A flash of light—
And Kizaru appeared inside the lab.
Nami, Usopp, and Brook screamed instantly. Vegapunk, Atlas, and Edison recoiled in pure shock as the Admiral materialized between them without warning.
Kizaru stepped forward calmly and leaned down until his face was inches from Vegapunk's.
Kizaru: Hello, old friend.
The room erupted.
Vegapunk: Ki... Ki... Kizaru!
Edison: When did you get here?!
The Straw Hats immediately understood the implication.
If he was here—
Nami's face drained of color.
Nami: What did you do to Ryo?! You didn't kill him, did you?!
Usopp's spirit shattered on the spot.
Ussop: We're so... dead!
He collapsed dramatically onto the floor. Brook's skeletal fingers tightened around the hilt of his cane, ready to draw at a second's notice. Chopper stood frozen stiff, eyes wide, unable to even blink.
Brook: Yohoho—this is bad! How did he get in here?!
Vegapunk, having forced his fear aside, stepped forward and stared Kizaru down seriously.
Vegapunk: Are you the cause of that explosion earlier?
Kizaru nodded lightly.
Kizaru: Uh huh. It was a bit of a tragedy. That robot you loved so much? I blew it up.
The words hit like a hammer.
Edison's face crumpled as tears began to stream down.
Edison: H-How could you...?
Atlas clenched her fists, furious.
Atlas: What?!
Vegapunk did not shout.
He simply stared at Kizaru—serious, unwavering.
Kizaru: I want you to understand something. This mission is very difficult for me. I'd rather not draw this out.
They held each other's gaze for a long second.
Then—
A new sound cut through the air.
It started faint.
Like distant thunder.
Like the roar of an electric guitar building toward a crescendo.
Then—
CRASH.
The building shook violently. Even Kizaru's eyes shifted slightly.
Vegapunk: What was that?!
Nami and Usopp immediately began crying again.
Ussop: What fresh hell is this?!
Nami: We've suffered enough!
Something tore through the wall between Kizaru and Vegapunk, exploding inward in a storm of debris and smoke. The floor cracked as it landed, kicking up a massive cloud of dust that swallowed the room.
??: Geez, did you really think this guy killed me, Nami? I thought you'd have more faith in me than that.
The dust was blown away by a sudden burst of pressure.
