New World, Egghead Island.
Within the secret research laboratory overhead, Vegapunk’s original body and his six clones were all gathered here.
Aside from ‘York’, who represented desire and was sound asleep, everyone else was intently focused on the large screen, watching the data being analyzed.
Regarding the islands where the Revolutionary Army was located, the Navy had placed surveillance devices in positions that offered a bird's-eye view.
Just moments ago.
After a surveillance device in the Kingdom of Sobell transmitted an image, it lost contact. Subsequently, several other surveillance monitors transmitted their final images before also disappearing.
This sudden event's alarm directly alerted Vegapunk.
When he arrived at the secret laboratory to investigate, the transmitted footage completely stunned him.
The locations of the several scenes were different, and the environments varied, yet the final videos transmitted were identical…
First, a torrent of light descended, followed by an explosion that swept away everything. Even through the video, the sheer power could be felt.
Without a doubt, these islands had been wiped out.
But the problem was…
Even they did not possess such power.
Neither their technology nor Sakazuki’s combat strength, combined, could achieve such an effect.
Even if Karasu teleported Enel to these locations, summoning a ‘Rai-gō’ would require time. Even Sakazuki’s ‘Ryūsei Kazan’ would have a descent process…
The attacks in the video were instantaneous, erasing these Revolutionary Army bases scattered across the four seas in an extremely short period…
And at this moment.
The energy calculation for the attack in the video footage was complete. Seeing the endless string of numbers on the screen, Vegapunk's shock deepened:
"How is this possible…?"
"This is not an attack that this world can currently possess…"
The sheer amount of energy was enough to make one’s heart pound.
They had conceived and calculated potential energy sources capable of releasing such energy.
But the despair came from realizing that even a thousand years from now, such an energy source could not be manufactured; it was too far ahead.
Yet, the attack depicted in the video contained energy…
That could only be emitted by the ‘infinite energy’ they had conceived of. But that was a concept, while this… was a reality.
He felt a faint sense of his Dao heart shattering and questioning his life…
If this was the World Government’s trump card… how could they possibly fight back?
--------
Deep night.
South Blue, the ruins of the Kingdom of Sobell.
This could no longer be called ruins…
Remnants?
That couldn't be said either.
Because apart from the turbulent sea, there was nothing left…
Bonney sat on a snow cloud, her Eternal Pose slightly disoriented, but still able to indicate…
Here…
Was the Kingdom of Sobell!!!
Bonney slumped onto the snow cloud, staring at the sea in disbelief:
"Where are the people…"
"Where is the island…"
"What happened…"
Sabo, who had transformed into a snow cloud, was also extremely anxious. His Kenbunshoku Haki swept over the sea below repeatedly, trying to find even a shred of useful information.
But there was nothing…
The entire island, the entire kingdom, had vanished…
---------
South Blue, Slu Island.
An island far from the Kingdom of Sobell, one of the Revolutionary Army’s outposts.
What had been a peaceful night was suddenly interrupted by a gust of fierce wind that swept across the entire island.
Inside a branch of the Revolutionary Army.
The fierce wind smashed through the door and rushed inside.
Dragon, covered in blood and with a ferocious expression, gasped for breath:
"Where is the Den Den Mushi!!!"
The personnel still working inside the branch instinctively reached for their weapons upon seeing this blood-covered figure, but the voice was so familiar.
Everyone looked closely and was stunned into speechlessness:
"Com-Commander-in-Chief!!!"
Dragon had no time to attend to them:
"Den Den Mushi!!!"
The others reacted and quickly found a Den Den Mushi, handing it to Dragon.
Dragon snatched the Den Den Mushi and disappeared in a gust of wind, reappearing on the summit of the island.
He made a series of calls, and all Revolutionary Army members across the four seas were left sleepless that night…
It wasn’t until nearly an hour later that he stopped, the ferocity on his face somewhat abated. For now, things were temporarily stable, but they still needed to verify which specific locations had been attacked.
However, recalling the events of that night still left him with lingering fear.
The event happened too suddenly, and the attack came too quickly. Besides his elemental ability allowing him to escape, the entire Kingdom of Sobell had vanished, leaving nothing behind.
Yet, even so, his body had suffered severe injuries.
When he broke free, there was nothing in the world but the sea.
With no target direction, he circled for a while above the Kingdom of Sobell before flying in one direction for half a day until he finally spotted an island.
Only after all matters were dealt with did he remember Sabo and made the call.
The Den Den Mushi on the other end connected instantly. Without waiting for Sabo to speak, Dragon said:
"Come to Slu Island first, we'll discuss it when we meet."
----------
Deep night, New World.
Inside the secret research facility on Egghead Island.
Sakazuki and Karasu, who should have been in New Marineford, were now here.
Beside them, Vegapunk and several clones wore worried expressions.
The video had been played several times. Karasu frowned slightly, while Sakazuki, with a blank expression, watched the repeatedly playing video.
After a long while, he slowly raised his hand, signaling for it to stop.
Lilith reached out and turned off the screen, and all of them looked at Sakazuki.
Sakazuki's voice was devoid of any discernible emotion:
"It seems this is the government's trump card."
"An attack capable of instantly destroying any island in the world."
Vegapunk looked somewhat dejected:
"Yes."
"This is simply not something a human can achieve."
"I cannot imagine what kind of technology this is…"
"Nearly infinite energy, that's something that only exists in fantasy…"
"Yet it has appeared before us in reality…"
He felt somewhat defeated. It was precisely because of his deep understanding of science that he recognized how terrifying this was…
Sakazuki shook his head:
"Your mind is in disarray, Doctor."
Vegapunk gave a bitter smile and said nothing…
Sakazuki glanced at him and continued:
"Can the Pluton's main cannon achieve this level of destruction?"
Vegapunk sighed:
"It can, but we lack the energy source."
"Even if Karasu can teleport it, it's a one-time use."
"We don't have an energy source that can enable the Pluton's main cannon to fire infinitely."
Sakazuki nodded lightly:
"Once is enough."
"How long will it take to build the original Pluton?"
The current Pluton's main cannon had been scaled down several times, partly due to insufficient funds in the past, and partly because it was considered that Barrett's Devil Fruit could enlarge it.
Vegapunk blinked, looking somewhat confused:
"About… a year."
"We have the 'Batto Batto no Mi' and the 'Zun Zun no Mi' now, so as long as we have enough materials, the progress will be fast."
Sakazuki gave a light 'Mm' and said:
"Melt down the old one."
"And build the original."
He looked at Karasu. Karasu understood and placed his hand on Sakazuki.
Sakazuki tilted his head slightly towards Vegapunk and the others:
"There is nothing in this world that cannot be solved."
"As long as I am alive."
"Only enemies will die."
His voice paused and then echoed softly:
"Even gods…"
Swish!
The two instantly disappeared.
However, Sakazuki's words still echoed in their minds. Their hearts, which had been in a state of shock and panic all night, suddenly calmed down…
Surprisingly… they felt at ease…