Chapter 5: Assassins
Egghead- Present
"Damnit. She keeps on flying around.," Franky cursed.
"And there's more of them now!" Brook remarked as he saw other dark-skinned individuals arrive to aid York who had generated a force field to protect herself from Brook's attacks.
"Wait, that looks like Jinbe. He had a kid we didn't know about?" Franky remarked.
"No, that one looks like Mihawk and Lady Hancock...what's the meaning of this!?," Brook remarked as he dodged their strikes barely.
"The Kuma Pacifsta project was a prototype for the next step- the Seraphim. They only look like that due to taking the Lineage Factor of Alber, a Lunarian- a race of winged dark-skinned humanoids able to generate flames on their backs. The World Government drove them to near-extinction but their Lineage Factor was too valuable to not use for combat. Alber was King, the right-hand man of Kaido by the way. We had experiments done on him for years. He probably built resentment for humans which led to how rotten he became.," York explained.
"These fellows are really tough.," Brook remarked as he struck the Mihawk Clone.
"Of course, they're amongst the most durable races and they're not even full-grown.," said the scientist.
Suddenly, Brook and Franky were captured by clouds that appeared out of nowhere.
Franky observed how mildly shocked York was so he realized it wasn't her doing.
"Good...work...on getting...most of them...," said a lazy-sounding blond young woman in a business suit wearing a black top hat.
"Oracion Seis?! What're you doing here?" York noted.
Suddenly, five other dots appeared-
A tall, muscular youth wearing a black business suit with a beanie cap with a propeller top and had dark dull red hair that covered his eyes.
A young woman with long orange hair that was tied into twin tails and wore a black business suit with a baseball cap hat.
A young man with short blue hair a mouth-covering mask, a blue scarf, and a sherpa hat. He wore a business suit and his hair covered the right side of his face.
A young man with short purple hair tied in a rattail wore a black business suit with a black overcoat and a bowler hat.
And lastly, a dark-skinned woman with red iris eyes, dark purple deadlock hair, and a black business suit with a black beret hat.
"Can't move..," Brook remarked.
"Are these guys Cipher Pol?," asked Franky.
"No, they're from the Oracion Seis," York replied with a frown. "A covert unit of the World Government. They're orphans, picked off the streets and trained to be bounty hunters. Once they capture anyone with a significant bounty, the government sells them off to the World Nobles as slaves. If Cipher Pol is the Shield to defend the World Nobles then Oracion Seis is the dagger."
"How do you kill...something like that...It's all bones...No organs...," the blonde noted.
"Don't be ridiculous, Jennings! He'd make a fine slave.," said Tom, the youth in the bowler hat.
"The girls would be easier to sell off though since they have additional uses than being oddities.," said the orangette as Tom smirked.
"That's thinking business-like, Howell.," Tom remarked.
"Don't put up a struggle. No one is coming to save you. I Nathaniel with my MANLY might guarantee it!," said the muscular youth with his eyes covered by his hair.
"Such sad fate. Unable to fulfill one's dreams. So miserable. So sad.," spoke the blue-haired youth in a haiku tone.
The dark-skinned girl gave a reluctant look unlike most of her peers and said nothing.
"Manly my ass. What the hell are you talking about?! Slavery isn't manly or cool at all!," Franky shouted before he felt paralyzed by an unknown force.
"Haki...Shit...this guy's tough for a shrimp...," the cyborg cursed.
"We still have a deal right?" asked York.
"Sure. For an Emperor. He was sure a washout. He's always been a screwup who didn't think things through.," Tom said as he began to push Luffy's petrified form to and fro. "Whoever had high hopes for him deserved to die. Much like Gol D. Ace. He had the right bloodline but died from this knucklehead."
Suddenly, both Franky and Brook stopped acting so frantically. The clouds that Jennings implied to have summoned froze over. The paralyzing force that once held them tight slackened, allowing them to move again. The room grew quiet, the only sound being the crackle of ice breaking from the sheer power of their anger.
It shattered as York looked in shock- Franky's body was back to normal as he exuded Haki unconsciously as did Brook.
"They used Haki to negate S-Snake's charms! This needs to be recalculated.," York noted.
