One Piece: Scientist Simulator

The second experiment involving the Nika Fruit was significantly more promising than the first. Unlike the failure of [White], this time Edie felt a surge of confidence. The rampaging saber-toothed tiger in front of him bore unmistakable traits of an awakening—its fur gleaming white as snow, a fusion of the saber-toothed tiger form and the mystical power of Nika.

"A white saber-toothed tiger... fascinating," Edie mused, studying the creature's altered form.

As he observed, Yamato entered the room carrying steaming coffee. The chaos froze her in her tracks. "What in the world is going on here?" she exclaimed, bewildered.

Ulti, cowering in the corner, quickly provided an explanation. "Your Highness, Mr. Edie gave Who's Who a... Rubber Fruit. And then... this happened."

Yamato's brows furrowed. "A Rubber Fruit? Don't you mean the Nika Fruit?" Yamato, familiar with Zoan awakenings, understood the implications. Eating two identical Zoan Fruits could trigger an awakening, but Who's Who had consumed a different Zoan Fruit altogether. Her curiosity deepened.

"Uncle Edie, this experiment of yours… are you out of your mind?" she asked, handing him the coffee.

Edie took a deliberate sip, unperturbed by the pandemonium. "Chenlong, deal with him. Don't let him wreck the capital."

Chenlong nodded, shifted into his hybrid dragon form, and swiftly flung the roaring tiger out of the Flower Capital.

Yamato, always eager for action, grinned. "Leave it to me!" With that, she grabbed her mace, shifted into her human-beast form, and charged after the white tiger.

The commotion outside drew the attention of the Beast Pirates. Although hesitant in Edie's presence, they were eager to witness the unfolding spectacle. "If you're so curious," Edie remarked, setting his coffee down, "go and watch."

Outside, Yamato and Who's Who were locked in a fierce battle. Who's Who, now wielding the powers of both the saber-toothed tiger and Nika, fought with unparalleled ferocity. His rubber-like flexibility combined with the tiger's predatory strength created a formidable opponent. Yet Yamato, bolstered by her mastery of Conqueror's Haki and Edie's rigorous training, met his blows head-on. Their duel was explosive, evenly matched, and awe-inspiring to the onlookers.

"Double Zoan abilities... a fascinating anomaly," Edie thought as he observed the fight. Unlike ordinary dual-fruit users, Who's Who's transformation was a seamless fusion of two Zoan powers.

Black Maria voiced the astonishment rippling through the crowd. "This is incredible… He's nothing like before!"

As the battle raged, it became evident that Who's Who had reached a new peak in power. In less than half an hour, he regained his self-awareness. The white saber-toothed tiger form melted away, leaving him in a hybrid form cloaked in fiery, white clouds.

"Hahahaha! This power… it's incredible!" Who's Who exclaimed, his laughter accompanied by the rhythmic sound of the drums of liberation. "As long as my heart beats, I'm unstoppable!"

Yamato, visibly disappointed the fight had ended so soon, knocked him lightly on the head with her mace. "You're back to normal? Shame, I was just getting warmed up."

Still brimming with confidence, Who's Who declared, "Your Highness, Yamato, you're no longer my match! In fact… perhaps even Lord Kaido wouldn't stand a chance against me now!"

The atmosphere shifted as a deep, ominous voice replied from behind him. "Oh? You've surpassed me already? Do you fancy yourself Joy Boy now?"

Who's Who froze. Turning slowly, he came face to face with Kaido, his towering frame emanating an overwhelming aura of Haki. Behind him stood King, Queen, and Jack, their expressions unreadable.

Kaido's gaze flickered to Edie. "So this is your second experimental subject? He's retained his awareness… Seems like progress."

Edie shook his head. "Halfway, at best. His power isn't where it should be."

Kaido raised an eyebrow. "Is that so? And why is that?"

Edie sighed, stepping forward. "The issue lies not with the fruit, but the user. No matter how powerful the fruit, the final combat strength depends on the one who consumes it. Take your Blue Dragon Fruit, for instance. It's exceptional, but your strength doesn't solely rely on it, does it?"

Kaido let out a low chuckle. "True enough. But tell me, Edie, how far are we from a true Joy Boy?"

Edie's eyes gleamed. "Closer than ever."

"Really? What's the next step?" Kaido asked, his interest less on the Nika Fruit and more on the legend of Joy Boy.

"The next step is to let one of the Earthly Branches try it," Edie replied with a half-smile. "Little guy, if Chenlong possesses both the Azure Dragon Fruit and the Nika abilities simultaneously, you might not even be able to defeat your own clone."

