One Piece: New Order
Chapter 92: Dragon Locking Valley

Chapter 92: Dragon Locking Valley

Hearing Sakazuki’s voice, Kaido turned sharply toward the sound, his eyes burning with fury.

He stared at the vice admiral with deadly intensity as their Conqueror’s Haki clashed violently, shaking everything inside the room.

Despite the pressure, Vegapunk forced himself forward. His steps were unsteady, his discomfort clear, but he still approached. Seeing the scene before him, he gave a bitter smile.

"As expected... I still have to trouble you, Vice Admiral."

"It’s nothing," Sakazuki replied calmly.

As he spoke, magma erupted from the ground and surged around Kaido’s body, engulfing him from head to toe. Only his eyes and nose remained uncovered. The molten rock was layered with dense Armament Haki.

Then he looked at Vegapunk. "Do you have any of those rage-inducing potions here?"

The scientist was briefly stunned.

"Yes, but they’re in the Third Research Institute, with Queen and Caesar. Their division focuses on bacteria and microorganisms. There’s plenty in storage."

Sakazuki gave a slight nod. "Bring some. Force it down his throat. Otherwise, he won’t cooperate with the experiments so easily."

Vegapunk’s eyes widened slightly. Then, understanding dawned. "Understood."

Before long, the requested potion was brought over, along with several scientists from the Third Institute. The news of such a rare test subject had drawn a lot of attention.

Even Queen and Caesar, who usually didn’t get along with Vegapunk, rushed over.

Everyone’s eyes fell on the "test subject" lying there.

Sakazuki took the potion, parting the magma near Kaido’s mouth just enough to pour it in. The liquid slid down his throat, and almost immediately, a violent aura exploded from his body.

Crack—crack!

The sound of chains snapping filled the air.

The special alloy restrains, mixed with seastone, could no longer hold him.

Grabbing Kaido by the shoulders, Sakazuki’s Observation Haki swept across the island until he locked onto a deserted valley.

Without a word, he leapt into motion, dragging the pirate along. Reaching the valley, he threw Kaido in with a powerful swing.

Boom!

A thunderous crash echoed as all the chains around him snapped completely. He let out a mindless roar and, driven purely by instinct, transformed into a massive dragon and shot into the sky.

But Sakazuki was already prepared.

Raising both arms, he summoned chains of magma from deep beneath the earth that latched onto Kaido. More and more magma chains followed, each covered in Armament Haki. They wrapped around the pirate’s azure dragon form, binding him tightly.

He writhed and thrashed, but only slightly. The restraints held. Just enough movement remained for the scientists to begin their work safely.

When Vegapunk and the others arrived, the once untouched valley had been completely transformed.

The ground had been cleared. At the center lay the struggling dragon, tightly bound by countless chains. Not far from him stood a massive black stone monument. Three large characters were carved on its surface: Dragon Locking Valley.

Sakazuki was already standing beneath it, waiting.

As Vegapunk approached, he said, "No time to waste. Start collecting samples."

The scientist nodded without hesitation and quickly began directing everyone to work through the night.

...

The next afternoon.

Vegapunk stretched beside the exhausted azure dragon, now weakened after his rampage had ended.

Seeing this, Sakazuki walked over. "Is it finished?"

The question seemed to bring Vegapunk back to life. He smiled, worn but satisfied. "Yes. We’ve completed sampling every part of this dragon. All that’s left now is the research."

This kind of rare material was something he never even dreamed of obtaining before. Though it had cost his freedom...

Sakazuki placed his hand on one of the chains, and reinforced it with a thick layer of Armament Haki, then turned to Vegapunk and said, "Get some rest for now."

The scientist nodded, then suddenly remembered something. "Right, we still need the other two labs to collect their samples. We’d better tidy this place up first."

He immediately began issuing new orders, coordinating the transport of materials and equipment.

Soon after, staff from the other two research institutes swarmed in. The chance to study such a rare subject stirred a frenzy among them. Arguments erupted, and a fight nearly broke out.

Just then, Queen stumbled over something and rolled right toward Kaido’s massive dragon head.

By now, the pirate had already regained his consciousness, but he was feigning weakness, waiting for an opportunity to escape. His eyes, which glinted faintly as he scanned his surroundings, landed on the approaching Queen.

Seeing his fully mechanized arm, Kaido’s breathing grew heavy—something had sparked in his mind.

He quickly calmed himself, afraid the vice admiral might sense the change.

But no one noticed Sakazuki’s lips curling into a knowing smirk as he leaned against the giant stele...

...

That evening.

Sakazuki received a message from Vegapunk. After reinforcing the chains around Kaido once more, he left the valley.

The moment he was far enough away, Kaido erupted. He unleashed all the Conqueror’s Haki and brute strength he’d been storing up the whole day.

The reinforced chains shattered instantly, and the nearby scientists collapsed like dominoes under the shockwave.

Sakazuki’s aura was already rushing back at high speed.

Kaido had no time to hesitate. His eyes burned with greed and desperation as he grabbed the unconscious Queen and soared into the sky in the opposite direction.

At the same time, energy gathered in his mouth. Just as Sakazuki was about to catch up, he released a Blast Breath straight at an area full of life signatures on the island.

As expected, the vice admiral shifted course to intercept it.

A savage grin twisted across Kaido’s face.

’Just you wait, Sakazuki...!’

...

Elsewhere.

Sakazuki met the Blast Breath head-on, shattering it in mid-air. But by the time he scanned the area again, Kaido was already gone.

His eyes narrowed as he gazed into the horizon.

’It’s not time for you to give everything just yet... Gatekeeper of Joy Boy.’

Then, with a flash, he disappeared, heading back to the valley to begin rescue efforts.

It would be another sleepless night.

...

Due to the sensitive nature of Punk Hazard, the entire incident was immediately reported to the Five Elders.

However, both Sakazuki and Vegapunk were too valuable to punish harshly.

In the end, a token disciplinary order was issued. Sakazuki was docked three years of pay. Vegapunk’s research duties were doubled.

To both of them, these penalties were barely worth mentioning. Still, Vegapunk felt guilty that Sakazuki had been punished too. After all, he was the one who had asked the man to help capture Kaido, and had also been the one to summon him at the critical moment.

He kept apologizing.

Sakazuki gave a tired smile and shook his head. "It’s nothing. Don’t worry about it. Losing a few years’ pay means nothing to me."

The matter was only considered settled after he casually made one small request.

...

The next morning.

After bidding farewell to Vegapunk, Sakazuki returned to his warship. As he stepped aboard, a thought crossed his mind.

"Carlo, has the spring recruitment already begun?"

Carlo nodded. "Yes, Vice Admiral. It has. What’s wrong?"

Sakazuki shook his head. "Nothing."

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