The moment Sakazuki's voice rang out, Kaido whipped his head around, eyes blazing with fury. Their Conqueror's Haki collided in the air, invisible pressure crackling as everything in the room rattled and shook.
At that moment, Vegapunk—pale but determined—entered, forcing a wry smile as he took in the scene.
"Looks like we still have to trouble you, Vice Admiral Sakazuki."
Sakazuki just grunted, "No problem."
He flexed his fingers, and magma erupted from the floor, flowing up to encase Kaido's massive body—leaving only his eyes and nose exposed. The magma darkened, hardening with a coat of jet-black Armament Haki.
Turning to Vegapunk, he asked, "Got any of those berserker drugs around?"
Vegapunk blinked in surprise. "We do, but they're over at Research Lab Three with Queen and Caesar. That lab mainly handles bacteria and microorganisms—we've got plenty in storage."
Sakazuki nodded. "Bring some. Force-feed him. Otherwise, he'll never cooperate with the experiments."
Realization dawned on Vegapunk. "Understood."
Soon after, the berserk-inducing drugs were fetched—along with a crowd of scientists from Lab Three. Word of such a rare test subject had spread, and the researchers swarmed in, eager as moths to flame. Even Queen and Caesar, despite their usual rivalry with Vegapunk, rushed to witness the spectacle.
Everyone's gaze fell on the restrained "specimen" lying before them.
Sakazuki took the vial, opened a gap in the magma at Kaido's mouth, and poured the drug in. Instantly, a wild, feral aura erupted from Kaido.
Crack—crack—
The sound of snapping chains echoed through the valley. Even the special alloy restraints, laced with Seastone, could no longer hold him.
Sakazuki seized Kaido's shoulder, Observation Haki sweeping the entire island. He found an empty, secluded valley—and, without hesitation, hauled Kaido there in a blur of motion, hurling him down into the gorge.
BOOM!
With a thunderous crash, every last chain on Kaido's body snapped. He roared, mindless, and by instinct transformed into a colossal azure dragon, trying to soar skyward.
Sakazuki raised both hands.
"Purgatory Dragon Lock!"
Magma chains surged from the earth, latching onto the dragon's body. Countless more coiled around him, each one coated in Armament Haki, wrapping tightly around the massive form. Kaido could only writhe and thrash, pinned to the ground by sheer force—just enough for the scientists to safely collect their samples.
By the time Vegapunk and the others arrived, the once-wild valley had been utterly transformed. The earth was swept bare, leaving only the bound, twisting azure dragon at its center. Not far away, a massive black stone monument had been erected, three bold characters carved into its face: "Dragonlock Valley."
Sakazuki was already waiting beneath the monument.
"Let's not waste time. Start the sampling," he ordered.
Vegapunk nodded briskly, immediately directing the researchers to work through the night.
———
By the next afternoon, Vegapunk was stretching beside the now-weakened dragon, the berserk episode finally spent. Sakazuki approached, sensing it was nearly over.
"All done?" he asked.
Vegapunk perked up, eyes gleaming. "Yes, we've finished sampling every part of this divine dragon. Now the research can really begin."
He couldn't help but smile. Such a rare experimental subject was beyond anything he'd ever dreamed of. Though he sighed at the cost—freedom lost—it was a scientist's paradise.
Sakazuki pressed his hand to one of the chains, flooding it with Armament Haki.
"Take a break," he said.
Vegapunk nodded, then suddenly remembered, "Right, I need to get the other two labs' teams over for their samples. We'll have to tidy up here first."
He began organizing his people to move samples and equipment.
Soon, researchers from the other labs swarmed in, nearly coming to blows over the right to collect samples.
At that moment, Queen tripped over something and tumbled right up to the dragon's massive head.
By now, Kaido had long since regained his senses, but he feigned weakness, waiting for the perfect chance to escape. His eyes, sharp and cunning, flickered as he scanned his surroundings.
When he saw Queen—and that fully cybernetic arm—his breath hitched. A plan began to form. He quickly schooled his expression, careful not to draw Sakazuki's attention.
No one noticed Sakazuki, still leaning casually against the monument, the faintest smirk curling at his lips…
———
That evening, Sakazuki received a call from Vegapunk. After reinforcing the chains binding Kaido, he stepped outside.
Once Sakazuki was gone and his presence had faded to a safe distance, Kaido suddenly erupted.
All the Conqueror's Haki and raw strength he'd stored for a day exploded at once, shattering the chains in an instant. Scientists around him dropped like wheat before the scythe.
Far off, Sakazuki's aura was racing back at top speed.
Kaido didn't hesitate. Greed and longing flashed in his eyes as he seized the unconscious Queen—that cybernetic body was the key. He shot skyward in the opposite direction, energy already gathering in his jaws.
As Sakazuki closed in, Kaido unleashed a scorching Heat Breath toward a crowded part of the island, just as expected. He saw Sakazuki veer off to intercept the blast.
A savage grin split the dragon's maw.
Just you wait, Sakazuki!!
———
Elsewhere, after dispersing Kaido's attack, Sakazuki searched the area—only to find his quarry had vanished.
He gazed calmly into the horizon.
It's not your time yet… Joy Boy's gatekeeper…
With a flicker, he rushed back to the valley to organize rescue efforts.
Another sleepless night.
———
Given the sensitive nature of the incident, reports reached the Five Elders almost immediately. With both Sakazuki and Vegapunk involved, the higher-ups were at a loss for a proper response.
In the end, the punishment was perfunctory:
Sakazuki was docked three years' pay.
Vegapunk's research assignments were doubled.
Neither cared much.
Vegapunk felt a bit guilty that Sakazuki had been punished too—after all, it was he who'd asked for help capturing the "material." He apologized profusely, but Sakazuki just waved it off with a wry smile. "Don't worry about it. Three years' salary is nothing."
The matter was settled after Sakazuki made a casual request.
———
The next morning, after bidding Vegapunk farewell, Sakazuki returned to the warship. Suddenly, something occurred to him.
"Karol, hasn't spring recruitment already started?"
Karol nodded. "Yes, Vice Admiral Sakazuki. Why?"
Sakazuki shook his head. "It's nothing."
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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