"The data were mistaken. Such miracles are impossible. Oh no.," the blue-haired young man remarked.
"Haki..is..will...guess...their fire was...stoked... Montbar," Jennings noted.
Nathaniel's right arm was then covered in red, exposed muscle as he lunged for a punch before Franky easily punched him to the floor unconscious.
Franky then glared at Tom ready to beat the young man to a pulp when suddenly, something leaped down from the rafters. A familiar face.
"Six King Cannon!" the voice declared as the cyborg was blasted away and fell down as he went unconscious.
"Lucci...what're you...doing here?"
Brook was then cut from behind by a long-nosed man, knocking him out.
The figures revealed themselves to be Kaku and Rob Lucci with Stussy accompanying them.
Tom looked at them with a mix of annoyance and surprise, "What the hell are you two doing here?"
"Oracion Seis isn't the only branch of agents of the World Government. You're just the second string in case we're busy. Eliminating Vegapunk, Securing Mother Flame, and retrieving anything of value was the mission...Hmm...that looks like the Cyborg...which means this is Straw Hat...," Lucci noted as he saw Luffy's statue.
He then turned to a shocked York and demanded-
"Free Him."
Tom helped Nathaiel to his feet and then argued-
"Engaging with an Emperor so brazenly without eliminating him subtly is counterproductive."
Lucci released a Haki befitting of a Conqueror as Montbar, Jennings, and Howell fell to their knees.
"He's no Emperor. And I won't feel at ease till I take care of him with my bare hands.," Lucci argued.
This is why Cipher Pol is so troublesome. Some are so robotic that they lack enough will while others are too willfully engaging in their bloodlust. Especially, these CP9 recruits...,' thought Tom.
"This hopefully isn't past friendships speaking.," Lucci remarked as Tom gritted his teeth.
"I don't associate with Pirate scum.," The Oracion Seis member remarked.
"What's with these weird holograms? I mean they're holograms right?," asked Kaku to Stussy.
"It's more of a collection of things of a classified location.," the blonde noted.
"How's the trade...with the underworld going...?," asked Jennings to Stussy.
"The Redlight Division is going smoothly.," explained the CP Agent.
Jennings then turned serious.
"You're...not upset...if we kill him right?," asked the blonde as she raised a Finger Gun ready to gun Stella.
Stussy's eyes narrowed.
Suddenly, a figure lowered himself from a platform-
A large man with light skin and a stocky build similar to that of a sumo wrestler. He has a large scar extending from his left eye to the left corner of his mouth caused by wild bears. His outfit consists of a shirt that resembles a giant brown bib or apron with an emblem meaning "heaven" on the front, and a large red and white rope or "tsuna". traditionally worn by yokozunas). He has the kanji for battle tattooed on his left shoulder. Sentomaru carries around a huge, two-edged axe, as tall as himself, and just as large. He is wearing a Marine coat over his shoulders due to his acceptance into the Marines. He wields a giant ax.
Sentomaru- Bodyguard of Vegapunk.
"This was supposed to be my day off...what the hell are you guys doing?" he asked with a serious tone as he looked at the others.
"A troublesome man appeared. We must have him eliminated.," Montbar asked.
"Huh? Aren't we on the same side?" Sentomaru noted.
"It's nothing personal. It's orders from management.," Howell said as she lowered herself for combat as the other agents prepared for battle.
Suddenly, a shot of bubbles rang down and pinned the agents to the ground as well as York.
"Tch. Didn't think you cared...," York noted.
"Seastone bubbles...no, this feels much more advanced...," Jennings noted.
"Vegapunk's little rascal student I see...," said Stussy with an impressed smile.
Lucci and Tom glared in annoyance as suddenly, the bubbles glowed as the assassins were warped away.
"Oi, when did you have time to make them?," asked Sentomaru.
The youth said nothing as she fired more bubbles to release the petrified individuals, returning him to normal.
Luffy looked around, still groggy from the ordeal.
"Where'd she go?!" he exclaimed.
"Damnit, York's always drawn to whatever gives her the easier life. She ratted us out. She should've just obeyed Stella.," Atlas cursed.
