Shaka's voice faded; the test subject executed the command, slowly raising his right arm.
A dark vortex gradually appeared in his palm.
The vortex resembled a black hole from the depths of the universe, emitting a terrifying aura that threatened to devour everything nearby.
Simultaneously, crystalline frost began to coat his left arm—a manifestation of the Ice-Ice Fruit's power.
The chilling cold was intense, sending shivers down the spine.
"Second Generation Super Green Blood, composite type!"
Vegapunk murmured, his eyes reflecting a complex mix of joy at the achievement and concern for the unknown.
"Possessing two abilities simultaneously, but..."
His voice softened, and his brow furrowed.
Before he could finish, the test subject suddenly howled in pain.
"AHHHH!!!"
The wretched sound, like a demon's roar, echoed through the silent laboratory, chilling the air.
The test subject's body began to twist and swell uncontrollably, as if countless snakes writhed beneath the skin. Veins bulged, blood vessels expanded, and his entire body resembled a balloon on the verge of bursting.
Boom!
A violent explosion shook the laboratory.
The powerful shockwave overturned nearby equipment, sending sparks flying and smoke billowing.
Dust rained from the ceiling, shrouding the space in chaos.
"The side effects are still too severe."
Vegapunk wiped beads of sweat from his brow, his eyes reflecting helplessness and determination.
"It seems we need to reduce the dosage by 30%..."
As he spoke, he rapidly typed on the keyboard, adjusting various parameters.
...
Meanwhile,
On another experimental platform sat a brand-new potion.
Sealed in a transparent test tube, the deep purple liquid churned and swirled like a living thing, emitting a mysterious glow.
"Third Generation Super Green Blood Potion, Dark-Dark Fruit type."
An assistant carefully attached a label, moving with exceptional caution.
"The user will gain the Dark-Dark Fruit ability, capable of nullifying a target's ability through contact, but..."
His voice trailed off as the liquid in the test tube suddenly began to boil, bubbles emerging with a gurgling sound.
Almost immediately, the highly corrosive liquid attacked the glass, and small holes gradually appeared!
Hearing the commotion, Vegapunk hurried over.
A flicker of surprise crossed his eyes, but he quickly regained his composure.
He swiftly placed the test tube into a specially designed container, which emitted a strange glow.
"As expected... even the container requires special handling." He sighed softly, then spoke gravely into the communicator:
"Notify the Five Elders, we need more... 'test subjects.'"
He proceeded with the next phase of the experiment. Ever since obtaining Whitebeard's blood, he had become obsessed, unable to unravel its secrets. It was like a door suddenly locked with a thousand bolts.
To glimpse those secrets, he had to undo these restrictions one by one, and he had only completed 30% so far.
"I truly don't know how that scientist Ron managed it. He's simply a genius!"
...
Marine Headquarters,
The atmosphere was unusually tense.
The Fleet Admiral's office door was tightly shut, and the room was filled with suffocating silence.
Magellan leaned quietly against the window, his gaze fixed on the distance, his eyes brimming with deep concern.
Kizaru sat leisurely on the plush sofa, legs crossed. He had tried to reassure Magellan that it wasn't his fault, but the man remained stubborn.
Aokiji sat in the corner, hands tucked in his pockets, the shadow from his hat obscuring his expression.
Behind the desk, Sengoku frowned, rubbing his aching temples, his eyes scanning the mountain of battle reports.
Finally, he spoke: "How is Akainu's condition?"
"He lost too much blood and only just regained consciousness," Aokiji said, his voice carrying a trace of weariness.
"The medical division says he needs at least two weeks of rest."
Sengoku sighed, his gaze shifting to Kizaru and Aokiji, a flicker of resignation in his eyes.
"As for the matter with Whitebeard... let it go."
He waved his hand, not holding them accountable for Whitebeard's escape.
Sengoku understood that even if they had tried to stop him, Whitebeard's strength meant the Marines might have suffered even heavier losses.
Just then,
Magellan broke the silence, his voice hoarse. "Impel Down... is practically empty now."
He clenched his fist, anger burning in his chest. "Aside from the few taken by Ron, the other prisoners... have all disappeared."
"Disappeared?" Sengoku's frown deepened.
He had his adjutant pull up the remaining surveillance footage—much of it had been destroyed, leaving only fragments.
In the footage, Katakuri stood out, accompanied by Brulee and Perospero.
"The Mirror-Mirror Fruit..." Sengoku understood. "So that's it; the Big Mom Pirates were prepared."
"Those vanished criminals were likely imprisoned in the mirror dimension and taken away."
After a moment, Sengoku decided.
"Hannyabal is promoted to Chief Warden. Magellan..."
He looked at his long-time subordinate, his eyes filled with trust. "You are reassigned to Marine Headquarters as a candidate for Admiral."
"...Yes."
Throughout the discussion, no one mentioned Garp taking Luffy away, and the others tacitly remained silent as well.
After all, such matters involve delicate relationships and complex emotional entanglements within the navy—things that cannot be openly discussed and are better resolved privately.
After the others had gradually departed, the marshal's office returned to silence.
Sengoku stood alone by the window, gazing at the beautiful and hopeful sunset over Marineford.
The lingering glow of the sunset bathed his figure, casting a long shadow behind him.
He picked up the Den Den Mushi, hesitated for a moment, then slowly set it down again.
"Garp..." Sengoku murmured to himself, his voice filled with complexity. "I hope you can give me an explanation."
He knew that some matters required giving an old comrade enough dignity, after all, they had once fought side by side, jointly protecting the peace of these seas.
But as the Marine Fleet Admiral, he bore the mission and responsibility of the entire Marine force, and this leniency had its limits.
...