Stop It, Vegapunk

Inside a vast industrial laboratory filled with pipes and machinery, Vergo stands with his back to the viewer, his white coat emblazoned with the kanji for "Justice". A woman in a checkered outfit stands further back near scattered debris. Speech bubbles read: "THIS DANGEROUS ROOM...!!!" and "WHAT'S THISI". Narration states "THE TWO BIG PLAYERS MEET!". In a three-panel sequence below, Vergo faces a scarred man with a cigar in his mouth who declares, "VERGO, I DON'T WANT MY MEN TO KNOW THE TRUTH ABOUT YOU... AND THIS BETRAYAL...". Vergo replies, "YOU DON'T NEED TO KNOW...!!!". The scarred man reacts with shock as "... SMOKER!!!" appears.

The confrontation intensifies. Smoker, now seen from the side with his weapon, asks "WELL... WHAT DID YOU DO!!!". Vergo responds with a close-up, "I THINK IT'S TOO LATE FOR THAT. I ENCOUNTERED THEM A LITTLE WHILE AGO." A massive impact panel shows Vergo striking Smoker with a bamboo staff, the blow marked by large "VERGO!!" lettering and impact effects. In the aftermath, a battered Vergo glares while saying, "AS BASE COMMANDER, I'M QUITE FREE TO ACT AS I PLEASE NOW". Smoker retorts from off-panel, "DON'T TELL ME YOU'RE REALLY WORRIED ABOUT THOSE REJECT MARINES... YOU'RE ALL HEATED UP NOW, AREN'T YOU, SMOKER-KUN...!!!".

Vergo swings a large black-and-white striped cannonball on a chain toward a grid-patterned opponent, declaring, "AT ANY RATE, I'VE NO CHOICE BUT TO ELIMINATE ALL OF YOU WHO KNOW MY TRUE IDENTITY." The strike lands with heavy impact effects. A close-up shows Vergo's intense eye. Below, the industrial room erupts in a massive explosion of smoke and debris marked "BOOOM!!" and "CLANG", with a figure sent flying amid the blast. Sound effects include "ドーン" and "FWIP!!" as the fight rages on.

Vergo swings his metal staff with brutal force, the impact sending shockwaves as Sanji's powerful kick collides with him. Vergo's face twists in rage, veins bulging, while smoke and debris swirl around their clash. Sanji launches a rapid spinning kick, his leg blurring as he drives Vergo back. The Marine officer grits his teeth, blocking and countering with heavy swings. SFX explode across the page: ビュン, グォ, WHOOSH, and massive impact lines. Vergo's coat flares dramatically as he absorbs the assault, eyes locked on his opponent.

Vergo and Sanji trade devastating blows, their fists and legs meeting in a massive collision that cracks the ground. Vergo's punch connects with explosive force. In a quieter panel, Vergo reflects with a grim expression, hand to his chin: "WHEN YOU LEAVE THE BASE, THE LIVES OF THE MEN ARE IN THE HANDS OF THEIR COMMANDING OFFICER." Distant figures stand amid smoke as voices debate: "OR HOW MUCH THEY ACKNOWLEDGE YOU AS 'BASE COMMANDER'" and "NO MATTER HOW LONG YOU'VE BEEN WITH THEM." Vergo narrows his eyes, the words hanging heavily.

Vergo roars in close-up, jabbing a finger forward: "ON MY MEN!! SO DON'T YOU LAY A HAND ON MY MEN!!" Sanji, bloodied and surprised, mutters "WHAT'S GOING ON HERE..." A map of the B-Block G-5 side is shown with labels for Sanji, Tashigi, and G5. Chaos erupts in the burning facility as Marines and fighters scramble: "WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED HERE!!" "HURRY!! THOSE WITHOUT INJURIES, KEEP MOVING!!" "OUR WAY THROUGH IS....!!" "HOT HOT HOT....!!" Smoke and flames fill the corridors while figures rush past debris.

