A massive fissure was torn across the top of the base, and seawater immediately began to pour in. The submarine surged through the opening with Modi leading the charge. He forced open the gate to the next level, and Bege, Weevil, and the others rushed in. The gate was then quickly sealed, holding back the floodwaters.
Piercing alarms blared throughout the entire facility. The base's guard force immediately split into two groups: one to escort the scientists to the escape submarines, the other to intercept Bege and his crew.
Bege, of course, knew there would be escape subs. He had to prevent Caesar from getting away.
Bege and his men raced towards the lower levels at top speed.
"All you ants, fall before me!" Enel, wielding his golden staff, struck his thunder drums. Bolts of lightning ravaged the base, electrocuting every Marine who stood in their way.
"You're not getting past me!" A towering figure, a Vice Admiral no less, burst forth from the Marine ranks. He gripped two longswords, charging ferociously.
"This one's mine." Weevil strode forward, his large bladed polearm (Naginata) whistling through the air as he brought it down hard on the Marine Vice Admiral.
The Vice Admiral's expression changed drastically. He crossed his swords in front of him to block Weevil's weapon. Flames instantly erupted as Weevil's Naginata, glowing crimson, made contact. Like Bege's Fire Cloud Sword and Little Oars Jr.'s greatsword, it was a Dial Weapon.
The Vice Admiral's face tightened. The immense force of the blow pushed him back two steps.
Bege dashed right past him. The Vice Admiral tried to intercept, but Weevil pressed his attack again, his Naginata a blur of motion, raining down blows on the Marine officer.
The Vice Admiral found himself completely unable to break away and stop Bege, forced to use both his swords to fend off Weevil's ferocious onslaught.
Weevil fought with increasing ferocity, growing stronger with each exchange. The powerful ability of his Absorb-Absorb Fruit converted the impact of every clash into his own strength.
Initially, the Vice Admiral could parry Weevil's strikes. But gradually, he found himself overwhelmed. Each of Weevil's cleaves forced him onto the defensive. His defeat was only a matter of time.
The defensive forces in this Marine base were indeed formidable. Besides the Vice Admiral, there was also a Commodore and four or five other commissioned officers.
Modi and Enel engaged these officers, effectively blocking them, allowing Bege an unobstructed path. Guided by his Observation Haki, Bege sensed a large group of people at the very bottom of the base, boarding a massive submarine.
Bege drew his Fire Cloud Sword and plunged it downwards. The incredibly sharp sword qi pierced through multiple decks, striking the lowest level and impaling the huge submarine, cutting off their escape route.
"Quick, quick! Get the small subs ready!" Among the scientists, a strange young man with long black hair and what looked like ram's horns on his head wore an ugly expression.
This was Caesar Clown.
They were at the bottom of the sea. If he ended up in the water, he'd lose his powers, and his chances of survival would be slim to none.
Purple gas erupted from his body. He flew towards a smaller submarine next to the large one, yanked out a scientist who was trying to climb in, and tossed him aside. Caesar then scrambled into the sub himself and ordered the Marines to launch it.
BOOM!
The submarine jolted violently and then shattered into pieces.
Caesar flew out from the wreckage and saw Bege standing on what remained of the sub. His face instantly contorted in terror.
"'Demon Dragon'! You're the 'Demon Dragon'!" Years ago, he had seen the 'Demon Dragon'. He knew Bege had been after him then. Now, seeing Bege here again, his first thought was that he'd come to capture him.
"Caesar, you certainly weren't easy to find," Bege said with a faint smile.
"'Demon Dragon,' I have no grudge against you! Why do you keep coming after me?" Caesar's expression was extremely unsightly.
"It's because of your research abilities, of course," Bege stated calmly. "Caesar, there's no escape this time. Come with me quietly. As long as you conduct research for me, I won't kill you."
"So, it's my research abilities you're after." Caesar immediately let out a sigh of relief. As long as he wasn't going to die, he didn't care who he did research for.
Just then, gunfire erupted. Bullets rained down on Bege, closing in instantly. With a casual wave of his hand, Bege sent all the bullets flying back, gunning down the Marines.
"You lot should just take a nap," Bege said, looking at the scientists who were trembling like cicadas in winter. He unleashed his Conqueror's Haki. The scientists and the remaining Marines all fainted. Even Caesar couldn't stay on his feet; he swayed and collapsed unconscious.
Bege opened his externalized space and pulled all the scientists into his internal castle. These scientists were true treasures; Bege definitely intended to bring them all back to Sky Island.
He collected the Marines into his castle as well. Clapping his hands together, satisfied that everything was taken care of, he began to pillage the science base, stuffing all the research equipment and everything else he could find into his internal castle, leaving nothing behind.
Modi and the others had also finished off their opponents. None of the Marine officers were killed; they would be taken back to Sky Island as test subjects or laborers.
Once everything was secured, they left the base in the submarine. The Sea King swallowed the sub and swiftly departed the area.
Bege's attack on the science base couldn't be kept secret. The officers at the facility had already reported it to the World Government via Den Den Mushi.
The World Government was furious and once again raised Bege's bounty.
Meanwhile, Bege, aboard his airship, entered the New World. On the vast seas of the New World, the colossal Giant was sailing slowly. In the distance, an airship rapidly approached and landed beside the Giant.
Bege jumped aboard the Giant.
"Godfather!" The crewmen bowed their heads in greeting.
Bege nodded and looked towards Little Oars Jr. Oars was covered in bandages, but his complexion was good; it seemed his injuries were healing well.
"Oars, are your wounds better?" Bege asked with concern.
Little Oars Jr. patted his chest, indicating he was fine, and rumbled, "Just some minor scratches, nothing to worry about."
Little Oars Jr.'s Dragon-Eating Giant Eagle Fruit had been developed quite well. Coupled with his monstrous physique, his recovery rate was astonishing. The gruesome wounds had already healed by more than half after just a few days of rest.
"That's good."
"Where's Doflamingo?" Bege scanned the deck but didn't see him.
"Bring them up," Little Oars Jr. ordered his men.
Several crew members immediately ran to the lower cabins and escorted three figures up.
Seeing Doflamingo and his two companions, all heavily bandaged, Bege couldn't help but chuckle. "Doflamingo, you look quite pathetic."
Doflamingo's face was as black as the bottom of a pot. "You came personally. You must have caught Caesar by now. You can let me go, right?"
"Release them," Bege instructed a nearby crewman to remove their Seastone cuffs.
Doflamingo rubbed his wrists, his voice grim. "'Demon Dragon,' about that cooperation we discussed… is it still on?"
"Of course, it is." Bege tossed a Den Den Mushi to Doflamingo. "This is my contact. I'll let you know when the weapons are ready."
"Doflamingo, don't try any tricks," Bege chuckled lightly. "You're not qualified to play games with me yet."
Doflamingo's gaze was dark, his fists clenched tightly. Bege's casual tone, filled with unshakeable confidence and undisguised contempt for him, deeply stung his pride.
Bege casually tossed Doflamingo a list – the resources he needed.
"These are the things I want. This is a big deal. Call me when you've got it sorted."
"This is a golden opportunity for your Donquixote Family to rise. Make the most of it."