Chapter 146 Egghead to Empire

New World – Crimson Empire

On Top of the Adam Tree

"Oi, Kizaru! You sure you saw that right?" Garp squinted at the distant island, disbelief etched across his face.

Kizaru pursed his lips in mock offense, then shrugged. "Maa~ don't joke around, Garp-san. Even if my eyesight were failing, I wouldn't mistake that. I spent years getting poked and prodded in Vegapunk's labs—I know his base when I see it."

"So… what now?" Momousagi asked, fingers twitching slightly.

This was supposed to be a routine visit to the Crimson Empire, yet somehow, they had walked straight into another political nightmare. If they just stood by while Buggy pulled something insane, it would make the Marines look weak.

Worse still, if things went south, could they even make it out of here in one piece?

"No choice. We have to check it out." Sengoku exhaled sharply, adjusting his glasses. His tone was firm, the voice of a former Fleet Admiral who had seen too much to take chances. "Regardless of the circumstances, Vegapunk is too valuable. If he's been taken, even with just the four of us, we have to secure his escape."

"And what if he wasn't taken?" Garp asked, arms crossed.

Sengoku's eye twitched. "What are you getting at?"

Garp scoffed. "What if he came here on his own?"

"Ridiculous!" Sengoku snapped. "Why the hell would Vegapunk willingly join a pirate nation?!"

Garp grinned. "Have you seen any country in the world that can rival the Crimson Empire?"

Sengoku's teeth were clenched. "Garp! If you'd just keep your mouth shut, no one would think you were stupid!"

"Cheh!" Garp snorted, flicking a booger away like he couldn't be bothered.

Kizaru and Momousagi exchanged glances before sighing in resignation.

Sengoku was right. Vegapunk's defection—if that's what this was—could shake the very foundations of the world. If the World Government caught wind of this, a war would be inevitable.

There was no time to waste.

With that thought, the four veterans took action.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Sengoku, Garp, and Momousagi leaped into the air, their legs kicking off the atmosphere as they shot forward using Geppo (Moonwalk).

A golden blur streaked past them in an instant—Kizaru had already transformed into light, zipping toward the floating island far ahead.

Whoooosh!!!

Below, the kings of the underground world watched in stunned silence before breaking into frantic whispers.

"Wait… was that Garp the Hero?! Am I seeing things?!"

"No, you're not! I heard they arrived last night and were personally received by Imperial Marine Marshal Fa!"

"Oof. This is about to get real messy…"

"We're looking at an insane lineup—Marine Hero Garp, former Fleet Admiral Sengoku, current Admiral Kizaru, and Admiral candidate Momousagi. That's enough firepower to obliterate an entire country!"

"Buggy's done for."

"Done for? Are you insane?! He crushed the Two Emperors Alliance a year ago and wiped out Kaido and Big Mom! You think just four Marines can take him down?"

"Heh… Either way, this is gonna be one hell of a show. I need to get this to Morgans—this is front-page news!"

The New World, Crimson Empire.

Atop the Adam Tree, Uta's nerves were on edge as she grabbed the Den Den Mushi and dialed.

The line connected, and Buggy's familiar voice came through, steady yet carrying his usual air of amusement.

"Oh? Uta! What's got you calling your dear uncle so urgently?"

She nearly yelled into the receiver. "Uncle, this is serious! The Marine big shots you entertained last night—they're all heading straight for you!"

Buggy hummed, clearly unfazed. "Oh? And why would that be?"

Her frustration spiked. "They claim they saw Vegapunk's experimental base! Are you out of your mind?! Did you actually bring him here?!"

Buggy remained maddeningly calm. "First, keep track of their movements."

"Second, Vegapunk wasn't kidnapped—he came here on his own. The government was going to eliminate him, so he sought refuge with us. And third, even if we had taken him, it wouldn't change a thing."

Uta faltered. "What do you mean?"

Buggy's smirk was practically audible. His next words, spoken in the most casual tone, sent a chill down her spine.

"Because we're about to become enemies of the world. We're declaring war on the World Government."

The line went dead.

Uta sat frozen. This couldn't be real. She grabbed the Den Den Mushi again. "Blueno! Get over here! Pick me up—I need to see this for myself!"

