Chapter 90: The Assault
After leaving the Sea of Fog, Noah and his crew did not immediately return to the Storm Archipelago. Instead, they continued wandering through the New World.
However, they weren't aimlessly drifting; they were headed toward Punk Hazard.
Although Punk Hazard was an island without a magnetic pull—meaning it couldn't be tracked by a Log Pose—this didn't mean Noah had no way of locating it.
The answer lay in Joshua's Rumble-Rumble Fruit. By amplifying the magnetic field from Thunder God Island, he meticulously scouted the seas near the entrance to the New World.
During this scan, Joshua detected the unique magnetic absence of Punk Hazard, marking its exact location on the sea chart.
Guided by sextant coordinates, the Nautilus, which could sail at high altitudes, avoided the interference of the New World's harsh weather.
A week later.
The Nautilus arrived soundlessly above Punk Hazard.
Under the cover of night, Noah and his team stealthily descended onto the island, landing in a mountain forest. This area was once a thriving ecosystem filled with fierce beasts before the devastating battle between Aokiji and Akainu.
Now, government and navy personnel were stationed on the island, with a research base established in the central area, similar in scale to its future state.
Using his powers, Vic swiftly led the group through the underground rock layers, quietly infiltrating the research base's interior.
Deep underground within the research base.
Noah used electromagnetic waves to hack into the signal system of the surveillance Den Den Mushis, giving him access to the security footage.
In the images simulated by the electromagnetic waves, Noah didn't find Vegapunk, which wasn't surprising. It was likely that Vegapunk was already working on Egghead Island.
Punk Hazard wasn't particularly safe either, given that it was from here that Kaido had once taken King away.
Currently overseeing research on Punk Hazard was none other than the infamous "human scum"—Caesar Clown.
Noah also noticed the artificial Pink Dragon Fruit stashed away in a secure chamber.
"Let's move!" Noah gave the order, and everyone sprang into action.
Simultaneously, Noah used electromagnetic interference to disable all Den Den Mushi communications on Punk Hazard.
Shiki and Vic took responsibility for eliminating the Navy and CP agents outside the base, while Ari handled any loose ends.
Noah, along with Kuro, Robin, Akainu, and Daz, took control of the base's interior.
In the chamber where the Pink Dragon Fruit was stored, Noah's group jumped in through a wormhole. He casually picked up the artificial Devil Fruit and stored it in a storage card.
Meanwhile, chaos had erupted throughout the research base.
The CP agents in the surveillance room were especially panicked, drenched in cold sweat. Not only were the surveillance Den Den Mushis showing static, but even the handheld communication Den Den Mushis and anti-eavesdropping Den Den Mushis had all lost signal.
"Captain! What do we do?" The CP2 squad captain, dressed in a black suit, looked grim. Suddenly, his gaze turned cold, and he thrust his finger into the forehead of his vice-captain.
The vice-captain fell to the ground, eyes wide in disbelief.
"This…"
The CP2 captain explained, "All of this is for the World Government. Both Philip and I have life papers stored at headquarters. If either of our life papers starts to burn, it'll signal that we're in grave danger here on Punk Hazard."
The other agents immediately began flattering him.
"As expected of our captain!"
"Philip's sacrifice is worthwhile."
"It's all for the World Government!"
Clap clap clap! Applause echoed from outside the surveillance room.
"You all did well!"
In a flash, the captain launched a Tempest Kick.
In the next instant, a figure silently appeared behind him.
Schlick! Sharp fingernails pierced the captain's back. He opened his eyes wide in shock, but before he could scream, his body quickly shriveled.
"Open fire—"
Schlick...
In the blink of an eye, the five agents in the room were reduced to desiccated corpses.
From the shadows, Kuro extinguished all the Den Den Mushis.
He had been fortunate—since Vic already possessed the Rock-Rock Fruit, he hadn't taken the Vampire Fruit.
Among the family members, Kuro, who had not yet eaten a Devil Fruit, had joined the group relatively early, possessed strong physical abilities, and was well-suited to the Vampire Fruit.
The Vampire Fruit had indeed lived up to its status as a Mythical Zoan, instantly elevating Kuro, who was already at a Rear Admiral level, to an elite Vice Admiral level. And this was only an initial boost—the fruit's immense potential could eventually push him to an Admiral-level strength.
For the CP2 captain, facing Kuro was a death sentence.
After dealing with the agents, Kuro swiftly reported back to Noah, informing him that CP2 headquarters might have already detected the incident on Punk Hazard.
Elsewhere.
Noah had reached the core of the research base.
Underfoot lay a beaten Caesar Clown, resembling a pile of sludge.
Upon receiving Kuro's report, Noah was not surprised; he had anticipated this outcome.
He gathered all the research staff, sealing them, then collected some valuable equipment before setting up a multitude of timed explosives.
Ten minutes later.
Shiki, holding a barely-conscious Vice Admiral, arrived with Ari, followed by Vic, who had completed his mission.
"Let's go!"
Everyone entered a wormhole, heading toward their secret base in the New World.
Not twenty minutes after Noah and his crew departed, a yellow light descended from the sky.
It was none other than the "firefighter"—Borsalino (Kizaru).
Taking in the destruction of the naval base, his face turned dark. Transforming into a beam of light, he arrived at the front entrance of the research base.
The doors to the base were still intact, a fact that only made Kizaru more uneasy.
It was too quiet.
With a laser, he sliced through the steel doors.
Yet the moment he opened them, he immediately shifted to his elemental form.
Boom boom boom...
As if he had triggered a switch, a series of violent explosions tore through the base's interior, reducing its facilities to rubble.
Kizaru's expression darkened completely.
The eerie and silent disappearance of the intruders reminded him of a similar encounter with a mysterious group in the South Blue.
Considering his speed, it had taken him no more than half an hour to reach Punk Hazard from Marineford. To have killed everyone, including a Vice Admiral and several CP2 captains, and to escape within half an hour—it had to be the work of the Enigma Organization. He couldn't think of anyone else with such capability.
Despite having a strong suspicion about the enemy's identity, Kizaru could only stare at the wreckage of Punk Hazard.
He chose not to pursue further. Instead, he contacted Navy Headquarters to report the situation, sharing his conjecture as well.
The Navy's high-ranking officials were silent upon hearing the news.
The Five Elders on Mary Geoise received the same report, their faces darkening in anger.
This incident at Punk Hazard had once again highlighted the terrifying threat posed by the Enigma Organization.
Not only did they possess powerful Logia members, but their remarkable mobility allowed them to strike at Navy bases or World Government territories with ease, leaving the government with almost no means to counter them.
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