"She's not alone. Oracion Seis and Cipher Pol Zero is with her...Ow...that damn cat's attack packs a punch...," Franky complained.
"Pidgeon Guy's here. Then Usopp 2 is here!," Luffy noted.
"He's not my relative just because we have the same nose!," Usopp argued.
"Lucci...," Robin said as Nami gave her a look of assurance of safety.
"I don't care how strong he's gotten...wait, what's the Oracion Seis?," asked Zoro.
"They're another assassin branch of the World Government. Sentomaru. We're leaving. Have you done the preparations in advance?" asked Edison.
"Yeah, the residents have been transported, but to think they'd even turn on their top asset. Their replacement must be a big deal.," the large man noted.
"How'd you do that without others noticing?," asked Chopper.
"Vegapunk has tech I don't understand...wait, you're-," Sentomaru replied before realizing.
"The latest Straw Hat wielder is going to aid us in our escape. He's not as nefarious as some Emperors so he's trustworthy.," Stella remarked.
"You say that but...," Sentomaru noted before Stella interjected.
"You're not going to let this old man who saved your life die and live with that guilt will you?," asked the old man as Sentomaru gritted his teeth.
"Tch. It can't be helped. My loyalties are to you.," Sentomaru remarked.
Jinbe then noticed the girl tagging along with Sentomaru-
She was a short young woman wearing a blue striped bra with bikini shorts. She wore a blue lab coat over it with sleeves long enough to cover her hands. She was bespectacled with round glasses of blue hue and had a prominent set of buckteeth that made her appear slightly rodent-like. She has spiky cyan hair that goes down to her waist.
"Thanks for earlier. Who are you little lady?," asked Sanji.
The young woman blushed before she spoke, "Oh me? I'm the 40th Vegapunk!"
The group then turned to Stella and gave a bewildered look.
"It's complicated...," explained the old man.
"We're also siblings!," exclaimed the girl with a mix of excitement and nerves to Franky.
"Eh?," asked Franky.
Egghead
"This place is oddly vacant. Where did everyone go? So what now?," asked Montbar as he continued to be pinned down like the others.
"This isn't the Seastone bubbles we've been working on. Damn brat invented something bizarre.," explained York.
"Is she a clone like you?" asked Kaku.
"No, she's some whelp Stella took in. And hate to say it, that shortie has more brain power in her noggin than the entire Punk Records.," York complained.
After a long pause, York corrected herself-
"But she's too willful and stubborn to comply. I'll of course do whatever is requested of me. But removing these is going to be difficult.," York noted before seeing rays of light about to hit them. The group briefly looked in shock before being stunned that the bubbles had burst from the beams.
"These need to be refined. I'm glad to find something to improve on. The next Seastone Bubbles should be sturdier " Kizaru said as he approached the group.
"How did you get on the island? You didn't infiltrate like us to get past the light barrier.," Howell noted.
"Don't be too argumentive. It's an Admiral!," Nathaniel attempted to soften the tension.
"I'm light. So that hard light didn't bother me...it looks like things are panning out that I have to force my hand...," the Admiral noted as his expression darkened.
"We've made landfall! shouted a soldier in the distance.
"Vegapunk...Why did you have to do this?" asked the Admiral to himself.
On the shore of Egghead, Doberman, Guillotine, Tosa, Doll, Pomsky, Hound, Red King, Blueglass, and Urban had arrived with Saturn.
"This would be so much easier if Garp just abandoned the whelp. He's just a disposable recruit.," Pomsky argued.
"You underestimate the power of popularity. The people adore him and that is key to getting more recruits in this whole Cross Guild crisis. He might be the new Garp. And one more willing to obey orders. Even if he is a SWORD member.," Hound argued.
Doll remained silent.
"I can't wait to ride one of them brats.," noted Bluegrass.
"That sounds too risque.," argued Urban.
"Lord Saturn. That Vegapunk was crafty in making a vocal command chip that required a closer range. We'll protect you.," Guillotine said to the Elder while bowing to him.
Saturn looked around and thought-
Seeing this takes me back to that time when I was younger...but...
"Getting Mother Flame and anything that can be salvaged is our top priority.," the Elder said.
