Fish-Man Island's current position was... awkward.
On one side stood Edward Newgate, "Whitebeard," the strongest pirate and one of the Four Emperors. On the other, the newly appointed Marine Admiral, "Orange Horse" Wright.
Both had done great favors for Fish-Man Island—one had protected it for over a decade, ensuring peace, while the other had not only saved Queen Otohime's life and thwarted a plot that could have dragged the island into the abyss but had also helped Fish-Man Island achieve a dream centuries in the making...
"...Indeed, this is the biggest issue at hand."
Queen Otohime let out a bitter smile.
"I was careless... I was so focused on ensuring the safety and hope of my people that I overlooked who was responsible for providing that very safety and hope."
Realizing the implications, she quickly composed herself and spoke with resolve:
"As long as Fish-Man Island remains in its current location, the World Government and the Marines will be unable to interfere. However, now that we have formally joined the Reverie and are preparing to migrate to the surface, there will inevitably be those who use this as an excuse to attack us!"
"And we may not even need external provocation... Once we begin cooperating with Marine Headquarters, our people will undoubtedly find themselves at odds with the Whitebeard Pirates."
"Admiral Wright has already stated that we are not required to participate in operations against Whitebeard, but..."
Neptune interjected, "That may work in the short term, but in the long run, we won't be able to maintain our position on the surface."
"Summon Jinbe. We need to discuss this immediately."
"If we wait until after we migrate, it will be too late."
...
New World, Punk Hazard – Marine Secret Science Laboratory.
Originally under the direct jurisdiction of the World Government, the secret science research facility had, through relentless efforts by Fleet Admiral Sengoku, been granted official Marine oversight.
After all, its research projects were conducted explicitly for the Marines.
However, the World Government opposed the stationing of Marine forces on Punk Hazard. Although the lab was nominally in service to the Marines, it remained under the control of the World Government.
"Stop, Caesar!"
"Shut down the experiment immediately!"
"If this weapon is activated, what will happen to the people on this island?!"
The researchers watched in horror as Caesar Clown carried out his experiment. This weapon, designed for mass destruction, was pushing the boundaries of scientific ethics to an unforgivable extreme.
"Silence, you fools!"
Caesar roared in rage. "The Marines need to kill more pirates, and they will need this weapon to do so!"
"No! We need weapons that won't harm civilians!"
"Shurororo... Idiots! Sacrifices are unavoidable! Only complete morons and weaklings would end up as collateral damage!"
"Once those fools are wiped out, true 'world peace' will be achieved!"
Caesar cackled wildly, his gaseous form swirling erratically.
"Cruel? Aren't the scum prisoners on this island already being used as test subjects? Who are you to lecture me?!"
"Sengoku is too naive! But Admiral Akainu will surely be interested in my weapons!"
Ignoring the desperate protests of his colleagues, Caesar floated back to the control panel, continuing his experiment.
"Vegapunk is just jealous of my genius! His gigantification experiment failed again, didn't it?"
"Shurororo! I told that fool long ago—testing on children during their growth phase is the only way to..."
"You've been expelled from the science division, Caesar."
Caesar's arrogant monologue was abruptly cut short by a stern voice behind him.
"What did you say, Vegapunk?!"
Caesar turned in fury, only to see his lifelong nemesis, Dr. Vegapunk, staring at him with a grave expression.
"I can no longer tolerate your actions. As the head of the science division, I hereby expel you."
"You must be joking!"
Caesar's anger boiled over, and a sinister thought crossed his mind—
"You'll all serve as test subjects for my masterpiece! Shurororo!"
With a manic grin, he lunged toward the control panel and pressed an emergency switch!
"Stop, Caesar—!"
BOOM!
A massive explosion engulfed Punk Hazard!
...
Wright had just left Shandora when his Den Den Mushi rang.
Purupurupuru... Kacha!
"This is Wright."
"Wright! This is Sengoku! Emergency mission—immediately head to Punk Hazard and rescue Dr. Vegapunk and the science division!"
"Punk Hazard... Understood! I'm on my way!"
Wright hung up, his expression grim. That bastard Caesar had finally made his move...
But thanks to prior preparations, the scientists should be safe.
This was also the perfect opportunity to fully bring Dr. Vegapunk under the Marines' protection, away from the World Government's direct control!
In a flash of golden light, Wright vanished.
...
Punk Hazard – Marine Laboratory.
In a heavily secured room, a Lightforged Beacon flared with golden radiance, and Wright materialized inside.
Drawing Ashes, he sliced through the chamber wall in one swift motion, stepping into the research facility—only to find the entire area shrouded in toxic gas!
Activating Observation Haki, he quickly pinpointed Dr. Vegapunk's location. As the lab's most valuable asset, Vegapunk was equipped with Lightforged Crystals and Purification Crystals.
The Purification Crystal's cleansing effect was powerful enough to shield the entire science division, keeping them safe until rescue arrived. As for Caesar, the Logia-type Gasu Gasu no Mi user had likely fled amidst the chaos.
The facility had been utterly devastated by the explosion. The beacon's teleportation point was still several hundred meters of debris away from Vegapunk's group!
No need to worry about collateral damage—Wright swung his blade, carving a path straight through the wreckage!
"Dr. Vegapunk!"
Hearing his call, the scientists turned in shock. When they saw Wright, relief washed over them.
"It's Admiral Wright!"
"We're saved!"
"This crystal has already saved us once!"
Vegapunk exhaled in relief. Wright's timely arrival meant he didn't have to activate emergency countermeasures. As the world's foremost scientist, he naturally had means to protect himself.
"The path to the teleportation point is clear—proceed to the Marine Science Division immediately!"
Wright smiled. "Doctor, your original research facilities are well-preserved. You should feel right at home."
"The Science Division?"
Vegapunk paused, then quickly understood.
"Well done, Fleet Admiral Sengoku... I see. We'll depart at once!"
Wright gave a slight smile.
"Scientists of your caliber are invaluable. The safest place for you is under Marine Headquarters' protection."
Once the scientists were safely teleported away, Wright turned his gaze toward the poison-filled ruins.
"There are still many prisoners here. If I can save them, I will."
"No matter their crimes, they don't deserve to die as Caesar's test subjects."
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