"Then may I ask your name?" Vegapunk asked with a polite smile, turning to face Mio.
"Mio Kurokawa," Mio replied with an equally warm smile.
"Then Mr. Mio, a cup of black tea." Vegapunk reached for the black tea resting on an instrument beside him. He poured a cup for himself, then another for Mio, before turning toward Erica. "Does this lady need a cup? It may not be the finest black tea, but it's still quite pleasant."
Erica simply shook her head.
Vegapunk gave a light shrug, handed the filled cup to Mio, and took a sip from his own. His tone remained relaxed and friendly. "So, Mr. Mio, what is it you'd like to discuss?"
Surprisingly, despite Erica's earlier display of impressive combat strength, Vegapunk seemed entirely unfazed. His demeanor was calm and untroubled, as if he didn't feel threatened at all by Mio or his companion.
Mio smiled. "Of course, I've heard of Mr. Vegapunk's brilliance. It might sound a little cliché, but I'm here to make friends. After all, I believe the World Government has already taken an interest in you, hasn't it? If I form a friendship with you now, I might be lucky enough to hear some good news in the future."
"Mr. Mio is certainly straightforward," Vegapunk chuckled, clearly appreciating Mio's honesty.
With a faint smile, Vegapunk glanced at the instruments scattered around the basement. "You're right. The World Government has indeed taken notice of me. But I've always been reluctant to work with them."
"And now?" Mio asked, genuinely curious.
"Now?" Vegapunk let out a helpless sigh and shrugged. "I joined them, of course. I didn't have a second choice, did I?"
With his level of intelligence, Vegapunk knew better than anyone how valuable he was. He also knew that if the World Government couldn't have him, they wouldn't hesitate to eliminate him. The only way he could continue his research was by cooperating with them—there was simply no alternative.
"That's fair." Mio nodded in understanding, then changed the topic with a thoughtful expression. "If I'm not mistaken, that Mr. Judge from earlier—isn't he the king of the Germa family?"
"That's right." Vegapunk nodded, his tone still easygoing. "Judge and I have worked on a joint research project before. He came by earlier to invite me to help develop weapons for Germa, but I refused."
He shrugged again, a gesture that revealed both helplessness and sincerity. "To be honest, I do have some interest in weapons development, but not much. It bores me. What truly fascinates me is the bloodline factor—that's the research I find truly captivating."
"The bloodline factor?" Mio asked with a feigned look of intrigue.
"You may not be familiar with it. The bloodline factor is also referred to as the blueprint of life—think of it as a gene," Vegapunk explained passionately. "It can alter genetic structures. More than that, it's also useful in researching Devil Fruits. In theory, it's not impossible to replicate their powers, though such research would take an incredibly long time."
As he spoke about the bloodline factor, Vegapunk's eyes sparkled with obsession and fervor. He didn't hold anything back, pouring out his discoveries like a child eager to share a secret. Perhaps it was the pride of a researcher, the desire to be acknowledged for his brilliance. For him, accomplishments in science were worth showing off—everything else, not so much.
Of course, Mio already understood the bloodline factor perfectly well. But he played along, pretending to be newly intrigued.
After listening intently, Mio leaned forward slightly. "Mr. Vegapunk, are you particularly interested in genes?"
"Absolutely." Vegapunk nodded without hesitation, his excitement building. "Though I'm a scientist, I have no aversion to power. In fact, my research is heavily centered around it. And genes—well, they're the perfect area of study for that. That's how I came to discover the bloodline factor in the first place."
"In that case, I think we might truly become friends," Mio said with a calm smile. He paused for a beat, then added with a chuckle, "A friendship maintained by 'interests,' that is."
"Oh?" A strange gleam flickered in Vegapunk's eyes before quickly vanishing.
"Let me guess," he said, placing his teacup down. "You want me to become your informant inside the World Government now that I've joined them?"
"That's about right." Mio nodded. He wasn't only interested in having Vegapunk as an informant—he also intended to enlist the scientist's help in future creations.
"And if I refuse?" Vegapunk asked curiously. He noticed how calm and confident Mio remained, as if certain he would agree.
Mio met his gaze, still smiling. "I believe Mr. Vegapunk won't refuse."
Vegapunk didn't reply immediately. Instead, he reached over and removed the hat Erica was wearing, revealing her face.
As her features came into view, Vegapunk's eyes widened. His attention quickly locked onto the peculiar tentacles emerging from her forehead. "Is she… a Devil Fruit user?"
"No," Mio replied, shaking his head. "Erica hasn't eaten any Devil Fruit."
"That's impossible. Then is she a member of some special race?" Vegapunk asked, visibly stunned.
She didn't resemble the Mink Tribe or any other race with visible animal characteristics. Aside from the tentacles on her head, Erica looked entirely human.
"Let me put it this way," Mio explained calmly. "Erica is a mutated ant. But due to a certain special reason involving me, she turned into a human. She can still communicate with ants—and even control them. You can consider it… my fruit ability, if that helps you understand."
Vegapunk leaned back slightly, his eyes filled with astonishment. "What an incredible ability. Could I… have a drop of her blood? I'd like to analyze her genes. There may be some extraordinary discoveries hidden inside."
He paused midway, as if realizing something. Turning back to Mio, his expression turned from wonder to recognition. "I see now. You were right. I really can't refuse."
He finally understood why Mio was so confident—faced with a genetic anomaly like Erica, Vegapunk's curiosity was already overwhelming his hesitation.
"It seems Mr. Vegapunk agrees?" Mio said with a light chuckle.
"I do," Vegapunk said sincerely, nodding. "But only on one condition—I want the opportunity to study more special genetic subjects like this young lady. If Mr. Mio can provide that, I'll gladly offer you any intelligence I can gather."
"Deal," Mio replied, his grin widening slightly. "And since we're now partners of mutual interest, let me offer Mr. Vegapunk a little gift."
"Oh?" Vegapunk's interest was piqued again. "I'm listening."
"If the opportunity arises in the future," Mio said slowly, letting the words settle, "I'll bring you a blood sample from a Sea King."
Vegapunk blinked. "A Sea King? You mean… the Sea King—one of the ancient weapons?"
"That's right," Mio confirmed, smiling calmly.
Vegapunk's eyes widened again, filled with both wonder and an insatiable thirst for knowledge.
Their partnership had just begun—one built on mutual curiosity, powerful secrets, and shared ambition.