New World, Egghead.
Terrifying crimson shockwaves spread in every direction, staining the verdant storm clouds blood-red. Dazzling crimson pillars of light descended from the heavens, transforming into countless showers of bloody scarlet rain.
At the very moment Egghead was about to be utterly destroyed, Vegapunk straightened his back, his eyes filled with deep reluctance.
"These are my most precious research specimens. Using them here is such a waste, but I have no choice..."
The culture dish in his arms crashed to the ground, and countless multicolored lights shot into the sky, contending against the blood rain.
This scene spread across the entire world alongside Vegapunk's broadcast, leaving countless people utterly dumbfounded.
Sabaody Archipelago.
"I... am I seeing things? What's happening in the sky?"
"What kind of power is that? Vegapunk's research can actually hold back Uranus, one of the three Ancient Weapons? That's incredible!"
"This is... a brain five hundred years ahead of the world!"
Meanwhile, at Marineford, atop the giant Buddha's head.
Saint Nerona Igu revealed a look of surprise before falling into thought.
Kaido, who was besieging him nearby, twitched at the sight. Why did the strange Haki in the footage look so familiar?!
"That Haki is... Worororororo! That bastard actually stayed at the Eighth Research Institute of the Marines. Looks like he's been colluding with Vegapunk for a long time..."
"Hey! Sengoku, Garp! How does it feel to be betrayed by your own people? Seeing you two like this makes me so excited I could dance! Worororororo!"
On the execution platform, Sengoku's expression turned even uglier as he dared not lose focus.
It was not merely the many unexpected developments in this war meant to end an era. What he found even harder to bear was that utterly unrestrained Celestial Dragon child in the sky, as well