Sanji yells while being grabbed, "THAT'S JUST WHAT OUR SOCIETY SAYS. BUT A PIRATE CAN DO AS HE PLEASES ♥" Tashigi shouts desperately, "DON'T BE SO FRIENDLY WITH ME!! WE'RE ENEMIES, AREN'T WE!I" and "PLEASE STOP THAT!!!" A crowd cheers wildly with hearts floating: "UOH HHHH HH!!!" "LET'S PROTECT TASHIGI-CHAN!!!" Vergo's impostor form appears as voices argue: "PLEASE STOP CALLING YOUR 'BIG BRO'!!!" "SHUT UP! DIDN'T I SAY I DON'T WANT SUPPORT FROM MEN!!" "NO DOUBT- BIG BRO IS SO COOL!!" "EVEN THOUGH HE'S A GUY, I THINK I'VE STARTED TO FALL FOR HIM!!" "YEAH, BUT REMEMBER WHEN BIG BRO DEALT THAT BLOW TO IMPOSTOR VERGOI" The final panel shows shocked reactions with "!!I" as figures react in panic.

An explosion rips through the facility as a massive tank detonates, sending smoke, debris, and pipes flying. Marines scatter in panic. "EH!I" one shouts. "THAT TANK EXPLODED!!!" A dense cloud of gas begins pouring in. "FLOAT FLOAT," a voice calls as another marine yells, "A HOLE OPENED IN THE OUTER WALL!!! THE GAS IS COMING IN!!" A white-haired marine grits his teeth: "...SHIT. THIS IS BAD...!!" From the far side another marine cries, "THE OTHER SIDE TOO!! WHAT THE HELL DO WE DO!!" The gas continues to flood the corridor amid heavy rumbling SFX.

A tall figure in a black suit points urgently and shouts, "RUN, YOU GUYS!! IF YOU DON'T WANT TO DIE, RUN!!" Overhead narration warns, "IT'S THE DEADLY GAS FROM OUTSIDE!!" Marines flee in terror, screaming "UWA HHHHH HHH." One marine yells, "GET GOING!! GET SLOW DOWN AND YOU'RE DEAD!!" while another calls out ""BLACK LEG"!!" Tashigi is urged forward: "TASHIGI-CHAN!! RUN AHEAD!! IF YOU GET HESITATE, YOU'LL BE DONE FOR!! BE SURE NOT TO GET LOST!!" A panicked marine adds, "IN B-BLOCK TOO... AS BIG AS IT IS...!!"

A sinister figure laughs "SHURORA RORORO...!!" while declaring, "IT WENT AND LET SHINOKUNI IN!!" Another voice notes, "...THIS IS THAT DRAGON'S DOING..." The same figure continues, "IF THEY DIE FOR ME WHERE THEY ARE NOW, MY "EXPERIMENT DISPLAY" WILL BE ALL FOR NAUGHT!" Orders follow: "IN ANY CASE, THEY'RE AIMING FOR THE R-66 GATE, SO LET'S TAKE AWAY ANY DETOURS. WE'LL HELP THEM OUT A BIT...!!" "LEAVE THAT ONE, AND ONLY THAT ONE, OPEN!! WE'LL DRAW THEM IN TO THE FIRST FLOOR OF R-BLOCK!!" Replies come: "ROGER!! WHAT ABOUT R-BLOCK...I" and "HEY!! CLOSE THE GATES TO C AND D-BLOCKS!!" A diagram of R-Block is shown.

Inside a high-tech control room labeled "THE SECRET ROOM" on the second floor of R-Block, a spiky-haired figure snarls, "THERE'S NO WAY I CAN FORGIVE THE STRAWHAT CREW..." and "I DIDN'T WANT TO HAVE TO COME IN HERE, BUT..." while noting, "WHAT AN ANNOYING ROOM THIS IS." A subordinate reports, "MASTER!!! BATTLE PREPARATIONS ARE COMPLETE, BUT" and questions, "WHY ARE WE IN THE HATED FORMER CHIEF VEGAPUNK'S ROOM!I" The master replies, "I'VE GOT JOKER BACKING ME...!!! NOW THAT WE'VE COME THIS FAR, IT WOULD BE IDEAL TO KILL THEM ALL!!" Armored PH-marked soldiers protest, "CAN WE REALLY JUST SIT HERE AND DO NOTHING!!II SHOULDN'T WE BE FIGHTING THEM!I" and "WE HATE HIM TOO, FOR CAUSING THAT INCIDENT FOUR YEARS AGO!!"

