New World, Wano Country.

Onigashima.

"What did you just say? You're going to attempt Magnetic Field Rotation again!?"

In the temporary lab, Queen's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets, and his jaw practically hit the floor.

He stared at Daren like he'd lost his mind, completely stunned.

"No need to freak out. It's not like I'm here to beat you up."

Daren lounged casually on a sofa, a lit cigar between his lips, grinning.

Queen's face flushed red.

"Like hell I'm scared of that!"

He hesitated, his chubby face twitching with doubt, then gritted his teeth and growled,

"I mean... are you trying to get yourself killed?"

At that, Dragon—seated nearby, quietly smoking—rolled his eyes.

Daren chuckled, then patted Queen on the shoulder.

"Relax. I've got no intention of dying anytime soon... at least not before I take out the Five Elders."

"I'll try to control the rotation speed and frequency of the magnetic field—just keep it running at the lowest level possible."

Queen curled his lip, but Daren's last comment clearly caught his attention.

"If you can regulate the speed and frequency of the magnetic field... keep it at a low operational state..."

He rubbed his fleshy chin, deep in thought.

"Then even if cell death starts to occur, it should remain manageable. Even the lifespan loss might be minimal."

"It's not impossible... I just don't get it. Why are you even doing this?"

He adjusted his suspender straps and shot Daren a confused look.

Even madness has to have a motive.

Daren didn't answer directly. Instead, he asked with interest,

"From your expert perspective as a genius scientist in human modification and biological research—what's the most fundamental requirement for a living organism to grow stronger?"

"Hmph, flattery won't get you anywhere!"

Queen puffed out his round belly proudly.

"But since you asked so sincerely, I suppose I'll be generous and enlighten you."

"There are all sorts of creatures and races in this sea, but from my research, whether strong or weak, the key to becoming stronger... comes down to one word!"

He raised his mechanical arm and extended two metallic claws.

"Adaptation!"

"Adapt..."

The word made Dragon, who'd been indifferent at first, pause. His expression gradually turned serious as he sank into thought.

"That's right—adaptation!"

Now in his element, Queen radiated confidence. Head held high and belly out, the comical clumsiness from earlier had vanished completely.

"Faced with external stressors, organisms evolve by adapting to their environment. That's how they grow stronger!"

"That's the essence of biological evolution!"

"Marine creatures evolved lungs to adapt to life on land;"

"Animals evolved thick fur to survive freezing climates;"

"Certain races evolved extraordinary physical traits—even wings—to endure extreme environments!"

At that last line, an image surged into Dragon's mind—"King the Conflagration."

Pale hair, black wings, and that eerie, ever-burning flame across his body...

The Lunarians.

Once inhabitants of the Red Line, now nearly extinct—said to be a "race of gods."

The Lunarians possessed physical traits far surpassing ordinary humans and were rumored to survive in any natural environment—a species truly born with overwhelming potential.

"But what about those who can't adapt?"

Dragon suddenly spoke up.

Queen immediately shot him a look that screamed, "You're too dumb to even bother with."

Daren rubbed his forehead, speechless.

Dragon's expression froze. Truthfully, the moment the words left his mouth, he realized how idiotic the question sounded.

The result of being unable to adapt... was obvious.

For an individual, it meant death.

For a species, extinction.

Nature's law was cruel—but brutally clear.

"In theory, as long as an organism can continually adapt to changes in its environment, it can keep getting stronger... even surpass the genetic limits of its species."

Queen was rambling confidently—until a realization hit him. His voice cut off mid-sentence.

He froze, eyes widening, pupils shrinking rapidly.

"Wait... you're not..."

He suddenly turned toward Daren, face full of disbelief.

Daren exhaled a puff of smoke, smiling.

"Yeah."

"I was thinking—if I can keep the magnetic field rotation running at a low frequency and constantly adapt to that overwhelming pressure... maybe I could keep evolving, growing stronger. And maybe, one day—"

Queen blankly finished the thought for him.

"...you wouldn't even need to activate magnetic field rotation anymore. You'd have that monstrous strength permanently."

Daren nodded with a smile—then shook his head.

"Maybe. It's just a theory for now. Whether it works... depends on how the actual results turn out."

"That's why I need a scientist who specializes in biology to help me. Not just any low-level researcher—I'm talking about someone top-tier. The very best in the world."

"You don't need to say another word!"

The fat man in suspenders suddenly cut Daren off, his expression deadly serious as he stared at him.

"I'll take the job!"

"..."

Dragon looked at Queen, who was now making lofty declarations, his mouth twitching. He didn't even know where to begin with his complaints.

"But don't think it's because I want to help you or anything."

Queen crossed his arms and sneered, full of contempt.

"I just don't want to see a groundbreaking experiment fail because of some third-rate researcher!"

"Besides—apart from yours truly, no other scientist in this entire sea is qualified for something like this!"

Dragon muttered dryly,

"Vegapunk, Caesar, Vinsmoke Judge..."

Queen's face froze. He turned to glare at Dragon with a mocking sneer.

"By the way, why are you still here?"

"Onigashima doesn't welcome freeloading slackers who do nothing but coast."

Dragon shot to his feet in fury, gritting his teeth.

"What did you say, you fat bastard!? When have I ever freeloaded!?"

Queen shot back instantly,

"Oh really? Then tell me—what exactly did you contribute when we took down the commander of the God's Knights?"

Dragon's face turned bright red.

He suddenly turned to Daren and snapped,

"Hey, hey, hey—Daren, you're not seriously going to let this guy experiment on you, are you? He's still an enemy! What if he uses this as a chance to—"

Boom!

A wave of raw aura erupted from Queen's body.

Overwhelming fury and killing intent surged forth, cutting Dragon off mid-sentence.

Dragon's pupils contracted.

He stared at Queen, who was now swelling into his massive Brachiosaurus form, scarlet light flaring in his eyes—and felt his heart tremble.

It wasn't Conqueror's Haki.

But the sheer pressure in that moment was enough to make even Dragon falter.

It was the aura of someone utterly resolved, ready to give their life without hesitation.

"Oi, tattooed guy."

Queen's voice was low and hoarse, eyes burning blood-red.

"You can call me sneaky, underhanded, say I use dirty tricks like viruses and tech weapons to kill my enemies..."

"But."

His face was stone cold.

"What you don't get to question... is my resolve as a scientist."

...

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