Heavy snow continued to fall across the dark waters of the New World.
Sailing through the freezing climate, the Thousand Sunny cut a steady path through the churning ocean. The harsh weather did little to dampen the spirits of the crew. Having survived the apocalyptic war in Wano, the freezing temperatures and rough waves felt like a vacation.
Standing near the railing, the rubber captain stared out at the foggy horizon, looking for any sign of land.
Suddenly, the water in front of the galleon began to bubble violently.
The dark ocean swelled upward. Bursting through the surface, a massive, metallic creature launched itself into the freezing air. The beast resembled a great white shark, but its whole body was constructed from thick steel plating. Glowing red optic sensors scanned the pirate ship, and a set of iron jaws opened wide, ready to bite the front of the galleon in half.
The crew did not panic.
Sitting on a barrel nearby, the swordsman did not even bother reaching for his blades. The cook continued stirring a pot of hot soup in the galley, ignoring the threat looming outside the window. Taking down two Emperors had significantly shifted their baseline for what constituted an actual emergency.
Standing on the grassy deck, "I have this handled, Captain!" Sunny declared, crossing his small arms.
Tapping into the defensive systems integrated into the ship. A soft, humming noise resonated from the wooden hull.
A shimmering, transparent barrier flared to life, forming a protective dome around the galleon.
The massive iron jaws of the Mecha-Shark clamped down onto the glowing shield. Sparks flew wildly as the steel teeth ground against the energy barrier. The weight of the mechanical beast pushed the ship slightly backward in the water, but the dome held perfectly, refusing to yield a single inch.
Failing to crush the ship with bite force, the predator disengaged.
Dropping back into the freezing water, the Mecha-Shark opened its jaws once more. Deep within the metallic throat, a series of circular launch tubes rotated into place.
Whoosh. Whoosh. Whoosh.
Three sleek, dark torpedoes shot out of the shark's mouth. Cutting through the water, the projectiles tracked the galleon, trailing a stream of white bubbles behind them.
Watching the incoming attack, the ship avatar raised a hand.
"Countermeasures engaged," Sunny announced cheerfully.
Small, concealed hatches slid open along the lower sides of the wooden hull. Firing with flawless precision, the ship launched its own set of intercepting projectiles. The small missiles shot through the freezing water, meeting the incoming torpedoes at the halfway point.
The underwater explosions rocked the surface of the ocean.
Massive plumes of water sprayed high into the air, raining down harmlessly against the glowing barrier protecting the deck.
Before the Mecha-Shark could reload its weapons, Sunny took the offensive.
"Main cannons, fire!" the avatar ordered.
The mouth of the carved lion figurehead opened wide. Three heavy, specialized missiles launched from the bow of the ship. Bypassing the churning water left behind by the previous explosions, the projectiles struck the mechanical shark in the center of its steel torso.
The resulting blast tore the metal beast apart.
Scrap iron and shattered plating rained down into the dark ocean. The glowing red sensors flickered and died as the ruined pieces of the Mecha-Shark sank rapidly beneath the freezing waves.
"Target destroyed!" Sunny cheered, turning around and offering a sharp salute to the crew.
"Good job, Sunny!" Luffy laughed, clapping his hands together.
The encounter lasted less than a minute. The ship continued its steady course through the winter waters, unbothered by the sudden ambush. The advanced weaponry deployed by the unknown island ahead had failed to cause even a minor delay.
Far away from the freezing climate, the atmosphere inside Marine Base G-14 felt heavy with despair.
Situated on an island near the chaotic borders of the New World, the base served as a crucial outpost for Marine operations. Deep inside the central command building, a tense standoff unfolded in the primary briefing room.
Tears streamed down Helmeppo's face. The blonde Marine officer leaned over a large tactical map, his hands planted firmly on the table.
"Please!" Helmeppo begged, his voice cracking with desperation. "We have to go after him! We cannot just leave Captain Koby in the hands of the Blackbeard Pirates!"
Standing nearby, a young female Marine named Hibari wiped her own tears away with the sleeve of her uniform. The sudden abduction of the hero of Rocky Port had shattered the morale of the SWORD unit. Leaving a comrade behind went against everything they stood for.
Sitting calmly behind the command desk, Rear Admiral Prince Grus did not raise his voice.
The tall, stoic officer kept his hands folded, watching the desperate pleas without showing a trace of emotion. The brim of his cap shadowed his eyes, hiding the heavy burden of command.
"We are not authorizing a rescue mission," Grus stated flatly.
"Take us to Egghead!" Helmeppo pleaded, refusing to accept the denial. "Let us deploy a Seraphim! With one of those weapons, we can breach the defenses of Hachinosu and get him out!"
Leaning against the wall near the doorway, Captain Tashigi lowered her head. She understood the pain radiating from the young officers. Koby was a symbol of hope for the future of the Marines. Losing him to an Emperor felt like a fatal blow to justice itself.
However, the reality of their situation remained undeniable.
"We are in no position to act, Helmeppo," Grus explained, his tone leaving no room for negotiation. "Deploying a Seraphim requires authorization from the highest levels of command. We are currently stretched too thin across the New World. The fallout from Wano has thrown the sea into chaos."