In the skies above, Kizaru shot forward in a streak of golden light.

A bolt of blue lightning crashed down in his path.

As the light faded, a figure floated in midair, legs crossed, golden staff twirling in one hand.

Enel smirked, resting his cheek on his fist. "Yo~ If it isn't Marine Admiral Borsalino. Long time no see. What brings you to our little empire?"

Kizaru's gaze sharpened. "In just two years, you've taken that fruit this far? That's scary~."

Then, in a slow drawl, "But I'm not here to cause trouble. That island you moved—it's Vegapunk's base. Since we happen to be sightseeing in the Crimson Empire, it's only natural for me to check things out, right?"

Enel raised an eyebrow. "Ohhh? Not looking for trouble? Well then, that makes things simple."

He gestured lazily. "If you have questions, go ahead—speak directly with Captain Buggy or Vice Captain Gabban."

A crackle of electricity.

Enel disappeared in a flash, reappearing high above on a floating island. For a split second, Kizaru lost track of him. His expression darkened. That wasn't normal.

Gabban was already a terrifying force, but after eating the Fuwa Fuwa no mi, his strength had ascended to an entirely new level.

It was no exaggeration to say that he now possessed power on par with the Four Emperors.

Yet despite that, he still served as Buggy's right-hand man—an undeniable testament to just how fearsome Buggy had become.

And now, Enel's power had transformed as well.

This time, Kizaru didn't feel nearly as composed as he had two years ago when facing him. A vague but unmistakable sense of danger radiated from Enel, setting off alarms in Kizaru's Observation Haki.

If his instincts were warning him, then there was no doubt—this threat was real.

The strength of the Buggy Pirates had become an enigma, growing more unfathomable with each passing day.

Bullet.

And that fallen angel, Doringo—another awakened Mythical Zoan. Together, they were already a force that could challenge the entirety of Marine Headquarters.

Not just in high-end combat power, but across the board.

After the war in Wano two years ago, the Navy established a golden rule:

Never engage the Buggy Pirates in large-scale warfare. If a battle broke out, regular Marines—even officers—would be nothing more than fuel for the enemy's fire.

Against Buggy, a man who could tear through hundreds of thousands of opponents and only grow stronger in the process, Marine's numerical advantage was meaningless.

And now, there was another problem.

Buggy had a navy of his own.

With the annexation of Fish-Man Island, it was only natural that he now commanded an elite force capable of annihilating fleets from beneath the waves.

The World Government had speculated as much. And when war finally erupted, their fears were confirmed. Fish-Man Island had provided Buggy with a formidable underwater fleet.

Their captain—Sunbell.

Their vice-captain—Jinbei.

Against such a force beneath the sea, even the World Government could do nothing but accept its helplessness.

A thousand different calculations ran through Kizaru's mind, weighing risk and opportunity.

But by the time he refocused, Enel had already disappeared.

He blinked.

"Eh? He's just letting me pass like this?" Kizaru was genuinely surprised.

Still, he didn't dwell on it. Garp and Sengoku were right behind him. No real cause for concern.

With that, he resumed his flight toward the floating island. As he neared, his gaze locked onto a familiar sight.

Vegapunk.

Standing beside him, deep in discussion, was Gabban.

And just behind them—five identical clones. Kizaru's expression tightened. It was him. And judging from the scene before him…

He hadn't been kidnapped at all.

Gabban, Mid-conversation with Vegapunk about the island's placement, suddenly turned his head toward Kizaru.

A look of surprise crossed his face.

"Oh? Kizaru? What brings you here?" He tilted his head.

"Ah, right—I remember now. The Marines sent an old group to sightsee in the Crimson Empire, didn't they?"

A slow grin spread across Gabban's face. "How is it? Enjoying your trip?" His tone was casual, almost mocking.

Kizaru sighed. "Well… the scenery's lovely. The people seem to be thriving. Peaceful. Prosperous." He trailed off, eyes narrowing behind his shades.

Kizaru had barely gotten halfway through his sentence when he realized he wasn't there to chat about the scenery. Rubbing his forehead, he let out a long sigh.

"No, no, that's not what I came to say." His usual sluggish tone held a hint of exasperation as he gestured toward the floating island.

