Sakazuki let out a grunt of acknowledgment.
His eyes remained fixed on a small figure on the edge of the wanted poster.
Seeing Sakazuki acting a bit strangely,
Karol stepped forward to take a look at the poster, but found nothing unusual.
Though, judging by the date, it seemed like it was freshly issued yesterday.
After a while, Sakazuki looked up:
"Karol, got any useless Devil Fruits?"
Karol thought for a moment:
"Mm... These were looted from pirate ships over the years."
"There are five Zoan-types, two Paramecia, and no Logia."
Sakazuki nodded:
"Just grab three Zoan-types and bring them aboard."
"We're heading out to sea."
Karol responded:
"Got it."
Sakazuki stood up, stretched lazily, and rolled his neck:
"Let's go check on Enel."
"That kid's been acting all secretive lately."
"Time to find out what he's up to."
Karol chuckled:
"I know that one. Word is he's working on some kind of secret weapon."
"He even lured away Admiral Sengoku's adoptive son Rosinante."
"Been holed up in the lab all day long."
"Sengoku-sama's been grinding his teeth in rage."
"Finally got some time back at home, and now he can't even see Rosinante's face."
Sakazuki smirked:
"That's pretty amusing."
"Let's go."
He pushed open the second-floor study window.
Whoosh whoosh—
Two sharp bursts of wind split the air.
The people in the study vanished without a trace...
...
Marine Headquarters Academy.
It had now been completely transformed into a laboratory packed with high-tech equipment.
The full-metal decor was tidy and orderly, with all kinds of precision instruments scattered about.
And with Vice Admiral Ward Morris stationed in the adjacent room, this was also the safest location—no matter what happened, Vice Admiral Morris could respond immediately.
Inside the lab.
Lightning crackled in Enel's hand, his right eye fitted with a mechanical high-powered magnifier.
He was adjusting something in front of him that resembled a small missile.
Beside him, Rosinante was pressing his hands against a mechanical orb, continuously channeling energy into it.
A number of already-infused mechanical orbs lay off to the side.
As Sakazuki and Karol approached the lab door, the mechanical door slid open automatically.
What greeted their eyes was this ultra-tech laboratory.
Enel set down the missile in his hands and turned around with a grin:
"Yo."
"Karol-san."
Sakazuki gave the slightly nervous Rosinante a smile and looked toward Enel:
"Working on some kind of secret weapon?"
Then he stepped inside.
Karol followed behind, smiling as he raised a hand in greeting to Rosinante.
Enel chuckled and picked up a miniature missile from the side.
Then he pulled out a Den Den Mushi and handed it to Sakazuki.
He himself grabbed another Den Den Mushi and walked to a corner of the lab, dialing it.
The Den Den Mushi in Sakazuki's hand started ringing: Buru buru...
At that moment, Enel said:
"Watch closely, old man!"
Crack—
The mini missile in his hand was instantly crushed.
It was as if something burst forth—but also as if nothing had.
The Den Den Mushi in Sakazuki's hand fell silent, its eyes spiraling, tongue sticking out like it was exhausted.
The same happened with the Den Den Mushi in Enel's hand.
Sakazuki raised an eyebrow:
"Interesting."
Enel grinned:
"This came from Rosinante's ability."
"Magnetic Field Bomb."
"Using high-power electromagnetic microwave directional emission."
"Depending on the power level, it can instantly paralyze all communication within a certain radius."
"It's basically a barrier version of the Calm-Calm Fruit."
"After all, if no messages can get out, then a lot can be done."
Sakazuki pondered for a few seconds:
"How many people know about this?"
Enel replied:
"Just us, and Grandpa Morris."
"As for Sengoku-san, no idea if Rosinante told him."
Rosinante quickly shook his head:
"No, no he didn't."
Sakazuki nodded:
"Once the research is complete, keep it hidden for now."
"This thing qualifies as a strategic-class weapon."
"It can't be exposed."
Enel froze—he hadn't really thought that far ahead, but still nodded.
Sakazuki said:
"After we head out to sea, I'm making a stop at Punk Hazard."
"You coming?"
Enel said excitedly:
"Sure!"
"I've got a few more ideas I can discuss with sensei."
"Rosinante, let's go together!"
Seeing Rosinante still hesitating, Enel made the decision for him:
"Alright, no need to think it over."
"Let Grandpa Morris and Sengoku-san know."
"It's decided."
"Let's go have some fun."
He said that and dragged Rosinante away:
"We're off to get ready! Don't forget to close the door!"
Sakazuki shook his head and walked out:
"Karol, go tell Vice Admiral Morris and Admiral Sengoku later."
"I'm heading to the ship first."
Karol's face fell:
"Eh?!"
"Why me?"
Sakazuki's voice floated back:
"I'd rather not face the wrath of two old men..."
Karol clutched his forehead:
"That's just cruel, Vice Admiral Sakazuki."
"I don't want to either!!!"
Sakazuki's chuckling voice echoed from the distance:
"Young folks need training..."
...
Evening.
Still no sign of Rosinante returning home— Admiral Sengoku came looking.
Vice Admiral Morris was also completely baffled. He had searched the entire academy and couldn't find the two kids.
At that moment, the gatekeeper arrived and said that Vice Admiral Sakazuki had instructed him to deliver a letter to them only after dinner.
The two opened the envelope.
Inside were only a few words written:
"I've taken the kid out for a few days. Don't miss us. —Sakazuki"
Enraged, Sengoku unconsciously crushed the paper in his hand:
"SAKAZUKI!!!!!!!!!!"
...
Aboard Sakazuki's warship.
Sakazuki was eating dinner in the dining hall when he saw Karol approaching with a strange look and a Den Den Mushi in hand.
He had a bad feeling.
Taking the Den Den Mushi, Sengoku's furious voice came through from the other end...
A long while later, Sakazuki hung up with a bitter smile.
He gave Karol a glance and sighed:
"It's fine, keep eating."
He handed the Den Den Mushi back to Karol, who still had a strange expression on his face.
The moment Karol took it,
Sakazuki suddenly spoke:
"Karol, you've gotten sluggish."
"You took 0.1 seconds longer to pick up the Den Den Mushi than usual."
"Your reaction time is deteriorating."
"I'll join you for some extra training later."
"Finish your meal quickly."
Ignoring the frozen Karol, Sakazuki finished his meal in just a few quick bites.
Then walked off toward the training room...
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