Standing up from his chair, the Rear Admiral looked down at the tactical map.
"Furthermore," Grus continued, pointing a finger at the territory marked as Blackbeard's domain. "We have lost contact with X Drake. Without our primary intelligence operative inside the enemy ranks, charging blindly into the stronghold of an Emperor is suicide. I will not throw away more Marine lives on a foolish, emotional rescue attempt."
"But he is our friend!" Hibari cried, clutching her weapon tightly.
"He is a Marine," Grus corrected sharply. "He knew the risks of his position. The answer is no. Return to your posts."
The finality of the order hung in the air. Helmeppo clenched his fists, fresh tears falling onto the map. The harsh truth of the military hierarchy offered no comfort. Left without support and without the necessary firepower, the officers of SWORD could do nothing but wait in silence.
Back in the winter waters, the thick fog finally began to clear.
Standing on the bow of the Thousand Sunny, the crew got their first clear look at the approaching landmass. The island featured massive, metallic structures which rose from the icy water, covered in strange, glowing panels and smooth, artificial domes.
Before the galleon could reach the port, the ocean surrounding them began to boil.
Dozens of massive, terrifying creatures broke the surface of the water. They resembled traditional Sea Kings, but their bodies were heavily modified. Steel plating covered their heads, and heavy weapon emplacements tracked the pirate ship. The cyborg Sea Beast Weapons formed a tight, circle around the galleon.
Hovering a few yards above the freezing water, a sleek, metallic transport device approached the ship.
A young woman stood confidently on the hovering platform. She wore a strange, futuristic outfit featuring a bulky, oversized helmet holding a pair of goggles. Short, bright orange hair framed her face.
Resting an energy rifle against her shoulder, the woman offered a cruel, arrogant smirk.
"Welcome to Egghead!" the woman announced, her voice amplifying through a hidden speaker. "I am Dr. Vegapunk, designated Lilith. The evil aspect of the genius scientist. And you are currently trespassing in World Government waters."
"Hand over all your treasure and valuables," Lilith demanded, pointing the rifle toward the ship. "Do it quietly, and I might let you leave this freezing water alive."
Silence settled over the grassy deck.
The temperature around the navigation room seemed to drop another twenty degrees.
Stepping out from behind the mast, Nami's eyes burned with an unholy fury. A dark, menacing aura visibly radiated from her body. Hearing a stranger demand her hard-earned treasure, especially after surviving the grueling war in Wano, triggered an immediate, homicidal reaction.
"My... treasure?" Nami whispered, her voice trembling with rage.
Drawing her Uru-forged Clima-Tact, the staff began to crackle violently with dark clouds and yellow lightning.
"Who do you think you are talking to, you metal-headed brat?!" the navigator shrieked, preparing to unleash a thunderstorm onto the hovering woman.
Before Nami could vaporize the scientist, Usopp and Chopper tackled her around the waist.
"Stop, Nami! Stop!" Chopper pleaded, digging his hooves into the deck.
"Don't destroy the whole fleet!" Usopp panicked, struggling to hold her back. "If you blow up the cyborgs, they will sink and take the treasure with them!"
Watching the navigator thrash wildly against her crewmates, Lilith blinked in confusion. The reaction was not the typical surrender she usually received from trespassing pirates.
Inside the young woman's earpiece, a calm voice chimed in.
"Lilith. Stand down immediately."
Tapping her earpiece, the scientist frowned. "Shut up, Shaka. I am currently plundering a pirate crew to fund our research. We need the budget."
Sitting in the central command room of the island, Punk-01, designated Shaka, watched the video feeds streaming from the Sea Beast Weapons.
"You are making a miscalculation," Shaka warned, his voice remaining flat and analytical. "Look closely at the faces on that deck. You are not dealing with ordinary pirates."
Lowering her rifle slightly, Lilith took a closer look at the crew.
She spotted the towering, horned woman. She saw the familiar green hair of the swordsman. She recognized the dark jacket and sunglasses of the man leaning casually against the railing. Finally, she saw the boy in the straw hat, picking his nose unbothered by the giant cyborg monsters surrounding him.
"That is the Straw Hat crew," Shaka stated clearly through the communication link. "They recently allied with other forces to dismantle two Emperors of the Sea. The individuals currently standing on that deck possess a combined total bounty of twenty-seven billion, thirty million, three hundred Belli."
The color drained from Lilith's face.
The arrogant smirk vanished, replaced by creeping dread. The staggering number echoed in her mind. Plundering a random pirate ship offered a quick influx of cash. Antagonizing a crew capable of overthrowing the world order invited annihilation.
"If you anger them," Shaka continued, observing the navigator still fighting to unleash a thunderstorm, "they will reduce this facility to ash in a matter of minutes. Lower your weapon."
Slowly, carefully, Lilith lowered the energy rifle, making no sudden movements.
Stepping forward to the railing, the swordsman rested a hand on the hilt of his weapon.
"You brought a lot of toys out here to greet us," Zoro noted, his single eye locking onto the hovering scientist. "We aren't looking for a fight. But if you want one, we can start right now."
