One Piece: Scientist Simulator

"Nika? The legend of Nika, the Sun God?" Ginny's voice trembled with surprise as she massaged Edie's shoulders. "I heard Kuma talk about the mythical liberation fighter who brought peace and laughter to the world..."

Edie shook his head with a faint smile. "This fruit is more than just a legend. Whoever eats it becomes an enemy of the World Government."

For 800 years, the World Government has relentlessly tried to reclaim this fruit. But, as if it had a mind of its own, the fruit has evaded them time and time again. To bury the legend of Nika, the Sun God, the Five Elders renamed it the Paramecia Rubber Fruit.

"Doctor, are you going to clone it?" Ginny asked cautiously.

Edie turned to her with an amused smile. "Why? Are you concerned?"

Changing the topic abruptly, Edie stood and said, "By the way, I told you last time that you're free to leave anytime. So, why do you stay here?"

Ginny's eyes widened slightly before she sighed and crossed her arms. "Doctor, are you worried I'll leak laboratory secrets?"

Edie's silence was answer enough, and Ginny's lips curled into a small, knowing smile. "I have nowhere else to go. Honestly, I believe you have a better chance of changing the world than the Revolutionary Army does. You'll overthrow the Celestial Dragons someday, won't you?" She clasped her hands together in mock pleading. "Please, Doctor, don't throw me out! I don't want to be homeless."

Edie chuckled, visibly exasperated. "Fine. Stay if you want. Just keep doing your work and report any abnormalities immediately."

He turned and left without another word.

Ginny waited until his footsteps faded. Grinning triumphantly, she gave a small fist pump. "Hah! After a year of working together, I've figured you out, Doctor. You're too soft to kick me out."

She settled back at her console, monitoring the Queen Bee System. Edie's lenient yet sharp demeanor fascinated her, and she enjoyed her role as the institute's eyes and ears. It was far better than her old life with the Revolutionary Army. Here, she wielded a unique power, watching the world unfold in real time.

Elsewhere, Edie moved with purpose. He wasn't just heading to the East Blue; he had plans to collect blood—a critical piece for his latest experiment.

He mused silently, The Nika Fruit is fated to choose young Luffy. This isn't human will but the fruit's own. Still, as long as I have Luffy's blood, cloning the Nika Fruit is possible.

His mastery of Zoan cloning was already perfected, but the Nika Fruit posed questions he was eager to answer. Why was it so unique? Could consuming two cloned versions trigger an immediate awakening? Would such a subject retain their sanity and could Joyboy be resurrected?

These mysteries drove him forward.

When Edie entered the upper research institute, his gaze fell on a familiar figure in the corner. Robin, her nose buried in a thick manuscript, was entirely absorbed in her reading.

Edie approached quietly and asked with a smile, "Studying bloodline factor theory?"

Robin flinched, her slender frame shivering slightly before recognizing him. "Oh, Mr. Edie... You startled me."

Edie chuckled lightly. "I see you've been engrossed. It's not easy material."

Robin smiled sheepishly, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "It's incredibly profound. I heard it took you only a few days to master it?" Her eyes shone with admiration.

Edie resisted the urge to laugh. A few days? That was with years of simulated practice. He decided to keep that to himself.

"You can ask me if you're stuck," he said kindly.

"I will," Robin promised. "I plan to finish reading it first, though." Her gaze drifted to the towering stack of documents beside her. It would take weeks to finish them all.

Edie nodded approvingly. "I look forward to seeing what you discover. I'll explain anything you don't understand when I return from the East Blue."

With that, he left Robin to her studies.

At the institute's entrance, Hancock awaited him. "Mr. Edie," she said, her voice soft yet commanding, "please don't go out alone. Take Chou and Zishu with you." She turned to the two Earthly Branches flanking her. "Protect him at all costs."

Edie raised an eyebrow but relented. Perhaps it's time those two meet Luffy and Ace in the East Blue.

"The institute is in your hands," Edie told Hancock.

"Rest assured," she replied with a serene smile, watching as he departed with Chou and Zishu.

East Blue.

The Red-Hair Pirates, fresh from acquiring the Rubber Fruit, returned to Windmill Village. Shanks, however, found himself at a crossroads.

After Captain Roger discovered Laugh Tale, he had shared countless revelations, one of which was the legend of "Nika." Shanks had delved into the legend, uncovering that the World Government had gone to great lengths to conceal it. The "Sun God Nika," known for a stretchable, rubber-like body, had his fruit renamed the Rubber Fruit to bury its true significance.

Tracking the fruit had been no easy feat, and acquiring it had been one of Shanks' objectives in coming to the East Blue. Yet, now that he had it, he was unsure of its destiny.

