One Piece: Nobody knows Devil Fruits better than me.

Chapter 192 The Essence of Devil Fruits?
As Vegapunk said.

In the distant past, MADS aspired to explore the limits of science.

Although the scientists among them have different personalities, research philosophies, and even dislike each other, most of them are aware of this.

In this world, the most worthy subject of study is always the Devil Fruit.

These 'treasures of the sea' possess unimaginable power, a unique 'circulation system', and an origin that cannot be understood by humankind.

So they followed the origins of Devil Fruits, traveling to various ancient kingdoms.

Until they found the 'root' that Vegapunk was holding in the ruins of that kingdom.

Or, to put it another way, change the name.
"The blueprint for life—that's what we call it after studying its characteristics."

Vegapunk's voice carried a sense of reminiscence.

It's as if the circumstances of discovering this tree root are still vivid in my mind.

“When we first noticed it, we thought it was just a fossil—we would have almost ignored it if there hadn’t been other things nearby.”

"But after studying it, we discovered that it was an incredible creation."

He stated all the information he currently knew about the tree root.

“It looks like a tree root, but it is actually ‘everything’.”

What is everything?
As the name suggests
"Humans, beasts, fish, the genetic structure of all living things exists in this tree root."

"In addition, the structural formulas of inorganic substances and gases are also incorporated into it."

"It's like a template for a 'blueprint of life,' and even a small piece of tree root contains incredible power."

As Vegapunk spoke, a fervent glint flashed in his eyes.

"I am not boasting, but I believe that the MADS group we formed at that time was the best research group in the world."

"But even if we all study it frantically and analyze its composition, we will ultimately be unable to truly understand even one ten-thousandth of its mystery!"

"And ultimately."

As he spoke, his voice trembled and became hoarse.

Even a genius like him, with countless memories and knowledge stored in his mind, could not forget that day.

On that day, they glimpsed what was hidden deep within the tree roots.

"It's the same structure as a Devil Fruit, but much clearer. That's the 'bloodline factor'."

That was the first time the word truly appeared in the public eye.

Bloodline does not refer to human bloodline.

Rather, it is the lineage of the 'Devil Fruit,' its origin, and the foundation of the world's existence.

"My colleagues have all made great breakthroughs in their respective research areas after discovering the bloodline factor."

He recounted the details with great familiarity: "Judge discovered the significance of lineage factors in genetic modification, Queen discovered the conversion of energy and the changes and continuation of vitality, and Caesar studied the content related to Devil Fruit abilities."

“Bagingom used to be the ship's doctor for the Rocks Pirates, but even though she didn't understand science, she made a breakthrough in her medical skills by working with us.”

"And in the end, we cloned the first 'artificial human'—without any defects, possessing Devil Fruit abilities, and even aging extremely slowly due to genetic modification. It was a perfect experimental result!"

Without needing to say more, the Star Lord naturally knew who he was referring to.

MADS's first android is none other than Stussy, the queen of the Pleasure Street.

However, what surprised the Star Lord a little was the mention of Bazingum in Vegapunk's words.

His full name is 'Bakingom Stussy'. He was a former member of the Rocks Pirates and the prototype for the Queen of Pleasure District.

As far as the Star Lord knew, Bakingom originally worked as a 'diner' in MADS—simply put, someone who just freeloaded.

But now it seems that the other party's actual identity is a doctor, and he did indeed participate in some of MADS' experiments.

Of course, what the star lord remembers most vividly is...

This same Bazingum was the mother of Edward Weevil, the enemy of his teacher, Zephyr.

Of course, this was after hearing Vegapunk's words at that moment.

The Star Lord became even more suspicious of the true identities of the mother and son.

Of course, none of that matters at this moment.

The important thing is
"And what about you, sir?"

At this moment, the Star Lord's star-studded gaze seemed to be directed at Vegapunk: "Your colleagues have all made gains—so what have you discovered from the bloodline factors?"

It's only natural—if everyone else has found something in the roots, then Vegapunk must have as well.

Upon hearing this, Vegapunk scratched his enormous head.

"I am somewhat different from my colleagues who specialize in one area."

"I am rather greedy, and even more curious."

He said so.

But this statement was clearly not self-deprecating.

Quite the opposite, even.

For a scientist, curiosity is a necessity of science, and greed is a catalyst for inspiration.

Only scientists who are curious about everything and greedy for all knowledge can climb the highest peak of science.

so.
"I know a little bit about everything."

Vegapunk's words were very humble.

But at this moment, the Star Lord could keenly perceive it.

Vegapunk's use of the term "a little bit" was not a comparison with his other colleagues.

He is comparing himself to the world.

His knowledge of the world is but a fraction of what it is.

For others
Dr. Vegapunk is already on the highest peak.

That's why Vegapunk didn't pay much attention to Caesar's previous research.

Cloning technology, life form modification, gene technology, energy technology—he has made tremendous discoveries from the very roots of the tree, and he is the world's first in every technology.