Hearing the subtle threat, Shaka engaged the external speakers on the Sea Beast Weapons, projecting his voice across the water to address the pirates directly.
"There is no need for hostilities," Shaka announced, the calm voice echoing over the freezing waves. "We apologize for the aggressive greeting. I am Shaka, another aspect of Dr. Vegapunk. I find your crew fascinating. We will escort you safely into the docks."
Releasing the hilt of his sword, Zoro offered a slight nod. "Lead the way."
Following the command, the Sea Beast Weapons broke their defensive circle. The cyborg monsters turned, acting as an honor guard as the Thousand Sunny sailed slowly past the outer defenses, moving toward the primary harbor hidden within the metallic structures of the island.
Standing on her hovering platform, Lilith kept her mouth shut, regretting the initial, arrogant approach.
Navigating through the artificial entryways, the galleon finally reached the inner docks.
The harbor looked different from a standard island port. Smooth, metallic piers lined the water. Strange, robotic cranes moved silently along automated tracks, managing heavy cargo containers without a single human worker in sight.
Throwing thick ropes over the side, the crew secured the ship to the iron cleats on the pier.
Lowering the gangway, the pirates disembarked, stepping onto the solid metal ground. The biting cold of the exterior vanished, replaced by a regulated, comfortable tropical climate maintained by the island's advanced environmental controls.
Waiting for them on the dock, Lilith still held her rifle, keeping a safe distance from the navigator.
Stepping to the front of the group, Ben raised a hand toward the massive wooden galleon.
The spatial distortion expanded rapidly, swallowing the entire ship in a matter of seconds. As the galleon slid into the pocket dimension, the tear snapped shut, leaving the metallic pier empty.
Standing a few yards away, Lilith's jaw dropped open.
The energy rifle slipped from her fingers, clattering loudly against the metal floor. The young scientist ran forward, staring at the empty water where a massive pirate ship had rested just moments before.
"What... what just happened?" Lilith demanded, her eyes wide with curiosity. "Where did the mass go? Did you utilize a localized compression field? Is it a pocket of folded space? Explain the mechanism!"
Adjusting his dark glasses, the magician offered a simple response.
"Magic."
The single word caused the scientist's brain to short-circuit.
"Magic isn't real!" Lilith shouted, waving her arms wildly. "Everything has a logical, scientific explanation! Energy cannot simply vanish! Tell me how you altered the molecular density of the wood!"
"It's just magic," Ben repeated, unbothered by her frantic demands.
Grabbing her oversized helmet in frustration, Lilith muttered a rapid string of complaints under her breath. Dealing with pirates was annoying, but dealing with pirates who defied the fundamental laws of physics was maddening.
Deciding to regain control of the situation and salvage her bruised pride, the scientist gestured toward a large, sleek elevator waiting at the end of the pier.
"Follow me," Lilith ordered, attempting to sound authoritative again. "I will show you the interior. Prepare to have your minds blown. You are stepping onto the most advanced island in the world. Welcome to a place five hundred years in the future!"
The crew followed the scientist into the spacious elevator.
The doors closed, and the lift carried them smoothly upward into the main city of Egghead. Stepping out onto the upper level, the pirates were greeted by a truly spectacular sight.
Holographic monsters fought harmlessly in the air above them. Sleek, flying vehicles zipped through transparent tubes connecting massive, egg-shaped buildings. The streets were paved with pristine, glowing materials, and automated machines served food to strange, robotic workers.
Lilith turned around, crossing her arms and waiting for the awe-struck gasps of amazement.
The pirates looked around the futuristic city.
Franky let out a massive yawn, scratching his chin. "Nice climate control. The architecture is a bit sterile, though."
Usopp leaned against the elevator door, looking unimpressed by a passing hologram of a giant space dragon.
"It's alright, I guess," the sniper noted casually. "But Ben made an entire pocket dimension with a fully furnished castle and a working ecosystem last week. Floating cars aren't really that exciting anymore."
"Do they have any future meat?" Luffy asked, sniffing the air, ignoring the advanced technology surrounding them.
"Maybe they have a future kitchen," Sanji offered, lighting a cigarette. "I could use some new spices."
Standing in front of the group, Lilith stared at the crew in disbelief. Her grand reveal, the culmination of the greatest scientific mind in history, had been met with the casual indifference of people reviewing a mediocre hotel.
"You... you aren't surprised?" Lilith stammered, pointing at a flying car. "That car is flying!"
"Ben gave us a ship that flies out of waterfalls," Nami shrugged, checking her nails. "And ginat robots. And indestructible metal weapons. Honestly, after living with him for the past two years, we are pretty much numb to this kind of stuff."
The explanation deflated the scientist. Her pride in the five-hundred-year technological gap shattered against the ridiculous, daily reality the Straw Hat crew experienced.
"Right," Lilith muttered, her shoulders slumping in defeat. "Just... follow me to the lab. Shaka wants to speak with you."
Leading the group through the pristine streets of the future city, the scientist walked with a defeated sigh, realizing that intimidating or impressing this particular crew of pirates was an impossible task.