One Piece: Scientist Simulator

Wanokuni.

When Edie returned to this country, soaring on an azure dragon, the land beneath him was unrecognizable. The ruins of ancient Wanokuni had emerged from the depths of the Inland Sea.

Once, ancient Wanokuni sat flush with the real sea, a vast kingdom more than a thousand times larger than the current island. However, 800 years ago, high walls were erected around the ancient kingdom, isolating it from the outside world. Over time, rainwater accumulated within these walls, forming an inland sea. Forced to abandon the flooded lowlands, the people of Wanokuni relocated to higher ground, building their new civilization on the mountainsides of Fujiyama.

Now, the Inland Sea had vanished, revealing the ruins of the once-great kingdom. From above, Edie could see countless craftsmen clearing debris, trying to restore some semblance of the past.

"Pluton is buried in this country?" Robin asked, her voice tinged with curiosity. As an archaeologist, she knew much about the world's ancient nations, including the famed samurai of Wanokuni and the legendary swords forged there.

Edie nodded. "Yes. But first, let's pay a visit to Kaido." He commanded Chenlong, his dragon, to head toward the Flower Capital.

The disappearance of the Inland Sea had destabilized the land. Large sections outside the Flower Capital were now precariously perched, threatening to collapse at any moment. Refugees from these unsafe areas had flooded the capital, seeking safety. Temporary wooden homes sprawled across the outskirts, a testament to the chaos.

As they approached, the citizens of the Flower Capital spotted the azure dragon. Cries of recognition filled the air.

"Dr. Edie! Dr. Edie is here! Please help us!"

Robin chuckled softly. "It seems you're quite the celebrity here."

Edie paid no heed to the cries and descended into the Flower Capital. As they landed, a familiar figure rushed toward them.

"Uncle Edie!" Yamato's voice was filled with joy. She dashed forward, her clogs clacking loudly against the ground, and enveloped Edie in a bear hug.

Edie struggled to breathe under her crushing embrace. "Yamato… I can't… breathe!" He managed to push her away, gasping for air.

Standing behind Yamato were two young figures, a boy and a girl. Both had small, white bull-like horns on their heads. Unlike Yamato's proud demeanor, these two seemed nervous.

"These are my little brother and sister, Ulti and Page One," Yamato introduced proudly, her hands on her hips.

Ulti and Page One greeted Edie timidly. "M-Mr. Edie…"

Edie recognized them immediately. In this timeline, Ulti was twelve years old, and her younger brother Page One was ten. Both were already Zoan Devil Fruit users—Ulti with the Pachycephalosaurus and Page One with the Spinosaurus. Their father, a pirate, had entrusted them to Kaido before his untimely death.

Ulti, ever the bold one, had stolen two Devil Fruits to ensure their survival in the Beasts Pirates. Despite their young age, the siblings had already secured their place among Kaido's crew.

Edie smiled warmly. "Hello, little one, You know where the Little guy is?" His gentle tone caught Ulti off guard, and she inadvertently blushed.

"The little guy is at the base of the nearby mountain," Ulti blurted, unconsciously mimicking Edie's words. "He's digging for something with Mr. King, Mr. Queen, and Mr. Jack."

Page One tugged on her sleeve, whispering urgently, "Onee-sama, it's Kaido-sama, not 'little guy!' He'll kill us if he hears you!"

Realizing her mistake, Ulti's face turned pale. "Ah! I'm so sorry!" She bowed repeatedly, panicked at the thought of Kaido's wrath.

Edie chuckled, patting her head. "Don't worry. I won't tell him." His assurance put the siblings at ease, though Page One still seemed skeptical.

Yamato led Edie and his group into a grand Japanese-style mansion. Inside, six members of the Tobiroppo—the elite officers of the Beasts Pirates—awaited him.

"Mr. Edie, I am Black Maria," a tall, elegant woman in a black, low-cut kimono introduced herself with a respectful bow. "Please, make yourself comfortable. Kaido-sama has been informed of your arrival."

As the Tobiroppo and Yamato chattered, Edie's thoughts drifted. This was just the beginning. The ruins of Wanokuni, the Beasts Pirates, and Kaido's ambitions—all of it would soon play a role in the world's transformation.

And Edie would be at the center of it all.

When Who's Who saw Edie looking at him, he was startled.

"I wonder what I can do for you?" he asked cautiously.

"You were the one escorting the Gomu-Gomu Fruit, right?" Edie replied with a smile.

