A massive blizzard vortex, with snow dancing wildly in the howling gale, abruptly appeared on the otherwise calm surface of the sea.
As they drew closer, the temperature around the *Freewill* plummeted at an alarming rate.
Allen and the others stepped onto the bow deck, their eyes fixed on the blizzard vortex that had materialized out of nowhere. The biting, freezing wind blew snow directly into their faces, causing the tips of Allen's black hair to whip wildly in the air.
Nami frowned slightly at the sight, a hint of astonishment on her face. "Vegapunk lives in a place like this? The environment seems way too harsh."
"Don't worry, the climate inside isn't this severe."
Stussy walked up from behind her, speaking in a slow, measured tone. "This blizzard ring is Egghead's natural barrier. Once we pass through it, you'll see. Vegapunk's base is right inside."
Soon, the members of the Third Division sprang into action. They furled the sails, engaged the power system, and steered the *Freewill* headlong into the freezing blizzard.
Visibility ahead turned into a blinding expanse of white. The bone-chilling wind slapped icy snowflakes against their faces, and the turbulent seawater battered the hull, causing the entire deck to rock violently.
Before long, a piercingly bright light appeared ahead of them. The *Freewill* forged straight ahead, breaking out of the circular blizzard zone.
Their line of sight suddenly cleared, revealing a tranquil, azure stretch of sea that abruptly presented itself before them.
The surrounding temperature soared. The sunlight was bright, even carrying a hint of scorching heat, as seagulls skimmed the water's surface before soaring into the sky.
An island filled with countless modern high-rises and a profound sense of futurism floated on the distant sea. The island's edges were lined with coconut groves, giving it quite a tropical flair.
Compared to the blizzard behind them, it was like a utopian paradise existing in its own separate world.
Sanji, a cigarette clamped between his lips, looked at the futuristic island with immense enthusiasm. "So that's the World Government's science base? Pretty impressive. It looks like a summer island, which means there's definitely no shortage of beaches and bikini-clad beauties, right?"
At the thought of this, Sanji's mood brightened considerably, and he began to daydream with a lovestruck expression.
Stussy smiled faintly and said, "Unfortunately, you probably won't have the chance to experience Egghead's local charms."
"This entire island is under the World Government's surveillance. The moment we get close, we'll be discovered."
"Although the Marines won't arrive that quickly, we still need to hurry and secure Vegapunk along with some crucial equipment. So, the moment we make landfall, we have to move immediately."
Hearing this, Nami couldn't help but look a bit surprised. "Is the schedule really that tight? Even if they deploy forces directly from the New World, aside from the nearby bases, there's no way other Marines could get here in a single day, no matter how fast they are."
"True, by the time the Marines finish assembling their forces, we'll definitely be gone. But if it's Kizaru alone, it will only take him a moment to arrive," Stussy said gravely.
"An Admiral might not be a threat to you, but the Seraphim are also on the island. Combined with Kizaru, that's a force that cannot be underestimated."
"Seraphim?" Nami asked, looking confused.
"Exactly. They are clone weapons designed using the Lineage Factor of the Warlords of the Sea, and they are also a type of Pacifista," Stussy nodded in response. "They possess the combat instincts of the Warlords and have replicated their original Devil Fruit abilities through Green Blood."
"In addition to that, the Seraphim have been integrated with the Lunarian Tribe's Lineage Factor. They can use Haki and laser weapons. Their combat strength is already on par with the original Warlords."
"Huh? Isn't that a bit exaggerated?" Nami was somewhat taken aback.
The previous Pacifistas were already incredibly strong. If these new ones could also use Haki and Devil Fruit abilities, then what was the difference between them and the actual Warlords?
Moreover, they had also been fused with the Lunarian Tribe's Lineage Factor. She knew very well just how absurdly resilient that physique was, not to mention the addition of laser weapons.
This wasn't just 'on par' with the Warlords; this was basically an enhanced version of them!
