Core Chamber – Desperation Ignites
The walls shook from Kael's unleashed fury. Cracks spread across the chamber as the Core's pulse became erratic. The violet glow of its energy surrounded Kael like an aura, distorting the air.
"Kael!" Luffy shouted, battered and panting. "Stop already! This isn't you!"
Kael turned slowly, his right eye flickering blue, the other glowing purple. He didn't speak—just charged. The impact sent Luffy flying, smashing into the chamber wall.
"Luffy!" Usopp yelled.
Zoro intercepted Kael's follow-up, swords clashing against warped steel fists. "You really going all-out now, huh?"
Kael snarled. "You don't understand anything!"
Robin ducked behind cover. "This isn't just the Core… it's Kael's grief. It's using his emotions to grow stronger."
"Then what the hell do we do?!" Franky yelled, welding together two busted drones.
"Same thing we always do," Sanji said, lighting a cigarette. "We hit back."
---
Monitoring Bay – Core Fracture
Caesar paced erratically. "No, no, no… SE-RE-RE-RE! It's adapting too quickly!"
Monet frowned. "He's too strong now. Even if we shut down the failsafes—"
"—He'll override them," Caesar finished. He slammed his hand against the console. "I need a full reboot! Give me the neural override syringe!"
She handed it over silently. Caesar muttered, "You're mine again, Kael. My masterpiece."
---
Old Vaults – Law's Gambit
Vergo loomed over Law, who gasped as he felt another pulse of pain from his heart. "You're weakening, Law. Let it end."
Smoker charged, forcing Vergo to retreat briefly. "We're not done."
"I don't need long," Law whispered. In his hand, he formed a mini Room.
With precision, he swapped Vergo's bamboo staff with a volatile shard of the Hellix Core.
It detonated with a sharp burst, sending Vergo staggering. "You—!"
Law coughed blood. "Just needed an opening."
---
Core Chamber – Gear Fourth Unleashed
Luffy pulled himself up, panting, bruises lining his arms. "Guess I gotta go… all out."
He bit into his thumb. "Gear Fourth! Boundman!"
Steam exploded from his body. The transformation shocked everyone.
"He's doing it again?!" Chopper yelled.
Kael stared, muscles tensing. Luffy launched forward like a cannonball.
"Kong Gun!"
The punch connected, finally knocking Kael back. The floor buckled beneath them.
Zoro joined in, blades glowing with haki. "We end this now, together."
Kael roared as both Straw Hats pressed the assault, pushing him harder with each strike. But with every blow, his mind frayed. The Core whispered louder.
Noel. She believed in justice.
The Straw Hats took that away.
Bury them.
Kael screamed, knocking both away with a massive pulse. The Core flared.
---
Children's Escape – Tashigi's Mission
"Faster! Keep running!" Tashigi urged. The walls trembled.
A G-5 marine glanced back. "Ma'am, the shockwaves are worsening."
Tashigi pulled two children close. "We're almost clear. Just a bit longer."
One child clutched her hand. "Will that monster get us?"
She looked ahead. "Not if I can help it."
---
Caesar's Last Attempt
Caesar neared the chamber. The override syringe trembled in his hand. "Just a little jab and—"
Kael sensed him before he got close. A wave of Core energy sent Caesar crashing into the wall.
"SE-RE-RE—oof!" He collapsed, sputtering.
Monet ran to him. "That's it. You can't reach him anymore."
"No," Caesar muttered, voice cracking. "He… was perfect."
---
Robin's Realization
Behind a pillar, Robin read a fragmented file dropped during the battle. It showed an old marine record: Noel Varelle – Lieutenant, Enies Lobby Buster Call Casualty.
"That's her name," Robin whispered. "Noel. She died in that call. Kael…"
She looked at Kael mid-rampage. "He's not angry at us. He just needed someone to blame."
---
Final Clash Builds
The battle surged. Gear Fourth Luffy, bloodied but determined, grinned. "Still got some fight left."
Kael gritted his teeth, shoulders shaking.
"Don't let grief control you," Noel had once said.
But now grief was all he had.
He struck again, and the chamber darkened.
Time Remaining: 42 Minutes