This fruit holds the power to liberate the world, Shanks mused, but its awakening is nearly impossible. For 800 years, no one has succeeded. Only those tied to the prophesied destiny could hope to unlock its full potential.

As the Red-Hair Pirates' ship docked at Windmill Village, Shanks felt a peculiar calm wash over him. Perhaps the fruit will decide its master, he thought, resigning himself to fate.

Upon disembarking, Shanks headed straight for the tavern. His crew followed, their spirits high from the successful voyage.

Inside the tavern, the pirates celebrated, filling the small space with laughter and cheer.

"Miss, you've got some legendary drinks hidden back there, right? Bring out everything you've got!" Shanks called to Makino with a grin.

Soon, the tavern erupted into joy. Pirates feasted, drank, and shared tales, their boisterous energy contagious.

Among the merriment, Luffy stormed into the tavern. The boy's eyes sparkled with excitement as he latched onto Shanks, pestering him for stories of his adventures.

Shanks indulged him, recounting tales of grand battles and faraway lands. Luffy listened with wide-eyed wonder, hanging on every word.

But the festivities were abruptly interrupted.

"Boom!"

The tavern doors slammed open, and a group of bandits swaggered in, led by none other than Higuma the Bandit King.

The leader sneered as he approached the bar. "We're here for drinks. Serve us."

Makino looked uneasy. "I'm sorry, but all the alcohol has been bought by the Red-Hair Pirates."

Shanks, ever amiable, picked up an unopened bottle and handed it over with a smile. "Here, take this. It's the last one."

Higuma's response was anything but grateful. He smashed the bottle against the counter, the wine splashing across Shanks' face.

"You call this wine? Might as well drink piss!" he mocked. "Do you even know who I am? I'm Higuma, the Bandit King! Bounty: 8 million berries! I've killed 56 pirates—guess you'll make 57!"

The room fell silent.

Luffy, sitting nearby, froze in fear. But Shanks, unbothered, laughed it off.

The bandits mocked, threw insults, and left after making a scene. Shanks and his crew continued laughing, much to Luffy's dismay.

"You're pathetic!" Luffy snapped, glaring at Shanks. "Why didn't you fight back? How can you let them humiliate you like that?"

Shanks ruffled Luffy's hair, still smiling. "Luffy, not every insult is worth fighting over. Sometimes, letting things slide is the better choice."

But Luffy couldn't accept it.

As he fumed, his eyes wandered to the small treasure box on the bar. In a moment of reckless curiosity, Luffy opened it—and ate the fruit inside.

Shanks spun around, his expression twisting into panic. "Luffy! Spit it out!"

He grabbed Luffy by the ankles, shaking him upside down in desperation. But it was too late.

Luffy's legs suddenly stretched unnaturally, elongating across the room.

Shanks froze, stunned. Could this be fate? Could Luffy be the chosen one—the child of destiny?

"Luffy! You've eaten a Devil Fruit! You'll never be able to swim again!"

"What?! No way!" Luffy wailed.

The gravity of what had happened soon settled. Though devastated at first, Luffy resolved not to let it deter his dream of becoming a pirate.

The next day, Higuma returned, this time with a sinister intent.

Spotting Luffy at the tavern, he saw an opportunity. "A brat with strange powers, huh? You'll fetch a high price at the circus!"

Higuma captured Luffy, intending to sell him. However, the Red-Hair Pirates intervened, cornering the bandits.

Shanks stepped forward, his tone deadly serious. "Listen up. You can pour drinks over me, spit on me, even humiliate me. I'll laugh it off. But if you hurt my friends... I'll never forgive you."

With that, Shanks and his crew unleashed their fury.

Amid the chaos, Higuma managed to escape, taking Luffy with him. He fled to the sea, but fate had other plans.

A massive Sea King emerged from the depths, destroying Higuma's boat and targeting both him and Luffy.

From a kilometer away, Yasopp shouted, "Captain! It's too far!"

But Shanks was already moving. Leaping into the water, he saved Luffy at the last second, shielding him from the Sea King's jaws.

The price was steep: Shanks lost his arm.

Two days later, after recovering from their injuries, the Red-Hair Pirates prepared to leave Windmill Village.

At the port, Luffy bid them farewell, declaring boldly, "I'll become the Pirate King someday!"

Shanks smiled and handed Luffy his straw hat—the same hat Roger had once entrusted to him. "Return this to me when you've achieved your dream."

As the ship disappeared over the horizon, Luffy stood watching, his heart full of determination.

When he finally returned to the tavern, Luffy was greeted by a mysterious figure. A man in white sat at the bar, sipping some orange juice casually.

"Yo~" the stranger said, turning with a sly smile, "what kind of king do you wish to be?"

It was Edie.