C12 Research Base

Inside the cardboard box lay a fruit shaped like a grapefruit, its surface etched with intricate spiral patterns that lent it an air of mystery.

"Exactly as I suspected..."

A smirk played at the corner of his mouth upon glimpsing the Devil Fruit.

Though unfamiliar with its specific type, he knew even the least valuable of these fetched a minimum of 100 million Belly—a price beyond measure.

A hundred million Belly could easily double both his and his Australovenator's strength.

"Now, what do we have here?"

After examining the Devil Fruit, his attention shifted to a small box nearby.

Anything kept in the company of a Devil Fruit was bound to be of significance.

Snap!

Opening the box, he found a key crafted from pure gold.

Esaki's eyebrows shot up at the sight.

"Could there be other locked structures or treasures on this island?"

As a modern-day success story, he doubted the key was meant for anywhere but here. The locals' imaginations weren't exactly known for their complexity.

He pocketed the key, then placed his hand on the mound of gold and whispered, "Recharge!"

In an instant, the gold vanished.

Recharge successful, 20 million Belly acquired.

The system's electronic voice chimed in, its function to seamlessly convert tangible gold into digital Belly for his convenience.

"Twenty million... That's a few more dinosaurs I can summon."

Esaki's grin widened.

This island had proven to be a gold mine.

Suddenly, the earth shook beneath them.

Rumble...

A deep noise emanated from the base of the mountain.

"Hmm?" He rose to his feet.

"Roar." The Australovenator let out a call.

"Oh?"

Esaki's eyes sparkled with intrigue. The Australovenator, with its enhanced senses and Kenbunshoku, could detect presences over a hundred meters away and communicate them.

It seemed there was a new cave entrance below.

"Let's check it out."

They made their way downward, with Gaimon trailing behind, not daring to stray. He didn't understand why the young man spared him, but he wasn't about to take any chances.

Before long, they reached the mountain's base.

Where once a large boulder sat, a shadowy two-meter-wide cave entrance now beckoned, exuding a chilling aura.

"Wait outside and keep an eye on him," he instructed the Australovenator.

The Australovenator acknowledged with a response.

With that, he entered the cave.

...

Deep within the shadowy cavern, Esaki reached the end, where a massive copper door stood in his way.

The cave was expansive, its walls etched with the marks of human carvings, yet the dim lighting rendered the interior nearly pitch-black.

He stood before the towering copper door, scanning it until his eyes landed on a small opening.

"This key must be for this door..." he murmured, a golden key materializing in his hand.

Inserting the key, he gave it a gentle twist.

Click!

The sound of gears turning filled the air.

Hum!

A beam of light burst from the center of the door, widening as the door swung open.

A flicker of surprise crossed Esaki's eyes at the sight within.

A vast space lay beyond the door, filled with enormous machines and rows of cultivation pods, each containing bizarre creatures akin to those outside.

"Just as I thought... someone has been inducing mutations in these animals," Esaki mused as he stepped inside, surveying the machinery.

The world's technology was a marvel, a paradox of sorts. Hard tech seemed lacking, yet it was capable of transforming pacifists into lethal machines. Electricity was scarcely used, with communication relying mainly on written letters and newsbirds for the average person.

Scientists did exist in this world, yet their research was predominantly in the realm of biology, with few venturing into the depths of mechanical innovation.