On the island where the naval secret laboratory was located, the navy suffered heavy losses after a major battle, and wreckage could be seen everywhere on the outer perimeter of the research facility...
However, the navy ultimately held out until reinforcements arrived!
On the vast sea, accompanied by the creaking of the chain, Aokiji pedaled furiously, following the frozen tire tracks, and rode his bicycle to the island!
To be honest, most of the time when Aokiji rides his bike, he seems so relaxed and unhurried, but when he really buckles up and pedals furiously, he's faster than a battleship...
As soon as Aokiji arrived, he froze the entire area around the island, and the Red Fox was also frozen in the harbor, making it seem like he was going to wipe out the Red-Hair Pirates in one fell swoop.
Previously, the Red Voss had leaped directly out of the sea, with its upper half "riding" on the harbor. Now that the sea is frozen over, it's as if it's being lifted up.
Dego, feeling the cold air outside, had already rushed out of the research institute. Shiryu, who was already injured and panting, did not give chase, but simply stood there, panting as he watched Dege's retreating figure.
At this moment, Shiryu his body, arms, and even face. However, Dego was not unscathed either; there were charred marks on his body, indicating that he had also been hit by the Thundercloud Swordsmanship...
"Boss! It's that big ice chicken... Let's get out of here!" Dego shouted to Shanks as soon as he came out.
Shanks glanced at Dego. Although they didn't exchange obvious glances, their long-standing tacit understanding made Shanks sense something, so he called for everyone to retreat.
Although Lucky Roo and the others seemed unwilling to give up, since Sig hadn't been rescued yet, Aokiji was already on his way...
The lower-ranking naval units did inflict considerable casualties, but the arrival of an Admiral completely tipped the balance of power in favor of the navy. Continuing to stay would not achieve their objective, so they had no choice but to retreat reluctantly.
As for their plan to freeze the Red-Hair Pirates to prevent their "escape"?
Aokiji was overthinking it!
Shanks unleashed a slash imbued with Conqueror's Haki, not directly aimed at the Red Force, but rather at Aokiji in the distance.
On the ice, Aokiji formed a giant ice dragon in front of him, trying to block the slash, but the slash shattered the ice dragon directly, and the ice surface formed by the "Ice Age" also collapsed instantly.
Amidst the tremors, the Red Voss, after the surrounding ice broke apart, plunged back into the sea...
With Shanks' order to "retreat," the Red-Hair Pirates' officers and combatants returned to the ship.
Facing Marine Admiral Aokiji, Shanks personally stood at the bow of the ship, leaning on his sword and staring at his opponent.
Upon seeing Shanks retreat, Mihawk sheathed his sword, turned and left without greeting the others.
Seeing this, Doberman seemed about to say something, but ultimately only moved his lips without uttering a sound—indeed, if Mihawk and Aokiji joined forces now, perhaps they would have a chance to capture the Red-Hair Pirates? Or at least inflict greater damage on them, right?
However, Mihawk seemed uninterested. Even if he spoke up, he would only humiliate himself. Marine Vice Admiral couldn't command the Shichibukai of the Shichibukai, and even Fleet Admiral needed permission from the World Government to do so...
Moreover, as a Marine, Doberman couldn't convince himself to entrust the responsibility of arresting pirates to another pirate!
Aokiji understood there was no chance, so he could only watch the Red-Hair Pirates leave warily!
Before leaving, Shanks called out in the direction of the research institute, "Mr. Vegapunk! We'll leave our Navigator in your care for a while longer. I hope... you won't do anything regrettable. I'm generally easygoing, but the one thing I can't ignore is someone harming my comrades!"
As he spoke, his Conqueror's Haki shone even brighter, causing the water glass on the table in Vegapunk's laboratory inside the research institute to tremble slightly.
However, Vegapunk wasn't looking at the Camera Den Den Mushi screen facing Shanks at all; instead, he was repeatedly replaying the battle between Dego and Shiryu.
Of course, Sig had long noticed the Camera Den Den Mushi around, so every time he spoke with Dego, it was from an angle where there was no "camera." Sometimes Dego wouldn't know, Sig would pretend to unleash a powerful attack to shut him down. Gradually, Dego got used to playing along with Sig's rhythm...
So Vegapunk didn't discover anything at this point.
The reason Vegapunk is watching the fight between the two is because Shiryu's initial intrusion was somewhat abrupt— Sig had actually burned a portion of Shiryu's flesh and blood, forcibly melting through the outer shell of the research institute in an instant!
In retrospect, while it could be explained by the fact that "there just happened to be no metal filling here, and the rock wall was hollow," it was ultimately too much of a coincidence.
Therefore, Vegapunk watched it a couple more times, including the fight between the two outside.
"What's wrong, Doctor? Is there anything strange about the Marines and the Red-Hair Pirates who came to help?" Infinda looked at Vegapunk with a puzzled expression.
"It's nothing..." Although Vegapunk himself wasn't strong, he had excellent eyesight and was able to see the mistake Shiryu made while fighting outside.
It is perfectly natural and logical.
After thinking for a moment, Vegapunk added, "That Marine Vice Admiral, does he possess some kind of Paramecia Devil Fruit ability? Or a Mythical Zoan Zoan? He can even control lightning..."
It's definitely not Logia!
Because...
Vegapunk turned his head and glanced at the nutrient tank that they were just about to "pack up." Inside was a completely unconscious person, who was the Red-Hair Pirates' target this time!
Vegapunk was amazed that Siegfried's body could accommodate two Devil Fruit abilities without being "additionally countered" by the Seastone Factor...
Through his research, Vegapunk discovered the principle, but not the cause, and was unable to reproduce this biological miracle.
Vegapunk noted in his research that Siegfried was able to possess two Devil Fruit ability because his Lineage Factor simultaneously carried two mutations—mutations caused by normal Devil Fruit. If both existed in one person, his Lineage Factor would inevitably collapse, but Siegfried did not.
Furthermore, when Siegfried was affected by the Seastone Factor, unlike ordinary ability users who would have their Lineage Factor interfered with, his Lineage Factor "regressed" to its pre-mutation state!
Therefore, even though Siegfried was bound by Seastone Handcuffs, he was only unable to use his Devil Fruit powers; his abilities and physical strength were not restricted.
As for why Sig possesses other abilities such as shadows, a special body, and mental illusions, Vegapunk doesn't understand the reason either.
However, regardless of the circumstances, the power of the Rumble-Rumble Fruit is indeed in Siegfried's possession!
"If he's so curious, should we apply to have him transferred to the research institute?" Infinda suggested.
Vegapunk was about to speak when he suddenly felt a jolt in his heart, a very ominous feeling. He shook his head and said, "Never mind... maybe I'm overthinking it. But we must collect all the remains of flesh and blood from where he fought the pirates!"
Vegapunk spoke, he couldn't help but turn his head to glance at Siegfried again...
Inside the nutrient tank, Siegfried, completely naked, naturally adopted a posture reminiscent of a woman in the womb, his knees drawn up to his chest, a smile playing on his lips that seemed both mocking and as if he had glimpsed the truth.
Tsk tsk...
After a long silence, Vegapunk reminded him, "Don't make any noise while you're watching; after all, she's not wearing any clothes!"
"Oh." Infinda rolled her eyes, then agreed.