Tosa was silent as Doberman looked at him with a discerning look. He was normally one of the more boisterous Vice Admirals so this seemed very out of character.
Hound turned into a Baskethound as he began to sniff for the scent of the invaders.
"To that the Straw Hat is now an Emperor in such a short time. He's not to be underestimated. But with my scent I'll-," Hound said before suddenly something large landed on him.
"Hound!," Doberman yelled as he rushed to retrieve his ally the group saw the surprising sight-
"Kuma! What's he doing here? Wasn't he taken by those Revolutionaries?," asked Pomsky.
"Bon...Bonney...Save her...," said the individual.
"What kind of man is he? Isn't he a robot with no will?," asked Urban.
Kuma then caught a glimpse of Saturn and his usually placid expression turned into fury as he attempted to lunge at the Elder, using a Paw to blast him away, but suddenly, two interlopers appeared-
Tom from his dot spaces hits him with Shigan and Kizaru bombards Kuma with rays of light to knock him to his knees.
"He's a Buccaneer. It's sort of an unusual race that has since gone extinct according to public records. Kuma was the last one. But most people don't know this. It's said that Whitebeard might've been as well. They've got herculean raw power and durability...," the Admiral explained.
And other traits due to being connected to that individual..it has to be..., thought Saturn.
"He must be malfunctioning. Or maybe he understands his place as a government tool-," said Pomsky before Kuma punched with a Haki punch to his shock, sending him flying.
"What the hell?," asked the Vice Admiral.
Underground
"There's really strong Haki up there.," Luffy noted.
Bonney let out some tears as she said-
"Daddy..."
"So Kuma's dad? You don't really look like him.," Luffy noted.
"I've heard of his reputation as an Emperor and he was always quiet and didn't say anything. His actions didn't really match up with his epithet of the Tyrant-," Jinbe remarked.
"The Government's lying! He's a saint, not a tyrant!" Bonney exclaimed, her eyes brimming with tears as she sensed the chaos unfold above.
"And you made him a cyborg!," she pointed at Stella as the old man looked down in shame.
"Bonney...It's true...but it's not the whole story...," explained the old man.
Vega 40 then picked up a small cube with odd symbols that caused Robin's eyes to widen.
"Those are...," she noted as the cube opened as something unusual occurred-
All of the oddities Vegapunk collected were sucked into it and vanished in a flash of light.
"What the hell is that?," asked Nami.
Vega 40 ignored her.
"This place is compromised. Here.," she said as she tossed a tube to Nami as it released a holographic map.
"It will lead you to your ship so you can leave. The Government's going to take everything from here and they have the means to replicate it thanks to a certain someone. Bartholomew Kuma is up there. His Buccaneer traits are allowing him to take some vengeance on them from beyond the grave.," explained the young woman.
"No, he's here to protect me! I gotta help him!," Bonney cried as she snatched the remote from Shaka as the room rose.
Vega 40 glared at her in annoyance as she argued-
"Your father is giving us the push to go forward. Don't let his sacrifice be in vain!"
"Shaddup. It's my daddy!," the pink-haired girl cried.
Luffy looked on the conversation intently.
They then arrived at the same floor as the arriving Marines as Vega 40 sighed.
"Can't win against affection, huh?," noted the young girl.
"Let's split up! You guys get the ship! The rest of us fight 'em off.," ordered Luffy.
Atlas, Pythagros, Edison, and Shaka nodded as they left with Chopper, Usopp, and Nami.
"Wait, there's one thing that we need to get above all else. It's over there.," Stella said as he suddenly warped to the shock of Brook.
So you want that protected as well., thought Vega 40.
"Follow my voice.," Stella's voice rang aloud.
"I'm not sure what's going on, but I'm trusting you." replied Brook as he, Jinbe, Sentomaru, and Lillith followed his voice.
It was only Robin, Sanji, Franky, Zoro, Bonney, and Vega 40 left.
"I'm not buying that story, but are you sure you can fight?" asked the cyborg.
"C'mon. Don't doubt my genius.," Vega 40 remarked.