But of all those discoveries, this was the one he cared about most.
"It's the essence of Devil Fruits."

Vegapunk looked at the Star Lord and stated the core of his research findings over the years. "There is a certain energy within this tree root that I cannot yet accurately identify, but it is one of the sources of Devil Fruit creation—it was with its help that I created the 'Azure Dragon Fruit: Crimson Dragon Form'."

"Therefore, I call it 'bloodline factor source energy'."

"With this, I can confirm that the essence of Devil Fruit is not the 'fruit' that it appears to be on the surface. Its essence should be something more conceptual, only that its corresponding bloodline factor sequence is attached to the fruit."

This is the part he confirmed.

He has verified this through research.

It turns out that even without eating the fruit, objects can acquire Zoan-type Devil Fruit abilities through the modification of lineage factors—the lineage factors of animals are relatively simple.

This means that the 'fruit' itself is not the point; it is merely the vessel that carries the power.

Vegapunk had even vaguely grasped the key point; he felt that he might realize what that 'concept' was in a year or two at most.

But obviously.

At this moment, the Star Lord had already realized it.

Because at this moment, he had already recalled the mural on the Abyss.

In the mural, everyone is praying to that huge tree—and from that tree, everything in the world begins to 'generate'.

In addition, he also remembered that in the original work, Vegapunk seemed to have grasped the essence of that concept five years later.

"desire."

"The Star Lord said softly."

"...Wish...?"

Vegapunk, who had not yet advanced his research to this point, was stunned.

"A wish? Yes, a wish!"

His voice was hoarse as he repeated the Star Lord's words over and over again, then he jumped up as if he had been set on fire: "Yes! It's the wish—perfect! An impeccable explanation!"

"The essence of Devil Fruits is the 'wishes' of living beings, while bloodline factor energy is the condensation of 'wishes'?"

At this moment, his gaze toward the Star Lord was extremely fervent, almost to the point of reverence.

"As expected of you, Star Lord, your understanding of bloodline factors is truly unparalleled, so exquisite! There's no mistake! There's no mistake!"

He started gesturing wildly again.

Star Lord: "."

To say the original author's answer in front of the original author, and then be admired by the original author in the end—who can you reason with that?
Of course, he didn't have time to think about that much at the moment.

Because at this point he was almost certain.

The tree root in Vegapunk's hand comes from the tree depicted in the mural.

Of course, judging from the size of the tree in the mural, the tree root here is not a tree root at all, but at most a tiny piece of debris from that tree.

But even so.
"Could you let me take a look at it?"

At this moment, the Star Lord asked, trying his best to remain calm.

"Of course, that's why I brought you here in the first place."

Vegapunk was taken aback when he heard this, and then realized that he had been holding the box the whole time because he was shocked.

He quickly walked up to the Star Lord and handed him the tree root.

Just as he said, he brought the Star Lord here to show him this tree branch.

He believed that with the knowledge of bloodline factors possessed by the twelve constellations, he might be able to make even greater discoveries on this branch—in fact, the fact that the star lord had just proposed that 'the essence of Devil Fruits is wish' was already a tremendous discovery, which caused Vegapunk's mind to surge with inspiration.

He even wished he could immediately return to his laboratory and begin his research on the spot.

"You don't need to worry about the roots being damaged. I've conducted many experiments, and the roots themselves are indestructible, even more so than the Poneglyphs... Eh eh eh eh eh!?"

Before Vegapunk could finish speaking, he witnessed an unbelievable scene.

His eyes nearly popped out of their sockets, his long tongue snapped shut, and his face turned bright red.

Because right now, right in front of him.

He clearly saw it—the very moment the Star Lord's hand touched the tree root.

"Buzz!"

That tree root, in an instant, began to turn into ashes like sand.

It only took a moment.

It had already disappeared into the hands of the Star Lord.

"It's disappeared!?"

Vegapunk hopped over to the Star Lord and stared incredulously at the Star Lord's empty hands.

"Incredible! How did you do that?!"

At the same time he exclaimed in surprise.

The Star Lord also silently looked at his hands.

Beneath the mask, Roy could now clearly see the changes in the Fruit Encyclopedia.

[The origin of the 'bloodline factor' has been analyzed]

[Bloodline Factor Activation -19.92 → 34.81%]

Yes.

The moment he touched the branch, he heard the prompt from the Fruit Encyclopedia, and then the branch in his hand vanished.

This situation was not unfamiliar to Roy.

When he obtains the real Devil Fruit and analyzes it, the Devil Fruit will also simply dissipate.

Therefore, at this moment, Roy could roughly understand what had happened.

"If the tree in the mural is truly the source of all Devil Fruits, then its body naturally contains some of the 'bloodline factors' of all Devil Fruits in theory."

"Therefore, it can naturally accelerate the analysis progress of the Fruit Encyclopedia at an extremely fast pace!"

Upon thinking of this, Roy was instantly moved.

(End of this chapter)