Old Vaults – Vergo vs. Smoker
Vergo's haki-coated arm cracked through a metal girder as Smoker dodged just in time. The Vice Admiral moved like a beast unleashed, every strike designed to kill.
"Still clinging to justice, Smoker?" Vergo sneered.
"Justice doesn't wear a black coat and lie to its soldiers," Smoker grunted, smoke trailing from his body.
Vergo surged forward, aiming a crushing blow—until a sword intercepted.
Clang!
Trafalgar Law stepped from the shadows, blade drawn. "You're in the way."
"Trafalgar," Vergo hissed. "Still a thorn."
"And you're still Caesar's lapdog. Room."
A spherical field engulfed the area. With precise movement, Law warped Smoker aside, then sent Vergo's weapon spinning into the air. The fight turned. Vergo could match strength, but not Law's precision.
"We'll finish this fast," Smoker growled. "That Core's waking up."
Monitoring Bay – Caesar Clown
"No, no, no! Stabilize! SE-RE-RE-RE!"
Caesar slammed the override again. The Core's systems flickered erratically. His partial control was slipping, the energy surges pulsing stronger.
"Come on, Kael, be a good boy! Stay under!"
But the readings didn't lie. The Hellix Core was responding to something within Kael's mind—and Caesar wasn't the one it listened to anymore.
Core Chamber – Kael's Mindscape
In a realm of darkness and flickering memory, Kael wandered.
A silhouette—Noel—stared at him through fire. "You watched it burn."
Enies Lobby. The Buster Call.
Luffy's face. Laughing. Oblivious.
Kael knelt, shaking. "I didn't choose this."
But the Core whispered not with words, but with agreement. It understood resentment. Pain. Isolation. It asked only that he give in. That he stop resisting. That he let go.
His breath grew heavier.
Core Sector Hallways – Straw Hats
As they approached the chamber, security drones dropped from the ceiling. Mutated metal beasts with jagged limbs screeched at the crew.
"Battle bots!" Franky shouted. "And they're upgraded!"
Zoro sliced the first in half. "They're in the way."
Usopp fired a smoke star. "I got your flank, Nami!"
Nami spun her clima-tact. "Thunder Tempo!" Lightning burst through two drones.
Chopper transformed into Guard Point, blocking a blow from another. "They're everywhere!"
"Keep pushing!" Luffy yelled, dodging a blast. "Kael's in there!"
Sanji leapt into the air, spinning-kicking another bot into the wall. "Don't let them slow us down!"
Brook sang as he moved, slicing down two drones. "They dance—but I cut! Yohoho!"
The team fought hard, each using their signature style. Finally, they burst through the final door.
Core Chamber – Kael Awakens
Inside, Kael floated. Machines surrounded him. The Core pulse throbbed louder now. Violet rings shimmered across the room.
Luffy stepped forward. "Kael! Wake up!"
Kael's eyes snapped open. One blue, one glowing violet.
He stared blankly at Luffy.
"Where… is Noel?"
A pulse exploded outward. The Straw Hats were thrown back.
Robin shouted, "The Core—it's syncing to his emotions!"
Kael rose higher, energy radiating around him. The Core hadn't taken him. Not completely. It had become him.
From above, a siren echoed.
WARNING: FAILSAFE COUNTDOWN – 59 MINUTES