# Chapter 162: The World Government's Kabane Warriors!
"Hmph----"
The moment the Kabaneri Virus invaded his body, Hawthorne's body swelled under stimulation. He entered the Animal System's Human-Beast Form, transforming into a large-physiqued Kangaroo Man at a speed visible to the naked eye.
And indeed, as he transformed, the spread speed of the Kabaneri Virus on his chest significantly slowed down. The most obvious sign was that the affected skin was no longer so black and purple, but only somewhat red.
"The increase in muscle strength allows him to withstand higher temperatures, so he naturally won't be easily scorched or burned by the High-Temperature Blood Vessel. But the key is whether he can preserve his Consciousness!"
Dr. Fritz thought and explained as he watched Hawthorne's body change.
Not long after, a ball of Blue Light also appeared on the Kangaroo Man's chest. However, perhaps due to the muscle strength issue, it couldn't burn through the Epidermis, so it didn't form the transparent Membrane of ordinary Kabane. The brightness was naturally a bit dim.
But when the light ray on the Left Carotid Artery passed through his eyes and invaded his Brain, the person froze there. The Blue Light in his Pupil only lasted for three seconds before returning to black.
"It succeeded?!"
Seeing this scene, Dr. Fritz, Councilor Addison, and others outside the Prison Cell showed joy.
"Do you still have Consciousness? Say something."
Inside the Prison Cell, the Researcher cautiously walked up to Hawthorne and asked casually. But the latter just raised his head blankly, surveying the surrounding Environment in confusion.
"Chirp chirp chirp chirp~~"
"Huh?"
Seeing the Kangaroo Man make strange sounds at him, the Researcher looked at him, completely confused, and asked again, "Can you tell me what your Name is?"
"Chirp chirp chirp chirp~~"
It was still the same, still stupidly making inexplicable noises. At this point, the smiles on the faces of everyone outside the Prison Cell froze.
"That's the sound of a Kangaroo. My Hometown has them, so I'm very Familiar." Suddenly, Steve Gus, who was sitting nearby, spoke up.
"So that's how it is..."
Dr. Fritz stroked his chin, which he had just shaved that morning, and said in a deep voice, "I didn't expect that Legend was true..."
"What Legend?" Senior Director Addison asked curiously.
"It is said that among Devil Fruit, the Animal System is the most special type because it contains another Consciousness and Soul. Now it seems it's true."
"You mean, Hawthorne's personal Consciousness was invaded by the Kabaneri Virus, causing the Kangaroo Consciousness within his Body to Awaken and replace the former as the dominant Consciousness of the Body?"
"That's right, only this explanation makes sense."
Dr. Fritz gave him a look of approval and said, "I just don't know if this is a good thing or a bad thing. But judging from the current performance, the Consciousness dominated by the Kangaroo seems very docile, yet the glowing Heart also proves that its Body has also been strengthened by the Virus."
After speaking, he ordered the Researcher inside the Prison Cell, "Ron, you come out first. Have them undo Hawthorne's restraints."
"Yes, Dean!"
As Group Leader Ron quickly walked out of the Prison Cell, the two Man in Black exchanged glances. As instructed, they took out the Key and unlocked the Seastone Handcuffs and Leg Cuffs, but the Explosive Collar on his Neck remained.
"Chirp chirp chirp~~"
Seeing that they had released him, Hawthorne, who had transformed into a Kangaroo Man, actually showed a human-like smile and made a waving gesture signifying thanks towards them.
"Just as expected. Alright, find a place to keep it. Don't let it lack Food and water. Check its Body in a few days, then send it back to Impel Down."
Dr. Fritz lost interest in Hawthorne.
"Yes!"
Soon, one of the Man in Black in the Prison Cell led the very obedient Kangaroo Man away. Everyone present focused their Gaze on Gus, who appeared very calm.
Having seen two examples in a row, he had relaxed and roughly had a clear understanding of this Virus in his Heart.
"Come on."
"Go ahead."