"...!"

Who's Who's expression shifted, but he didn't dare to deny it. He admitted honestly.

More than two years ago, he had been a member of CP9, standing alongside the talented Rob Lucci as a promising prospect. Under orders from the World Government, he was tasked with guarding a Devil Fruit known as the "Rubber Fruit" in the East Blue. However, misfortune struck when the Red-Hair Pirates intercepted him. The fruit was taken, the mission failed, and Who's Who faced severe consequences.

He was imprisoned, subjected to relentless torture, and accused of lying. The interrogators refused to believe his story that the fruit had been taken by sheer chance. They suspected him of being a spy planted by none other than Dr. Edie.

This suspicion wasn't baseless. Shortly after the Rubber Fruit's theft, Edie led an assault on Mariejois, uncovering a failed clone of Nika in the process. The Five Elders were quick to draw connections, implicating Who's Who.

In truth, he was innocent. The fruit had genuinely been taken by the Red-Hair Pirates. Yet, under the relentless torment, he broke. His interrogators mocked him, urging him to pray to the mythical Sun God Nika for salvation.

Desperate, he did just that. No divine intervention came. Instead, his tormentor was killed—executed for merely mentioning Nika's name. This shocking turn of events prompted Who's Who to flee, realizing his death was imminent.

Escaping prison, he formed the Who's Who Pirates and sought refuge in the New World, beyond the immediate grasp of the World Government. There, he was conquered by Kaido's forces and became a member of the Tobiroppo within a month.

And now, kneeling before Edie, he sought redemption. "How can I help you?" he asked sincerely.

Edie listened to his story and smiled. "You were implicated because of me. But honestly, without me, your fate might not have been any different."

Who's Who fell silent, his emotions tumultuous. The other members of the Beasts Pirates sneered at him for openly betraying Kaido. However, as Edie was an ally of Kaido, they held their tongues.

"Are you a Devil Fruit user?" Edie asked abruptly.

"Yes," Who's Who replied eagerly, sensing an opportunity. "I possess the Zoan-type Cat-Cat Fruit, Ancient Model: Saber-Toothed Tiger. My strength might not be exceptional, but I can offer you 100% loyalty!"

Edie chuckled inwardly. Aren't my clones more loyal than you?

Pointing at a nearby case, Edie signaled Shenhou, one of his creations, to open it. From within, a peculiar Devil Fruit was revealed.

Who's Who's eyes widened in disbelief. "This... This is the Rubber Fruit!"

"No," Edie corrected. "This is an artificial version I created. It's part of an experiment. The original subject was supposed to be one of the All-Stars, but I'm giving you the chance instead."

"What do you want me to do?"

"Eat it."

"What?!"

The room fell silent, the weight of Edie's request sinking in.

"You should know," Edie continued calmly, "this is no ordinary fruit. Its true name is the Mythical Zoan Human-Human Fruit: Model Nika."

Who's Who froze, realizing the significance of the fruit. His past torment suddenly made sense. The Rubber Fruit had always been the Nika Fruit.

Edie explained further. "As a Zoan-type fruit, it possesses its own will. But I've used special methods to suppress Nika's influence. You can eat it safely—or as safely as an experiment allows."

"But eating two Devil Fruits means death!"

"Not necessarily," Edie countered. "This fruit is different. I've infused it with a unique soul, making it more than just a Devil Fruit. There are three possible outcomes: your bloodline factor collapses, your soul is overwhelmed, or you dominate the fruit and inherit Nika's power."

Who's Who hesitated, torn between his desire for vengeance and the immense risk.

"The probability of death?"

"Fifty percent," Edie replied matter-of-factly. "But if you succeed, you'll gain unimaginable power. Enough to take revenge on the World Government. Isn't that what you want?"

Finally, Who's Who gritted his teeth and picked up the fruit. "I'll do it. Doctor, please try to save me if I fail. And if I die... ensure one of the Five Elders pays for it!"

With that, he swallowed the fruit.

Pain wracked his body immediately. His screams echoed through the room as his form transformed uncontrollably. His saber-toothed tiger hybrid form turned stark white, radiating a blinding aura. The very air trembled as his roar shook the Flower Capital.

Chenlong and Shenhou stepped forward, ready to neutralize the threat if necessary.

Edie observed the scene calmly, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction. "It's just as I predicted... Half the battle is won."

Turning to the writhing figure of Who's Who, Edie declared, "If you survive this trial, you will earn the name Nika Tiger."