Kaido's expression darkened. Although his awakened form made him significantly stronger than Chenlong for now, the implications of Edie's words were unsettling. Grabbing Who's Who by the head, Kaido transformed into a massive dragon on the spot.

"You're getting too arrogant. Let me educate you!" he growled.

"Kai—Kaido-sama...! I'm so sorry!" Who's Who stammered, sweating profusely as Kaido dragged him to the outskirts. Kaido's parting words echoed, "Yamato, entertain your Uncle well until I return."

"Yes, Father," Yamato replied helplessly, setting her mace aside and turning to Edie. "Uncle Edie, can I be like that?"

"No," Edie said firmly, quickly dismissing the notion. "This technology is not mature yet. Wait until safety is 100% ensured."

"All right," Yamato replied reluctantly.

Back at the Shogun Castle, Kaido returned with a bruised and battered Who's Who. The violent display wasn't just about teaching a lesson; it was Kaido's way of testing the combat ability of the second Nika experimental subject. Unfortunately, the results were disappointing—the new subject was weaker than the First Generation. The only upside was its ability to maintain self-awareness.

At the reception banquet, Kaido asked, "Do you want to take the experimental subject away?"

"Too weak," Edie replied, shaking his head. "He's yours to begin with."

Covered in bandages, Who's Who burst into tears. Though he once believed himself strong—having fought Yamato to a draw—the harsh reality of Kaido's power sobered him. Among ordinary fighters, he was formidable, but among monsters, he was unremarkable.

"Fine," Kaido said with a grin. "I'll promote him to the rank of the All-Stars!" While Edie saw no value in Who's Who's combat prowess, Kaido appreciated his potential as a crew member.

As the banquet continued, Kaido's gaze shifted to a figure behind Edie. "Speaking of which, what is this mermaid?"

"Hello, Kaido, I'm Usagi," she said, introducing herself.

Edie smiled. "She is an Ancient Weapon in human form—the Poseidon of this generation."

The room fell silent, and shock rippled through the audience.

"Ancient Weapon?!" Queen's eyes widened in disbelief. "Edie, the Ancient Weapon is a mermaid?"

"Who says weapons can't be in human form? You still have much to learn, Queen," Edie replied with a teasing grin.

As everyone digested the news, Kaido leaned in and said, "Edie, you came at the perfect time. I've located the Pluton battleship. I was planning to invite you to see it."

"Under the mountain?" Edie asked.

"Exactly," Kaido confirmed. "We dug down to the magma layer and found a hidden passage."

Drinking heavily, Kaido led Edie, Nico Robin, and Shenhou to the site. The mountain, located near the Flower Capital, was a short flight away. A tunnel had been carved deep into the mountain, spiraling downward. Burning torches illuminated the otherwise dark pathway.

As they descended, Kaido asked, "Why bring Shenhou?"

"He's a clone of Kozuki Oden," Edie replied. "Just in case. Think about it—if Pluton is hidden in Wanokuni, it must be tied to the Kozuki family."

Kaido paused, considering Edie's logic. "I did see the Kozuki crest on the battleship."

At the end of the stairs, they reached a fiery-red cavern filled with magma. In the center of the chamber, a massive, pitch-black warship lay dormant. Its most striking feature was the large main gun at the bow, though its tattered sail still bore the Kozuki crest: a sun encircled by whale tails and adorned with smaller circles symbolizing celestial bodies.

Kaido laughed. "Those Kozuki fools left a weapon like this buried but never used it!"

Edie corrected him, "Weapons require energy. Even if Kozuki Sukiyaki knew about this ship, it wouldn't matter without a power source."

Kaido frowned. "So, it's the same as the national treasure held by the Five Elders—limited by energy."

Edie turned to Robin, who began inspecting the ship, her curiosity piqued by its ancient origins. Meanwhile, Edie analyzed the structure, noting its resilience despite 800 years of dormancy. The oppressive heat from the nearby magma made it a poor site for research, but the ship's condition was astonishing.

"How's it going? Can it be activated?" Kaido asked.

"Not from the outside," Edie replied. He gestured to a sealed door leading to the ship's interior and called Shenhou over. Pointing to a detection panel near the door, he instructed, "Place your hand here."

The panel beeped, and the door opened.

"Does it really require Kozuki blood?" Kaido asked, surprised.

Edie's curiosity deepened. The ancient technology of the ship was astounding, blending modern concepts with methods lost to time. He led the group inside, eventually arriving at the energy room. There, a slab resembling a Poneglyph hung on the wall, inscribed with ancient text.

Robin stepped forward, wiped away the dust, and began reading. "This explains how to start Pluton..."