Hearing Sakazuki's voice, Kaido turned angrily toward the source.
He stared deathly at Sakazuki, and their Conqueror's Haki clashed violently.
Everything in the room trembled madly.
At that moment, Vegapunk, suppressing his discomfort, arrived.
Seeing the scene, he gave a bitter smile:
"This really had to trouble Vice Admiral Sakazuki after all."
Sakazuki replied:
"No problem."
He activated his ability as he spoke.
Magma suddenly burst from the ground, covering various parts of Kaido's body.
Only his eyes and nose were left exposed.
It was coated in pitch-black Armament Haki.
Then, Sakazuki turned to Vegapunk:
"Is there any of that maddening potion here?"
Vegapunk was stunned for a moment:
"There is, but it's in Research Lab No. 3 with Queen and Caesar."
"They mainly research bacteria and microorganisms."
"There's a good amount in storage."
Sakazuki nodded upon hearing this:
"Fetch some. Force it down his throat."
"Otherwise, he won't cooperate so easily with the experiments."
Vegapunk suddenly understood:
"Got it."
Before long, the berserk-inducing potion was brought over.
Behind it followed a group of scientists from Research Lab No. 3.
Upon hearing there was such a rare test subject, they were drawn in more than anyone could imagine.
Even Queen and Caesar, who normally didn't get along with Vegapunk, hurried over.
Everyone's gaze fell upon the "test subject" lying below.
Sakazuki took the berserk potion.
A hole opened in the magma around the mouth area.
He poured it in directly.
Then, a savage aura burst from Kaido's body.
Crack—Crack—
The sound of chains snapping echoed.
Even the special alloy chains, mixed with a bit of Seastone, could no longer restrain Kaido.
Sakazuki grabbed Kaido by the shoulder.
He swept the island with Observation Haki.
He located an uninhabited mountain valley.
He immediately charged toward it with Kaido in tow.
With a powerful swing, he hurled Kaido into the valley.
Boom!
A loud explosion, followed by all the chains on Kaido snapping apart.
The man roared uncontrollably, completely lacking reason.
Relying on pure bodily instinct, he transformed into a giant dragon, attempting to soar skyward.
Sakazuki raised both hands.
Several magma chains surged from the ground, locking onto Kaido.
Then, a dense network of magma chains wrapped around him, all coated in Armament Haki.
They wound around the azure dragon's massive body.
Reducing him to thrashing instinctively on the ground.
Though he could still struggle, the range of movement was quite limited.
Just enough for the group of scientists to collect samples.
When Vegapunk and the others arrived, they saw that the once untouched mountain valley had completely changed.
The ground had been cleared, leaving only the writhing, tightly bound azure dragon.
Not far off stood a massive black stone monument.
Carved into it were three large characters: "Dragon Lock Valley."
Sakazuki had been waiting beneath the monument for some time.
Seeing Vegapunk arrive, Sakazuki said:
"No time to waste. Begin collecting samples immediately."
Vegapunk nodded without saying another word and immediately began directing everyone to work through the night.
...
The next afternoon.
Vegapunk stretched beside the weakened azure dragon, now past the berserk stage.
Sakazuki saw this and knew it was nearly finished.
He walked over and asked:
"Is it done?"
Hearing this, Vegapunk immediately perked up:
"Yes. We've collected samples from all parts of this dragon."
"Now it's just down to analysis."
He smiled as he spoke.
Such rare experimental material — he wouldn't have dared dream of this before.
Although he had lost his freedom... sigh...
Sakazuki placed a hand on one of the chains.
Reinforcing it heavily with Armament Haki.
He said to Vegapunk:
"Take a break."
Vegapunk nodded, then suddenly remembered:
"Right, we still need the teams from the other two labs to come collect samples."
"This place needs to be cleared first."
He then began directing people to move samples and equipment.
Before long, teams from the other two research labs rushed in.
They nearly came to blows over the sampling rights.
At that moment, Queen seemed to trip on something.
He tumbled to the area near the dragon's head.
Kaido had already regained his consciousness.
But to seize an escape opportunity, he had been feigning weakness all along.
His eyes, glowing faintly, scanned the surroundings.
Then he spotted Queen tumbling his way.
Looking at Queen's fully modified mechanical arm, he seemed to think of something.
His breathing grew slightly heavier.
He quickly steadied himself, afraid Sakazuki would notice.
Yet no one noticed Sakazuki, still leaning against the massive stone monument.
The corner of his mouth curled upward ever so slightly...
...
Evening.
Sakazuki suddenly received a transmission from Vegapunk.
After reinforcing the chains binding Kaido, he turned and left.
When Sakazuki disappeared,
Sensing that he was far enough away,
Kaido suddenly burst into a frenzy.
A full day of accumulated Conqueror's Haki and strength erupted.
He broke through the chains in an instant.
Far away, Sakazuki's aura was rapidly approaching.
Kaido didn't have time to think.
He looked greedily and longingly at the mechanical parts of Queen's body.
Grabbing the unconscious Queen, he shot into the sky in the opposite direction.
At the same time, he was gathering energy in his mouth.
Just as Sakazuki was about to catch up, Kaido fired a blast toward a densely populated area of the island.
As expected, Sakazuki shifted his body to intercept the heat breath.
The corners of Kaido's Azure Dragon mouth curled into a fierce grin.
"Just you wait, Sakazuki!!!"
...
On the other side,
After dispersing that blast of Kaido's heat breath,
Kaido was already gone by the time Sakazuki searched for him.
Sakazuki calmly looked into the distance.
"It's not yet time for you to sacrifice everything... Joy Boy's gatekeeper..."
Then, with a flash,
He rushed back to the valley to begin rescue operations.
Another sleepless night.
...
Because of the unique nature of the place,
What happened was immediately reported to the Elders.
Due to the special status of both Sakazuki and Vegapunk,
It wasn't an easy matter to deal with.
In the end,
A half-hearted disciplinary order was issued.
Sakazuki was docked three years' worth of salary.
Vegapunk's research tasks were doubled.
For both of them, it was a meaningless punishment.
Though Vegapunk felt a bit guilty that Sakazuki was punished too.
After all, the specimen was captured with Sakazuki's help.
And it was because Vegapunk summoned Sakazuki there that everything had happened.
So he kept apologizing to Sakazuki.
Sakazuki gave a wry smile and shook his head, saying it was nothing.
He told him not to overthink it, the loss of three years' pay didn't matter.
Only after Sakazuki casually made a small request did the matter finally come to a close.
...
The next morning,
After bidding farewell to Vegapunk,
Sakazuki returned to the warship, and suddenly thought of something:
"Karol, has the spring recruitment begun already?"
Karol nodded:
"Yes, Vice Admiral Sakazuki."
"What is it?"
Sakazuki shook his head:
"It's nothing."
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