In the medical ward, the atmosphere was equally tense and oppressive.
Akainu struggled to sit up, each movement tugging at his wounds, causing him to frown slightly.
Beneath the blood-stained bandages, his eyes burned with terrifying fury.
He stared fixedly at the newspaper hanging on the wall, the report about Whitebeard stinging his eyes.
"Newgate..." Akainu's voice sounded like a demon crawling out of hell, filled with endless hatred and rage.
"This debt... I will make you repay it a hundred times over!"
...
Two days later,
Sunlight filtered through the thick clouds, casting its glow upon the solemn and dignified buildings of Marine Headquarters.
"It's successful! The third-generation Super Green Blood Potion has completed final testing!"
Sengoku abruptly stood up, his marshal cloak billowing and knocking over a teacup on the desk, scattering tea across the floor.
However, at this moment, Sengoku had no time to bother with such trivial details.
His mind held only one goal - to witness this epoch-making achievement in potion development.
In the special laboratory three floors underground in the Marine Research and Development Department, the atmosphere was so oppressive it was almost suffocating.
The harsh fluorescent lights mercilessly illuminated every corner, making the metal instruments and experimental equipment appear cold and cruel.
Three death row prisoners wearing Seastone shackles were firmly secured to metal chairs, their eyes revealing fear, despair, and helplessness, yet they still shouted curses and insults.
Sengoku stood behind the one-way glass, tightly clutching the newly delivered third-generation Green Blood Potion.
The pale purple liquid swayed slightly in the transparent test tube, like a mysterious magic potion, its surface shimmering with an eerie luster.
"Begin injection," Sengoku ordered in a deep voice.
The researchers skillfully picked up syringes, carefully drew the potion, then slowly inserted the needles into the prisoners' veins.
Almost the moment the needles were withdrawn, the first prisoner suddenly began convulsing violently.
His muscles tightened, his body trembling as if electrocuted, each tremor carrying tremendous force that seemed about to shatter the metal chair.
Spiderweb-like black patterns appeared on his skin surface, rapidly spreading like dark tentacles consuming his body.
A miniature black hole gradually formed in the palm of his right hand, deep and mysterious, emitting a terrifying aura.
"Ability awakening successful!" the monitor's voice trembled, mixed with surprise and excitement.
"Dark Vortex characteristics confirmed!"
But the prisoner's complexion rapidly deteriorated in an instant, his originally ruddy face turning as pale as paper.
His entire being seemed drained of vitality, listless and withered, the light in his eyes gradually fading until only endless exhaustion and weakness remained.
Medical team data showed his cellular activity was plummeting sharply, the signs of life growing as faint as a candle flame in the wind.
"Side effects confirmed." The lead researcher adjusted his glasses, his eyes behind the lenses gleaming with rationality.
"As anticipated: 24-hour period of weakness, 13% muscle dissolution, and an estimated lifespan reduction of 3-5 years."
Sengoku nodded expressionlessly, his eyes devoid of any pity or hesitation.
Death row inmates were called death row inmates precisely because of the crimes they had committed—unforgivable and irredeemable, no matter what they did!
He slowly turned, his gaze resolute as he shifted to the second test subject.
"Now, test the second-generation serum."
Although Vegapunk's second-generation serum had not succeeded, it could still be used if death was disregarded as a consequence.
But these serums were intended for naval officers, so minimizing side effects was crucial, and all required practical experimental verification.
This injection process was even more heart-stopping.
The moment the serum was injected into the test subject, his body underwent a bizarre transformation.
His left arm burst into raging flames, the fire licking at his skin like a demon's tongue, emitting a fierce "whooshing" sound.
His right eye, however, transformed into the vertical slit of a serpent's pupil, gleaming with a cold and eerie light, exuding a deathly stillness.
But it lasted only thirty seconds before his body began to swell unnaturally, muscles stretching incessantly, skin pulled taut as if on the verge of tearing.
"He's going to explode! Activate the shield!" someone shouted.
With a muffled thud, the test subject dissolved into a mist of blood, spreading through the air like a blooming flower of death.
The shield was splattered with viscous bodily fluids, which slid slowly down its surface, dripping onto the floor with a steady "drip, drip" sound.
"As expected..." Sengoku stroked his chin, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. "The coexistence of two abilities leads to physical collapse."
Just as one cannot consume two Devil Fruits at once—doing so would cause the body to explode—the serum merely delayed the inevitable.
The explosion would still occur, only the timing varied.
"It seems it's still not viable. The second-generation serum is only a half-finished product."
At that moment, a dangerous thought flashed through his mind.
Like a bolt of lightning in the darkness, it instantly illuminated his thoughts.
He signaled the researchers to prepare the first and third-generation serums, his eyes revealing a trace of resolve.
Sengoku personally approached the last death row inmate.
"Fleet Admiral, this is too risky..." his adjutant couldn't help but protest, his face etched with worry and unease.
"Enough." Sengoku coldly cut him off, his gaze unwavering.
Ignoring the adjutant's advice, Sengoku injected both vials of serum into his veins simultaneously.
In that instant, the monitoring screens lit up with red alerts, every indicator skyrocketing like a frenzied rocket.
The inmate let out an inhuman howl, filled with agony and despair, as if a lament from the depths of hell.
The criminal's body flickered between elemental states, turning transparent and illusory, as if merging with the surrounding space.
At times, dark vortices would appear, swirling like massive black holes, exuding a terrifying aura.
His muscles visibly swelled, each one resembling an energy-charged spring, ready to burst at any moment.
"Power amplification 200%... 300%... 450%!" The monitor's voice trembled with shock, echoing through the laboratory and sending chills down everyone's spine.
But this surge of power came and went swiftly.
After peaking, the death row inmate's skin began to crack, fissures spreading rapidly like a spiderweb.
Dark purple energy seeped from the cracks, resembling malevolent ghosts, emitting a spine-chilling presence.
"Retreat! he's going to explode!" someone shouted.
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