The Target
In the strategy room of the Heaven's Embrace, Lilith projected a 3D hologram of a small, fortified island.The image rotated slowly, showing a squat Marine fortress built into a jagged cliffside, surrounded by heavy cannon emplacements and battleship docks.
Robin's eyes narrowed. "That's not on any chart."
Lilith grinned. "Exactly. That's the point. The Marines call it Cerberus Vault. Three Vice Admirals rotate command — one on duty, one on standby, one off-island. The one currently in charge is Vice Admiral Zevran."
Nami crossed her arms. "And the reason we're hitting this vault?"
Lilith's tone turned serious. "Inside is a Poneglyph. Not just a record — this one's rumored to hold instructions. A set of coordinates."
Robin's hand froze halfway to her tea. "Coordinates to what?"
Lilith smirked. "We'll find out when you read it."
Pre-Mission Prep
Vegito leaned against the wall, tail flicking lazily. "We do this fast, quiet if possible. But if it goes loud… we finish it."
The rescued women from the last mission stood off to the side. Siren-09 — now going by her real name, Lyra — stepped forward. "Let us help. We owe you."
Bell-mère gave them an appraising look. "Think you can handle Marines with real combat experience?"
Lyra's scaled arms shimmered faintly. "Try us."
Approach to Cerberus Vault
The Heaven's Embrace rose above the clouds, cloaked in Lilith's latest optical-bending tech. Below, the island appeared from the mist — an ugly wedge of stone bristling with guns.
Reiju checked her gloves. "Three Vice Admirals rotate here… which means we're walking into a stronghold designed to fight Yonko crews."
Vegito smirked. "Good thing we're not a Yonko crew. We're worse."
Insertion
The Embrace opened a shimmering Realm gate just above the outer wall. Vegito, Robin, Lilith, Lyra, Carrot, and Bell-mère dropped silently inside.
Carrot's ears twitched. "No alarms yet."
Lilith tapped her visor. "Give it a second."
A spotlight swung toward them — and before the guard could shout, Lyra sang. A low, thrumming note rippled through the air, making the Marine's eyes glaze over as he slumped unconscious.
Carrot blinked. "Okay, that's cheating… I like it."
The Vault Interior
They moved through the fortress like shadows. The halls were cramped, designed to funnel attackers into kill zones. Robin's extra limbs slipped out from corners to disarm guards silently.
Finally, they reached a massive reinforced door, dozens of locks and rune-seals covering it.
Lilith grinned. "Five minutes."
Vegito cracked his knuckles. "Or five seconds."
He tapped the door with one finger — and the entire thing warped inward with a deep groan of metal, leaving the locks dangling like snapped twigs.
Lilith rolled her eyes. "Show-off."
The Poneglyph
Inside the vault, stacks of gold and weapon crates filled the room — but in the center stood the monolithic red stone.
Robin approached, her fingers brushing the carved surface. Her expression darkened.
"It's a set of navigational vectors," she murmured. "This… this is pointing to an island in the Calm Belt. One that shouldn't exist."
Vegito tilted his head. "Another hidden project?"
Robin's voice was quiet. "No. Something older."
The Vice Admiral Arrives
A voice boomed from the vault entrance. "I was wondering what could breach my door so easily."
They turned to see a tall, broad-shouldered man in a Vice Admiral's coat. His hair was silver at the temples, and his eyes were hard steel. At his hip hung a massive cutlass, and his presence radiated battle-hardened confidence.
"Vice Admiral Zevran," Lilith said.
Zevran's gaze swept over them, lingering on Vegito. "So. You're the one the Elders are losing sleep over."
Vegito grinned. "That's me. Want an autograph before I take your vault?"
The Duel
Zevran moved first — faster than most Admirals Vegito had fought. His cutlass swung in a gleaming arc, haki flaring black-red. Vegito blocked with a single finger.
The force cracked the floor under Zevran's feet.
"You're good," Vegito said. "Too bad I'm better."
The next exchange was a blur — Zevran using Moonwalk and Tempest Kick in rapid succession, Vegito countering with casual dodges, redirecting blows into walls, letting Zevran think he was gaining ground.
Lyra's Intervention
As Zevran attempted a high-speed slash, Lyra stepped in and let out a piercing harmonic cry. The sound distorted the air, forcing Zevran to cover his ears for a split second — all Vegito needed to disarm him and send him crashing into the far wall.
Zevran coughed, pushing himself up. "If you kill me, more will come."
Vegito smirked. "Good. Saves me the trouble of chasing them."
Extraction
The crew loaded the Poneglyph into the Realm. Lilith grabbed a few choice tech crates before they slipped back through a portal to the Embrace.
Below, the fortress lit up with alarm bells — but by the time the Marines reached the vault, it was empty.
Cutaway – Marine HQ
Akainu's teeth ground audibly as the report came in. "Zevran lost the vault?"
Kizaru, lounging against the wall, drawled, "Y'know… I think he's just playing with you."
Cutaway – Holy Land
Imu's voice was cold. "He moves with purpose now. Find the island on that stone before he does."
Closing Scene
On deck, Robin traced the lines she had copied from the Poneglyph. "The Calm Belt… and if this is right, the location is protected by Sea Kings."
Vegito grinned. "Good. I was getting bored."
[World State Updated]
Crew: Lyra proves her combat worth; Poneglyph secured.
Government: Cerberus Vault compromised; Vice Admiral Zevran humiliated.
Foreshadowing: Destination — a hidden Calm Belt island tied to ancient history.