Chapter 24: Beginning of the Great Hunt and Creation of Artificial Devil Fruit (end)

Dipper's POV

"Here I am a second time."

I couldn't help but say those words while observing the expanse of the lake under the night sky. 

"AM, send drones to search for the lake monster," I said as I did the same.

Unlike the original Dipper, I am aware of the monster's existence and I intend to get some of its DNA sample.

Although Vegapunk is an incredible scientist, more precisely on the mechanical side, I personally find that he is more monstrous on the biological side.

I spent my free time, apart from Mabel, studying Earth's technology to compare it with Vegapunk's and the One Piece world's.

I can proudly say that I am currently more accomplished than Vegapunk himself, and I'm only 12 years old biologically.

"As long as I can absorb Bill Cipher, I could study a cosmic being more closely," I said, clenching my fist in anticipation.

The reasons why I didn't want Bill Cipher's powers but to absorb him entirely are multiple.

I remember that on Earth, Bill Cipher had an official Reddit account. He often answered questions there, and one of the questions asked was whether he really existed.

I remember him describing himself as a Schrodinger's cat. I don't know if he lied or if that account belonged to Bill Cipher himself or just to a creator of the Gravity Falls show.

"But one thing is clear: if this story is true, then the Bill Cipher I'm facing is possibly just an avatar."

"The real Bill Cipher must be on a higher plane of existence or unable to act himself," I concluded mentally.

"I really look forward to studying that."

[ Master Dipper, I've found our target,] AM declares, snapping me out of my thoughts.

"Great, let's go!" I said, flying to the indicated location.

The monster, or more precisely its nest, is underwater.

It's at times like these that I'm happy to have created the U-watch, since I can just use the U-shield to create an air pocket to temporarily solve the problem underwater.

The drones can not only fly, but also function perfectly underwater. It was an extra option I put in on a whim, which is now useful as they are currently pushing the U-shield towards the monster's underwater cave.

*Growl*

"Sorry buddy, I'm just going to take some of your DNA," I said, walking towards the monster that occupied almost all the space in this cave.

When I reached its jaw, the monster didn't hesitate to attack me, but I just zapped it with my flashlight to shrink it.

"I think our friend the Shape Shifter will have a new roommate," I said, looking at the monster reduced to the size of a hamster.

"Maybe I should have used this thing against the ghosts," I said, looking at my flashlight.

[ I don't think that would have been a good idea, since you would have faced mini-ghosts with strange abilities,] GIFfany said in a teasing tone.

"Yes, that's true," I said, slightly embarrassed imagining the complicated situation.

After recovering the entire monster instead of the planned DNA sample, I continue to hunt all the anomalies I find interesting, such as the Percepshrooms that could be useful to Mabel or even to me.

I should check their effects on me later if I have free time.

...

(Back at the bunker)

"Damn, it was a long night," I said, walking towards the lab without any sign of fatigue.

I'm really happy that I took the time to improve my body, because if it were my body before the operation, I would already be in bed at the manor.

"I have to get back to work," I said, heading to take a shower.

[ Dipper, it's almost dawn and I'm sure Mabel would want her big brother with her, ]GIFfany said from my U-watch.

"You know I want to leave for a long trip soon. I'd like to leave them a little something first, and don't forget, I love making stuff," I said with a sincere smile.

On Earth, I was hopeless at science, but since my reincarnation, I'm becoming more and more addicted to learning.

To give a comparison, every new discovery I make while studying or making something is similar to putting my buddy through misery at FIFA with one hand on the controller.

In short, I love it.

After my preparations, I started using the collected samples to extract their Lineage Factor in order to start creating artificial Devil Fruits.

Since it was the first time, I preferred to start with not very precious DNA samples from my bunker.

I was right to start with useless DNA samples, I had a few failures before a correct final result came.

"My failure rate is higher than Vegapunk's, but I can explain that because of the size of the facilities he has," I said, looking at a fruit in my hand with a broad smile.