"I came to ask—how the hell did you move Egghead Island all the way here?"

His gaze shifted to the eccentric scientist before him.

"And Dr. Vegapunk… what's going on here? Since when does the government let you just run off on sightseeing trips?"

"Oh, Kizaru!" Vegapunk, who had been scanning the surroundings through a telescope, finally took notice of him. He gave a casual nod before going right back to observing the terrain.

Even though Kizaru had long grown used to Vegapunk's eccentricities, the corner of his mouth twitched in irritation.

Before Kizaru could say another word, one of Vegapunk's clones stepped forward—Shaka, the embodiment of logic. With a polite nod, he addressed the admiral in a measured tone.

"Admiral Kizaru, allow me to clarify the situation."

Adjusting his sleek visor, Shaka continued, his voice calm and authoritative.

"The original is… preoccupied at the moment. Given the circumstances, I suspect he has chosen to disregard any input from the World Government. A subconscious defense mechanism, perhaps."

Kizaru raised an eyebrow. "And why would he be doing that?"

In his mind, the World Government had always treated Vegapunk as its most prized asset.

Hell, they spent more money on him than they did on the entire Marine force every year!

The logical Vegapunk simply spread his hands. "Because the World Government is trying to kill us."

For a brief moment, Kizaru just stared. Then, finally, he blinked. "Ehh…?"

"Think about it," Shaka continued, unfazed. "Were we supposed to just sit around and wait for them to wipe us out? If they suddenly decided to issue a Buster Call on Egghead Island, the amount of knowledge and technology that would be lost would be catastrophic."

He shook his head. "So after a thorough analysis, the original body concluded. We needed protection. And so, we sought out the Buggy Pirates."

Kizaru tilted his head, still processing. "And why them?"

"Because the original body has seen firsthand the prosperity of the Crimson Empire."

The clone's voice remained perfectly composed, as if he were simply presenting a research paper. "Scientific progress requires a stable environment and a generous sponsor. The Marines, as an extension of the World Government, cannot provide us with that stability. You follow orders—you don't have the authority to defy the World Government's will."

He adjusted his visor again. "That left us with two viable options: Join the Buggy Pirates or seek asylum within the Crimson Empire."

A beat passed. Then, he concluded. "The original body ultimately chose the Crimson Empire."

Silence.

Kizaru didn't even know how to respond. Before arriving, he had already run through countless possibilities in his mind.

But this? This was not one of them.

While he stood there, struggling to find words, Garp, Sengoku, and Momousagi finally arrived.

And upon hearing Vegapunk's reasoning, they, too, fell silent.

Because… Who could blame him?

If someone knew they were being targeted for elimination, it was only natural that they would try to escape. Vegapunk had simply chosen the most logical path for survival.

So now the question was—what were they supposed to do about it?

Would they try to bring him back by force?

Besides, the World Government hadn't even issued an official order yet. Without that, they had no justification to act.

Garp let out a loud, boisterous laugh, cutting through the tension like a sword through paper. "Puhahahaha! Why are you all so worked up?"

Unlike Sengoku, Kizaru, and Momousagi, who wore serious expressions, Garp seemed entirely unbothered. He grinned as he slapped his knee.

"The World Government hasn't even issued a warrant yet, so why should we be the ones rushing to handle this mess? Sengoku, have you forgotten? We're here on Vacation!" His voice carried a teasing edge as he crossed his arms. "If anyone starts trouble now, it's hard to say who's looking for a fight."

As he spoke, his Observation Haki subtly expanded, picking up several powerful auras and locking onto them from the shadows.

And these weren't just any presences. Each one was at least on the level of an Admiral. Even for someone like Garp, that was enough to make him wary.

But more than that…

Among those countless unseen gazes, one particular aura stood out.

Familiar. Steady. A presence that no one else here would recognize—but Garp knew it better than anyone.

Dragon.

His son was here. A slow smirk crept onto his face. Well, wasn't that interesting?

Sengoku, Kizaru, and Momousagi, hearing Garp's words, immediately heightened their awareness.

And what they sensed sent a cold chill down their spines.

Massive waves of Observation Haki washed over them, each presence radiating overwhelming strength.

