-Broadcast-
The truth became crystal clear—scientists were far more dangerous than anyone had imagined. Caesar Clown's maniacal laughter echoed across the Sky Screen broadcast, ensuring that his name would be remembered by every person with ulterior motives watching. Such twisted genius should never be wasted through execution.
"SpongeBob, Patrick, Squidward," Caesar had declared with theatrical grandeur, "our base has been exposed. Our business arrangement with the Yonko ends here. Let's give these Marines a proper demonstration."
The three pseudo-Admirals had responded with chilling authenticity. SpongeBob's square features had somehow contorted into Borsalino's characteristic expression of lazy menace. "The Admiral is such a troublesome opponent," he'd drawled, golden light pulsing beneath his porous skin.
Patrick's pink form had radiated volcanic heat, magma bubbling within his clenched fists. "Direct elimination would save considerable time," he'd growled with Sakazuki's ruthless pragmatism.
Squidward had exhaled freezing mist, half his face crystallizing with ice as he spoke with Kuzan's resigned tone. "Brother, I have no desire to battle an Admiral, but your misfortune brought you here."
The resemblance had been absolutely perfect—not just in abilities, but in mannerisms, speech patterns, and even facial expressions. How had Caesar obtained the genetic material of three serving Admirals? Why had the Marines expelled such a brilliant researcher from their scientific corps in the first place?
But Smoker had demonstrated why he wore Admiral's coat. Dark red lightning had crackled around his form as Conqueror's Haki erupted from his very soul, the overwhelming presence tearing through the factory's atmosphere. Weaker individuals would have been unable to open their eyes under such crushing spiritual pressure.
Caesar, hidden behind his creations, had swallowed nervously. This newly appointed Admiral possessed genuine monster-level strength. If all twelve of the Marines' current Admirals commanded similar power, the pirates of the Grand Line faced extinction.
"Phosgene Tornado," Smoker had roared, unleashing his deadliest technique. Colorless gas tinged with the sickly-sweet scent of rotting grass—a lethal mixture of carbon monoxide and chlorine—had formed into a spiraling vortex of death.
The pseudo-Admirals had responded with their borrowed ultimate attacks. "Yasakani no Magatama!" SpongeBob's body had erupted in countless light projectiles.
"Dai Funka!" Patrick had launched volcanic bombs of superheated magma.
"Ice Age!" Squidward had unleashed a wave of absolute zero that sought to freeze everything in its path.
Four natural disaster-level abilities had collided in catastrophic violence. The Sky Screen's perspective had pulled back to show the entire island of Punk Hazard convulsing like a wounded giant. Smoker's flagship, waiting offshore, had become a helpless spectator to the apocalyptic battle.
The island had resembled a volcanic eruption, buildings disintegrating in seconds under the combined assault of opposing elements. Dark red lava, crystalline blue ice, brilliant golden light, and toxic green gas had painted the landscape in impossible colors as the fierce combat raged.
The coastline had alternated between freezing solid and melting into molten rock. Such hellish conditions made any approach by warship suicidal. "Gas masks on, full retreat!" the Marine crews had shouted, recognizing their Admiral's indiscriminate poison attacks. Only proper protective equipment could offer any security against Smoker's area-denial weapons.
The flashback ended abruptly there. Caesar and Vergo sat as prisoners, while the three bizarre creatures lay unconscious in their cells. The battle's conclusion spoke for itself—Admiral Smoker had emerged victorious.
"Incredible," Gin murmured, studying the defeated enemies with renewed respect. "Fighting three logia-type Devil Fruit users simultaneously and capturing them all. Your strength truly defies measurement, Smoker."
"Don't be too impressed," Smoker replied grimly, grinding his cigars between his teeth. "These experiments were still imperfect—maybe ten percent of a real Admiral's capabilities. If Caesar had perfected them, I wouldn't be sitting here talking to you."
The man who had been so arrogant in his memories now groveled like a beaten dog, abandoning all human dignity as he begged for mercy. The transformation perfectly demonstrated what genuine fear of death could accomplish.
