wouldn't talk nonsense.
But unexpectedly...
"I see, the master of 'Abyssal Sea Contract' is a conscious creature, that makes sense."
Seeing Star Lord not answering, Vegapunk didn't mind.
"Not Abyssal Sea Contract, but Star Contract..."
Muttering, his eyes looking at Star Lord became brighter.
Finally, Vegapunk's gaze was almost fanatical.
"This old man didn't find the wrong person—your research on lineage factors has reached this level..."
He said excitedly, then turned around immediately. "Please follow this old man quickly, this old man will take you to see that 'Research Material'."
Saying so, he turned trembling, walking quickly toward the lower "Egghead".
At this moment, he looked like an apprentice just entering scientific research.
He led Star Lord to the Labophase, but didn't choose the conventional passage. Counting steps, he stopped before a smooth alloy wall, pressing his palm on it.
The wall opened silently.
After Vegapunk and Star Lord entered, the wall closed again—inside was a huge passage extending downward.
"Detecting fingerprints."
"Identifying pupils."
"Identifying voice, blood."
"Detecting heartbeat speed, determining if coerced."
Every few steps, continuous voices sounded in the passage.
"This is the 'Silent Corridor', a special 'Isolation Layer' in this Labophase."
Vegapunk explained softly. "All conceivable protections are here. Except for this old man's bio-signal, even the Five Elders entering would trigger alarms instantly, ensuring safety inside."
Speaking, the two soon reached the end of this passage.
At the end was a massive, seamless recessed door.
Star Lord recognized at a glance—a door made of high-purity Sea Prism Stone.
At this moment...
"Hoo..."
Vegapunk took a deep breath.
Then, he pressed his huge forehead against the groove on the door.
Next moment, Sea Prism Stone's effect made his body limp instantly.
Then...
"15156413154..."
On the door, strings of countless numbers flashed continuously.
Vegapunk looked at those numbers, seemingly recording them.
Finally...
"43149..."
He uttered a long string of numbers weakly to the door.
Click!
The door opened.
Star Lord: "..."
Although not understanding specific details, he was sure—Vegapunk just underwent a test only passable by him, the "Brain-Brain Fruit" user.
But this clearly wasn't important.
Because now, Star Lord saw the space behind the door.
A laboratory.
Nothing else inside, only some high-end looking instruments, and a cylinder in the center.
Inside the cylinder, a box was stored.
"This is it."
Vegapunk's voice carried indescribable obsession.
Not for power, authority, fame, or even the box.
He was obsessed with... "The Unknown" itself.
"About 30 years ago, when this old man was conducting independent research in MADS... back then, this old man and colleagues weren't targeted by the Government yet."
Vegapunk inputted the password at the cylinder, explaining in a low voice.
Speaking, he was somewhat nostalgic.
As mentioned before, he and some top scientists were members of the research organization MADS.
Invested by "God of Fortune" Du Feld, one of the Underworld Emperors, this institution lacked no funds and had extreme research freedom, famous on the sea back then.
"Back then, we were obsessed with Devil Fruit research, conducting inspections worldwide... in an ancient kingdom destroyed by the World Government for 'Endangering Peace', we found some things."
Vegapunk paused here.
"Most things were precious, but the most precious... are These!"
He took out the box vigilantly, opening it with extreme care.
He opened the box.
So, Star Lord saw the thing inside.
A slender object.
About half an arm's length, twisted and knotted.
Star Lord recognized what it was at a glance.
It was a... Tree Root!
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