The crimson dragon that Souta Kiryuu had transformed into loomed over Egghead Island, radiating a terrifying pressure.His uncontrolled Conqueror's Haki exploded once again, instantly knocking out most of the scientists and researchers on the island.
"Vegapunk! I've come to take you with me! Your research on the Poneglyphs has already been exposed!"
Souta Kiryuu let out a sky-shaking roar, his voice echoing across the entirety of Egghead Island.
This scene was immediately captured by the surveillance Den Den Mushi spread across the island and transmitted straight to the Holy Land, Mariejois.
Inside, Saint Saturn—the so-called War God of Science and Defense—watched with a dark expression.
How had Experiment 88 managed to find Egghead so quickly?Could it be that Vegapunk was colluding with him?There was a conspiracy here!
And worse, Vegapunk had actually been researching the Poneglyphs?That was something the World Government would never permit.
It seemed Vegapunk had committed yet another crime. If not for the fact that they still needed his brilliance and inventions, Saturn would have already erased this troublesome scientist without hesitation.
"Borsalino! Get to Egghead immediately and bring Vegapunk back! Souta Kiryuu is already there!"
Saturn's face was grim as he called Admiral Kizaru through a Den Den Mushi, ordering him to depart at once and provide urgent support.
This was Saturn's miscalculation.He had never expected such a secretive island to be discovered so quickly by Subject 88.
But when word came that Bartholomew Kuma had also appeared on Egghead, Saturn's expression grew even darker.
The Revolutionary Army had become involved as well.Had Souta already joined their ranks?
The thought angered him. This perfect experimental subject—their greatest creation—could not be allowed to become a weapon for the Revolutionaries!
Meanwhile, on an island near Punk Hazard's waters, Admiral Kizaru received Saturn's orders. His face twisted into a bitter grimace.
"Oh my… how did a heavily injured Souta Kiryuu make it all the way from the front half of the New World to Egghead in the back half?"
His scalp tingled. Without wasting a moment, he ordered his fleet to set course at top speed. But Punk Hazard was far from Egghead—too far even for him to fly directly. He would have to rely on a battleship to get there.
On Egghead itself, Souta Kiryuu was locked in close combat with a CP0 operative.
"Rokushiki—Shigan!"
The agent, dressed in a white suit, disappeared in a blur of Soru, his finger hardened with Armament Haki as he stabbed at Souta's heart.
"That level of attack can't hurt me anymore!"
Half-dragon Souta snarled, ignoring the strike. His massive claw tore forward with overwhelming force, aimed directly at the agent's throat.
CRACK!
The CP0's Shigan bent and snapped against his scales, unable to pierce Souta's chest.
"Agh!"
"Iron Body—Tekkai!"
The agent tried to harden himself, but it was useless. Souta's claw crushed his neck, hot blood splattering across his crimson scales.
The dragon scales shimmered, greedily absorbing the blood, deepening into a darker shade of scarlet.
"You used Tekkai, didn't you?" Souta sneered as he tossed aside the CP0 corpse, mocking the lifeless body.
Then he turned toward a surveillance Den Den Mushi on the wall."Saturn! I know you're watching… I know you're listening! Remember this—this is my first act of vengeance! This eye of mine will never forget you!"
Souta's right eye glowed, firing a searing laser that obliterated the Den Den Mushi in an instant.
Back in Mariejois, Saturn gripped his cane tightly, murderous fury gleaming in his eyes. How dare this insect threaten him!
At that moment, Vegapunk stepped out, his face grim, ignoring Sentomaru's desperate attempts to hold him back.
"Souta! What nonsense are you spouting about the Poneglyphs? I don't know what you're talking about! And I will not leave with you now!"
Vegapunk's voice was conflicted as he shouted back. He couldn't abandon the World Government yet. Yes, he longed for freedom, but he couldn't give up the vast resources and funding they provided.
If he admitted to studying the Poneglyphs, he would be executed. And if he fled with Souta, he would lose access to the resources he needed. Worse, he would be hunted relentlessly.
Long ago, in the ruins of Ohara, he had been given the chance to follow Dragon. But Dragon's Revolutionary Army had been too poor to support his research.
And Souta Kiryuu? He was even poorer. A destitute outcast, with nothing to offer. There was no way Vegapunk could leave with him.
"Souta," Vegapunk shouted, his voice firm, "your conditions are even worse than Dragon's!"
Souta grinned. "Doctor, don't hide it. You've been researching the lost history of the Void Century. And let me tell you something else… I know where the Sun God, Nika, is."
The words made Kuma's eyes widen. Could it be? Was the Drums of Liberation about to echo once more?
"And another thing…" Souta snarled, stepping closer. "After all those times you modified my body, it's time you repaid your debt!"
He advanced on Vegapunk, ignoring Sentomaru, who stood in his way, axe trembling in his hands.
"Subject 88, Admiral Kizaru is on his way here. I suggest you leave before you regret it!" Sentomaru warned, though his voice betrayed his fear. Souta's overwhelming aura pressed down on him, heavier even than Kizaru's.
"Souta…" Vegapunk swallowed hard. "I know what I did to your body was wrong. But I had no choice…"
But Souta's gaze was dangerous, and his voice cold.
"Doctor, I don't lack money. Whatever you need, I can provide. And I can give you the freedom to research however you wish. Isn't that enough?"
Kuma, meanwhile, was tearing through CP0 operatives, ensuring no one dared interfere with Souta's path.
"You… you have money?" Vegapunk asked skeptically, staring at Souta. He wanted to believe—but could it really be true?
Over twenty years ago, before he was captured by the Government, Vegapunk's research had been funded by the underworld emperor, the usurer king, Du Feld. If Souta could offer that same kind of backing, perhaps it was possible to build a new lab outside the Government's reach.
After all, in this world, as long as you had money, the underworld would provide you with anything.
Souta stepped past Sentomaru, leaning close to Vegapunk's ear.
"I've already found the Golden City of Shandora. And I know the secrets of the Gold Emperor, Tesoro. I'm not broke. Not anymore.
And I know, Doctor—after you studied the Ohara texts on Elbaf, you continued researching the Poneglyphs.
I also know about Stussy… your clone project.
The World Government will never forgive you."
Souta's whisper was sharp and cold, a mix of threat and promise. He would use every secret, every truth, to force Vegapunk's hand.
Today, there was only one path for Vegapunk—To leave this island with Souta Kiryuu.