Egghead Arc

The Egghead Arc, also referred to as the Future Island Arc, is the thirty-second story arc of the manga and anime One Piece, the first story arc of the Final Saga, and the ninth story arc of the second half of the series.

As the world keeps changing by the aftermath of the Levely, the Raid on Onigashima, and the destruction of Lulusia, the Straw Hat Pirates, following their Log Pose, arrive at the mysterious, futuristic island Egghead where the Marine super genius Dr. Vegapunk resides. Meanwhile, the World Government has decided to assassinate Vegapunk, sending a CP0 team that includes two agents the Straw Hats have dealt with before.

Shifting Balance: The World's New Great Powers


After recovering from their dangerous plummet down Wano's waterfall, the Straw Hats (namely Nami) put Luffy in a cage to punish him. They then received the newspaper, from which they learned of their new bounties and about the many massive events that had occurred during their time on Wano. They were left aghast at the news of Cobra's death and Vivi's disappearance; Luffy immediately wanted to go and rescue Vivi, but Zoro talked him out of it, saying they should allow Vivi to take care of herself until it became clear she was in imminent danger. Luffy refused to believe that Sabo would kill Cobra, recalling the time he declared his dream to Sabo and Ace and thus revealing it to his crew for the first time; they reacted with a mixture of disbelief, wonder and mirth. Usopp said that such a thing would be impossible, but Luffy replied that the Pirate King might be able to do it. Franky declared that they needed to find the last Road Poneglyph to help their captain become Pirate King and achieve the dream as soon as possible, but Robin said that this would not be easy as its whereabouts had been unknown for a long period of time.

The Red Hair Pirates dropped Marco off back at Sphinx, and as he bid farewell to them, Marco remembered his farewell with the Straw Hats on Wano. Yamato had informed the crew of his decision not to join them, as he believed that Wano would need his protection for the time being from threats like Ryokugyu. Marco then arrived to tell the crew he was about to leave, and he, Luffy, and Jinbe reminisced about their first meeting in the Summit War of Marineford; Marco said Ace would have certainly been delighted to see how much Luffy had grown.



On Karai Bari Island, Crocodile and Mihawk confronted Buggy over why he was labeled as the leader of Cross Guild, which in reality was created by the two of them. Some days ago, Crocodile contacted Mihawk as the now ex-Warlord was under attack by the Marines and proposed that the two of them team up to take on the Marines. Later, as Buggy was under attack by the Marines, Crocodile arrived at Karai Bari Island and ambushed the attacking fleet. Buggy's henchman believed that Crocodile was working for him, but in reality, Crocodile was after Buggy to collect the money the pirate owed him. With no options, Buggy offered to work as a servant for Crocodile's new company in order to pay off his debt. However, Buggy's subordinates put their captain front and center when creating a poster to spread word about the Cross Guild, and the World Government misinterpreted the poster as well as Crocodile's attack on the Marines to label Buggy as the company's leader and deem him one of the Four Emperors. Because of the massive threat posed by Cross Guild, Crocodile's bounty was raised to over 1,000,000,000 while Buggy's and Mihawk's were raised to over 3,000,000,000. Although Crocodile was enraged by this development and proceeded to physically abuse Buggy in response, Mihawk stated that he had no desire to be an Emperor and that it might actually be advantageous for them if they were to keep Buggy as their figurehead leader, which Crocodile accepted.

On Amazon Lily, Gloriosa comments that the island had suffered great damage and that they had never experienced an invasion of this magnitude before, to which Boa Hancock replies that as long as she is there the marines will not stop coming, also comments that she should marry Luffy now, which annoys Gloriosa since Hancock is always thinking about it.



A few weeks ago, Koby, Yamakaji, and their fleet assaulted the island, they brought in a new line of Pacifista known as the Seraphim, and the Kuja were left in shock as they came under attack by a cyborg resembling a young version of none other than Hancock. The battle was then interrupted by the arrival of the Blackbeard Pirates, who came to take Hancock's Mero Mero no Mi power. Blackbeard was attacked by a Seraphim resembling a young Mihawk, and Hancock used her ability to turn all the Marines and pirates, save for Koby and Blackbeard, to stone. Blackbeard was able to grab hold of Hancock and nullify her ability, and a standoff formed as Hancock said that if she were killed, her victims would remain petrified, and Blackbeard would never be able to use her fruit to undo it. Blackbeard ultimately decided to kill her regardless but was stopped by the sudden arrival of Silvers Rayleigh, who told the Emperor to depart the island with the concession that Hancock would reverse the petrification of his crew.

In the present day, Rayleigh remained on Amazon Lily along with Shakuyaku, who was the former Amazon Lily empress and Kuja Pirates captain two generations before Hancock. The legendary pirate remarked that the events were fortunate to go the way they did, as he was not sure he would have been able to take on Blackbeard in a battle at this point.

Out at sea, a Marine ship reported via Den Den Mushi that they were setting course for Egghead and that Koby's status was unknown as he had been kidnapped by the Blackbeard Pirates.



