A day had passed.
The sun hung high above the ocean, beating down on the ships gathered outside Egghead.
Nine Marine vessels floated in formation.
Their hulls rose and fell with the waves, the wood creaking whenever the water struck their sides. White foam gathered around the bows before being pulled away by the current. Salt had dried across the hulls, leaving pale streaks beneath the gunports.
The smell of the sea mixed with gunpowder.
Marines moved constantly across the decks.
Some checked rifles.
Others loaded cannon shells.
A few stood at the rails, staring toward the island.
Sweat ran down their faces beneath the midday heat.
Near the rear of one ship, a young Marine named Toma worked a brush across the deck.
He pushed it through a patch of dirt.
The bristles caught on a splinter.
Toma stopped and pulled the piece of wood free.
He flicked it over the rail.
It dropped into the ocean.
Toma sighed.
He reached for his canteen and took a drink.
The water was already warm.
He grimaced before lowering the bottle.
Then he looked toward Egghead.
The island sat beyond the fleet.
Clouds covered the upper portion, but the enormous dome rising above the island remained visible.
It glowed faintly.
A low hum rolled across the ocean.
It had been there for hours.
The sound was deep enough to vibrate through the ships.
Some Marines rubbed their jaws.
Others covered their ears.
None of them could escape it.
Toma stared at the dome.
"What the hell is that thing..."
A shadow passed beneath the water.
The ocean around the nearest ship began to bubble.
Several sailors noticed.
"Something's below us!"
The water erupted.
A massive beast emerged.
Green scales broke through the surface.
Water poured from its body as it rose high enough for its head to tower over the deck.
A metal plate covered part of its skull.
Its mouth opened.
Rows of teeth appeared.
The beast roared.
The sound shook the ship.
Marines stumbled backward.
Rifles came up.
Cannons were rotated toward it.
Then a calm voice came from the center of the deck.
"There's no need to make such a fuss."
Kizaru stood near the railing.
His yellow suit was untouched by the chaos.
His coat hung loosely from his shoulders.
In one hand he held a cup of tea.
He took one final sip.
Then placed the cup carefully on the rail.
A point of light formed at his fingertip.
The Marines stopped.
Kizaru raised his hand.
The light flashed.
A beam crossed the ocean.
It struck the beast in the head.
The explosion came immediately.
Water shot dozens of feet into the air.
Smoke spread across the surface.
The creature disappeared beneath the waves.
The water crashed against the Marine vessel, rocking it violently.
For several moments, everyone watched the bubbles rising where the beast had fallen.
Then the ocean became still.
Kizaru picked up his tea.
He took another sip.
A Den Den Mushi began ringing.
"Puru puru puru..."
A Marine hurried across the deck carrying the snail.
The small creature wore a miniature Marine coat.
The Marine stopped in front of Kizaru and bowed.
"Sir."
Kizaru accepted the receiver.
The snail's face changed.
Its features became angry.
Sentomaru's voice came through.
"Uncle!"
Kizaru sighed.
"Sentomaru."
"A beast died."
The anger in Sentomaru's voice was obvious.
"It was guarding the water. It was guarding the shore. You killed a creature protecting the people you're attacking."
Kizaru looked out across the ocean.
"The beast attacked the ship."
His voice remained calm.
"The men were frightened."
He raised the cup again.
"Orders exist, Sentomaru."
"They're attacking their own people," Sentomaru snapped.
"Orders come from the top."
There was silence on the line.
Then Sentomaru spoke again.
"Leave."
Kizaru's eyes lowered.
"Turn the ships around."
His grip tightened slightly around the cup.
"Sail away."
"A friend doesn't attack a friend."
Kizaru looked into the tea.
A single leaf floated on its surface.
"Food tastes better with a friend."
His voice was softer now.
"Noodles. Rice. A good meal."
He paused.
"The past is the past."
"Today is today."
Sentomaru didn't answer.
Kizaru continued.
"There is a job."
His expression remained unreadable.
"And the job hasn't changed."
"Vegapunk did nothing wrong."
"I know."
"Then why?"
Kizaru stared at the island.
"Right and wrong don't matter once orders are given."
His voice dropped.
"Believe me, I don't feel good about it."