Dr. Fritz nodded to Group Leader Ron, who again walked in carrying the Box and came before Gus. The process was the same as before; he pushed the Virus into Gus's chest without any hesitation.
"Hmph!"
Gus let out a muffled groan because he felt a Pain in his chest like being burned by flames. Fortunately, he could endure it by gritting his teeth.
A pair of fierce eyes stared intently at the lines of light connecting to his Heart, then quickly igniting it!
It was very hot, very scalding, and extremely painful!
No wonder the first Prisoner before him let out such a miserable scream. This level of Pain was indeed a bit beyond ordinary people's imagination. Large patches of cold sweat had seeped out on his head and back.
Finally, the Heart was completely changed, and the Epidermis on his chest was also burned into a transparent, hardened Membrane. That intense Pain also disappeared like flowing water. He only felt warm all over, and at the same time, a Sense of Power spread throughout every Muscle.
"Concentrate your Spirit! What happens next will decide your life and death! Try to stop the Blood in the Left Carotid Artery from invading your Brain!" Dr. Fritz's reminder in a raised voice timely called Gus's attention back.
"Okay!"
Gus's Gaze suddenly sharpened. Lowering his head, he stared closely at that Blood Vessel emitting Blue Light as it spread up. At the same time, he deeply immersed his Consciousness within his Body.
He began to try to Control the Left Carotid Artery and the High-Temperature Blood inside, finding this process was not difficult at all.
Although the artery Blood Vessel also became tough like the Heart Membrane, and although the Blood heated up and glowed like boiling water, a Blood Vessel is still a Blood Vessel, and Blood is still Blood. It was still under the Control of Life Return!
"It succeeded?!"
To Dr. Fritz and others outside the Prison Cell, it seemed that as soon as his reminder was spoken, that glowing Left Carotid Artery on Gus's Body very obediently stopped at the collarbone, motionless.
This caused his eyes and Brain not to be affected in the slightest. But at the same time, a large amount of Viscous Black Silk was secreted from his Body, which then quickly condensed on his bare upper Body into Armor with a metallic sheen.
This was a Biological Exoskeleton!
"I think it should be okay now. Help me loosen it." Gus raised his head and showed a joyful, brilliant smile. He, survived!
He was the only one among the three Test Subjects who survived!
"Hahahahahahaha!"
Dr. Fritz was simply overjoyed upon hearing this. He hugged the nearby Senior Director Addison and shouted, "Our Kabane Warrior has succeeded!"
"Yes, yes, I didn't expect it was really feasible. Now we have achieved a great merit, it's just..."
Senior Director Addison looked at Steve Gus, who had undone his Handcuffs, Leg Cuffs, and Explosive Collar and was slowly standing up. He sighed, "One must master Life Return to adapt to the Kabaneri Virus. This condition is a bit high."
"No, that's not right!"
Dr. Fritz let go of him, the excited smile still lingering on his face. He said, "The first Test Subject proved that as long as Haki is Strong enough, one can also suppress the Negative Emotions in the Kabaneri Virus."
"And Gus proved that as long as one intercepts the Left Carotid Artery, one can also stop the Virus from invading the Brain. This can also be done physically, for example, using something like a bandage!"
At this time, Steve Gus, who was brought out by Group Leader Ron and another Man in Black, walked out bare-chested.
The bright Blue Light on his chest and the spiderweb-like glowing Blood Vessels spreading out in all directions were so beautiful in Dr. Fritz's eyes.
"Doctor, there's actually still one problem, and that is the intense Pain. Ordinary people cannot bear that kind of Pain. Once one loses Consciousness, even if one knows Life Return, it's useless!" Gus said in a deep voice.
"Indeed..."
Dr. Fritz nodded in agreement. Although he hadn't Experience it, he could imagine how painful it was to have flames or Magma flowing inside the Body.
"Also, it made me Awaken Haki. This feeling of being able to sense the Aura and emotions of people around should be Observation Haki, right?"
(End of this chapter)