Clifford Kingdom, Above Nakor City, Alvis Island.
Inside the laboratory, Shuzo sat bound to a metal chair, his limbs locked in heavy shackles. Several researchers in white lab coats moved around him.
"Kill me! Kill me, you bastards! I will never yield!" Shuzo struggled against the restraints, glaring at the staff.
"Captain, this specimen is excellent," Hubert observed, looking over Shuzo with satisfaction. "A pure physical powerhouse. Much stronger than the previous Chad."
"He was Zephyr's student, after all. His strength is on par with a Marine Headquarters Vice Admiral," Aeridar said, walking in and looking at Shuzo with a slight smile.
"Scumbag! To use me as a lab rat... kill me if you have the guts!" Shuzo roared, the metal chair creaking under his immense physical strength.
"It seems we'll need a few more doses of sedative. The body of a Rokushiki master is not to be underestimated," Hubert laughed, walking over to a console and pressing a blue button.
Bzzzt—!
Instantly, the chair surged with brilliant blue electricity. A powerful current enveloped Shuzo, crackling violently.
"ARGHHH—!" Shuzo screamed as his body buckled and convulsed.
Three seconds later, Hubert cut the power. A faint smell of ozone and charred flesh filled the room. Shuzo was scorched, his body still twitching uncontrollably.
"Give him the sedatives now, then perform shallow hypnosis to break down his natural mental defenses," Hubert instructed his team. "Then we hand him over to Pudding-san. Whether we cut his memories or wipe them entirely depends on his reaction."
"The plan is sound, Dr. Hubert," the researchers agreed.
Aeridar nodded coolly. "I'll leave it to you then. I expect to see a 'Killing Machine' loyal only to the Chris Pirates soon."
Hubert leaned in closer to Aeridar and whispered, "Captain, I heard you brought back a Logia user as well. Send him over!"
"Dr. Hubert, your news is outdated," Aeridar chuckled, shaking his head. "'Wet-Haired' Caribou, the Swamp-Swamp Fruit user... he and his entire crew have already surrendered and joined us."
"They surrendered?" Hubert looked disappointed. "Bah! Spineless cowards. Why couldn't he be stubborn like this one?"
Aeridar was speechless. "You have Shuzo and the Energy Steroids (E.S.) from Fish-Man Island. That's enough to keep you busy."
As Aeridar left, Gin approached him with a Den Den Mushi. "Captain, M. Caesar Clown just called. He says he's developed a new type of gas weapon and wants to know if we're interested."
"A new gas weapon? Isn't he busy enough with the Giantification and Artificial Devil Fruit projects?" Aeridar raised an eyebrow. "That man really does have an obsession with poison gas. Tell Lucien and Cavendish to check it out. He is a world-class scientist, after all; the weapon might have some use."
…
Nightfall.
Firs Island.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
Dozens of ships lined up at sea, firing their cannons relentlessly at the island miles away. Red-hot cannonballs shrieked through the air, slamming into the earth.
Fire consumed the landscape, lighting up the night sky. The ground was peppered with craters as Marine fortifications were pulverized. Rubble and bodies were tossed into the air as the defensive lines shattered.
On Firs Island, the Marine shore batteries roared back in defiance. Their high-caliber shells streaked across the sea; just one or two hits were enough to send a Neo Marine ship to the bottom of the ocean.
However, landing crafts were already being deployed. Despite the desperate Marine fire, the Neo Marines' sheer numbers were overwhelming. After losing nearly ten boats, the first wave hit the beach.
"Charge!"
"Take Firs Island!"
The Neo Marines soldiers looked fanatical. Clad in their distinctive uniforms, they rushed the shore with sabers, rifles, and rocket launchers.
"Stop them at the shore!" a Marine officer shouted, standing up from a trench. "Kill them! Don't let them through!"
The two forces collided in a brutal, bloody melee.
Inside the Marine Fortress…
"Call Headquarters! This is the Firs Island Fortress! We are under heavy attack by the Neo Marines! They are about to break our line! Requesting reinforcements!" A middle-aged Marine Rear Admiral shouted into a Den Den Mushi.
"This is Headquarters! Request received! Admiral Kizaru has been deployed! Hold your ground!"
CRASH—!
The fortress suddenly shuddered. Dust and debris fell as a corner of the thick ceiling was blasted open by a three-meter-wide hole. Several Marines were crushed instantly.
"What... what is that?"
"Airships?!"
Marines pointed to the sky in horror. Under the glow of the fires, a dozen airships hovered over Fars Island, raining down ignited barrels of explosives.
On the battlefield…
"SMASH BUSTER!!!"
A powerful blast erupted from the Smasher on Zephyr's right arm. A blinding light consumed the area, instantly knocking a Giant Vice Admiral to the ground.
Clink.
A heavy brass shell casing fell to the earth. Zephyr looked across the battlefield with cold, lifeless eyes.
"Crush... all the pirates!"
"Yes, Z-sensei!" Ain and Binz replied in unison.