He rubbed his stomach.
"My heart feels heavy."
He gave a quiet sigh.
"My stomach feels worse."
Then he looked toward the dome again.
"But a job is a job."
Sentomaru's answer came immediately.
"An axe is waiting, Uncle."
Kizaru's eyes narrowed.
"It'll strike."
"I know."
The line went silent.
Kizaru lowered the receiver.
The Den Den Mushi returned to its normal expression.
A Marine stepped forward and took it.
Kizaru finished his tea.
He looked at Egghead.
The hum continued.
Deep inside the Marine fleet, in a room where no sunlight entered, another conversation was taking place.
The curtains over the round windows were drawn shut.
An oil lamp burned on a desk.
The room smelled faintly of oil and old paper.
Jaygarcia Saturn sat in a leather chair.
His hands rested on the top of his cane.
A map of Egghead lay open before him.
Doberman stood near the door.
His back was straight.
"The beast was killed," Doberman reported.
Saturn didn't look up.
"A beast is a beast."
His voice was quiet.
"Lower the flag."
Doberman frowned.
"Hide the ships."
Saturn tapped the cane against the floor.
"Nobody outside this fleet needs to know what happens here."
Tap.
Tap.
Tap.
"The world sleeps."
Doberman remained still.
"The Marines know we're here."
Saturn looked up.
"What do they know?"
"They know pirates are on the island."
Doberman paused.
"They know Dr. Vegapunk is on the island."
Another pause.
"They know the copies are there."
"Pacifistas."
"Yes."
"They know the barrier is active."
Doberman's expression hardened.
"And Cipher Pol agents remain inside."
Saturn's eyes moved toward him.
"What about the civilians?"
"The workers evacuated yesterday."
"All of them?"
"Most."
"Where did they go?"
"Boats left the island."
Doberman continued.
"Families were among them. Builders. Technicians."
Saturn's fingers tightened around the cane.
"They saw the laboratory."
Doberman said nothing.
"They saw the records."
Saturn's voice became colder.
"They may know things they should not know."
Doberman hesitated.
"The records contain information about the Void Century."
Saturn nodded.
"Knowledge spreads."
He looked at the map.
"Knowledge becomes questions."
His eyes hardened.
"Questions become rebellion."
He lifted the cane.
"Fire the cannons."
Doberman's gaze changed.
"Sir?"
"Sink the evacuation boats."
Saturn spoke without emotion.
"Hunt down the workers."
Doberman remained silent.
"The families too."
A long pause followed.
"The workers walked through this island."
Saturn's voice was flat.
"They saw the books."
"The books must not survive."
"Kill them."
Doberman lowered his head.
"Understood."
A knock sounded.
Doberman turned.
"Enter."
The door opened.
A Marine sailor stepped inside.
He saluted.
"A small vessel has arrived."
Doberman frowned.
"Who?"
"Cipher Pol."
The sailor swallowed.
"They're requesting entry."
Doberman looked toward Saturn.
Saturn gave a small wave.
"Go."
Doberman left.
He climbed the stairs.
When he opened the upper door, sunlight struck his face.
He blinked.
Kaku stood on the deck.
The former CP0 agent was covered in dirt.
His breathing was still heavy.
He was carrying a body.
Doberman's eyes narrowed.
The body belonged to Rob Lucci.
His eyes were closed.
A large swelling covered the top of his head.
Bandages were wrapped around his chest.
Kaku carefully placed him on the deck.
Lucci groaned.
Doberman stared.
"Report."
Kaku wiped his forehead.
"Straw Hat hits hard."
He glanced down at Lucci.
"Very hard."
Lucci muttered something unintelligible.
Kaku sighed.
"One clean punch landed."
He pointed at Lucci.
"That was enough."
Doberman stared.
"Lucci lost?"
"Immediately."
Kaku gave a tired shrug.
"He hit the ground and stayed there."
Stussy stood nearby, brushing dust from her sleeve.
"The other agents?"
"Trapped inside."
Kaku's tone became more serious.
"They couldn't reach the escape route."
Stussy stepped forward.
"We found a way out through a secondary route. A small vessel was still available on the shore."
She looked toward Egghead.
"The information reached us first."
