Chapter 387: Chapter 387: Assassin?
Chapter 387: Assassin?
Arriving above Egghead, the azure dragon slowly descended towards the research layer, which was floating on a cloud mass in mid-air.
Reiner glanced down at the island below. Futuristic skyscrapers stood tall, and the city streets were bustling with pedestrians. It seemed no different from usual.
"Since he got the news, why didn’t he evacuate the civilians in advance?"
Reiner muttered with a puzzled expression.
"Vegapunk probably thought that as long as he left, the people here wouldn’t be affected,"
Aokiji frowned slightly and replied faintly, "It can only be said that he still underestimated the methods of the World Government."
"Wait a minute, what do you guys mean?"
Hearing this, Uta at the side hurriedly came over, a vague sense of unease in her heart.
Reiner and Aokiji glanced back at her but did not respond.
Robin reached out and gently placed her hand on Uta’s shoulder. Looking at the future island filled with all sorts of magical technology below, a trace of regret quietly flashed in her eyes.
"After today, this island will probably disappear completely from the world..."
"Then what about the people here?"
"Ah. They will be burned to ashes by cannon fire along with this island and sink to the bottom of the sea."
As she spoke, Robin’s face was expressionless as she looked at Aokiji.
She didn’t know about the other circumstances, but she was deeply convinced that erasing all evidence and existence of research into history was an action the World Government would still take.
Aokiji did not speak, as if tacitly agreeing with Robin’s statement.
"How could this be..."
Uta stood frozen, her eyes trembling, finding it a little hard to accept.
The image of the innocent people on the entire island wailing in the cannon fire made her feel as if she had fallen into an ice cellar, a chill running through her body.
Aokiji turned his head to look at the research institute and said faintly:
"The warship hasn’t arrived yet. There’s still time to organize the evacuation of the civilians. Let’s find Vegapunk first."
"Wait a minute! You’re not planning to act with us, are you? We only promised to bring you here!"
"Don’t tell me you’re going to attack us the moment the Marines arrive!"
"Exactly, exactly! We won’t trust you that easily!"
Usopp pointed at Aokiji and shouted tremblingly. Chopper shrank behind his leg and nodded repeatedly in agreement.
The group was still somewhat wary of Aokiji, especially considering Robin’s feelings. Seeing him act so familiar made them annoyed.
Aokiji shrugged, a look of ’I don’t care what you say’ on his face.
He had his own things to do here. He wasn’t here to help the Straw Hat crew in the first place.
Soon, the azure dragon landed on the research layer.
"Woohoo—!"
"I’m back!"
Duang~duang~
Luffy and Chopper jumped onto the sky island cloud. The soft and extremely elastic surface, like a trampoline, bounced the two high into the air.
Usopp and Brook followed closely behind.
"Wait for me, Luffy! Chopper!"
"Yohohoho~"
What time is it to be playing?
Nami gave the few of them a white-eyed glare, a little speechless, but she was too lazy to say anything.
It would be useless anyway.
Stepping on the cotton-white cloud mass, amidst the cheerful laughter of Luffy and the others, the group walked into the research institute’s main gate with familiarity.
"Uncle—!"
"Are you there, uncle—!"
The metallic blue floor was clean and reflective. On the surrounding metal walls, one neat and tidy light strip after another shone, filling the entire space with a sense of technology.
The group walked down the wide corridor. Luffy put his hands to his mouth and shouted several times, but there was no response.
"Emmm..."
Luffy frowned, scratched his head, put his hands on his hips, and said bluntly:
"Looks like uncle isn’t home."
"Isn’t your conclusion a bit too hasty!!"
Usopp couldn’t help but roll his eyes and complain loudly.
Robin was lost in thought, her brow furrowed as she said solemnly:
"Don’t tell me we’re too late. Has Vegapunk already been executed by the assassins and buried?"
"What?!"
Chopper held his face in his hands, his eyes wide with terror as he cried out.
Beside him, Nami and Pudding couldn’t help but take a fearful step back, as if a terrifying curse was emanating from Robin.
Just as the group was speculating, they suddenly heard a cry for mercy coming from far away and getting closer.
"Wait, wait! Let’s talk this out! Don’t use violence!"
"That voice is...!"
"Uncle?!"
Hearing this familiar voice, Reiner and the others immediately reacted.
Before they could make a move, another voice, full of murderous intent, came from the end of the corridor.
"Since you’ve done such a thing! Begging for mercy is useless! Die for me, Vegapunk!"
Hearing these words, a scene of a fierce chase immediately appeared in their minds.
"This is bad! Have the World Government’s assassins already arrived!"
"They’re really fast."
Sanji’s and Zoro’s expressions hardened. Luffy even spread his legs into a half-squat, his gaze piercing straight into the shadows at the end of the corridor.
Bang!
Luffy pushed off with both feet, and his entire person shot out straight.
"Hey—Uncle! We’re here to save you!"
"Let’s go too!"
"Mm!"
The remaining few also quickly drew their weapons and charged out. No matter what, they were pirates, and the people from the World Government would definitely not be allies.
Only Reiner frowned, a bewildered look on his face as he stood frozen.
The voice that was chasing Vegapunk sounded quite familiar. He was also very sure it wasn’t Lucci or Kaku, because...
...it was clearly a woman’s voice!
But how could Stussy possibly attack Vegapunk?
Just as he was puzzled, a few figures gradually appeared at the end of the corridor.
Vegapunk, in a white lab coat, was flying at high speed with the suspension ability of his DOM boots, fleeing in a panic.
Seeing Luffy and the others charging towards him, Vegapunk’s eyes showed surprise.
"Straw Hat? You’re back."
"Don’t worry, uncle! Watch me send the enemy flying!"
"Gomu Gomu no...!"
Luffy rested his left hand on his right bicep. A corner of his mouth lifted as he passed by Vegapunk, swinging his fist at the figure chasing from the shadows.
Just as the long-haired figure in there vaguely became clear, Vegapunk and Sanji’s eyes widened in shock, and they shouted at the same time.
"Stop it, Straw Hat!"
"Wait a minute, Luffy!"
"Eh! Eh! Eh!"
Screech—!!
Hearing their voices, Luffy hurriedly braked. He pulled on his shoulder and frantically yanked back his flying fist.
Slap!
After the stretched arm quickly retracted, Luffy hurriedly turned his head to look at Vegapunk.
"Hey! What’s going on, uncle? Isn’t she trying to kill you!"
"She is! But... it’s hard to explain in a short time! In any case!"
Vegapunk’s long tongue was hanging out as he stammered.
"Bonney is not an enemy!"
"Bonney?!"
Luffy’s surprised gaze once again turned back. A female figure had already charged up to him, her face delicate, her long, smooth purple hair flying.
"Get out of the way, Straw Hat!"
Bonney held a steel pipe with both hands, gritting her teeth, her fierce eyes staring straight at Luffy.
"If you don’t turn my father back to normal, I will definitely kill him today!"
(End of Chapter)
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