The captain took a deep breath as he held the receiver of the transponder snail. His grin faded just slightly, replaced with focus. He knew the entire world was listening.
Luffy: Hello! My name is... Monkey D. Luffy! And I'm going to be King of the Pirates!
The resident sniper immediately shoved his face right into Luffy's cheek, nose pressed against him, eyes wide with irritation.
Ussop: That's what you choose to open with? What is wrong with you?
Luffy barely reacted, still gripping the receiver tightly.
Luffy: We have Dr. Vegapunk. All the Vegapunks, even. If you want to save York's life, clear the ships from the shore—every last one of them! My brother Ryo currently has his blade to her neck, so if you don't comply, he'll take her out on the spot!
York remained sprawled on the ground, crying and whining like a spoiled child denied what she wanted.
York: Come quick and save me! What are you doing, Five Elders?! Get me out of here, please! You don't understand! Straw Hat is a monster!
To the Marines listening in, it sounded disturbingly convincing. York's shrill cries painted a picture of torture and chaos. The image of Straw Hat Luffy as a menace only grew stronger.
High above the sea, aboard Big News Morgans' blimp, the albatross man flailed dramatically, nearly knocking over stacks of newspapers. The broadcast confirmed that Vivi and Wapol were currently with him for their uneasy alliance. Wapol and Morgans both looked at each other like Luffy had completely lost his mind.
Vivi, however, had never looked more worried.
Back on Egghead, Luffy's signature toothy grin returned as a new voice came through the snail. One of the Five Elders.
Elder: So you're Straw Hat Luffy, are you?
Luffy: That's right. Got a problem with that?
Ussop (distressed): Would you stop provoking them already?!
The Elder did not sound provoked in the slightest. His tone remained cold and measured.
Elder: Have you suffered any casualties in the lab? Who is still there with you?
Luffy scratched his cheek casually.
Luffy: Hmm, well, uh, a couple of people are hurt and—
Arms suddenly sprouted from his shoulders, torso, even his back, covering his mouth instantly.
Robin: Luffy, no.
With calm precision, she used her powers to hang up the transponder snail.
But the Elders had heard her voice.
Luffy pulled the hands away, blinking in confusion.
Luffy: Why'd you make me hang up?!
Robin folded her arms.
Robin: Intel is a weapon. You must never give it to your enemies.
Luffy: Oh. Right. Sorry.
Ryo walked over and gave him a firm pat on the back.
Ryo: Don't fret, Lu. You didn't tell them anything important, as far as we know.
The rubber captain brightened immediately, flashing a grin.
Luffy: But hey, the ships should be gone now, huh—
Ussop: Like hell they will! You think the Navy's that dumb?!
Nearby, Ryo and Zoro casually put away their weapons, no longer pressing threats against York. The tension eased, but only slightly.
Elsewhere, Saint Saturn made his decision.
Three things mattered: York's safety, the data stored within Punk Records, and the power plant producing the Mother Flame. Everything else was expendable.
When informed that Cipher Pol agents were still inside, Saturn's response was chilling.
Humans were to be regarded as insects. Even if some were exterminated, more would multiply.
Back on Egghead, York continued her hysterics.
York: You listen to me, you tiny terrorists! I made a pact with the Five Elders, you get it?! Hurt me and you die! What they'll do to this island will make Ohara look like fireworks!
The atmosphere shifted instantly.
Nami stepped forward, her expression cold.
She walked straight up to York, gripped her Climatact, and swung.
The impact echoed sharply as York was smacked across the head, a large bump immediately forming on her forehead.
York: That hurt! You're gonna pay! I'll sic the Elders on you first!
Nami: Yeah? Go right ahead! You're lucky that's all you got! How dare you say that in front of Robin! Keep your filthy mouth shut!
Ryo leaned against a nearby wall, calmly eating a chicken drumstick, watching it all unfold. His mind drifted back to earlier.
He had landed a devastating blow on S-Wolf with his Voltic Rapture technique. The strike had been powerful enough to knock the Seraphim unconscious—if only briefly. That small window had been enough for Nami to appear with the bubble gun.
The weapon fired a reinforced bubble that not only trapped the knockoff Hirito inside but nullified his Devil Fruit powers entirely, making escape impossible.
Apparently, S-Snake had turned Lilith and several of the Straw Hats to stone. But like the original Hancock, she had fallen for Luffy and freed them. Nami had taken Lilith's bubble gun, and together they captured the Seraphim.
Now the Seraphim were secured in the basement, guarded alongside the Cipher Pol agents.
Kaku lay heavily bandaged and injured, barely conscious. Lucci and Itsuki stood over him with their arms crossed, silent and watchful.
Ryo (thinking): Still don't trust them... but it's not like we have much of a choice right now.
Unfortunately, they were all still sealed inside by the Frontier Dome barrier. Escape was impossible unless it was deactivated. The passcode was required.
And only York knew it.
She wasn't talking.
Ryo (thinking): So we're trapped in here. Four of us are seriously injured. Two of Vegapunk's satellites are dead—Shaka and Pythagoras. This really isn't a good situation... and it'll only get worse from here, I'd bet. Dammit. And after Wano, too. I thought things might get easier. But now it's just incredibly complicated.
He stared down at the bone in his hand, thoughts growing heavier.
As Ryo drifted deeper into his contemplation, he had no idea how right he was.
Things were about to get worse.
A whole lot worse.
And that's a wrap
Another crap one, but what can you do
