"Salute!"
"Salute!"
Today, the Oshika Star Gate Base welcomed three special guests, prompting all officials, including Senior Director Addison, to appear for their reception. The Army soldiers on both sides performed the most impeccable military salutes with their sharpest demeanor.
[Whoosh————]
As the electric gate of the Biochemical Safety Station closed once more, two men and one woman stepped onto the land of another world.
Senior Director Addison, as the highest-ranking official present, hurried forward with a beaming smile and greeted, "Welcome, Marshal Lemoncheese, Minister Tsuru, and Admiral Akainu, for your inspection!"
Indeed.
These three were all military leaders holding the rank of General, having traveled from the world of the Seastar to the World of the Kabane.
Among them, though Tsuru was nominally the Minister of the General Staff, since the General Staff had yet to be formally established, she still wore the Navy's white Justice Coat—only the epaulettes had been changed to those of a General.
As for Sakazuki, he had now fully transitioned into the Army's black Justice Coat, though he still wore his signature red suit and black leather boots underneath.
No longer an Admiral candidate, he had officially become an Army General, making him the fastest among the "Rooster, Dog, and Monkey" trio to achieve the rank.
Strictly speaking, his strength hadn't yet reached the level of the highest combatants, but the Army Headquarters was in urgent need of a General to command.
Moreover, since the Army was currently considered a second-tier force, the requirements for General-level combat prowess weren't as stringent as those of the Marine Headquarters.
Additionally, this arrangement also served to place Sakazuki one rank above both Douglas Bullet and Crocodile.
"Just as the reports said, this world is truly unremarkable—disappointingly ordinary!" Marshal Lemoncheese remarked with a smile, gazing at the azure sky, pure white clouds, and golden-red sun above.
The man seemed to have moved past the negative emotions of his "demotion," appearing outwardly composed and at ease.
"There are still some differences. The weather here is relatively stable, similar to our Four Blues, though earthquakes and typhoons occur frequently," Senior Director Addison politely explained. Then, looking at Minister Tsuru and Sakazuki, he added with a smile, "But the biggest difference relates to Devil Fruit users like the two of you."
"Oh?"
This immediately piqued their curiosity.
"Do tell."
Adjusting his expensive glasses, Senior Director Addison continued, "According to our researchers, the seawater in this world contains no trace of 'Pyrobroin.' In other words, the two of you can experience swimming here!"
"What? Such a thing exists?"
Minister Tsuru stared at him in astonishment, while Sakazuki also wore a look of surprise.
'Pyrobroin,' referred to by Seastar scientists as 'P Substance,' was the primary component of Seastone crystallization and the very reason Devil Fruit users became weak and unable to swim when submerged in water.
In the world of the Seastar, even freshwater contained traces of 'P Substance,' meaning even soaking in a bath could induce a sense of weakness.
Between them, one was a Paramecia-type Wash-Wash Fruit user, while the other possessed the natural Magma Fruit ability. The inability to swim in water had long been an ironclad truth for Devil Fruit users.
"Why wasn't this mentioned in the materials?" Sakazuki asked in a low voice.
"Because this is a newly discovered result. Presumably, the local branch hasn't had time to document it yet," Senior Director Addison explained.
"In that case, we'll have to test it out later."
Minister Tsuru, who had yet to show signs of aging, was in perfect physical condition—her beauty and strength radiating from her face, now alight with eager excitement.
"Enough. Take us to see these so-called Kabane. I've heard they're the only truly peculiar things in this world. I've been looking forward to this for a long time!"
Marshal Lemoncheese gave the order. As a non-Devil Fruit user, he had no interest in things like 'P Substance' or swimming—he was the type who often dove into the sea to catch a couple of Sea Kings for dinner.
"Of course, right this way!"
Senior Director Addison quickly complied, waving off the crowd of officials behind him before personally leading the three high-ranking figures to the gates of the Biochemical Research Institute.
By then, Dean Fritz—having received word—had already been waiting with Team Leader Ron, Dr. Shoei, and others.
Even Dean Fritz didn't dare act arrogantly at this moment. He understood full well the weight an Admiral carried within the World Government—far beyond what someone like Crocodile could ever compare to.
After exchanging brief greetings, just as they were about to enter the institute together, Marshal Lemoncheese glanced at Dr. Shoei.
"He's a native of this world, isn't he?"
"Ah, yes. This is Dr. Shoei, the most outstanding scientist in the field of Kabane Virus research in this world!" Dean Fritz introduced.
"Outstanding or not, I can't say, but his presence is pitifully weak. He looks middle-aged, yet gives me the impression of a child."
With that, Marshal Lemoncheese shook his head and strode inside, completely ignoring Dr. Shoei's darkening expression. In truth, the latter had only recently come to terms with this fact.
In their world, the total number of cells in an adult ranged between 40 to 60 trillion. But in this Seastar world, humans had a staggering 150 to 200 trillion cells—and that was just for those under two meters tall. There were many who exceeded that height!
If that were the only difference, Dr. Shoei wouldn't have minded—as a scientist, he was accustomed to respecting facts. But the undisguised disdain in Marshal Lemoncheese's eyes and tone infuriated him.
After all, no one liked being looked down upon.
Neither Tsuru nor Sakazuki commented, silently following inside. Soon, the group arrived at a small prison facility designed to hold test subjects.
"Marshal Lemoncheese, Minister Tsuru, Admiral Akainu—please observe. These Living Dead with flames burning in their hearts are ordinary Kabane. They possess—"
Here, Dean Fritz personally explained the various traits of the Kabane. Then, they proceeded to the cell holding the 'Blue Heart' Kabane that Crocodile had brought.
"That is the Core capable of producing the Kabane aggregate 'Black Smoke.' Its blood serves as the primary material for creating both 'Black Blood Plasma' and 'White Plasma.'"
"Among these, 'Black Blood Plasma' can be used to create Kabaneri in the 'Nue' form—an exceptionally powerful type of Kabaneri warrior!"
"Their inventor is none other than Dr. Shoei here, an undisputed genius!"
Dean Fritz's words were clearly aimed at restoring Dr. Shoei's dignity, as the latter was soon to become a junior researcher at their Biochemical Research Institute. As dean, he couldn't stand by and watch him be humiliated.
"Oh? How powerful are they?"
Marshal Lemoncheese asked dismissively.
"The energy projectiles fired by a 'Nue'-form Kabaneri possess the power to obliterate all structures within a two-kilometer straight-line distance in a single strike!"
"Most importantly, they hold the potential for mass production!"