Caesar Clown leans forward with a wide, manic grin, raising one hand as he addresses his followers. "MA... MASTER..." two subordinates stammer in the corner. Caesar waves them off: "NO, NO, THAT'S ALRIGHT. YOU GUYS ARE MY LAST RESORT WHEN IT COMES TO FIGHTING. I DON'T WANT ANY UNNECESSARY BLOOD BEING SPILLED." He then reveals his scheme with a diagram of the lab's ventilation system. "THEN ALL PASSAGES IN THE LAB WILL LEAD TO THE FLOOR BELOW US. THEY ALL CONNECT TO THE FIRST FLOOR OF R-BLOCK...!!! HERE'S THE PLAN...!!! LIKE I SAID BEFORE, IF WE CLOSE THE GATES TO C AND D..." The diagram labels BLOCK R - 1ST FLOOR with arrows for gates A, B, C, and D. Caesar continues, "ON THE FIRST FLOOR OF R-BLOCK, THERE ARE VENTS THAT LET IN THE OUTSIDE AIR. THAT IS TO SAY... WE'LL BRING IN 'SHINOKUNI!!!' THERE WILL BE NO ROUTE FOR THEM TO ESCAPE BY. THE STRAWHAT CREW, G-5, THE CHILDREN—IT DOESN'T MATTER WHETHER THEY'RE ENEMIES OR NOT. ALL THE SURVIVORS UP TO THIS POINT WILL HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO COME TO THE ROOM BELOW."

Caesar throws his arms wide in triumph, gas swirling around him. "AND I CAN SEND IMAGES OF WHAT'S GOING ON IN THAT ROOM TO ALL THE SHADOW BROKERS IN THE NEW WORLD!! I WILL DISPLAY MY TRUE POWER TO THE UNDERWORLD!!! WHO COULD POSSIBLY SURVIVE AFTER THAT!!!I WITH ALL THE GATES CLOSED, THAT ROOM WILL BE A GIANT GAS CHAMBER!!" Below, marines react in horror. One stammers, "AND TO BE QUITE HONEST, WE REALLY DON'T LIKE IT...!!! IT'S JUST THAT IT REALLY SEEMS LIKE VEGAPUNK'S POISON GAS FROM THE INCIDENT FOUR YEARS AGO." Another asks nervously, "IF I MAY... IT'S JUST... MASTER CAESAR... THAT TERRIFYING POISON GAS... DID YOU CREATE IT, MASTER...I" A close-up shows a sweating marine captain's face twisted in shock, eyes wide. "EH!!I" he blurts. Caesar declares, "THIS IS A BATTLE IN THE NAME OF SCIENTIFIC VENGEANCE. MY DEAR MEN...!!!"

Caesar continues his rant, gesturing wildly. "'STOP IT, VEGAPUNK!!!' BUT THE INCIDENT OCCURRED ALL THE SAME." He recalls, "ON THAT DAY...!!! I TRIED TO STOP HIM...!!! THAT MAD SCIENTIST, VEGAPUNK!! 'IF THIS WEAPON WERE TO GO OFF, WHAT WOULD BECOME OF ALL THE PEOPLE ON THIS ISLAND!!!I' AND THAT BASTARD HAS CONTINUED TO REIGN AS THE TOP OF THE MARINES' SCIENCE DIVISION!!" His face fills the panel, teeth bared. "IS IT REALLY ALRIGHT FOR SUCH AN MAN TO CONTINUE TO BE PRAISED AS SUCH, EVEN AFTER CRUELLY HURTING YOU GUYS!!I AS IF HE WERE THE WORLD'S GREATEST SCIENTIST... I CAN NEVER FORGIVE THAT!!" In the next scene Caesar stands before a crowd, arms spread. "A SCIENTIST FAR GREATER THAN HIM IS RIGHT HERE!! IT IS I WHO AM THE WORLDS' GREATEST!! AND THAT'S WHY I HAVE TO PROVE MYSELF, AND WHY I'VE CREATED SUCH A WEAPON OF MASS DESTRUCTION, ALTHOUGH I REALLY DIDN'T WANT TO!!" Marines sweat and tremble. "MASTER...!!!"