Doberman's eyes narrowed.
"What information?"
"Sentomaru is still on the island."
Kaku continued.
"He commands the sea beasts."
"He commands the Pacifistas."
"The barrier remains active."
"And the pirates are still inside."
Doberman frowned.
He turned away.
Then walked down the stairs.
He returned to the dark room.
Saturn was still seated.
Doberman gave the report.
Saturn listened.
There was no surprise.
No anger.
Only calculation.
---
Inside the dome of Egghead, time moved quietly.
A clock ticked against a white wall.
Tick.
Tick.
Tick.
A small room smelled of paper and cold coffee.
A metal table occupied the center.
Ben sat in a chair.
He held a glass of water.
He took a drink.
The cold liquid slipped down his throat.
He placed the glass on the table.
A ring of condensation remained on the metal.
Across from him sat York.
She occupied a soft chair.
A box of crackers rested on her lap.
She reached inside.
Crunch.
She chewed.
Crunch.
She swallowed.
Then reached for another.
Edison floated nearby.
The small fan inside him spun constantly.
Whirr.
Whirr.
A black Den Den Mushi rested on the table.
It was sleeping.
Ben watched it.
Then tapped a finger against the metal.
The black snail opened its eyes.
"Puru puru puru..."
Its body changed.
The features of the Five Elders appeared across its face.
Ben pointed toward York.
York nodded.
She picked up the receiver.
"Hello."
An old voice answered.
"York."
York smiled.
"I'm listening."
"Lower the barrier."
York's expression remained neutral.
"Allow the Marines onto the island."
York looked toward Ben.
He gave a small nod.
"I can do that."
She spoke into the receiver.
"I can press the controls."
"The barrier will fall."
The voice on the other end seemed satisfied.
"Good."
Then the old voice asked:
"Where are the pirates?"
York lowered her eyes.
"They're here."
"And the Cipher Pol agents?"
York trembled deliberately.
"Straw Hat is too strong."
She made her voice smaller.
"He defeated Lucci."
"He hit him once."
Her hands shook.
"The agents ran."
"I'm hiding."
"I can't fight them."
Silence followed.
The clock continued.
Tick.
Tick.
Tick.
Then the voice returned.
"Can you create the weapon."
York looked at Ben.
"The Mother flame?"
"Yes."
"Build it."
York nodded.
"The machines are here."
"The power source is here."
"The laboratory can build it."
She paused.
"But there was an agreement."
The voice went silent.
"A promise."
Ben watched her carefully.
"Do not break the laboratory."
York spoke slowly.
"The laboratory contains the equipment."
"Agreed."
"Do not destroy the body."
"Agreed."
York smiled.
"One more thing."
She looked nervous again.
"Save my body."
Her voice trembled.
"The pirates are dangerous."
"They may kill me."
A pause.
"Save York."
The answer came.
"Understood."
The connection ended.
The snail closed its eyes.
York placed the receiver down.
Then immediately reached into a bag beside her.
She pulled out a sweet bun.
She took a bite.
Ben picked up the glass.
He finished the water.
Then placed the empty glass beside the snail.
On the Marine ship outside, Kizaru held another Den Den Mushi.
He had listened to the entire conversation.
The snail clicked.
He placed it inside his pocket.
Then walked away from the railing.
He descended the stairs and entered Saturn's room.
Saturn remained seated.
Doberman stood nearby.
"The conversation is over," Saturn said.
Kizaru nodded.
"Three objectives."
Saturn raised three fingers.
"First."
He lowered one.
"York."
"She survives."
A second finger.
"The laboratory."
"All records and equipment."
A third.
"The power source."
His eyes hardened.
"That creates the weapon."
Doberman stepped forward.
"What about the trapped agents?"
Saturn looked at him.
"They followed orders."
"Should we rescue them?"
"No."
Doberman frowned.
"They are Cipher Pol."
"Then they fulfilled their purpose."
Saturn's voice remained emotionless.
"Agents can be replaced."
He tapped his cane.
"Brains cannot."
"Power sources cannot."
"Laboratories cannot."
His gaze became colder.
"The men are expendable."
Doberman lowered his head.
"Understood."
Saturn turned toward Kizaru.
"The dome."
