"Are you out of your mind...?"
"In order to extract a Devil Fruit from its host without killing the user…"
"…You're saying we need to kill the user first?"
"Are you joking?"
Luo Lan stared blankly at Seras, his forehead twitching with frustration.
"Uh, Captain? Did I say something wrong? Why are you looking at me like that?"
"It's not that. But if you've already killed the ability user, how can you still call it 'extraction without killing the user'?"
"…Ah, fair point. Poor choice of words on my part!"
Seras smacked his forehead.
"Captain, what I actually meant was not to kill the user, but to make the Devil Fruit think the host is dead! That's the key!"
"And it's actually not too hard to pull off."
"All we need is a special drug—something that can temporarily shut down all vital signs."
"Yes! We've developed a compound that can fool the Devil Fruit's energy into believing its host is dead!"
Luo Lan's eyes widened instantly.
Good grief, so that's what this was about?
Technically speaking, it wasn't even that complex a method—but to think of it in the first place…
Should he say, as expected of Kaya?
Now that he thought about it, the idea behind the Gene Lock was also hers. Even though Kaya was still far from Seras's level in terms of raw knowledge or research skills, she had her own unique strength—
One Seras couldn't compete with.
She had flashes of inspiration out of nowhere.
Who could keep up with that?
"Have you tested this method yet?" Luo Lan asked.
"That's actually why I came to find you, Captain."
"What do you mean?"
"We need live test subjects..."
Ah. Luo Lan got it immediately.
Of course, they couldn't use their own people as lab rats.
"I remember we captured a few Devil Fruit users back in Demon Valley Town, and they were brought back with us through Danaan's. Are they still around?"
"They are. When you moved the Devil Fruit Extraction Chamber to Skypiea, we had to leave them behind temporarily to make space for more gold. They're still there, waiting for the next Ark Maxim trip."
Seras nodded and added, "So, those prisoners haven't been dealt with yet, right?"
"Right. Captain, if I may—"
"Go ahead!!"
Before Seras could finish, Luo Lan agreed without hesitation.
They were going to execute them anyway.
This made no difference.
The Science Division could use them however they liked.
"Just get the bodies from Hina."
"Yes, Captain!"
Seras beamed with excitement.
After all, valuable experimental materials...
Were now within reach.
Less than ten minutes later, Hina arrived at the lab personally, dragging in five captured pirates.
"Luo Lan, are you bringing them in to extract their Devil Fruits?"
"Yes... and no."
"What do you mean?"
"Seras wants to conduct an experiment—to see if a Devil Fruit can be extracted without killing the host."
"Seriously? Is that even possible?"
Hina was shocked.
If it was possible, the implications were enormous.
Take her for example—while she did have a Devil Fruit power, the Bind-Bind Fruit wasn't exactly known for combat prowess.
If she had a choice, she'd definitely prefer a stronger Fruit.
But she didn't—at least, not until now.
If Seras succeeded...
As the second-in-command of Jun Lin, she could finally swap in a Logia-type. That wouldn't be too much to ask, right?
With renewed interest, she followed Luo Lan and Seras into the lab.
There, one of the pirates had already been strapped to the test table, even his mouth gagged. He could only produce muffled grunts.
A scientist in a lab coat approached and gently inserted a needle attached to an IV line into the pirate's arm.
A clear liquid began to flow through the tubing...
…into his body.
It worked quickly. In just a few seconds, the struggling pirate completely stilled.
Even his breathing stopped.
The lab technician checked the monitor and gave Seras a confirming nod.
"Cover him and bring the fruit!"
Seras barked out the order.
Two more scientists sprang into action.
One threw a black cloth over the pirate's body.
The other placed an apple beneath the cloth and onto the table.
"Seras, this black cloth...?"
"Since the Captain moved the Extraction Chamber to Skypiea, I figured it was time to create a portable version."
"So this black cloth is made of Seastone?"
"Not entirely. While making it, we blended in finely ground Seastone powder, evenly distributed through the fabric. The whole thing used less than 100 grams of Seastone—very efficient."
Luo Lan nodded.
No wonder it looked so much like Blackbeard's method.
Carrying the full Extraction Chamber around was a hassle. A portable version was far more convenient.
Sure, it couldn't execute anyone, but for simple use?
Very practical.
"And how long do we have to wait?"
"Based on our calculations, we can simulate a state of suspended animation for up to three minutes. Any longer and brain damage starts to occur. Right now, we're testing whether the Devil Fruit will autonomously detach during this fake death state—or if it won't react at all."
Seras explained, and Luo Lan simply nodded, keeping his eyes on the experiment.
Thirty seconds passed...
The surveillance Den Den Mushi hidden under the black cloth showed—
No changes to the apple.
One minute...
Still nothing.
Then, at ninety seconds...
Change.
The apple slowly began to transform.
A strange pattern emerged on its skin.
There was no mistaking it now—this apple had become a Devil Fruit!
"Remove the cloth! Bring the subject back!"
"Yes, Director!"
"Yes, Director!"
The scientists rushed forward, pulling off the cloth and injecting another compound into the IV line.
This was just as important as the fake death step.
Unless the test subject could be revived, the experiment couldn't be considered a success.
Fortunately, everything went smoothly.
After just ten seconds, the pirate's fingers twitched.
A few moments later, his eyes fluttered open.
"Good. Check his vitals. Make sure there's no physical damage."
"Yes, Director!"
The lab bustled with activity once again.
Meanwhile, Luo Lan clapped Seras on the shoulder.
"Nice work."
"The remaining four subjects are all yours."
"I have only one request—"
"To ensure absolute safety, I want to see at least one hundred consecutive, flawless extractions."
What?! A hundred?
But I only have five test subjects…
Wait—now only four!
Where am I supposed to find ninety-five more?
Seras was stunned.
Luo Lan, on the other hand, grinned mischievously.
"Seras, why are you so slow on the uptake?"
He walked up to the test table, picked up the newly formed Devil Fruit, and sliced off a small chunk with a scalpel.
Then—
He removed the gag from the pirate's mouth...
And forced the piece of fruit down his throat.
Afterward, he sealed the gag back in place.
"There you go. You've got five test subjects again!"
At that moment, everyone in the room stared in disbelief.
You're a demon, aren't you...
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https:// ko-fi.com/sami27