A Digression: An Entity that Can Reach the Ultimate

The reason I ended up taking on the request instead of another Satellite was quite simple—it happened that I had some free time at that moment.

Also, it wasn't easy to refuse the request through the government high-ranking officials closely associated with the Special Science Division, so I became the one in charge.

The client was the CP9's Commander Spandam, and the task was to create clothing with a much higher strength than the standard-issue gear. When I saw the request, I remember feeling a bit exasperated.

I couldn't fathom the logic behind the Commander wearing sturdier clothing than the ones on the field. If he wanted to protect his life, he should be wearing armor, not just clothing. Even if he wanted to show off, there were plenty of other ways to do so. I couldn't understand the thought process of those in power.

Honestly, the task itself was easy. Standard-issue gear was designed with mass production in mind, so its performance was intentionally lowered. Creating clothing with much higher strength than the standard-issue gear was a breeze as long as the materials were available.

However, being forced to deal with the whims of those in power when our research time and budget were already lacking was quite annoying, so I initially quoted an exaggeratedly high price.

Of course, I didn't expect it to be accepted. I thought there would be some negotiations, and we would settle at about half the quoted price, but... the other party immediately accepted the amount we proposed without any objections.

I did feel guilty afterward, so I hurriedly lowered the price, but in that sense, it was a request that kept us on our toes from the beginning.

The man called Spandam was an almost complaint-free client. He didn't make unnecessary demands and only asked for high strength and a rough design. He paid the amount we quoted without haggling and gave us a generous delivery period.

I thought he was an excellent business partner... at least, that's what I thought initially.

After creating the first set of clothing and a few more afterward, I received a request after a few months saying that the clothes had torn and needed to be remade.

At that moment, I felt slightly irritated. I hadn't created anything flimsy enough to tear within a few months. The item we had created, worth tens of millions of berries, was something that wouldn't even develop a single hole after decades of use.

So when I heard that it had torn, I was about to get angry, suspecting that it had been treated carelessly... but I stopped myself from assuming ill intentions.

Certainly, the clothing was robust, to the point that it wouldn't develop any holes even if shot by a gun. However, if it received repeated impacts in the same area in a short period or encountered materials that could dissolve even powerful substances, it might tear or break.

After all, as a scientist, I know that nothing with a physical form can be absolutely unchanging. So, without complaining, I agreed to recreate the clothing at the same price as before.

...But, even after that, I kept receiving requests to create clothing because the previous ones had torn. Moreover, the intervals were becoming shorter... it started with a six-month gap, then five months, and eventually, it reached a frequency of once a month. To make matters worse, I received a query asking if I could create even more durable clothing. At that point, I had had enough.

The frequency was clearly abnormal. It seemed like he was intentionally tearing them apart. I couldn't help but imagine him playing with someone else's creation like it was a toy, and I felt a boiling anger inside.

Certainly, since the specified amount was paid, the item technically belonged to Spandam or whoever that man was. So, one might think I had no right to complain about how he treated it.

However, even though I could easily recreate it as long as I had the materials, my work was being torn apart repeatedly. There's a limit to my patience.

Shaka said that everyone has their way of handling things, and it's best to leave others alone. However, I couldn't endure it, and I decided to call Spandam and directly complain.

Coincidentally, I had some samples to collect in the first half of the Grand Line, so I thought I'd take the opportunity to express my dissatisfaction.

...Well, it's true that he's a good business partner considering the research funds, so I didn't intend to be too harsh.

***

Grumbling to the Marine guards who served as escorts, I waited for Spandam. It might sound like I was taking it out on the Marines, but I knew I couldn't just yell at the CP9 director. So, I needed some venting to be able to handle the meeting calmly when it happened.

First, I thought I'd deliver some harsh criticism, followed by a bit of reassurance... and finally, in a somewhat submissive manner, I would ask him to take better care of the items in the future. That flow should work.

While thinking that, I saw Spandam appear from behind the slowly opening door—and in that instant, I felt like the world had changed.

What... is this... ridiculous, impossible!? The eerie presence emanating from him, the utterly incomprehensible power... Why, how, is this entity able to maintain a human form while possessing such overwhelming strength!!

