The value of Seacrystal goes without saying. Before the discovery of Pure Gold, it was undoubtedly the king of treasures!
This gem, as blue as the ocean itself, crystal clear, and utterly free of impurities, shines with an exquisite luster even without any processing. Nobles and royals across the seas have coveted it.
Moreover, it is a companion mineral to Seastone, sharing its unique properties. Given the immense worth of Seastone alone, Seacrystal's rarity only amplifies its desirability.
Yet, its scarcity is staggering.
Even within a Seastone deposit the size of a football field, one might not find even a sesame seed-sized fragment of Seacrystal.
Over centuries, only a handful of Seacrystal pieces have surfaced in the world.
The largest known piece resides in Fish-Man Island.
Those who recognize its significance respectfully call it the "Heart of the Ocean."
"So this little piece of Seacrystal is that valuable? I had no idea." Rowen looked at Jinbe in surprise.
Jinbe truly was an honest man!
When asking for his help before, he hadn't once mentioned its value to drive up the price. Of course, from the perspective of protecting Fish-Man Island, its worth made no difference in his decision.
But...
"Isn't this less about its value and more about what it means?"
Vegapunk gave Rowen an exasperated look.
Just then, Rowen reached into his coat and withdrew the Seacrystal he had been keeping close since acquiring his wrist-mounted dart shooter.
"Actually, even if you hadn't sought me out today, I had something I needed to discuss with you, Vegapunk."
Hearing this, Vegapunk frowned.
"Please speak, Admiral Soryu (Azure Dragon)."
"I've consulted Jinbe, sent people to investigate Sky Island, and even leveraged my connections to acquire some of Alabasta's 'Hero's Water.'"
"Through this, I discovered a curious connection: whether it's the Energy Steroids from Fish-Man Island's Tamatebako, Alabasta's so-called Hero's Water, the Sea Clouds and Island Clouds of Skypiea, or even Seastone itself, they all contain a mysterious substance— Pyrobroin keratin particles. Different names, same composition."
As Vegapunk pondered this revelation, Rowen continued, "And Seacrystal is no exception."
"But there's something troubling me. Have you noticed anything unusual about my body lately?"
"Unusual?"
Vegapunk scrutinized Rowen, his mechanical eye whirring slightly as he examined him.
Then his expression shifted to shock.
Rowen had grown again!
From his previous three-meter frame— already akin to a small Giant— he had stretched another ten centimeters taller!
"So, you've noticed?" Rowen extinguished his cigar in the ashtray and grinned. "That's right. My body size."
"At first, my rapid growth was attributed to rigorous Rokushiki training. Zephyr Sensei also assured me that this was natural."
"The human body holds untapped potential, and training unlocks it, sometimes triggering a second growth phase. It's not unheard of."
Much like Koby's transformation from a frail boy to a young warrior in mere months.
"But I should've reached my limit by now. And I had..."
"Until I obtained this Seacrystal."
"After that, my body, which should have stabilized, resumed growing— albeit at a gradual pace."
Vegapunk's eyes widened as Rowen continued, "Everything has its limits. Humans, Sea Kings, even Giants— each has a natural ceiling. My body, despite its unique structure, should be no different."
"And the clearest indicator of those limits? Height and body size. Growth ceases when one reaches their threshold."
"Do you recall when the Golden Lion Shiki attacked the Sky Island?"
Rowen suddenly referenced an event from years past, startling Vegapunk.
At first glance, the incident seemed unrelated.
But Vegapunk knew better.
Because the truth was— he had orchestrated it!
The Golden Lion had invaded Sky Island after learning of its unique, giant flora, hoping to expedite his revenge scheme.
And who had fed him that information? None other than Vegapunk himself.
His expression darkened as he met Rowen's gaze.
"What do you want, Admiral Soryu (Azure Dragon)?"
Rowen chuckled coldly. "Oh, Vegapunk... You're not as loyal as the World Government believes, are you?"
The so-called "Full of Holes" World Government...
In truth, the chaos of the original timeline wasn't solely due to Luffy's arrival— it was a series of compounding disasters.
Even their most esteemed scientist, Vegapunk, had his own agenda. And to that, Rowen could only say—
Well played.
"But it's none of my concern. I have no interest in your past dealings."
"I want all your research on Pyrobroin particles."
"Why can its concentrated form exchange life force for power? Why does it emit a unique magnetic field capable of inducing gigantification? Why can it interfere with Devil Fruit's abilities? I want everything you've uncovered. Past, present, and future."
"Do you have any objections, Vegapunk?"
'Could he even refuse?'
Vegapunk opened his mouth, but words failed him.
He was no politician. He lacked the cunning of a true schemer.
His research on Lineage Factors had already been suppressed by the Gorōsei once before, forcing him into secrecy. He had continued his experiments in the shadows, aware that his findings would be deemed too dangerous by the World Government.
But Rowen had seen through it all.
What puzzled him, however, was why Rowen hadn't simply exposed him.
"Why?"
"Hmm?"
"Why don't you report me to the Gorōsei?"
Vegapunk's confusion was evident. "With your evidence linking me to the Golden Lion incident, you could have me eliminated."
Even with his genius— five hundred years ahead of the world— if the Gorōsei learned he had acted against them in the Sky Island in secret, it would be treason.
He might not be executed outright, but he would lose his freedom, reduced to a mere tool of the government.
Rowen's response was simple.
"Why should I report you?"
"Do you truly believe your research poses a threat to me?"
Vegapunk fell silent.
In the end, the world was ruled by strength.
And Rowen? He thrived on strength.
"As long as you don't cross the line... I have no reason to bother with you."
Rowen's eyes radiated confidence and absolute dominance, making Vegapunk's breath catch.
This was Admiral Soryu (Azure Dragon)—the "Thunder God" feared by even the most ruthless pirates!
An existence so high above others that he simply disregarded threats against him.
Where the Gorōsei would move to suppress him out of fear, Rowen had no such hesitation.
Because if Vegapunk ever did overstep...
The result would be simple.
Death.
And yet...
For the first time in a long while, Vegapunk felt something stir within him.
Defiance.
As a scientist, his research was his pride. And Rowen's dismissal of his work as inconsequential—
That, he could not abide.
Taking a deep breath, he met Rowen's gaze with newfound resolve.
"Admiral Soryu (Azure Dragon), with all due respect, there is something you don't know."
"Oh? And what is that?"
Rowen arched a brow, intrigued.
"My research... truly does threaten the World Government's rule. It touches upon secrets they have kept buried for centuries."
"..."
(End of Chapter)
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