As the clouds holding the Punk Records continued to hover, the vehicles continued to fly, and the holograms of the monster/robot continued to fight-
Suddenly, Kuma barreled towards them as a group of Pacifistas and the Seraphim loomed over them.
Luffy then noticed Lucci, Kaku, the Oracion Seis, some Vice Admirals, and Saturn move into their general location.
"You can really live up to your name when you need to.," noted Vega 40.
Luffy didn't pay attention as he then noticed Tom.
"Wha?! What are you doing here with Pigeon Guy?!," Luffy shouted.
"You know this guy?," asked Franky.
"Guy was a real meanie to me back then. He left and I never heard from him again. Him and six other guys.," Luffy explained.
"Well, he's a member of the Oracion Seis now. They're like a discount Cipher Pol apparently. They tried killing us when you were turned to stone," the cyborg replied.
"What the? That jerk! I'm gonna give him a good wallop for what he did!," Luffy yelled.
"Discount...Cipher Pol...?," Jennings said in annoyance.
"Don't pay them no mind. Listen. Their group's split up now. Go after the ones you can handle.," explained Tom as Howell and Montbar went after Nami's group and Nathaniel and Jennings went after the team heading to Stella.
It was now just Tom and the dark-skinned woman.
"Now, how to plan-," Tom said before seeing Rob Lucci and Kaku lunge towards Luffy and Zoro respectively.
"Those reckless Zoans!," the indigo-haired man cursed.
"You want payback right?," asked the green-haired swordsman.
"Sorry, but the Zoo wasn't taking me in. So the Government promoted us after dealing with a little incident involving some Impel Down escapees.," Kaku explained.
"Sorry, but I'm tapped out of facing Animals after Wano.," Zoro argued.
"Pigeon Guy? What're you doing here?," asked Luffy.
"This is a Government Island. Even if you're an Emperor, there's a limit to how much you can flaunt your status.," Lucci replied.
Tom appeared above them in his dot space before Sanji kicked him away.
"You're one shitty brat.," Sanji remarked as Tom grimaced.
"Don't falter! Take at least some of them down. They may be an Emperor crew, but they're still pirates!" Red King said as he rushed to fight Franky with his mechanical arm. Franky responded with his own punch, sending him flying.
"After Wano, these kinds of Vice Admirals seem mediocre in comparison.," said Franky before Doll went after Robin. Robin used her Clutch move to crack Doll's joints to disable her. Much to her shock, however, Doll's joint reconnected.
"I ate the Joint-Joint Fruit, I'm a Joint Human. Your trick won't work on me.," said the Vice Admiral.
As the other Vice Admirals split off to go after the other groups, Kizaru, Saturn, York, and the Seraphim stood in the back, observing the battle.
"Dealing with them first and then getting what we can. It's not ideal but it's better than allowing them to get the upper hand.," said Saturn.
"I'm sure the Seraphim can safeguard you. Right now, I'll do my part...," said Kizaru as he turned into light.
Luffy had entered into Snakeman against Lucci in his life-return hybrid form as the latter asked-
"What's with the white form on your poster?"
"Wanna see?," asked Luffy.
Then, to everyone's surprise, Vega 40's right arm turned into a missile launcher and fired directly at the Elder, but it was blocked by the Mihawk Seraphim slicing it.
"Lord Saturn!," Red King said before Franky suplexed him.
"The King shouldn't be so unprotected.," the scientist girl remarked.
"The Cutty whelp that Vegapunk took in. So brazen.," Saturn noted before he glared at her with an intense invisible force of concussive power heading in her direction as she was prepared to summon something.
All of a sudden, Luffy entered into his Giant Gear 5 form to kick the blast into the sky, punch Lucci away, and grab a shocked Kizaru.
Tom was stunned at the sight, barely dodging a kick from Sanji. Kaku was surprised as he barely avoided a strike from Zoro. The dark-skinned girl and Stussy remained still.
"So this is the other guy with big Haki...and Kizaru...I'm not gonna let you do a repeat of Sabody...I'm 100 times stronger from back then.," Luffy said as he tossed the Admiral away into the distance
The remaining officers were dumbfounded at the sight.
Bonney was stunned at the sight, almost in religious awe.
