Temporary laboratory.

Dragon hadn't expected that before Saint Michael's body even touched the test table, Daren would be the one lying on it first.

On the pristine, spotless table, the black-haired young man sat leaning slightly back, his bare upper body riddled with tubes and electrodes. The other ends of the wires were hooked up to several massive monitoring machines.

These bio-signal monitors were what Queen used to track a test subject's vital signs and biochemical responses during viral injections. Backed by the Beasts Pirates' immense resources and Queen's world-class research skills, the lab equipment was undeniably top-tier.

But right now, the fat man in suspenders had none of his usual ridiculous demeanor. His face was solemn, grim even.

He stared unblinkingly at the flashing red bars and jagged lines on the display, murmuring under his breath,

"This is insane... completely insane..."

"The magnetic field in your body is in total disarray... Your system's running under extreme stress, and the rate of cell apoptosis is far beyond normal... What the hell did you do to yourself?"

Cold sweat beaded across his forehead as disbelief took over his expression.

Dragon, hearing Queen's words, turned toward Daren in shock as well.

He'd known Daren was badly hurt—but not this badly. And with what he knew of Daren, when were his injuries ever mild?

"It's not a big deal. I just activated my Devil Fruit ability and forced the biological magnetic field in my body to spin faster, that's all."

Daren puffed calmly on his cigar, showing no signs of worry.

As the user of the Jiki Jiki no Mi, he knew better than anyone else what his body could handle.

This "magnetic field rotation" was, in essence, a non-traditional form of awakening.

Normally, a Paramecia-type Devil Fruit awakens by radiating its power outward to affect the environment. But Daren, chasing raw power in close combat, had done the opposite—he compressed the magnetic field into his own body, forcing it to rotate internally.

It was, in truth, a method even more terrifying and efficient than "Lightning Armor," offering a far greater boost in combat performance—but also imposing a much heavier burden on the body, with harsher aftereffects.

The high-frequency magnetic field rotation granted incredible strength, blinding speed, and rapid regeneration—but at the steep cost of massive, accelerated cell death.

If Daren hadn't already trained his body to the level of the Indestructible Body, he would've collapsed the instant he triggered the rotation, unable to withstand the intense shock.

As for now...

The chaotic state of the magnetic field within him wasn't going away anytime soon. It would likely persist for quite a while.

And the decline in vitality caused by accelerated cell death—or rather, the shortening of his lifespan—wasn't something he cared much about.

If he didn't bring down the World Government and eliminate the Five Elders, he was a dead man anyway.

What good was a long life if you didn't live to use it?

"You're a damn lunatic."

Queen took a deep breath and looked at Daren like he was staring at a creature from another world.

"The human body's magnetic field is one of the most mysterious forces in existence. Even Vegapunk wouldn't dare touch that kind of research lightly... but you staked your life on it."

He shook his head, speechless.

And in that moment, it finally clicked for him.

He understood why Kaidou-sama hadn't attacked Daren on sight... but instead, had asked Queen to treat him.

Kaidou-san must've already noticed how messed up this guy's body is.

"But hey, at least there's one piece of good news..."

Queen pulled out a cigar, lit it between his lips, and muttered as he thought aloud,

"Thanks to your naturally strong physique—and what looks like traces of the Giant Race strength—you've probably got a lifespan a lot longer than a normal human's."

Daren gave a small nod.

That really was good news.

He hadn't expected that the "Giant's Body" he awakened through training would grant him some of the same traits found in the Giant Race.

The Giants were one of the most unique races in the seas, battle kings of the continent. Their lifespans were incredibly long—healthy Giant warriors typically lived to at least 300 years, far beyond what humans could hope for.

"Oi, oi, oi—you're not seriously wondering how many more times you can use that 'Magnetic Field Rotation' thing, are you?"

Seeing Daren deep in thought, Dragon couldn't help blurting out anxiously,

"Even if your lifespan's longer than normal, just look at the state you're in this time… this isn't a joke!"

"Relax. I've got a handle on it."

Daren smiled, then turned to Queen.

"Any recent breakthroughs in your virus research?"

Queen: "..."

Wow. Guess he really didn't hear a word I said.

He's not even healed yet, and he's already asking about viruses.

"As much as I admire your death wish, I'm afraid there's been no breakthrough."

The fat man in suspenders grumbled as he turned to the medicine storage room and pulled out some reagents and drugs.

"Don't worry, you're not dying anytime soon."

"Since Kaidou-san gave the word, I'll begrudgingly patch you up. But don't expect me to fix that whole shortened-lifespan issue."

As he spoke, he started fiddling with the reagents and injected them into the tubes connected to Daren's body.

"You!?"

Dragon's expression tensed as he stepped forward, trying to stop him, but Daren raised a hand to wave him off.

"It's fine. Relax... This isn't the first time he's medicated me."

Queen gave Dragon a look like he was a total idiot, full of disdain—as if saying,

"If poison could actually kill this guy, you think I'd still be wasting time researching viruses?"

Dragon looked at the two of them, calm as could be. His lips parted, but he didn't even know what to say.

The whole scene felt wrong on every level.

These were supposed to be sworn enemies—and yet here one of them was, giving the other a physical exam and treating his wounds.

And the weirdest part? Every now and then, their eyes still flickered with killing intent.

Especially "The Plague" Queen… That look in his eyes like he wanted to stab someone? Yeah, he wasn't hiding it at all.

"These are all high-grade nutrient solutions, blood coagulants, some anti-inflammatories... Not that I think you actually need them."

Queen said impatiently,

"If you don't trust me, take them to a real doctor and get a second opinion."

Daren grabbed the meds and poured them straight into his mouth with a grin.

"I trust your judgment."

"In my eyes, you're the most brilliant scientist I've ever met."

Queen froze for a second.

"Tch."

He scoffed and turned his head.

"Flatter me all you want, I'm not gonna—pfft—Hahahaha!!"

Dragon: "..."

...

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