Punk Hazard.
"Great Eruption!!!"
"Ice Block: Pheasant Beak!!!"
"Hellhound!!!"
"Ice Ball!!!"
"Hound Blaze!!!"
"Ice Saber!!!"
The ground transformed into a terrifying mix of biting cold ice and blistering hot magma. Two towering figures clashed violently; shattered chunks of ice flew everywhere, some melting instantly, while numerous magma fists pounded the ground into a state of utter desolation.
"The Navy absolutely cannot be entrusted to you!"
Kuzan, holding an Ice Saber, had a look of extreme seriousness on his usually lazy face.
"Only by letting me lead the Navy can we truly spread Justice across the entire world!"
Sakazuki's whole body was wreathed in rolling molten rock, making him look like a volcanic eruption personified.
Rumble…
The ground shook relentlessly. The land within the vicinity continuously turned into magma or was covered by dense ice.
On a nearby sea.
A dozen or so Navy warships were anchored on the sea surface.
"I never thought it would escalate to this extent!"
On a special-grade battleship, Sengoku stared at the distant island, where frigid ice and scorching magma coexisted.
Crunch…
"This is their own choice," Garp said, holding a bag of rice crackers and stuffing his face.
"No matter who wins, I have a bad feeling about this," Sengoku said, rubbing his forehead, his expression grim.
"You're an old geezer who's already retired; why do you still care so much?" Garp scoffed.
"I'm about to retire! I haven't retired yet!" Sengoku snapped back. "How am I supposed to retire before the new Fleet Admiral is appointed? You think everyone is as carefree as you are!"
On another warship, which was Navy-issue but flew the World Government's flag, a middle-aged man in a silver-gray suit stood on the bow deck, looking at the scene on Punk Hazard Island through a telescope.
This man was a high-ranking official of the World Government, observing the duel on behalf of the upper echelons, led by the Gorosei. Since they supported Sakazuki, they naturally hoped he would win.
"As expected of the Supreme Commanders, the Admirals! They truly are monsters!"
"It looks like even the ground has been turned into magma and ice. Could it be that the island's geography will be permanently altered after this fight?!"
The World Government official gasped in astonishment. The surrounding CP agents were also wide-eyed, cold sweat pouring down their backs.
Deep inside the island's mountain, in a secret laboratory.
Gulp…
"M-Monsters…"
Caesar watched the monitor footage, cold sweat streaming down his forehead, gulping constantly. His body occasionally turned into gas and then solidified again, trembling fearfully.
The institute, which shook constantly, only added to his terror. Six or seven of the thirty-plus monitors had already gone black.
"Damn it! Bastards! Curses!"
"Why did they choose here of all places?! Am I, a world-class scientist, going to die here?!"
"Ah, you two jerks! There are so many wonderful things I haven't enjoyed yet!"
Caesar clutched his head and wailed.
Pere pere pere... Pere pere pere...
Suddenly, a red Den Den Mushi that looked like it was wearing a pink feather coat began to ring on a circular platform behind Caesar.
"Joker! Save me!"
Caesar quickly turned and answered the call, letting out a shriek like a pig being slaughtered.
"Fuffuffuffu~ You seem to be alive and well!" Doflamingo's voice came through the Den Den Mushi.
"Joker! Don't joke around! Save me! I don't want to die here!" Caesar grabbed the Den Den Mushi, his voice trembling with terror.
"Relax. The place you're in is deep inside the mountain, practically underground. Unless they aim directly at the laboratory itself, it's impossible for them to hurt you," Doflamingo said in a drawn-out, soothing tone.
Then, his voice changed, becoming cold: "Or, do you expect me to rescue you right under the noses of two Navy Admirals? You should know the surrounding sea is completely blockaded by the Navy. The observers include Sengoku, Garp, several Vice Admirals, and high-ranking officials from the World Government!"
"Staying inside the laboratory is the safest option, Caesar!"
Hearing Doflamingo's words, Caesar's eyes nearly popped out in surprise. He hadn't realized that in addition to the two dueling Admirals, there were numerous Navy powerhouses on the island, including Fleet Admiral Sengoku and Hero Garp.
"J-Joker, you can't abandon me!" Caesar cried with a long face.
"Rest easy. I won't let anything happen to you!" Doflamingo reassured him gently.
Click.
The Den Den Mushi hung up.
High above Punk Hazard.
Doflamingo's face was ashen. Standing in mid-air on nearly invisible strings, he coldly watched Punk Hazard below.
"Completely changing the geography and temperature... Logia users truly are exaggerated," Aeridar said, standing suspended in the air beside him, clicking his tongue as he watched with interest.
"Caesar is safe for now. You have instantaneous movement; can you figure out a way to get him out?" Doflamingo turned and asked.
"Me?"
Aeridar pointed at himself, staring at Doflamingo in astonishment: "You have too much faith in me."
Aeridar's instantaneous movement ability works by using his Devil Fruit power to compress the surrounding air and envelop his entire body, allowing for an incredibly fast, instantaneous burst—the principle is similar to Kuma's ability to 'send' things away. It truly appears to be a space shift over short distances, instantly covering the gap.
However, over a long distance, it's different. This was evident when Luffy was sent flying by Kuma to Ruskaina Island; he flew for three full days.
If it were true space transfer, no matter how far the distance, whether in an open field or a house, he would arrive in the blink of an eye.
Therefore, if Aeridar wanted to use his instantaneous movement to enter the lab, he would have to violently smash through the outer mountain wall and the laboratory's interior walls, which would certainly give away his presence.
Even if he hovered outside and tried to sneak in, the chances of being discovered were still very high.
"Tch. Damn it!"
Doflamingo coldly snorted in annoyance. "Of all the places in the world, they had to choose this one. It's truly infuriating!"
He had been following Aeridar's example, investing in talented scientists, and had poured a significant amount of capital into the artificial Devil Fruit project.
Moreover, the artificial Devil Fruits involved his crucial dealings with the Beasts Pirates and his future strategic layout; the project was absolutely vital and could not be compromised.
His reason for bringing Aeridar to witness this today was not only for the artificial Devil Fruit deal but also to leverage his power to deter unscrupulous individuals in the Underworld, and even make the Beasts Pirates wary.
However, the prerequisite for all of this was that Caesar remain alive, because besides Vegapunk, only Caesar could produce the raw material for artificial Zoan Devil Fruits—'SAD'!
Losing Caesar would mean all of Doflamingo's arrangements and investments would go down the drain.
While he was delighted to see such a major conflict erupt within the Navy, having the conflict happen right on top of his operation made him feel truly cursed.
"The speed of this is too fast! They decide to duel just like that, without even giving me time to prepare!" Doflamingo's forehead was throbbing with veins, and his fists were tightly clenched.
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