"...Wait...that form..it has to be...," she said.
Vega 40 looked intently and said-
"I had the means to block it. You're wasting your energy bringing out your Trump Card, given your current time limit"
Luffy then turned to the scientist girl and noted-
"What was that cool thing you did? It was so cool. It's like mini-Franky!"
Vega 40 then blushed and said with a self-assured, "Of course, I am a Genius who ate the Robot-Robot Fruit. I'm a Robot Human!"
"Wha?," asked Franky.
Luffy's eyes glistened as he yelled, "So Cool!"
Saturn continued to look in annoyance.
Brook Group
Kizaru while surprised, was undeterred as he appeared in the general location of the giant, rusty robot.
"That power...it fits in what you talked about...but...I have a job to do...," the Admiral said as he spotted Stella.
Jinbe, Brook, Sentomaru, and Lilith arrive just in time as Kizaru is about to fire on Stella.
Suddenly, the robot's eyes glowed.
"Drums...of Liberation...Joyboy...," the Robot said as it rose to its feet, much to the surprise of everyone present.
"That hunk of junk is actually moving! And it can talk!," Sentomaru noted in shock.
"Drums of Liberation...the heartbeat...So that boy is...," said Stella before seeing Jennings and Nathaniel attempt to attack him. Brook and Jinbe blocked their strikes as Lilith began to fire at Kizaru.
"Sorry, but we've come to like the old man.," the afro skeleton said as he clashed with the blonde assassin.
"I'm 65.," Stella replied.
"So young!" Brook noted in surprise.
"That robot...it has to be one of-," said Nathaniel before he cut himself off.
"One of what?," asked Jinbe.
"No need to know.," the muscular youth.
"This is irritating.," Kizaru complained as Lilith summoned her robot from before to aid her in combat.
Nami Group
Atlas saw Howell and Montbar chasing the group, using Moon Walk to leap from building to building.
"So anxious. Running. Running. Towards one's failure and disgrace. So lame.," noted the blue-haired youth.
"Jeez, you're so annoying!" she said as she fired a rocket fist at the duo releasing a rocket fist in their direction.
They dodged as they then noticed Nami summoning Zeus and Usopp summoning his Green Star: Devil and dodge midair just in time.
"These guys are so irritating!," complained Nami.
"The ship's up ahead!," said Chopper as he saw a glimpse of the Thousand Sunny.
"It's a shame but we can rebuild later. So much for creating our dream," Pythagoras noted.
"What was it?," asked Usopp.
"Creating free energy so people won't fight over resources and a database so everyone can be informed about everything.," explained Edison.
"So cool!," Usopp noted.
Montbar summoned a collection of scarves to ensnare the Straw Hats but Shaka summoned a force-field from his armband to block the strikes.
They jumped onto the ship.
"Thank you, you might've been some government sellouts and connected to those mad scientist creeps, but you're really helpful.," Nami said.
"I'm not sure if it's a compliment or not.," Shaka noted as they began to set sail.
Suddenly a purple energy field began to appear around the island.
"What the?," asked Chopper.
"This isn't us.," Atlas explained.
Howell smiled in confidence.
Brook Group
The robot began to walk in Luffy's direction as Kizaru looked at the purple barrier beginning to form.
"So that's what's going on...," the Admiral noted.
"Did you do this?," asked Jinbe.
"It must've been Saturn who installed it as a backup in case I left.," Stella noted.
"He's trying to cage us in.," noted Liilith.
"Tch, he's intending on no survivors.," Sentomaru observed.
Jinbe and Brook continued fighting.
Luffy's Group
Luffy, observed the purple dome now appearing around Egghead Island.
"What's with that purple thing!" Luffy said as he went to punch it, only to be electrocuted.
"Ouch! It hurts! Darn Apple-Head!," yelled Luffy.
Vega 40 looked at Saturn and said,
"You prepared just in case."
"Of course...You're too dangerous to let be free.," the old man spoke.
"So you did it! You damn geezer!," Luffy noted.
"So you're one of the Elders?" asked Robin as she noticed his existence, trying her best to keep her composure.
The Demon Child...HIS progeny..., thought Saturn.
