The Holy Land, Mary Geoise.
Within the towering castle complex, hundreds of meters high, a vast, pristine white hall lay nearly empty—save for a single set of sofas and a table.
One of the Five Elders set down the papers in his hand, tossing them onto the table.
"How unexpected," he remarked.
"Someone's actually managed to touch that realm."
The burly Elder, the same one who had appeared at the God Valley incident, spoke up with a deep rumble,
"Should we erase him?"
The Elder in a bathrobe, cradling his cursed blade, shook his head.
"Eliminating him would be a waste."
"Talent like that should serve the government."
The remaining two Elders simply nodded, offering silent agreement.
And just like that, the fate of the world's most advanced scientist—five centuries ahead of his time—was decided in a handful of casual words…
Outside the Sealed Mechanical Beast Forest.
A block of snow suddenly shifted, rising just a little.
A CP agent in black quietly lifted the hatch of a hidden pit, peering out.
He raised a pair of binoculars and scanned the forest.
All he could see were countless moving red dots—mechanical eyes in the darkness. The sight sent a chill crawling down his spine.
Suddenly, one pair of red dots seemed to turn and stare directly at him.
Panicked, he slammed the hatch shut and ducked back into the pit, glancing at his two remaining companions.
"What do we do? Boss led a team in there an hour ago and we haven't heard a thing," he whispered.
A CP agent, his body swathed in bandages, shuddered at the memory of those terrifying, weaponized beasts.
"We wait. Wait for orders," he muttered.
"Those things are monsters…"
The first agent fidgeted, nerves fraying.
"If we just sit here, what'll we do if HQ punishes us for inaction?"
The bandaged agent shot him a glare.
"Then you go take a look."
The scout thought of those creatures—firing missiles and lasers from every limb. He trembled, forcing a sheepish smile, and fell silent.
The bandaged agent snorted in disdain.
Buru buru~ Buru buru~
Suddenly, the Den Den Mushi rang.
All three tensed up, hearts pounding—dreading a new order.
The bandaged agent, hands shaking, picked up the receiver. At first, he was tense, but soon he was nodding rapidly, excitement lighting up his face.
He hung up, exhaled in relief, then turned to the scout.
"You—head to the next town and coordinate with the Marine branch."
"Surround this damned forest. Not a single person gets out."
"Wait for reinforcements."
Deep within the Sealed Mechanical Beast Forest, Vegapunk's Laboratory.
Inside the sprawling fortress of steel, researchers darted about, frantically packing equipment and data.
Vegapunk barked orders, directing his team to secure the most vital research.
In the distance, he spotted Queen and Caesar Clown leading their own teams—and lost his temper.
"You idiots!!!" he roared.
"Did bacteria eat your brains?! Are you wearing microorganisms as necklaces?!"
"Human experimentation was bad enough, but you had to grab so many people in one place?!"
"Fine, you caught them—but you didn't even finish the job!"
"Are you pigs?!"
"I—argh! You—!"
His curses devolved into pure rage.
Queen and Caesar, scolded in front of everyone, could only grit their teeth and bear it. This time, they really had no excuse.
Queen took it in stride, but Caesar, still young, brilliant—and cruel, arrogant, and sly—seethed with resentment.
Already jealous of Vegapunk, he now nursed a deeper grudge.
A seed of future conflict between the two was planted that day.
After a while, Vegapunk regained his composure, forced down his anger, and joined the frantic effort to pack up the lab.
Outside the Sealed Mechanical Beast Forest.
The kingdom's royal guards and the Baldimore Marine branch had arrived, forming a tight cordon around the forest's edge.
The Marine branch commander's Den Den Mushi remained open, reporting the situation in real time.
Because this involved government-forbidden research, the call was connected directly to Fleet Admiral Kong.
Kong's voice crackled through:
"Titus, keep a close watch on the illegal research organization MADS.
Don't let a single one escape.
Sakazuki is already en route.
Until he arrives, even if it costs your life, you are to stop every last member of MADS."
Hearing Sakazuki's name, Branch Commander Titus felt a wave of relief wash over him.
He drew a deep breath.
"Understood! I'll get it done!"
He turned to his troops, voice booming:
"Reinforcements are on their way! Vice Admiral Sakazuki is coming!"
"Stay sharp! Don't let a single member of that evil organization escape!"
The Marines roared in unison:
"Yes, sir!!!"
Energized, every soldier kept their eyes glued to the dark forest.
But after a while, whispers began to ripple through the ranks.
"Hey, did you hear?"
"Yeah, I heard!"
"Vice Admiral Sakazuki himself!"
"That's insane!"
"Never thought we'd get to see him way out here."
"He's the hero who took down Whitebeard, you know!"
"Can't wait to see him in action!"
"Same here!!"
Edge of the Seyadis Sea.
A colossal, blazing-red silhouette soared into the stormy, cloud-choked skies.
A golden eagle of molten magma, four wings unfurled—each spanning over a thousand meters.
At the tips, rivers of lava spewed forth, propelling the beast ever faster.
Magma rained from the sky, splashing into the frigid sea below.
But it didn't cool or harden—instead it burned, slow and relentless, as if fueled by an endless fire within.
In this land of eternal ice and snow, the eagle's passage carved a channel miles wide, melting a path straight through the frozen sea.
Its destination: Karakuri Island, heart of the Baldimore Kingdom...
~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~
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