They had never heard of—let alone encountered—such an absurd level of power all gathered in one place.

The Buggy Pirates… just how much had they grown?

The thought sent an uneasy ripple through Sengoku's mind.

After all, there were only so many Admiral-level powerhouses in the world.

And yet, the Buggy Pirates seemed to have several.

Standing right in front of them, relaxed and unbothered, was Scopper Gaban—once the right-hand man of the Pirate King himself. A master of Armament Haki, someone whose physical prowess had already been monstrous even in Roger's era.

And now?

Now, he had consumed the Fuwa Fuwa no mi, which would only make an already terrifying man even more formidable.

Sengoku and Marines exchanged glances. The silent agreement was passed between them in an instant.

Do not provoke them. They weren't here to start a fight.

Sengoku, ever the strategist, was the first to pivot.

His expression shifted smoothly, and he let out a dry chuckle.

"Well then, Gabban, I hear your Crimson Empire has the most secure prison in the world. What do you say—care to give us a little tour?"

Gabban didn't even hesitate.

"No problem."

With a casual shrug, he raised his wrist and pressed a button on a Den Den Mushi strapped to it.

A moment later, a deep, composed voice came through the receiver. "Mr. Gabban? Need something?"

It was Blueno.

Gabban relayed the request in a few brief words.

Blueno hummed in understanding before responding.

"Got it. I'll be there in a second."

A low, mechanical clunk echoed.

Then—

Creak.

A door of swirling darkness materialized out of thin air. And through it, Blueno stepped out. With a small nod, he gestured for them to follow.

"Right this way."

Without another word, he turned, opening another shimmering door of compressed air.

As they stepped through, the world shifted around them—

And in mere seconds, they found themselves standing before the iron gates of the SMILE Mineral Drug Prison.

After Blueno had signaled to the guards, he turned to Sengoku and the others.

"You'll need to put these on."

He handed each of them a gas mask. No further explanation was given, but the silent expectation was clear—if they wanted to proceed, they had to comply.

Once the masks were secured, Blueno led them inside.

Immediately, the air was thick with despair.

"AHH! It hurts! Just kill me already!"

"Let me out! I swear, I won't commit another crime!"

"Damn you, Buggy the Clown! Damn the Crimson Empire! You'll all pay for this!"

"Hahahaha! I can't take it anymore!"

The anguished screams echoed through the dimly lit corridor. Prisoners gripped the iron bars of their cells, their voices hoarse from constant wailing.

Even Garp, Sengoku, and the others—men who had seen the horrors of Impel Down firsthand—found themselves frowning.

There were no visible injuries. No signs of physical torture. Yet, the prisoners looked like they were suffering beyond reason.

Blueno, ever composed, explained in a matter-of-fact tone:

"These inmates were once members of the Beasts Pirates. Murderers. Marauders. People who left behind mountains of corpses in their wake."

"We established this prison to cut down on crime. Not a single innocent person is locked up here—they are all monsters who once thrived on the suffering of others."

His voice remained calm, unwavering.

"And before you ask—no, we do not torture them. We do not lay a hand on them. They are merely experiencing the same agony that the people of Wano once endured."

A heavy silence fell over the group.

Sengoku narrowed his eyes. "What do you mean?"

Blueno's expression remained neutral. "They've been exposed to the same toxins that once spread across Wano during the operation of Kaido's SMILE factories."

At his words, the realization struck.

SMILE.

The artificial Devil Fruits that had cursed so many in Wano. The same fruits that left people grinning like madmen, unable to express sorrow even in their darkest moments.

The poison that came from their production had left countless innocents writhing in agony.

And now… these criminals were enduring that same suffering.

Sengoku clenched his fists. Even if these prisoners were scum, something about this still sat uneasily with him.

But before he could voice his thoughts—

"WAIT A DAMN MINUTE!" Momousagi's voice rang out, sharp and furious.

Everyone turned to see her standing rigid, her eyes locked on a single cell.

Behind the rusted iron bars—

A child.

Curled up in the corner, trembling. A boy, no older than eight or nine, his face pale, his body frail.

Momousagi's expression twisted in anger.

"You claim that everyone in here is a criminal? Then explain why there's a child locked up in this hellhole!"

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