Beltz wasn't heading to Punk Hazard specifically with the intent of getting Saint Saturn killed.
Imu was already severely dissatisfied with the efficiency of the Five Elders, to the point where he didn't even care that Liltotto had devoured Saint Ju Peter. If Imu found out that Saturn had been secretly studying the Giant Robot behind his back—and then got screwed over by the Conqueror's Haki Knot inside it—Saturn would likely be finished.
But then again, Beltz didn't plan on letting the Haki Knot remain linked to the Giant Robot; otherwise, wouldn't his posturing be for nothing?
He didn't go to Punk Hazard immediately. Instead, he rested on the sea for a while, made a stop at Skypiea, and traded soil for a large amount of gold. Then, he took stock of the rewards he had looted from the Celestial Dragons' treasury.
While most of it was gold and jewels, there were also two Devil Fruits.
"Hmm...? Zoan · Cat Cat Fruit · Model: Leopard. Isn't this the fruit Lucci eats later?"
He had read the Devil Fruit Encyclopedia, so he knew their abilities just by looking at their appearance. He looked at the first one and immediately felt bored. It was a very ordinary Devil Fruit—a waste of a collection.
"Well... whatever, it's still a Devil Fruit. I wonder if Grimmjow could eat it. If he did, it would actually suit him quite well."
He put that fruit back and looked at the second one. This one was interesting: it was the Age-Age Fruit.
In the original series, Saint Saturn would later use this fruit for experiments on Bonney, making her eat it as a child. But now, Ginny had been rescued by him right after being captured, so Bonney didn't even exist yet. Naturally, the fruit was untouched.
Not bad.
Once he finished cataloging his loot, his stamina had mostly recovered. This was the greatest strength of Mythical Zoan fruits—they granted a massive boost to stamina and recovery speed. He immediately flew toward Punk Hazard.
On the way, he noticed that the number of Marine warships on the sea had increased significantly. His actions must have sent the World Government into a blind rage.
And inside Punk Hazard, there was a powerhouse. Admiral Sengoku was actually stationed there!
Seeing him, Beltz felt things might get a bit tricky. He was certainly stronger than Sengoku now, but if they fought, it wouldn't be settled quickly. After his recent rampage in the Holy Land, Beltz strongly suspected that if he got bogged down in a fight, Imu might personally step out to "clean" him.
In the Holy Land, Imu might have stayed put for some reason, but out in the world, Imu would have fewer reservations. As long as Sengoku could stall him, they could wait for Imu to arrive in person.
So, Beltz discarded the idea of a frontal robbery. Forget it, I'll just keep stealing. After all, the Giant Robot was a top-secret project that very few people knew about.
At this time, Punk Hazard was still the Navy's most important scientific research site, and the Giant Robot was kept there. Even within the World Government, the number of scientists who knew it still existed was extremely small, as Saturn had hidden it away.
He could hide it from others, but not from Beltz.
Beltz closed his eyes, projecting the entirety of Punk Hazard into his mind. With the triple boost of Reiraku Sensing, Observation Haki, and his own 'The Subconscious,' a 3D image of the island and the location of every individual appeared in his perception.
Though the Giant Robot was hidden meticulously, there would always be scientists who knew its location. Beltz only needed to dive into their minds to dig out the secret. Thus, after closing his eyes for just a few seconds, he knew exactly where the robot was.
He descended directly toward the very edge of the island and activated his Psychological Invisibility.
Punk Hazard was a massive island; Marine Headquarters couldn't even compare. Since the robot was at the edge, Beltz wasn't worried about being discovered by Sengoku like last time. Last time, Kong found him because they were close, and Kong had been ordered by the World Government to stay alert for laboratory anomalies. This time, Sengoku was far away and didn't even know the robot was here, so he had no reason to search this area.
Thus, Beltz easily entered the underground research facility and saw Emet placed in an ultra-massive room.
Emet was currently unconscious. After failing the attack on the Holy Land over a hundred years ago, he had been damaged by the World Government. Although he would eventually wake up, it would likely only happen if he heard Nika's Drums of Liberation.
Considering the possibility of a backup power source, Beltz didn't go for the Haki Knot immediately. Instead, he first used his Subconscious ability to enter the Giant Robot's mind.
Yes, even a robot has a mind.
Beltz stood on its head, pressing his hand lightly against the cold steel. In the next moment, he felt a heavy consciousness. If some people's consciousness felt like a stream, a river, or a deep sea, the robot's mind was like a stagnant, muddy swamp. This was because his consciousness was in deep slumber and highly sealed; penetrating it was no easy task.
But since no one was there to disturb him, Beltz took his time. It didn't take long before he entered Emet's mental world.
"Who... are you?"
The consciousness, which had been in chaos, suddenly felt something pierce through and illuminate the dark world. Emet woke up slightly. His voice echoed from all directions.
"Hello there, Emet, companion of Joy Boy," Beltz said. "I am Beltz, from a future more than seven hundred years after your time."
"Beltz...?" Emet repeated the name, then asked in confusion, "Hello, Beltz. How do you know my name?"
"I know a thing or two about that history," Beltz replied. "I'm here to help you. Do you want to leave this place?"
