A month had passed since Ginny's awakening, her strength growing exponentially with each passing day, fueled in part by her ravenous appetite. The joyful arrival of Bonney last week completed their little family, with Kuma embracing the rosy-cheeked infant as his daughter without hesitation, despite Bonney being a half-celestial dragon.
Benimaru conducted thorough examinations on the newborn, relieved to discover Bonney hadn't merely inherited Ginny's cured condition—she'd evolved it. Where her mother developed sapphire scales, Bonney's body produced shimmering diamond armor naturally, mirroring Jozu's legendary defenses in both appearance and durability. The adaptation suggested the genetic modifications had not only stabilized but also advanced across generations.
Meanwhile, Benimaru completed his long-awaited serum project—a formula that could impart the finest traits of any animal to its recipient. With their enthusiastic consent, he administered gorilla-based serums to Shachi, Penguin, Bepo, and Law. The results surpassed expectations:
When Benimaru injected the serum into the two weakest members of the future Heart Pirates, their strength surged as they immediately noticed changes. Previously, both Shachi and Penguin's maximum lifting strength had been just under 10 tons—a fact that embarrassed them. But Benimaru's serum doubled their strength to 20 tons, enhancing their potential so drastically that, with continued training, they could even rival Bepo's current limit of 300 tons and Law's 290 tons.
The cyborgs Benimaru created had also transformed into full infant children modeled after their respective animals. As he monitored them, he inserted control chips into their brains to ensure his authority remained unchallenged. He also programmed a moral code into their minds, compelling them to judge innocence and guilt autonomously. This code guaranteed they would never harm the innocent but would show no mercy to the guilty.
Benimaru also developed weapons to supply the Revolutionary Army, such as fear gas that paralyzed enemies unless they possessed strong willpower. He created an antidote for the gas and a stimulant to enhance allies' willpower, which doubled as a healing agent. The stimulant targeted damaged cells and promoted genetic regeneration, though its only side effect was the extended healing time, ranging from days to years, due to the gradual nature of genetic proliferation.
Over the past month, Benimaru continued his Haki training, now able to consistently imbue and harden his arms with Haki. His physical strength steadily increased with age, and his fire manipulation abilities grew more potent—the flames now burned at higher innate temperatures and shifted to a vivid purple hue.
------------
Benimaru had been pursuing a new research direction: creating a power source akin to Vegapunk's future "Mother Flame." Determined to develop a real nuclear reactor, he envisioned a compact fusion core capable of indefinitely fueling colossal machines like the ancient robot Emet. As he sketched schematics and theorized solutions, an unfamiliar presence abruptly rippled across the island.
'Again? How many visitors does this island attract in a year?' Benimaru thought. Though he sensed no malice, caution compelled him to investigate.
Abandoning his work, he strode toward the shore where Ginny and Kuma were already greeting the newcomers. Voices heavy with emotion echoed ahead—a mix of tears and laughter. Rounding the path, Benimaru froze.
A green-coated figure with a striking face tattoo clutched Ginny in a tearful embrace. The man's aura radiated quiet authority, his gaze snapping to Benimaru with unnerving precision. Recognition flashed: this was Monkey D. Dragon, the Revolutionary Army's enigmatic leader—the world's most wanted man, mocked by many for his perceived passivity. Yet face-to-face, Benimaru felt the weight of Dragon's latent power. Here stood a titan who could crush him effortlessly.
Benimaru approached the group, his gaze lingering on Dragon, who studied him with quiet curiosity. Ginny made introductions—first gesturing to Benimaru, then to Dragon and Ivankov.
"It's an honor to meet the scientist who saved our comrade," Dragon said, his voice carrying genuine respect. "The Revolutionary Army pledges its full support for your future endeavors, provided they align with our principles."
"Likewise, I've long wanted to meet the thorn in the Celestial Dragons' side," Benimaru replied evenly. "You should know I carry their blood myself, though I assure you, I share none of their values."
Dragon nodded. "Ginny shared this. We judge people by their actions, not their lineage. Your work speaks louder than any ancestry."
"Allow me to formally introduce myself," Dragon continued. "I'm Monkey D. Dragon, leader of the Revolutionary Army. We fight to inspire global liberation from oppression. Someone of your intellect and moral compass could change the tide of this war. Will you join us?"
Benimaru shook his head. "I value my freedom too much to swear allegiance. However…" He motioned for them to follow. "I'll gift you five soldiers forged from Kuma's Buccaneer lineage. You'll have near-total command over them."
As they walked to the lab, Ivankov effusively thanked Benimaru for saving Ginny, repeating his gratitude dozens of times in the short ten-minute journey.
Inside the laboratory, Dragon and Ivankov froze at the sight of five humanoid creatures—hybrids of minks and animals (boar, rabbit, lion, tiger, gorilla)—pacing in incubation chambers.
"My latest creations," Benimaru announced, opening the pods. "They possess Buccaneer strength, Sulong transformations without lunar dependence, electrogenesis, and human-level intelligence. Consider them your new vanguard."
"Doesn't that violate a basic human right to be free to make their own choices? A huge part of our battle is to free the slaves who were oppressed and made to do something without any choice, taken forcibly from their homes and sold to be owned by owners that is cruel towards other mankind," Ivankov explained, as he thought that the cyborgs would not fit in their philosophy.
"Oh, don't worry, even though their instinct is to follow orders, they just does it due to loyalty, they could still act normal humans that would have their desires, plus since I used Kuma's DNA as a base, so I know that Kuma's instincts was also transferred towards them, wanting to do what's right without having to be told, here, let me just activate them for you to see," Benimaru said, as he then command the 5 cyborgs to activate, calling them one by one based on the names he set for them.
"Mufasa, activate," Benimaru commanded the first of the 5. It was a huge, Leonanthrope creature that was named after the character from The Lion King. The lion cyborg then suddenly woke up, electricity flowing outwards from its body as it growled so loudly that some glasses that were not reinforced shattered. Benimaru then turns towards the other 4.
"Mirko, activate." Benimaru then activated the bunny cyborg, which was a bunny girl that had huge bunny-like ears and a fit body; it was also able to discharge electricity out of its body. From its slender body and its incredibly huge hindlegs was visible, it was apparent that it was the fastest creature of the 5.
"Iozan, activate." Benimaru then turned towards the boar, that have a golden fur, its tusks coming out of its mouth as it reached its nose. When the boar activated, it immediately sat down and took a nap. One could tell from its hide that it was the most durable cyborg out of the five.
"Rengar, activate." Benimaru then turns towards the white tiger that have the height that almost reached the ceiling, it's fangs was like a saber tooth, it was incredibly sharp and pointed, it was also jagged if you looked closer, it's claws that have the same sharpness as a katana forged from Wano, as it was the natural weapon of Rengar, it's upperbody was incredibly muscular as he resembled Kuma in upper body composition its legs was also huge, specifically its hind legs that was capable of covering large distance in a short amount of time.
"And last, Winston, activate." Benimaru then activated the gorilla, which was the most intelligent out of the 5. It was capable of building Benimaru's blueprint, and he was also allowed to directly communicate with Benimaru, something that would make it easier for Benimaru to transmit any new information to share towards the cyborgs, he was also incredibly strong as it's muscle density is through the roof, capable of withstanding a close ranged canon barrage.