Caesar clutches his face, tears streaming, voice cracking with emotion. "I'LL USE MY SCIENTIFIC ABILITY TO WORK TOWARDS WORLD PEACE!! WHEN THEY ACKNOWLEDGE ME AND I ATTAIN THE TOP POSITION IN THE SCIENCE DIVISION...!!! WHEN AT LAST MY DREAM COMES TRUE..." Below, his subordinates cheer wildly amid erupting gas. "YOU TRULY ARE OUR 'SAVIOR GOD'....!!" "SORRY, MASTER!! WE'RE... EMBARRASSED FOR HAVING DOUBTED YOU...!!!" "MASTER!!! UOOHHH!!" Gas and debris explode everywhere with sound effects "ズゴォー!!" and "バァァァ!!" In the final panels Caesar lunges forward, shouting desperately, "IF THIS WEAPON WERE TO GO OFF, WHAT WOULD BECOME OF ALL THE PEOPLE ON THIS ISLAND!!I STOP THAT EXPERIMENT IMMEDIATELY!!! STOP IT, CAESAR!!" His face twists into a wide, eerie grin as he lets out a long "NYAA" laugh.

Caesar Clown rages at the Marines and his own subordinates inside the lab. "NO!! I'M ALL I'M STRIVING FOR SUCH A WEAPON!! DON'T THEY WANT TO KILL AS MANY PIRATES AS POSSIBLE!! THIS IS A RESEARCH FACILITY FOR THE MARINES!! SHUT UP, YOU BRAINLESS FOOLS!!" The PH-coated Marines protest, "WE DON'T WANT ANY WEAPON SO HORRIBLE THAT IT MIGHT AFFECT PEACEFUL CITIZENS." Caesar retorts furiously, "HORRIBLE, YOU SAY!I THE EXPERIMENTS WE DO ON THE PRISONERS OF THIS ISLAND, TREATING THEM LIKE SO MUCH HUMAN TRASH- HOW IS THAT ANY DIFFERENT!! SHURORORORO RO!! YOU MORONS! THAT'S A NECESSARY SACRIFICE!!! ANYONE WHO GETS CAUGHT UP IN IT IS AN IDIOT ANYWAY!! WE'LL BLOW THEM ALL AWAY AND ACHIEVE WORLD PEACE!!! THE CURRENT FLEET ADMIRAL-SENGOKU IS NAIVE... BUT I EXPECT THAT ADMIRAL AKAINU WOULD BE VERY INTERESTED IN MY WEAPON!!" In the lower section he continues, "HUMANS WON'T JUST SUDDENLY GROW LARGER, LIKE MAGIC. THAT'S WHAT I TOLD HIM...!! BUT IF HE WERE TO KIDNAP SOME KIDS, STILL IN THE MIDDLE OF GROWING, AND STUFF THEM FULL OF DRUGS...!! THAT GUY VEGAPUNK IS JUST JEALOUS OF MY GENIUS. SHURORORORO RO...!! I HEARD HE'S ONCE AGAIN FAILED WITH HIS GIGANTIFICATION PROJECT!!"

Someone yells desperately, "DON'T DO IT!! CAESAR!!" Caesar screams back, "STOP FUCKING AROUND!!" A voice declares, "I CAN NO LONGER STAND BY AND CONTINUE TO COVER UP FOR YOUR...ECCENTRICITIES. YOU'RE HEREBY BANISHED FROM THE SCIENCE DIVISION, CAESAR. WHAT THE HELL...!! VEGA-PUNK!" A massive explosion erupts with the giant onomatopoeic "ドドーン...!!" filling the panel. A colossal mushroom cloud rises from the ground as the chapter ends with the One Piece logo and "CH.684 /END".

Facility announcements read: "THE B TO D PASSAGE IS ALSO CLOSED." "THE B TO C PASSAGE IS CLOSING." "ENTRY FROM B-BLOCK IS NOW IMPOSSIBLE." Signs label areas: C-Block's "Garbage Can" side, D-Block production room near Smoker and Law, B-Block near the biscuit room with Zoro and Nami, and the middle of B-Block with Sanji and G-5. A G-5 Marine asks, "DID YOU SPEAK, JUST NOW!I" A massive impact SFX "ドーン!!" shakes the area. Luffy stares in shock at a small dragon-like creature that has appeared before him. "WH-WHAT'S THISI IT... IT IS I WHO SHOULD ASK- WHO ART THOU!!I WHAT ARE YOU!I" The creature has horns, scales, and a serpentine body.

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