Emet knew his current situation—he had been captured by the World Government. He was naturally happy that someone wanted to take him away, but he was also worried. Could this person really do it?
"Too much time has passed," Emet said. "My components are severely decayed. I've lost not only combat capability but even the ability to move. How will you take me?"
"I am an Azure Dragon Man who has eaten the Azure Dragon Fruit. Though you are huge, I can carry you away," Beltz explained. "While I cannot repair you, I can save you from being used and tortured by the World Government."
"Azure Dragon Fruit..." Hearing this, Emet couldn't be certain of Beltz's motives. But in over a hundred years, Beltz was the only one to find him and offer rescue. He could only reply: "Is there anything I can do for you?"
I've been waiting for that line.
"I need... the Conqueror's Haki Knot left behind by Joy Boy," Beltz said.
!
At those words, Emet's mental world shook. His thoughts instantly became cold and turbulent. He said in a deep voice: "How do you know about that?!"
The fact that Joy Boy had left him a Haki Knot was something only the two of them knew! Even in his sleep, he was certain the knot was still inside his body and hadn't been taken. So, how did Beltz know?
"Destiny told me," Beltz said solemnly. "The Land of Giants, Elbaf, is facing a massive crisis. It is very likely to fall into the hands of the World Government. If that happens, they will control the combat power of the entire Giant Race, and no one will be able to stop them! To prevent that, I must have Joy Boy's help!"
As he spoke, Beltz transmitted memories of his battle with the World Government to Emet. He added, "These are scenes of me fighting the Government. They prove I am definitely not on their side."
"Elbaf..." Emet paused for a moment, seemingly processing the words and the images. After a while, he said, "I have no way to stop whatever you want to do, so I can only choose to trust you."
That was the truth. He wasn't completely immobile, but even if he moved, he couldn't exert his full power. Furthermore, Beltz could have taken the Haki Knot before he even regained function. The fact that Beltz chose to inform him was an act of transparency.
Ultimately, he chose to trust Beltz—mostly because there was no second choice.
"Then, let us meet again in the future," Beltz said softly. His consciousness faded from the ocean of Emet's mind and returned to the physical world.
He looked at the Giant Robot, still motionless in its slumber. He walked from the head to another part of the body, leaned down, and found the preserved Conqueror's Haki Knot. He carefully removed it and put it in his pocket.
Looking at the massive robot, he jumped down and reached out... he lifted the giant machine with a single hand!
The robot likely weighed tens of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of tons! Yet he lifted it with one hand! The massive commotion caused by this was somehow ignored by the people nearby thanks to his powers. Then he raised his other hand, light and heat condensing within his palm.
Boom!
A light cannon shot from his palm, instantly blasting a huge hole in the ceiling! Once the hole appeared, the lab staff finally noticed something was wrong! They looked toward Beltz in shock, having no idea when he had entered.
"You... who are you?!" "Enemy attack!" "Let go of that robot!"
The scientists panicked. If Saint Saturn found out the Giant Robot was stolen, their lives would be forfeit! But Beltz didn't care about them. Having blasted a hole to the sky, he flew straight up with Emet!
Whoosh!
Once in the air, he transformed into a massive dragon and flew into the distance, carrying Emet!
Inside the Punk Hazard laboratory, Sengoku was on guard duty. Hearing the sudden noise outside, he shivered as a sense of unease washed over him. Not good! Something happened!
He rushed out, only to see a massive Azure Dragon. Flame clouds rose beneath it, carrying a super-colossal robot toward the depths of the New World!
"What?! Why is it him again?!" Sengoku was stunned.
Beltz was incredibly bold! A week after killing a Fleet Admiral, he attacked the Holy Land. And a few days after that, he showed up at Punk Hazard?! What did this guy want?! Was it not enough to tear the World Government's dignity to shreds? Did he have to drop it on the side of the road, stomp on it twice, and spit on it before leaving?!
"Bastard!"
Sengoku didn't know what Beltz was doing, but he knew he couldn't let him get away! But just as he was about to move, he remembered the "Lure the Tiger from the Mountain" trick at Marine Headquarters. Last time, Kong was killed because Sengoku and Garp had been lured away!
Could this be another distraction?! As a master tactician, Sengoku hesitated!
After all, he truly didn't know about Emet. In his view, the most important research on Punk Hazard was the lab he was currently guarding. If he left and someone else arrived, what then? Beltz had a prior record!
Sengoku's face turned grim, almost entirely black. Before Beltz, he had never felt this frustrated! Now, both Mary Geoise and Marineford had been turned into laughingstocks. Yet, they couldn't do anything about this man!
After careful consideration, Sengoku decided not to pursue. He had to stay here; as long as this lab wasn't overrun, things would be fine!
"Hmm? Not even going to chase me?"
Flying high in the sky, Beltz noticed Sengoku hadn't even attempted a pursuit. He found it strange, but it made things easier. He was taking the Giant Robot back to Wano, but he didn't plan on handing it over to Vegapunk until the scientist finished his clones.
After all... his clones were the top priority now. He couldn't let other projects become a distraction.