This power couldn't be contained in such a small vessel. I don't understand... the only thing I can comprehend is that this entity is an extraordinary monster.

Spandam took a seat across from me. Just that alone gave me the illusion that the entire space was being crushed; his presence was simply too immense.

"...I apologize for calling you out so suddenly."

(He's apologizing so sincerely!?)

Those were his words of apology. Seeing Spandam, I immediately realized my mistake. This man wasn't handling my creation carelessly. On the contrary, he treated it as carefully as possible to prevent any damage.

Because even from my perspective, it was clear that the clothing's strength was inadequate. There was no way it could withstand the power of this entity.

In fact, the fact that this monster had been using it for a month without tearing it apart meant that he was taking considerable care of it.

"Uh, um... Dr. Vegapunk? You're going to give him a piece of your mind, right...?"

One of the Marines spoke to me. His words were disorienting, and I wondered if he didn't understand. Even if I was restraining my presence, couldn't he sense the immense power of this monster? He might die... no, really.

Afterward, I exchanged simple self-introductions with Spandam... but my eyes were fixated on Spandam's body the whole time.

What is this physique... It's unbelievable. Even though I'm seeing it right in front of me, I can't comprehend it. It could be called the result of abnormal evolution, but I can't possibly call this a human being.

Everything about him is on a different level... I want to know. Why, how did he attain such abnormal power? I want to know more about this man, much more.

But it's no use. My instincts are telling me that if I go any further, I'll cross a line... and if I do, this monster will show its fangs at me...

It's like staring into the sun... If you reach out carelessly, you'll get burned. Even though the ultimate existence is right in front of me, I can't reach it—it's like being in hell.

That's why I was ecstatic when he told me he'd cooperate a little bit. All other thoughts except Spandam vanished from my mind temporarily.

***

I made a promise to provide clothing with three times the strength within five days and had Spandam participate in a simple physical test-like experiment.

It was merely a measurement, which is why Spandam probably agreed to it. I didn't want to cross any lines further, so I reluctantly decided to be satisfied with this for now.

Back at Punk Hazard, as I looked at the data sheets in my hands, I received a communication from Shaka.

"What's this ridiculous report you sent, Awful Lilith!?"

"I reported accurately. Everything was marked as 'measurement impossible.'"

"All the values are marked as 'measurement impossible,' aren't they?"

"As it stands, there's no other way. You and the other cat satellites would understand as soon as you laid eyes on him... Ah, but wait, it's probably better if anyone other than me doesn't meet him. If you inadvertently see him, all of you, like me, won't be able to think about anything else for a long time. It'll cause severe delays in the research... Well, anyway, I'll provide additional information gradually."

After saying that, I ended the communication and gazed at the paper that said everything was "measurement impossible."

Sigh

Unconsciously, I let out a sigh. Spandam... that man is an abnormal existence.

The World Government considers my research taboo, but he's far more taboo... It's an insult to countless lives.

He is an existence that should never exist, an entity that has reached the realm of ultimate individuality. Ordinary lifeforms couldn't evolve into that. He deviated from the natural path and stands as an unthinkable absolute ruler, as if he reigns after surpassing the abyss of darkness...

Ah, how beautiful... How beautifully pure.

He evolved solely in pursuit of sheer strength, a monster that transcends the framework of life. His body can even be called the epitome of refinement and perfection, almost a being that can be called the ultimate.

I don't understand, no matter how much I think about it. What kind of process led him to reach that realm? Why can he maintain his self-awareness even after reaching that realm... The man called Spandam is a completely unknown entity.

And the unknown... is a scientist's favorite delicacy.

Sigh It's no use... This is a rather serious condition. I won't be able to think about anything else for a long time. My mind is completely consumed by Spandam.

I want to know, I want to know more about him... Right now, my entire being is filled with thoughts of Spandam, and I have no room to think about anything else.

Just imagining his magnificent figure makes me grin. Looking at the data sheet makes my brain melt.

Sigh For now, I'll urgently make the clothing and use that as an excuse to meet him again. The sin of captivating me to this extent is heavy... I'll definitely show you more about yourself... Kufufu, kufufufu...

In the quiet laboratory, only the sound of my laughter echoed.

***

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