Punk Hazard, even though Caesar never believed that the research results belonged to Queen, he still analyzed the blood remaining in the dragon's head, hoping to discover something special in it.
As the research deepened, Caesar became more irritable. The bloodline factors contained within the blood were not much different from regular bloodline factors, except that it held a powerful force belonging to the Devil Fruit.
Based on his many failed experiences in creating Devil Fruits, such concentration should be impossible to succeed, but there was a magical and unknown component in it. This unknown component harmonized the impossible parts, turning the impossible into possible.
He worked tirelessly for several days, barely managing to isolate that component, but today, when he checked, it had disappeared.
According to the intelligence department's reports, if this thing was a technology from Queen, then he had not only achieved a technological breakthrough but had also implemented a technology lock, creating an "anti-theft measure."
Meanwhile, over at Vegapunk's side, the developments were entirely different. The Brain-Brain Fruit had greatly enhanced Vegapunk's brain capacity, and coupled with his inherent scientific abilities, he remained the strongest scientist in the Navy.
Even knowing a lot of things, the World Government was unwilling to let go of such talent at this time. Hence, he had access to many experimental materials that Caesar did not.
A few days ago, he noticed that the mysterious substance was continuously dissipating and attempted to preserve it through special means. In some sense, he succeeded. After combining with a special sample, that mysterious power was preserved.
And that material was none other than a special item derived from Lunarians' blood.
However, Vegapunk did not reveal this achievement, declaring like Caesar that the substance had disappeared, and he called the mysterious power "Divine Blood."
This component was beyond his understanding; all the materials he had studied throughout his life and his analyses couldn't explain the existence of this component.
He wasn't entirely devoted to serving the Navy and World Government, so he naturally wouldn't disclose everything.
For example, the replicated Azure Dragon Fruit, the World Government and the Navy only knew it was a defective product, but they did not know that the defect was merely a difference in color.
...
In Borsalino's temporary office, he was patiently brewing tea. On the table were a few sheets of white paper, indicating he was practicing calligraphy. Compared to Kuzan and Sakazuki, who were running around the sea handling various issues, his life was incredibly leisurely.
Moreover, no one could complain about him. His current task was to protect Vegapunk and Punk Hazard's safety while also assisting with some of Vegapunk's research.
But he didn't understand technology and could only provide some experimental samples. Besides, hardly anyone would attack a Navy base. Normal people wouldn't do such things, except perhaps for the occasionally insane Kaidou. This had never happened before.
So, at this moment, Borsalino could be said to be reasonably slacking off.
"Old man! Why don't you return the calls again? Vegapunk can't wait any longer."
At this time, a man wearing a red bellyband with a Magatama pattern pushed open the door. He was Sentomaru, Vegapunk's personal bodyguard.
Dressed in a style leaning towards Wano Kuni, he called himself the world's most tight-lipped man.
"Hmm? That's strange. I clearly returned the call. It's you guys who didn't pick up. Look, it's been connected all this time."
Borsalino pointed at the Radio Snail on the desk, looking innocent.
"How many times have I told you, the black Radio Snail is for eavesdropping, not for direct calls!"
Looking at the small black Radio Snail in Borsalino's hand, Sentomaru was speechless. Ever since he had met this man code-named Kizaru, though easy to get along with, he behaved like someone with dementia.
Whenever it involved Radio Snails, he would unconsciously pick up the eavesdropping Radio Snail. Sentomaru often suspected that Kizaru did this to extend his slacking time.
"So, is there something you need?"
"Vegapunk told me not to tell you, saying he wanted to give you a little surprise. The creature the Navy needs has already taken shape, and he asked me to bring you over to take a look and hand it over to the Navy."
Though a scientist, Vegapunk was not rigid and even somewhat playful. However, he chose the wrong messenger, for Sentomaru unknowingly revealed everything, remaining oblivious to his slip.
Vegapunk likely chose him as a bodyguard precisely for reasonable leaks.
...
In an underground laboratory at Punk Hazard, a giant flying dragon was soaking in a peculiar liquid.
For Vegapunk, it wasn't particularly complicated, as it was a successful example from the start, albeit smaller and lacking special abilities, simply a flying creature.
With the analysis of the eight-headed dragon's liquid and previous successes combined, this entirely new creature emerged.
It inherited certain abilities but was a degraded version of the Yamata no Orochi, possessing strong self-healing capability but lacking the other elemental abilities of the Orochi.
Strictly speaking, Vegapunk only analyzed the bloodline factors from the Yamata no Orochi; the powers of Pokemon were beyond his deciphering capability.
Vegapunk couldn't replicate the eight-headed dragon, but those high-concentration Devil Fruit components did him a great favor, allowing this dragon to possess some of the Yamato no Orochi Fruit's powers.
"If its head chopped off, can it regenerate immediately?"
"Yes, but it takes considerable time, and after two or three times, it will die completely. As for other abilities, there aren't enough samples to perform additional analyses. Oh, and the cost of creating such a dragon is about the same as building three warships.
You'll have to figure out the weaponry yourselves. This size could accommodate that experimental type of Laser Cannon, but that would increase the cost by another warship."
It was a simplified prototype weapon based on Kizaru's bloodline factors, not yet reduced in size.
"It sounds strong, but isn't the cost a bit high?"
"Hmm? You only asked me to make it, not mentioned the cost. If mass-produced, the cost should be compressed further. You decide; I have other things to do. Let me know once it's decided."
With that, Vegapunk left, and Borsalino reported the situation to Sengoku. The World Government had granted autonomy, so Sengoku needed to make the decision.
After hearing the hefty cost, despite the pain, he made the decision to produce. Not aiming to rapidly develop an air force unit, but just to have some countermeasures against those monsters...