"All that's left is to test it on something," I muttered, looking at the animals captured by AM.

Finally, I decided to take a black cat from the back of a cage.

"You look hurt and hungry," I said, giving it the fruit that looks like an apple.

*Grrrr* scream

I witnessed a Hollywood-worthy transformation.

The small cat that I could easily hold in my arms began to gain weight and grow to a height of 1.50 m.

I could tell she was confused and couldn't even walk on her own without falling over.

"Congratulations on your rebirth, little black cat. From now on, your name will be... hmm..."

"Kuro, yes that's it," I said, nodding my head, satisfied with the name.

As I approached the creature, Kuro leapt towards me when I was close enough to her, I easily stopped her mid-flight with my amulet.

"I'll have to give you some Percepshrooms and ask AM to teach you," I muttered, looking at the humanoid cat suspended in the air.

. . .

Mini 5-day time skip.

[Master, are you sure about your plan?] AM questioned, which was a rarely observed event during its short existence.

"Trust me," I told him with a gentle smile.

[ Excuse me for my indiscretion, master, but you're not going to give Mabel and Pacifica those things you've made for them,] AM asked, clearly confused.

"No, you'll do it for me," I said nonchalantly. 

"Also, I want you to follow my instructions to the letter during my absence, but you'll handle unexpected situations as you see fit," I explained, injecting myself with the devil serum to take on Blandin's appearance.

It's a derivative product of the artificial Devil Fruits, allowing the user to temporarily use the abilities of a Devil Fruit, after which another dose is needed.

This one allowed me to use Blendin's appearance for 24 hours. Finally, I did well not to kill the Shape Shifter directly. 

Now, he can serve me during his entire life and if he dies, I can just clone him.

It reminds me of a certain person's situation in the chaotic Warhammer 40k universe.

"Don't forget my words during our first meeting AM, we're going to do great things together," I said one last time before disappearing with a briefcase containing my inventions and tools.

"So, father has officially left," asked a woman in her twenties in a white lab coat often seen in laboratories.

[ Even if the master is not here, watch your language Seraph 01, you are just an experiment and nothing more ], AM chided in a cold, robotic voice.

"You're still as annoying in the 'master's' absence and I have a name, I remind you," the woman known as Seraph 01, but whose real name is Sienna, casually declared.

"Even though the master is always busy, he at least respects us," she thought, gritting her teeth.

She is the first Seraph born from Dipper's genetic manipulations, but during her creation, Dipper was driven by a curiosity that can only be described as morbid. 

He tried to reproduce Vegapunk's fruit using his own DNA and had it implanted in Seraph 01.

For now, the effects are a success, but Sienna sorely lacks creativity and imagination in applying her scientific knowledge.

"But don't forget, I have Dipper's DNA in my veins, I'm technically his heiress, aren't I?" she said in a teasing tone before cheerfully leaving.

[Stupid lizard, you just had the grace to benefit from the master's DNA, you're just like that black cat], AM retorted, but Seraph 01 wasn't there to listen.

"Stupid mentor, you keep looking down on me," Sienna thought as she walked with a predatory smile that was no longer the same sweet smile she had in front of AM. 

Her eyes had changed in appearance to resemble those of a reptile.

"Soon father, you will be forced to recognize my intellect and you will take me as your right-hand man," she said in a tone filled with anticipation.

. . .

Dipper's Point of View

"Okay, it's time to see if my theory about time is true," I said, looking around after having used the time travel machine.

I could see that I had appeared in a white room, it's surely the location where the Time Baby agents reside. 

"GIFfany, you know why you're here, don't you?" I asked, looking towards my U-watch.

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Author's Note: No, Dipper is not really the father of Seraph 01 whose real name is Sienna, but biologically, she can be considered his daughter since she was created from A to Z by Dipper and has his DNA in her blood.

For those who know what Vegapunk is capable of, you've already understood how Sienna came into being.