New World · Egghead Island · Elgerhead
Dr. Vegapunk watched as the brand-new laboratory was steadily constructed. The remnants of ancient technology scattered across the island filled him with boundless curiosity.
He hadn't expected the World Government to be hiding an island with technology so advanced that it surpassed anything known in the current era.
Recalling the books he had seen back in Elbaf from the scholars of Ohara, Vegapunk realized the technology of this island must have originated from that legendary Great Kingdom of the past.
His gaze lingered on the massive robot standing silently in the middle of the island. Without hesitation, Vegapunk began studying the possible energy source that could power such a colossal machine.
For years, he had searched for this kind of energy—not just to advance science, but also to benefit humanity. Above all, he dreamed of transforming his icy homeland of Baldimore from a frozen winter island into a lush spring island, improving the lives of its people forever.
"Dr. Vegapunk, this is the latest command from the Five Elders! You are required to produce no fewer than five artificial Devil Fruits every month!"
A CP0 agent, dressed in a crisp white suit and wearing a mask, coldly recited the order as he handed over the decree.
"No!" Vegapunk snapped back with frustration. "I need time to continue my research into new energy sources. At most, I can create two fruits per month—and only Zoan-type artificial fruits at that!"
His mind was overflowing with ideas for harnessing energy for the giant robot, leaving him with no patience to waste time creating man-made Devil Fruits.
"This is an order, Doctor!" the CP0 agent's tone grew colder. "The Five Elders are deeply displeased with you. The loss of the artificial Azure Dragon Fruit was your failure. If you dare deceive us again, the World Government will place Baldimore under blockade and sanction!"
"You bastards!" Vegapunk shouted, his eyes blazing with fury. "Fine, I'll do it! But remember this—I will only extract lineage factors from condemned criminals, never innocents."
He glared at the masked operative, wishing he could drive these parasites out of his laboratory. But Egghead Island was crawling with CP agents, from CP1 to CP9, and surveillance Den Den Mushi had been installed all across the island.
The agent wasn't finished. "Lord Saturn also wishes to know whether you retained genetic samples of Subject 88. Is it possible to clone him?"
Vegapunk's expression turned stone-cold. "When all the laboratories are fully constructed, we'll talk. Now get out of my sight! Go drag more Zoan-ability prisoners from Impel Down instead of wasting my time!"
Cursing under his breath, Vegapunk stormed off to resume studying the giant robot.
His mood soured further. As soon as Subject 88 had consumed the artificial Azure Dragon Fruit and escaped, the World Government predictably began pressuring him to mass-produce artificial Devil Fruits. It consumed all his time and left him unable to pursue the research he truly cared about.
And worse—he wasn't sure if unleashing these fruits upon the world would ultimately bring salvation or catastrophe. In the hands of the World Government, they would surely become nothing more than tools of slaughter.
For the first time, he envied Judge and Queen, who had slipped free of the Government's leash. He, on the other hand, was bound completely, forced into research he despised.
Ever since he had uncovered fragments of ancient history—the Blank Century, the Sun God Nika, the Great Kingdom's lost technology—his distaste for the World Government had only deepened.
"So much to do… too much to do… if only I could split myself into several bodies to handle it all," he muttered, as endless assistants and researchers sought his guidance on every detail of the island's construction and studies.
Egghead Island, now a cutting-edge hub of science, grew busier and busier each passing day.
Offshore, Egghead Island
From the deck of the ship, Souta Kiryuu's eyes burned with madness and excitement as Egghead Island came into view.
"Kuma," Souta said coldly, "from here on, the fighting will be brutal. Don't hold back."
The island was crawling with surveillance Den Den Mushi and CP operatives. Once they struck, both he and Bartholomew Kuma would be fully exposed, their names added to the Government's most wanted lists.
"I know," Kuma replied firmly, his gaze resolute. "For Bonney's sake, I will become a true tyrant."
Though slaughter went against the ideals of the Sun God Nika's dream, Kuma had no choice. To save his daughter, he would bear the sin of bloodshed.
"Then let's go."
Souta's mouth twisted into a feral grin. Before the gathered crew of dwarves and allies, his body expanded and transformed into a massive crimson dragon, flames of violet-red cloud gathering beneath his claws. With a thunderous roar, he soared straight toward Egghead Island.
If he was going to take Vegapunk today, then let the world know his name!
"Lord Souta Kiryuu has become so huge and majestic!" Princess Mansherry's eyes sparkled as she watched the colossal dragon take flight.
"Really?! Really?! I want to see too!" Bonney squealed inside the wooden crate where she was being kept safe. Like a restless little monkey, she scrambled for a gap to sneak a look.
"Bonney, Daddy will be back soon." Kuma's voice softened. He turned to Captain Leo of the dwarf warriors. "Leo, I leave Bonney and Princess Mansherry in your care."
"Yes, Kuma!" Leo saluted seriously, gripping his oversized needle weapon. Climbing the mast, he scanned the seas, ready to repel any threat.
Kuma removed his glasses and gloves. In an instant, he vanished from the ship, reappearing in midair as he launched himself toward Egghead Island.
"Daddy, defeat the bad guys and come back quickly!" Bonney shouted from her crate, her voice brimming with excitement as if she longed to join the battle herself.
The Sky Above Egghead
Souta Kiryuu descended like a storm, his massive dragon form blotting out the sun. The island erupted in panic.
"A dragon! A dragon is attacking!"
Alarm bells clanged across Egghead as CP operatives scrambled. Researchers and scientists gaped in horror—some recognizing the dragon at once.
"It's Subject 88! No—it's him! He's come for revenge!"
"How did he find this place? How did he arrive so soon?!"
"Quick! Contact the World Government! We need reinforcements from the Navy immediately!"
"Send for an Admiral! Only a Marine Admiral can hold him back!"
Chaos spread like wildfire. Among the scientists who had once tormented Souta in the labs, terror twisted their faces. The vengeful dragon they thought buried had come to claim their lives.
"I told you… you would regret this!"
A searing laser shot from Souta's right eye, tearing across the island. It pierced a CP agent mid-call, detonating in a fiery explosion.
With a deafening crash, a giant paw-shaped shockwave slammed into the ground—Kuma had arrived. With sweeping motions of his massive hands, compressed air blasts hammered into the CP operatives in black and white suits, sending them flying like ragdolls. Blood sprayed, and eyes rolled back as they hit the ground unconscious.
"Doctor, it's him! Subject 88 is here to kill us!"
Sentomaru's face paled as he rushed to Vegapunk, urging him to flee.
"What? How did he find us?!" Vegapunk's composure finally cracked. Souta Kiryuu was nothing like Stussy, who could be reasoned with. If Souta had come unchained, bloodthirsty and burning with vengeance, then not even Vegapunk knew whether he could survive what was coming next.