Marine Headquarters Fortress (Formerly G-1 Branch).

"What are the Gorosei thinking?! They shouldn’t have compromised with that bastard, no matter what!"

At his desk, Fleet Admiral Sakazuki was a picture of fury. "Don’t they realize how disastrous the impact will be if ’Z’ defects to pirates?" he roared.

"The former Marine Admiral and Chief Instructor of the Navy joining a pirate crew! Where does that leave the Navy’s Justice?"

"To be held by the throat by a pirate... what is this? It’s a disgrace! A disgrace to the World Government! A disgrace to the Marines!"

BANG!

The more Sakazuki spoke, the more incensed he became. Finally, unable to contain his rage, he slammed his palm onto the solid wood desk. The desk nearly splintered apart as documents slid off and scattered across the floor.

"Calm yourself, Sakazuki."

Tsuru gave him a flat look, setting down her teacup. "Things have already reached this point. If we are being manipulated by a pirate, the ones most embarrassed are the Gorosei."

"Embarrassed? They can feel embarrassment?" Sakazuki sneered, his voice dripping with irony. "That would truly be a miracle!"

"My, my, quite a temper," Borsalino muttered under his breath, cradling his own tea.

However, with Sakazuki’s keen senses, there was no way the mumble went unheard.

"Stop acting like a bystander, Borsalino!" Sakazuki barked, his frustration boiling over toward his fellow Admiral.

"Oh dear~ how scary," Borsalino shrugged, feigning a look of terror. Seeing his colleague’s nonchalant, almost roguish attitude, Sakazuki nearly turned purple with rage.

"Turning against the Chris Pirates would cause immense losses for both the World Government and the Navy. Against Golden Ring Aeridar, who possesses the Float-Float Fruit, we have no effective way to counter-attack," Tsuru stated calmly. "It’s just like Golden Lion Shiki years ago. If he hadn’t charged into Marineford alone, Sengoku and Garp would never have caught him."

The strategic value of the Float-Float Fruit, combined with the massive influence of the Chris Pirates, was precisely why the Gorosei kept yielding.

"Then blockade them in the sky!" Sakazuki snapped. "Deploy the main Marine force! Wipe Brady Island off the map! If they want to stay in the air, let them stay there and never set foot on land again!"

After venting, Sakazuki began to cool down. He knew his words were mostly empty bravado; the world was far larger than just a few islands.

After a moment of silence, he asked, "Where is Fujitora?"

"Routine patrol in the New World, near the waters of the Prodence Kingdom," Borsalino replied, looking up.

"Inform the Intelligence Department to keep a close eye on the Chris Pirates. If ’Z’ sets sail, tell Fujitora to eliminate him at sea!" Sakazuki ordered sharply. He paused, then added, "If the escort force is too strong, notify Headquarters. We will mobilize a full task force before acting."

"Hmm~ if we do that... aren’t you afraid that madman will flip the table?" Borsalino asked hesitantly.

"Hmph. The Navy’s disgrace must be erased by the Navy’s own hands!" Sakazuki’s face was set in a mask of grim determination. "For that, I am willing to go to total war with the Chris Pirates if necessary!"

Beside him, Tsuru closed her eyes and remained silent.

...

Punk Hazard.

Research Institute.

On the surveillance monitors, a gargantuan, purple-red monster undulated across the snow, resembling a slime-like version of an axolotl.

"Shurorororo~ Excellent! Excellent!"

Caesar Clown stared at the screen, his crazed laughter echoing through the room. Behind him, Jason, Otto, Cavendish, Vergo, and Monet were also watching the gelatinous mass.

"Do you see? By feeding it the Salamander-Salamander Fruit, Model: Axolotl, my Smiley will be perfected! Shurorororo!" Caesar’s eyes were filled with fanatical zeal.

"Combining a gas weapon with a Devil Fruit... this guy actually has some talent," Jason muttered, narrowing his eyes as he watched Caesar’s back.

"As long as it kills the Straw Hats, I don’t care. Move faster, Caesar," Otto said impatiently.

"Shurorororo~ So impatient. It’ll be ready soon, don’t worry!" Caesar laughed confidently.

"Hey, what’s going on? Why can’t we see the Straw Hats anymore?" Cavendish pointed at a monitor with annoyance. The screen was obscured by thick smoke, making it impossible to see the inhabitants of the cage.

"Nani?" Jason’s heart skipped a beat. A sense of foreboding washed over him.

"Probably a fire broke out somewhere," Caesar frowned, sounding uncertain. But he quickly regained his swagger. "They’re bound by Seastone chains; they can’t escape. Besides, Smiley is about to activate. Once the gas covers Punk Hazard, survival will be impossible!"

Jason’s brow remained furrowed. "I hope you’re right."

...

Research Institute – Building A.

"ROOM!"

Suddenly, a transparent sphere expanded rapidly, enveloping several guards near the gate’s control lever.

"What’s happening?"

"This is—?"

Squelch~

In the next instant, as if struck by an invisible blade, the guards were sliced clean through.

Clang.

Law expressionlessly sheathed his blade, Kikoku. He walked to the control lever and pulled it down with force.

Click... Clack...

Internal gears ground together, and with a heavy groan, the massive gate groaned open.

"Great! The gate’s open!"

"That guy didn’t lie to us!"

"Quick, get inside!"

A cacophony of voices drifted in as a swarm of G-5 Marines rushed into the institute.

"Emergency! The gate has been breached!"

"Who operated the lever?"

"Dammit! G-5 is flooding in!"

A dozen guards rushed to the entrance, only to be met by a sea of nearly a hundred G-5 Marines.

"Hahaha! Tra-guy really didn’t trick us!" Luffy cheered, raising his arms.

"I’m finally alive again!" Usopp wailed, tears of relief streaming down his face.

"Vergo... I will never forgive you for this! Never!" Smoker growled, his face contorted with rage as he gripped his fist.

"That bastard impersonating Vice Admiral Vergo! Prepare to die!"

"How dare he use our beloved Commander’s name!"

"I’ll slaughter that impostor!"

The G-5 Marines were incensed. Just an hour ago, their Base Commander, Vergo, had appeared before them, openly collaborating with the pirates of Punk Hazard.

It was only then that Smoker realized the truth: the missing children hadn’t died in accidents. Vergo had faked the shipwrecks to kidnap them for Caesar’s "Gigantification" experiments.

"Alright, you all know your objectives," Law said, appearing before them with Kikoku over his shoulder. "Rendezvous at the R-66 Gate in Building R. If you’re late, I can’t guarantee he’ll still be alive in two hours."