Chapter 161: Another Kabaneri Virus Experiment!
"You, what are you doing? Where is this?!"
"Let me out! I want to go back to Starvation Hell! I'll go back!!"
This was a Prison Cell made entirely of Steel. Three muscular men, all around 1.8 meters tall and stripped to the waist, were locked onto Iron Chairs with Seastone Handcuffs and Leg Cuffs. They also wore Explosive Collars around their necks.
In such a Situation, how could one not panic? The man sitting on the far left already regretted agreeing to come out for a full meal. This made him incredibly terrified, pleading and struggling desperately, appearing very noisy compared to the two silent individuals beside him.
Outside the Prison Cell, Dr. Fritz stood beside Senior Director Addison, listening to the latter's introduction. Behind them stood two Researcher and two Man in Black.
"Mike Fosun, original Bounty of 51 million Berry, a Prisoner from Impel Down's Underground Level 3, Starvation Hell. He is skilled in Wrestling Fighting and initially Awakened Armament Haki during a Combat with enemy Pirates. Not long after, while his Injuries hadn't healed, he encountered a Warship from the G-4 Branch and was captured."
Senior Director Addison then looked at the Prisoner sitting in the middle and said, "Hawthorne, original Bounty of 33 million Berry, a Prisoner from Impel Down's Underground Level 2, Beast Hell. He is an Animal System, Common Species, Mouse-Mouse Fruit, Kangaroo Form Ability User."
After speaking, his tone paused. He looked deeply at the Test Subject on the far right, the only one not wearing a Prison Uniform, but just a pair of white casual pants. After a moment, he began the introduction.
"Steve Gus, a CP7 Member, responsible for the Base's security work. He is skilled in Iron Body from the Six Powers and has initially mastered Life Return. He has strong Control over his own muscles, Blood Vessel, and Blood, enough to tie off and stop bleeding from Wound in a short amount of Time. He was also the first personnel to test the Kabane's aggressiveness."
Dr. Fritz was momentarily stunned and asked doubtfully, "Why would he do this? If he wanted to gain the enhanced Strength from the Kabaneri Virus, he could completely wait until the Research is mature."
"Gus's younger brother joined the Deniro Family, one of the Five Great Mafia Families of the West Blue, two years ago. Yesterday, while escorting a batch of Weapons/Ammo, he passed through Reverse Mountain and was arrested by the Marines from the G-0 Branch. He is currently being escorted to Enies Lobby to await Trial."
"After receiving the News, in order to save his younger brother, he voluntarily became a Test Subject for the Biochemical Research Institute. He stated that if successful, he is willing to continue serving the World Government. If he fails, he will have no regrets, only asking that his brother be granted a free and peaceful life."
Senior Director Addison expressionlessly explained the simple cause and effect of the Matter. After listening, Dr. Fritz was silent for a moment before speaking again.
"I understand. I will arrange for him to be the last to be injected with the Kabaneri Virus. We'll see the Situation with the first two Test Subjects first."
"Then I'll leave it to you."
Dr. Fritz nodded and then signaled the Researcher waiting for instructions to begin the Experiment. The latter carried a small Box into the Prison Cell, and the two Man in Black followed.
"No, don't come over! What are you doing?! Ah, what are you doing? Get away!!"
Mike Fosun's Expression immediately became even more panicked upon seeing the three expressionless figures enter: the White Coats and two Man in Black. But no matter how he struggled, the restraints held him firmly to the chair.
The Researcher in White Coats ignored his curses and pleas. Skillfully, he took out an Injector glowing with Blue Light from the Box and then injected it into his chest amidst his shrill screams.
At the same time, the faces of the two beside him, who were about to face the same fate, instantly turned pale upon seeing this scene.
When the Injector was pulled out of Mike Fosun's body, the skin on his chest began to rapidly turn black and purple. The affected Blood Vessel gradually showed a hint of Blue Light, spreading out like a glowing spider web.
Soon, his Heart was invaded by the Virus, and the skin on his chest could not block the Blue Light from showing through.
"Wh-What is this thing?!"
He watched in horror as a streak of Blue Light climbed up along his Left Carotid Artery. The Virus's speed of erosion could only be described as neither fast nor slow, at least giving people enough Time to fully observe the process.
"Ugh!!"
When the Blue Light invaded Mike Fosun's Brain, a small patch of Blue Light also lit up in his Brain. At the same time, Blue Light appeared in his Pupil, and his irises turned black, looking extremely terrifying.
"Huh?"
What Dr. Fritz found interesting was that the Blue Light in his Pupil was not stable. It flickered on and off continuously. The man's Expression also changed repeatedly, sometimes ferocious, sometimes crying out in pain.
"As expected, my guess was correct. When a person's Willpower Strength is sufficient to Awaken Haki, they have a certain degree of resistance to the Kabaneri Virus's invasion of the Brain. I just don't know if this guy can hold on..."
The Dean of this Biochemical Research Institute was currently very much looking forward to a good outcome. Unfortunately, things did not seem to be progressing that smoothly.
"Hoh uh ah~~~"
Mike Fosun only lasted for a little over five minutes. The Blue Light in his Pupil completely stabilized, and he was now a true Kabane.
The sudden surge of Strength caused the Iron Chair beneath him to creak and groan, and even gradually show fine cracks. Fortunately, the Seastone chains restraining his hands and feet were sturdy enough.
"His Haki Presence has become much stronger!"
At this moment, a Man in Black inside the Prison Cell spoke in a deep voice, stating the Situation he perceived.
"Hahahaha, I knew it! This thing has the Effect of amplifying Mental Power!" Dr. Fritz burst into laughter, then waved his Palm and urged, "Alright, deal with him. Prepare for the next Test!"
"Yes."
The Man in Black who had spoken walked up to Mike Fosun and extended his Right Hand's index finger. Using the Hardening technique of Armament Haki, he coated the surface with a layer of black light. Immediately after, he turned into an Afterimage and stabbed at the latter's already Steel-hardened and glowing Heart Membrane.
[Clang!]
Unfortunately, one strike failed to penetrate its Defense. The former was not surprised by this. With a cold face, he continued to rapidly use 'Finger Pistol', launching consecutive attacks at the same Position.
[Splurch—]
Suddenly, a sound similar to tempered Glass being pierced rang out. Immediately after, a spurt of scorching High-Temperature Blood sprayed from the Wound, staining the Man in Black's Suit and White Shirt crimson and emitting wisps of warm steam. However, he paid no mind to this and turned around to face Addison and the others outside.
"Report: Using Finger Pistol enhanced with Armament Haki, it requires hitting one spot five consecutive times to pierce its Heart!"
"Record that."
"Yes!"
The Researcher remaining behind Dr. Fritz immediately took out a Pen and recorded it.
At the same time.
While Mike Fosun's Corpse was still warm, the Researcher inside the Prison Cell took out another Injector from the Box and then walked up to Hawthorne.
"Amitabha..."
Hawthorne, though still showing a hint of nervousness, quickly regained his composure as he closed his eyes and chanted these four words.
However, those who Research biochemistry have long since tempered their hearts to be utterly ruthless through years of dealing with gore. They were completely unaffected by this Buddhist phrase and injected the Injector into his chest without hesitation, then pushed in the Kabaneri Virus.