"Everyone, could you do me a favor and return this shark to me?"
"It's my experimental equipment, and although it's a bit disobedient, it's best for me to take it back."
"After all~"
"Uh..."
The figure couldn't continue.
Because on the bow of the Freedom, she saw a figure that was unfamiliar yet very familiar.
If she remembered correctly, this guy was the one the Navy and those annoying CP organizations on the island had been discussing the most for the past half a month.
"So it's a beauty."
When they saw the appearance of the figure emerging from the control room, everyone was startled, and then curious.
"02?"
While others focused on the newcomer herself, Kouta focused on the number on her chest.
He didn't sense any biological aura from 02, which meant this person was also a machine lifeform.
"This world is truly amazing!"
Kouta exclaimed inwardly.
Such technology seemed strikingly out of place compared to the feudalism of this world.
Robots, his previous world could build them, but they absolutely couldn't create machine lifeforms.
He could understand the shark as a biological modification, much like Franky; that was already incredible enough.
But this machine lifeform emerging from the control room, he could tell it wasn't a biological modification, but a true machine lifeform.
"How was this achieved?"
Strictly speaking, machines are inanimate objects, but he could sense thought from 02, not simple commands, but true thought with independent reasoning.
"Never mind, I'll just go ask Vegapunk later."
Kouta shook his head and looked up, his cerulean eyes meeting 02's downward gaze.
It was this glance that made 02 unable to speak further.
"Silver hair... Pirates..."
02's originally bright expression instantly turned grim, and her heart sank with it.
She was one of Vegapunk's six clones, Unit 02, "Lilith," representing the emotion of "evil."
It was she who was specifically responsible for researching the island's defenses.
The shark captured by Kouta was her creation, and the giant robot beneath them was also her creation.
If nothing else, the robotic shark alone indicated that this was not a place for ordinary people.
But regarding the person below, she knew that even with all the weapons she had researched, plus the island's own defenses, she wouldn't be able to stop him in the slightest.
Although she had analyzed the personality of the Silver Hair Pirates from various sources and knew they were particularly bloodthirsty towards pirates, it didn't diminish their special status within the Navy and the World Government.
She... no, they, were now people of the World Government, and Egghead Island had been erased from the maps before Vegapunk even arrived. For the Silver Hair Pirates to suddenly appear here, it couldn't be a coincidence, but a deliberate visit.
With different allegiances, facing such dangerous individuals, she couldn't afford to be careless.
"You recognize me?"
Looking at 02, Kouta's eyes showed amusement.
"Who in this world doesn't recognize you, and all of you!"
Lilith asked, "What is your purpose in coming here?"
"We do have one," Kouta admitted directly, "We mean no harm by coming here."
He could feel Lilith's wariness, so he displayed goodwill first.
"No harm?"
"Of course," Kouta smiled faintly at Lilith and continued, "I simply admire Dr. Vegapunk and wish to meet him, and perhaps have him resolve some of our doubts."
"You want to see Vegapunk..."
Lilith's eyes widened with a hint of surprise, then understanding.
"Indeed, since you came here specifically, how could you not know what this place is and who is here!"
"No need to look," before Kouta could speak, Lilith said, "I am 'Vegapunk'!"
"You are Vegapunk?"
Lilith's words surprised everyone on the ship, including Kouta.
"Are you Vegapunk?" Kouta asked again, unsure.
Lilith nodded, then shook her head, and said, "I am Vegapunk, but also not."
"What do you mean?"
Kouta was already beginning to understand.
Since Vegapunk could create robots like Seraphim and transfer energy from Devil Fruits, could he transfer a person's soul?
Indeed, Lilith's subsequent words confirmed his guess.
Lilith began to explain, "Due to being too busy and unable to accomplish many things alone, the main body created us to work in his stead. And I... am Unit 02, representing the will of 'evil,' named 'Lilith.'"
"Clones," Kouta rubbed his chin, a look of realization on his face, "So that's how it is?"
No wonder he felt humanity from Lilith from the beginning.
Even so, Kouta couldn't help but marvel, "Truly amazing!"
To be able to separate his will and create clones, it was like something out of mythology.
While Kouta marveled, Koala and the others were astonished, and even Jinbe's face showed surprise.
"Unit 02, does that mean there's a Unit 01, 03, and many others?"
Robin asked, looking up.
"Yes!" Lilith nodded, "The main body created a total of 6 substitute bodies, namely..."
"Unit 01, representing 'Justice,' Buddha."
"Unit 02, which is me."
"Unit 03, representing 'Thought,' Edison."
"Unit 04, representing 'Wisdom,' Pythagoras."
"Unit 05, representing 'Fury,' Atlas."
"Unit 06, representing 'Desire,' York."
"Justice, Evil, Thought, Wisdom, Fury, Desire," Kouta was somewhat taken aback by Lilith's answer.
"By separating emotions and will to form you all, what is left for him?"
"The main body has absolute calmness and a joyful mood!" Lilith glanced at Kouta strangely and continued, "This way, he can fully dedicate himself to research work and no longer worry about other matters."
"Because his other matters are all handled by us."
"For example, York, who represents desire, can eat, sleep, and even use the restroom in his place."
"Uh..."
Lilith's words left Kouta speechless.
By separating these wills, he could indeed devote himself wholeheartedly to research, but without desire, what did he want to do?
However, these were Vegapunk's own affairs. He had only come to see, treating this place as a destination for travel and adventure, not to pry into every detail.
Shaking his head, Kouta looked at Lilith again and smiled, "Alright, since you're not the main body of Vegapunk, please take us to see him!"
"And this shark, since its beastly nature cannot be eliminated, why not completely turn it into a machine?"
As he finished speaking, Kouta retracted the phantom hand formed by his domain and threw the shark into the sea.
The shark did not leave upon falling into the water, but raised its head and roared fiercely at the Freedom. Then, after glancing at Lilith, it sank into the sea with reluctance and disappeared.