Hearing this, Gin and Kid actually grew interested, their eyes gleaming with eagerness to fight.
"Seraphim, huh? Sounds pretty tough. I wonder if we'll get a chance to spar with them," Gin said.
"You say their strength rivals the Warlords? Heh, looks like this won't be too boring after all," Kid smirked.
"You can fight all you want. Since we're leaving anyway, it's better to destroy this place than leave it for the World Government—provided it doesn't interfere with taking Vegapunk," Allen told the two of them, then turned to look at Perona.
"Send your Hollows to scout the island first. We'll make our move the moment we land, and the enemy will definitely react by then."
"Leave the enemies to Gin and Kid. Sanji, your priority is ensuring Vegapunk's safety, followed by the equipment we need to take. Nami and Robin will be in charge of clearing the area and providing backup."
"Move fast. The enemy's reinforcements likely won't just be the Marines," Allen ordered swiftly.
"Leave the scouting to me," Perona said confidently. Having received her task, she immediately activated her ability.
She extended her hands and spread her fingers. Ten white Hollows flew out from her fingertips, skimming across the surface of the sea at breakneck speed toward the island.
The *Freewill* followed behind, continuing its steady advance.
A short while later, one of Perona's Hollows flew back. It turned out it had spotted a Marine submarine near the coast.
Upon learning this, Perona released a few more Negative Hollows to go and deal with the surveillance submarine.
Just like that, the *Freewill* advanced openly toward the island, yet the nearby surveillance points remained completely oblivious. Perona even managed to take out one of the coastal outposts.
By the time half of Perona's Hollows returned, their ship had already sailed extremely close. The people on the island could clearly make out the pirate flag with their naked eyes.
*Ring, ring, ring—!!*
"Alert!! Alert!! Suspicious pirate ship spotted on the East Coast!! All island residents, please proceed to the shelters in an orderly fashion!!"
"Alert!! Alert!!..."
Urgent, blaring sirens suddenly erupted across the island. Above Egghead, holographic projectors cast massive red text into the air.
Seeing this, Allen immediately barked an order: "Gin! Kid!"
"Got it!"
"I know without you telling me! Let's go!"
Receiving their cue, the two sprang into action instantly. Gin leaped onto the main cannon at the bow, bending his legs into a crouch. His muscles pulled taut, and his gaze darkened as he locked onto the island.
"More-More: Hundredfold Acceleration!!"
*Bang!!*
With a loud shout, Gin kicked off with explosive force. His entire body shot forward like a human cannonball, moving so fast that not even his shadow could be seen!
On the other side, Kid had already assembled a massive amount of metal into a mechanical eagle-shaped flying contraption.
Standing atop it, he willed it into motion. The mechanical eagle's tail erupted with flames, and combined with the dual propulsion of his magnetism, it blasted off at a terrifying speed!
Perona retracted a portion of her soul and quickly called out to Sanji, "Sanji! I'll lead you to Vegapunk!"
"In that case... let's go!"
Sanji leaped high into the air, arching his back. Dragon scales surfaced on his face and all over his body as his frame expanded and elongated, rapidly transforming into a massive Heavenly Dragon.
Perona didn't jump onto his back. Instead, she activated her ability, and her astral projection immediately separated from her physical body.
"Wait! I'm coming with you!"
Stussy hurriedly called out. A pair of bat wings swiftly sprouted from her back, and she took to the sky alongside Perona's astral projection.
The *Freewill* engaged its power system, accelerating into a sprint.
In just a few breaths, the entire crew shifted into combat readiness.
Allen stood at the bow, his gaze fixed on the island filled with modern skyscrapers.
With someone as important as Vegapunk on the line, once the Five Elders learned of their invasion of Egghead, it was highly likely they would descend swiftly via teleportation arrays.
Allen figured that, at the very least, they would send the Holy Knights to intervene.
By the time this battle reached its climax, it might not be as simple as they had anticipated.