"The barrier."
"The light."
Kizaru adjusted his glasses.
"Light goes through walls."
He gave a lazy smile.
"The barrier won't stop me forever."
"Then enter."
Saturn's voice was firm.
"Find York."
"Secure the objective."
Kizaru was quiet for a moment.
Then he spoke.
"There's Sentomaru."
Saturn stared at him.
"The boy?"
"Yes."
"He commands the beasts."
"He'll try to stop me."
"Ignore him."
Kizaru shook his head.
"I can't."
Saturn's eyes narrowed.
"Why?"
"He's my friend."
There was no smile on Kizaru's face now.
"He'll see me."
"He knows why we're here."
"And if I simply fly over him..."
Kizaru looked toward the door.
"...he'll order the Pacifistas to attack the fleet."
Saturn considered it.
"Then defeat him."
Kizaru sighed.
"I was hoping you'd say something easier."
"The fight will begin."
Kizaru smiled faintly.
"Looks like it."
Saturn turned away.
"Prepare the fleet."
Kizaru bowed.
He left the room.
Moments later, he emerged onto the upper deck.
The sun was still bright.
The wind moved through the sails.
The Marines waited.
Kizaru looked across the fleet.
Then he raised his voice.
"Battle stations."
Horns sounded.
Men began moving immediately.
Boots thundered across the decks.
Cannon crews took position.
Riflemen formed lines.
Nine Vice Admirals stepped forward.
Their white coats moved in the wind.
Swords were drawn.
Metal caught the sunlight.
"Engage the sea beasts!"
One Vice Admiral shouted.
"Prepare for the Pacifistas!"
Another voice answered.
"Wait for the signal!"
On the island, Sentomaru heard the horns.
He tightened his grip on his axe.
The weapon felt familiar in his hand.
He stared across the water.
Nine Marine ships.
Thousands of men.
A fleet preparing to attack.
Sentomaru raised one hand.
Then brought it down.
"Defend the island!"
The ocean answered.
Water erupted.
Ten enormous sea beasts rose from the waves.
Metal plates covered portions of their bodies.
Their tails smashed the water.
The Marine ships rocked violently.
On the shore, Pacifistas began marching forward.
Their black bodies reflected the sunlight.
They resembled Kuma.
They moved without hesitation.
Their hands raised.
Their targets locked onto the fleet.
Their mouths opened.
Light began gathering.
A Marine captain saw the movement.
"Fire!"
Cannons roared.
Smoke rolled across the decks.
Iron cannonballs tore through the sky.
One struck a sea beast.
The creature screamed.
Its enormous tail swung.
It crashed into the side of a Marine vessel.
Wood exploded.
The hull cracked.
Water rushed through the opening.
Marines were thrown into the ocean.
Elsewhere, a Pacifista fired.
A beam of light crossed the water.
It struck a mast.
The mast erupted into flames.
Canvas caught fire.
Ash drifted across the deck.
A Vice Admiral launched himself from the ship.
His feet struck the air.
Geppo carried him over the waves.
He landed on the back of a sea beast.
His sword swung.
The blade cut through scales.
Blood splashed across the water.
Another Vice Admiral landed beside a Pacifista.
His fist struck its metal frame.
CLANG!
The Pacifista staggered.
But remained standing.
Across the fleet, the battle spread.
Cannons.
Beams.
Roars.
Explosions.
The ocean became a battlefield.
Kizaru watched from the deck.
His expression remained unreadable.
He looked toward the shore.
Then sighed.
"I suppose it's time."
Light surrounded his body.
He disappeared.
A golden streak crossed the ocean.
It reached the island.
Then slammed into the ground.
Dust erupted.
Kizaru stepped out of the cloud.
Across the grass stood Sentomaru.
His axe rested against his shoulder.
The noise of the battle continued behind them.
For a moment, neither moved.
Then Sentomaru spoke.
"Uncle."
Kizaru looked at him.
"Sentomaru."
The axe rose.
Light gathered around Kizaru.
The two stared at one another.
The friendship was still there.
So was the duty.
Neither man stepped backward.
Sentomaru tightened his grip.
Kizaru lowered his stance.
The waiting was over.
The battle for Egghead had begun.