"This evidence confirms Doflamingo's criminal activities," Gin observed, watching Caesar's pathetic display. "Time for the former Celestial Dragon to end his masquerade as a Shichibukai. Perhaps we should transfer this research talent to Borsalino's supervision?"
Smoker's boot lifted from Caesar's head at Gin's subtle suggestion. No point in excessive brutality now that the interrogation had concluded.
Despite Caesar's moral bankruptcy, his intellect could enhance the Marines' overall capabilities significantly. Three pseudo-Admirals represented far more potential than an army of Pacifistas, especially with proper ethical oversight.
While Caesar hadn't discovered the bloodline factor originally, his independent research path—paved with thousands of human sacrifices—had yielded undeniably revolutionary results.
"We'll have to wait for tonight's festival to conclude," Smoker said, his expression darkening with concern. "The timing couldn't be worse."
The Admiral feared that cornering Doflamingo might drive the Warlord to desperate measures, potentially threatening hundreds of thousands of innocent tourists. Unlike Sakazuki, Smoker couldn't pursue Marine objectives while ignoring civilian casualties. Such callous disregard would betray everything the Marines represented.
Tourists and islanders bore no responsibility for their leader's crimes. If the Marines slaughtered innocents like common pirates, they would forfeit any claim to justice.
"I hope tomorrow brings better circumstances," Gin replied simply, though his expression remained troubled. Ever since approaching Dressrosa, an ominous premonition had been gnawing at his consciousness. His thoughts turned to the Straw Hat Pirates—would those idealists heed his warnings and flee this powder keg before it exploded?
Meanwhile, far from the Marine warships, catastrophe was already brewing. When Monkey D. Luffy learned of Camie the mermaid's death, Trafalgar Law's capture, and his sister Lami's transformation into the Silver Girl, the fury building in his chest had reached critical mass.
"Gin, I can't listen to you anymore," Luffy had declared, his voice carrying absolute finality. "I'm furious about what's happening in Dressrosa. Even an Admiral won't stop me now."
The captain's words had served as a battle cry for his entire crew. They would follow Luffy into madness itself if necessary—for friendship, for justice, for every innocent victim of Doflamingo's cruelty. The Straw Hat Pirates officially declared war on the Shichibukai and everything he represented.
Bepo had been released from his Sulong transformation, the white bear's miraculous delivery of Law's sister to the Thousand Sunny coming at tremendous personal cost. Diamante's blade had left him critically wounded, requiring Chopper's immediate medical intervention to stabilize his condition.
Franky had suffered catastrophic damage as well, losing half his head to enemy fire. Fortunately, the cyborg had prepared for such contingencies. The Sunny's workshop contained numerous backup robot bodies, allowing him to transfer his consciousness remotely. In theory, this made him virtually immortal.
Before Bepo's arrival, Franky's consciousness transfer into a fresh body had enabled him to share crucial intelligence with the crew. This briefing had triggered their collective outrage and Luffy's near-impulsive charge toward Dressrosa alone.
Nico Robin remained the voice of reason aboard the chaotic ship. "Rushing in blindly will only spring their trap," she warned calmly. "We need a comprehensive battle plan. Law's temporary safety works to our advantage—rescuing him from a Shichibukai won't be simple."
Fortunately, Kozuki Momonosuke had already departed on a separate ship. The young samurai had wisely avoided involvement in such dangerous affairs, leaving the Straw Hats to handle Kanjuro's rescue independently.
The two remaining Wano samurai were traveling toward Charlotte Linlin's territory, scouting potential advantages for their captain's future conflicts. If they could obtain a copy of the road Poneglyph through negotiation, excellent. If not, war with the Yonko seemed inevitable.
Big Mom's close relationship with Kaido raised the specter of a potential alliance between two Yonko crews. Defeating these remnants of the old era represented a mountain that Luffy and his generation would eventually have to climb.
Tonight's music festival in Dressrosa had captured worldwide attention through the Sky Screen broadcasts. Few observers realized they were about to witness a disaster that would reshape the balance of power across the Grand Line.
The stage was set. The players had chosen their sides. Tomorrow would bring either justice or catastrophe—perhaps both.
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