Two figures collided in mid-air, the Armament Haki-coated iron fist smashing into the Light Speed Kick with a deafening roar.
The resulting shockwave exploded outward like a raging tidal wave, shattering all glass within a hundred-meter radius.
"Is this all the Marines are capable of?" The pirate captain sneered, his eyes gleaming with cruelty.
A blinding beam of light gathered at his fingertip, its aura dangerously unstable, seemingly capable of destroying everything in its path.
"Admiral Kizaru's ability... feels absolutely intoxicating!"
"Bastard!!!"
Vice Admiral Hawkes surged forward desperately.
His figure flickered amidst the flames, charging recklessly toward the pirate captain, intent on dragging the enemy down to hell with him.
However, just as he was within striking distance, a beam of light pierced through his abdomen.
Blood splattered across the scorched earth.
The battle-hardened Vice Admiral collapsed with a thunderous crash, his body convulsing, his eyes filled with unwillingness and fury.
"Administer Type S-3 Serum! Subdue the target!"
"Yes!"
The backup squad rushed in.
In the end, the Marines subdued the pirate, but at a heavy cost.
When the Seastone Cuffs were finally locked around the pirate's wrists, the soldiers rushed to their commander, only to discover that Hawkes had already ceased breathing.
His once-authoritative face was as pale as paper, his eyes forever devoid of their former brilliance.
"Vice Admiral Hawkes!!!"
The soldiers' mournful cries echoed through the night sky.
....
Marine Headquarters: Emergency Meeting
A suffocating atmosphere permeated the conference room, an invisible gloom shrouding every corner.
Fleet Admiral Sengoku sat at the head of the conference table, his face as dark as the sky before a storm, his eyes flashing with suppressed anger.
"Damn it!"
His fist slammed violently onto the sturdy hardwood table, the crash shattering the heavy silence.
A teacup resting nearby was knocked over, smashing onto the floor and scattering porcelain fragments everywhere.
"Another user of the replicated abilities..." Sengoku's voice was low and hoarse.
His gaze remained fixed on the casualty report bearing Hawkes's portrait, his eyes revealing boundless grief and hatred.
Hawkes had been a loyal Marine who exerted countless efforts to protect the peace of the seas.
Yet now, he had lost his life to a cheap imitation of justice's power.
"We must stop the Eternal Kingdom's trading conference!" Sengoku's voice echoed through the room, each word carrying immense weight.
If the Eternal Kingdom's trading conference proceeded smoothly, the consequences would be unimaginable.
Devil Fruits were inherently mysterious entities possessing immense power.
If allowed to proliferate on a large scale, the entire ocean would plunge into an unprecedented era of darkness.
Everyone present nodded in solemn silence, fully aware of the gravity of the situation.
If such artificial powers were allowed to spread uncontrollably, pirates would no longer be constrained by the limitations of a single ability.
Ambitious captains seeking to dominate the seas would gain terrifying advantages.
The strong would grow even more powerful by stacking abilities, perhaps even uniting to pose a lethal threat to the World Government.
As for the civilian population, their chances of survival would be mercilessly stripped away.
Ordinary people would suffer under the tyranny of super-powered pirates, living in dire misery.
Port cities would be razed, maritime trade would face paralysis, and the global economic system would collapse.
This scenario could not be allowed to come to pass.
....
Inside the Egghead Laboratory, Dr. Vegapunk was demonstrating his latest scientific breakthrough with characteristic enthusiasm.
"Incorporating the combat data and feedback from Admiral Akainu, and after countless arduous experiments, we have successfully reduced the volume of the delivery system by a staggering 90%," Vegapunk stated calmly.
As he spoke, he adjusted his sleek goggles.
The screen behind him displayed a capsule the size of a grain of rice.
Though seemingly tiny, this capsule contained immense energy.
Sentomaru looked on in confusion, his eyes filled with astonishment.
A Devil Fruit ability, concealed within such a small device? That was truly wild.
Other researchers also turned their gazes to the screen, their faces brimming with anticipation—this was the fruit of their recent sleepless nights.
"Everyone, observe. This new serum unit can now be cleverly concealed within the grooves of molars or a hollow false tooth. When needed, the user simply bites down to crush it. The serum takes effect in just 0.3 seconds," Vegapunk explained in detail, using holographic projections to demonstrate the capsule's mechanism.
Immediately after, a meticulously crafted experimental recording began to play.
In the footage, a carefully selected test subject stood in a brightly lit containment room.
As he bit down on the tiny capsule, his body seemed to ignite instantly, covered in blazing magma-like patterns.
These patterns spread like burning vines to every corner of his body, releasing astonishingly powerful energy—no less formidable than the previous injection version.
"Moreover, we have made significant improvements to the duration," Vegapunk continued, his eyes gleaming with wisdom.
"Now, the effects can last for up to 24 hours, and the production costs have been greatly reduced."
He skillfully pulled up a complex cellular degradation chart to showcase the scientific principles behind the achievement.
"Of course, any formidable power comes at a cost." Vegapunk furrowed his brow slightly, his tone carrying a hint of gravity.
"After the effects subside, the test subjects will experience a 48-hour period of extreme weakness."
"During this time, their physical functions will be significantly diminished. Furthermore, and most seriously, each use of this serum causes permanent biological strain, reducing the user's lifespan by approximately one year."
He paused, shrugging. "Compared to the previous side effects, however, this has been greatly mitigated. One could call it a small success."
The news of the serum's improvement spread like wildfire across Future Island and was immediately reported to the higher-ups.
Upon hearing the news, Sengoku authorized a large-scale production plan without hesitation.
To ensure the safety and effectiveness of the Green Blood project, he issued a new directive:
All previous versions of the serum were to be recalled immediately.
The old injection-based serums would be reprocessed into the latest micro-capsule versions.
This would not only make them more convenient to carry but also less prone to damage during combat.
No longer would there be situations where the serum was destroyed before a soldier could even use it.
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