Pirate World, Karakuri Island.
Vegapunk frowned looking at Imu lying inside the glass dome. The continuously fluctuating data on the instruments also made her slightly confused about the situation.
"How is the condition?"
The Gorosei were all slightly impatient.
The current situation wasn't optimistic. The pirate forces were gathering, and the Four Seas had made many moves. The time remaining for them wasn't much.
"The soul damage is too severe, causing the body to enter a state of suspended animation. If not resolved immediately, the body could become necrotic and irreparable."
Vegapunk gave his conclusion.
The Gorosei's faces instantly became gloomy.
"Then what about Rocks' body?"
Nusjuro asked: "Previously, Lord Imu failed to seize Rocks' body. Can you do it?"
Vegapunk glanced at Nusjuro and sneered: "Wasn't the lesson the Gold List gave before enough? The Gold List has clearly warned that they must not seize Gold List rewards with special methods. Imu is already on the blacklist. Although I can help transfer the soul, I can't do it. Do you want Imu to die faster?"
Nusjuro's face stiffened. He said angrily from embarrassment: "Then tell us, what should we do?"
Vegapunk pondered: "Currently there's only one way, repair the soul. Imu lost too much soul, which caused her to fall asleep. Only by trying to fill the lost soul might she be able to wake up and recover!"
At that moment, the screen on the side lit up. A tall figure appeared on the screen.
"What do you want from me?"
Seeing who came, everyone cheered up.
This person was one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, Gecko Moria.
"Let him in!"
Vegapunk had the highest authority on Karakuri Island. People not permitted to enter could only force their way in, but how could the world's number one scientist's headquarters be easy to breach?
Before long, a shadow extended from the ground and entered, then rose from the ground surface, transforming into a giant figure.
It was the user of the Shadow-Shadow Fruit (Kage Kage no Mi), Gecko Moria.
"You came at the right time. Your Devil Fruit is somewhat similar to souls. Try to see if it can be useful."
Vegapunk without preamble explained the situation.
Moria looked at the figure inside the glass dome, shocked: "Is this Lord Imu of the World Government?"
Although he was a Shichibukai, with his authority and ability, he didn't have the qualifications at all to meet this existence.
Saturn said coldly: "Don't waste time, do you have a way?"
Gecko Moria was slightly annoyed.
'Is this your attitude when asking for help?'
But he didn't dare be presumptuous. After all, these five old men, even one of them alone could kill him in an instant, undoubtedly.
These were experts who even killed Rocks in the past, the supreme rulers of the World Government.
Moria extended his hand. He saw warped shadows spew out from his mouth, gathering and emitting sad wails, looking rather eerie.
"These are shadows I captured using my ability. According to what you said, they should have commonalities with souls."
Vegapunk observed the shadows carefully, his eyes slightly narrowed. He suddenly activated an instrument, sucking all those shadows into it. The screen on the side immediately began displaying a large amount of data.
The corner of Moria's mouth twitched.
These were shadows he obtained with much effort. Some of them were even from famous experts. Originally he planned to use them to arm his personal guards. Now they were all taken by Vegapunk.
A few moments later, Vegapunk smiled slightly.
Mars hurriedly asked: "How is it?"
Vegapunk pondered for a moment: "More or less as I guessed. Moria's Devil Fruit ability is indeed related to souls. These shadows do seal part of the soul inside them, that's why the shadows can have thoughts and activities, and even have memories. But Imu's main soul is too strong. It's not easy to recover."
After a pause, Vegapunk said: "I can separate the soul from the shadows through instruments, but one soul definitely isn't enough. Many souls are needed to complete it."
Warcury hurriedly said: "Then separate them! As long as Lord Imu can be cured, what do a few shadow souls matter? If not enough, let Moria take more!"
Moria's expression twitched. Was he being treated as a laborer now?
Vegapunk shook his head: "It's not that simple. Currently Imu's soul is missing. If too many other souls are injected, it will make her confused. If her own soul cannot effectively suppress these foreign souls, she will lose her sanity, like... schizophrenia!"
Everyone was shocked.
Schizophrenia?
Vegapunk said: "However, it's not without a solution. Imu's soul is strong enough. Although most of it is lost, other ordinary souls are still difficult to affect it. Even as time goes by, those souls will continue to be eroded and assimilated, and eventually become part of herself."
Saturn felt relieved: "Then just do it!"
Vegapunk hesitated: "Shouldn't we wait for Akainu and the others? Perhaps if that Orochimaru comes, there might be a better way."
Vegapunk had great interest in scientists from other worlds and didn't want to miss this opportunity.
Saturn said angrily: "Those three trash, still no news until now. Wait for them to come, the pirate forces will have already invaded Mary Geoise. Now the most important thing is to make Lord Imu wake up and control the situation. Everything else isn't important!"
Vegapunk nodded slightly: "I understand."
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
The shore of Karakuri Island.
A warship broke through the waves and finally anchored at the beach.
The three Admirals jumped from the ship. Their faces didn't look good.
This time their operation failed again.
Orochimaru ultimately escaped. That little kid named Kimimaro was indeed difficult to deal with. He finally released an unmatched giant metal bone cage to trap the three of them.
Although the three successfully broke the cage, they still lost track of Orochimaru.
"The situation is getting more serious."
Aokiji frowned: "We passed through the North Blue before, and didn't even see the shadow of a pirate ship. If there's no surprise, these people all came to the Grand Line to join the Four Emperors."
Akainu sneered: "Just small fry. What use is their jumping around?"
Although he said this, the mood of the three was very heavy. Failing to bring Orochimaru this time, two consecutive mission failures, made them feel ashamed.
Suddenly, several large figures came quickly, blocking in front of the three of them.
"Karakuri Island restricted area, stop!"
The three Admirals were shocked. They all looked at the large figures before them with slight surprise: "PX-1?"
Indeed worthy of being Karakuri Island, the headquarters of Vegapunk, the world's number one scientist. Even the outermost guards were PX-1.