What crazy Haki! All this from this old guy?!, thought Sanji.
"It was unexpected that you would-," said Saturn before noticing the arms on his neck and snapping it.
Red King was shocked for a moment before Franky punched him away.
"Guess that was easy...," said the cyborg.
"If it were...countless attempts would've worked beforehand...," said Vega 40.
There was an ominous silence for several moments.
Brook's Group
"So the Elders are on the Island...I wonder if the roster has changed...I doubt it.," Brook mentioned as he dashed from Jennings' summoned clouds.
"How so?," asked Jinbe.
"I was once the captain of a convoy...my father was a prominent knight of the kingdom that paid tribute to the Celestial Dragons and we had the pictures of the Elders- Saturn, Peter, Mars, Nusjuro, and Warcury.," Brook explained.
"Yes, as a Warlord you do have to meet with them...wait, how would you be aware of them?," Jinbe observed.
"You're saying they're still alive? That's ridiculous. Most of them looked old over 80 years ago. They'd have to be over 140 years ago...," the skeleton noted.
"That sort of thinking is dangerous.," Kizaru noted as he attempted to fire on Stella once again.
"How could you Borsalino!," shouted Sentomaru.
He then fired and to his shock, it was deflected.
"I knew this day would eventually come. So I was prepared.," Stella explained.
"Why do you have to make this difficult.," the Admiral muttered.
"Because the wishes of the forgotten need to be heard...even if it means discarding my dream.," the scientist explained.
Tosa arrived and observed the fight with a silent stare.
Luffy's Group
Saturn got up and his neck snapped into place.
"Eesh. Is he immortal?," asked Franky.
"If one actually pays attention to the portraits over the centuries then he's-," Vega 40 said before Saturn stared at her to release a concussive blast that sent her skidding away.
"That's enough of your nosey ways. Unlike him or York, you're not so easily bribed and you're smart. A dangerous combination.," Saturn noted.
Suddenly, Sanji felt paralyzed as did Zoro, Luffy, Franky, Bonney, and Vega 40 by an invisible force.
"Normally, you'd be allowed to live and do whatever you want with your Empires since they benefit the World Government, but you're an actual threat...Finish them off.," Saturn said before ordering Lucci and Kaku.
Suddenly, the giant robot from before arrived and stomped on Saturn.
"Wait, another Robot- So cool!," Luffy yelled.
"Wait, he's coming back from it!" Franky shouted as the remains of Saturn began to reforge themselves into human shape. The sheer resilience of the Elder was something none of them had ever witnessed.
"Is he immortal?," asked Sanji.
"Well, at least, you're not!," Tom yelled as he generated a spinning dot intending to slice off one of Sanji's limbs. Suddenly, he was kicked to the side by the dark-skinned girl in the beret.
"What's the meaning of this? Delahaye Clisson?," asked Saturn.
"C'mon. They're the evil ones and we're the righteous. Stop being so blind.," Tom attempted to persuade her.
"You're the ones blind to what they're planning to do. I side with the Dawn.," said Clisson.
Then to the continued shock of the World Government side, Stussy proceeded to bite the necks of Lucci and Kaku along with several of the officers. She then pulled an odd device that warped them away.
Saturn glared in irritation. The robot had shut down once again.
"A clone of a pirate will always act as a pirate. And her ilk will never be obedient...just when things go your way, independence always rears its head to ruin things.," the Elder muttered to himself.
He then glared at Tom as he demanded-
"You better not betray us."
"O-of course.," replied Tom.
"I'm a Vegapunk too. So I can find them.," York said as Saturn then paralyzed her.
"A-and of course we're on the same side.," she whimpered before he disengaged the ability.
"They can't escape. I've already bugged this area in my favor in advance. He might be the World's Smartest Man, but only in this century...he's hundreds of years too early to compete with me in wits.," explained the Elder.
He then thought back to that day at the Reverie...
Next Chapter: Elder Saturn
Author Notes: Things have really escalated already from the original events- an Admiral, a group of additional assassins, Cipher Pol, and an Elder- and for those who've read the latest manga- it'll only get crazier than even that.
Creating the barrier is something that gives more tension to escaping and how they've solve it.