In the Kamabakka Kingdom, the Revolutionary Army officers expressed relief that Sabo was still alive, although Dragon was concerned about the report of King Cobra's assassination and said he and Sabo would have a reckoning if his Chief of Staff was indeed the one responsible. Dragon then went up to the liberated Kuma and asked him what he had seen. Right then, the revolutionaries received a call from Sabo, which the Marines were able to intercept. They traced the location of the call to the Lulusia Kingdom, which was one of the kingdoms that had revolted in the Eight-Nation Revolution; the Five Elders were made aware of this and remarked that Sabo was unlucky. In his call, Sabo told his comrades that he had not killed Cobra; in reality, he had seen something terrible. As he was saying this, the citizens of Lulusia looked up as a massive object appeared in the sky, shrouded by clouds. As Sabo began to tell the revolutionaries that the Empty Throne actually possessed an occupant, said occupant Im unleashed a rain of lasers from the sky which instantly obliterated Lulusia and left nothing in its wake; it was declared during this attack that Lulusia had never existed to begin with.

Arrival at Egghead: A Certain Scientist's Island of the Future
A few days after their departure from Wano, the Straw Hats were in a brutally cold climate zone as they approached their next island. They came across a giant Warm Eddy, and spotted a person trapped inside it. Zoro cut through the eddy to free them, and Jewelry Bonney emerged in child form. Luffy jumped in midair and stretched his arms to catch her as well as a blown-overboard Chopper, but the Sunny and crew then came under attack by the Mecha-Shark, a giant shark made out of metal. As Luffy, Bonney, and Chopper fell into the ocean, Jinbe went to rescue them while Franky tried piloting the Sunny out of harm's way. However, the Mecha-Shark fired homing torpedoes out of its mouth which caused the Sunny to capsize and sink. It then attacked Jinbe's group with cannon fire as the fish-man tried to save the Devil Fruit users, forcing him to dive underwater to escape. The Mecha-Shark turned its attention back to the Sunny but was suddenly punched by a person inside a giant mecha.

Meanwhile, at the G-14 Marine base nearby, Helmeppo and several other Marine officers pleaded with Tashigi and Rear Admiral Prince Grus to let them go and rescue Koby from Hachinosu. Prince Grus refused their request to deploy a Seraphim from Egghead, saying they were in no position to act as they had not been able to get ahold of X Drake.



Jinbe brought Luffy, Chopper, and Bonney onto the nearby island, where they dried their clothes and got warm. Bonney revealed who she was to Luffy and told the Straw Hats that this island was Egghead, a place home to Dr. Vegapunk's research lab and has been said to be 500 years into the future. She revealed that she came alone, as she had business with Vegapunk, though her ship was devoured by the Mecha-Shark before she could reach the island. The four then enter the island, where they were dazzled by the futuristic sights of aliens, giant robots and giant parfaits. However, upon interacting with them, they soon realized they were all holograms. Annoyed, Luffy punches a large robotic girl that talked to him, only to find out it was real when he was punched back. He was knocked into the Automatic Food Machine, much to the pirates' delight and started playing with it. As they ate, the girl started explaining some of the technology, such as the Island A.C. that kept the island warm despite being a winter island, and her Light Pressure Gloves that allow her to interact with holograms. When enquired who she was, she claimed to be Dr. Vegapunk, though Bonney, who knew the real Vegapunk, immediately thought she was lying.

Meanwhile, the mecha that hit the Mecha-Shark lifted the Sunny out of the ocean, along with the rest of the Straw Hats and a woman emerged from it, saying the Mecha-Shark was a creation she built to guard the island but was acting awry due to its primal desires to eat ships. The woman then introduced herself as Dr. Vegapunk, to the Straw Hats' great shock. However, when Robin questioned this, knowing for a fact the Vegapunk should be an elderly man, the woman expanded on this by revealing that she was Punk-02, Lilith, not the original Stella, before demanding the Straw Hats treasure and surrounding them with giant Sea Beast Weapons. However, Punk-01, Shaka contacted Lilith, scolding her for plundering and warning her of the danger she is in, particularly from Zoro and Robin. After she had realized this, Zoro then started to make demands, with Shaka, who was interested in the crew, obliging. The Vegaforce-01 then flew with the Sunny to the top part of the island, the Labophase, as Lilith explained how the machine could currently only work in the vicinity of the island, and how the clouds around the top were Island Clouds and that the lower area was the residential Fabriophase. The Straw Hats, except for Zoro and Brook, who remained on ship watch duty, then disembarked and obtained some new clothes. While the two swordsmen had tea on the ship, they released Caribou and told him to disembark, despite his protests as the island was a government island.

After Luffy's group had eaten their fill, Atlas flew off to do her job of fighting holograms, while the four discovered a Trancos (a clothes dispenser), and picked out some new attire. However, as they wandered around, a policing Pacifista started to attack them, since they took the clothes and food without paying. When Luffy attempted to fight back, Bonney intervened, tearfully revealing how Bartholomew Kuma was her father. They eventually managed to escape it thanks to Bonney's Devil Fruit ability altering Luffy and Chopper to their old age, while Jinbe and the Glutton became children, fooling the cyborg's detection. Jinbe then revealed what he knew about he knew about Kuma, such as how he was the king of Sorbet Kingdom, but was driven out due to his tyranny, became affiliated with the Revolutionary Army, before being captured and imprisoned for life, though thanks to Vegapunk taking interest in him, Kuma gained his freedom as a Warlord at the cost of donating his body to science. However, as Bonney salvaged through a scrap heap, discovering a beam saber in the process, she contradicted many of these "facts", and believed her father would not have willingly sacrificed himself for science, adding on that he was apparently part of a certain race.



At sea, a ship from the World Government headed towards Egghead. On board, Rob Lucci, Kaku and Stussy were going over their newest mission, a plan to assassinate Vegapunk. As it turned out Dr. Vegapunk, somehow split himself amongst six more people, referred to as Satellites, as he had too much to do. In the process of delivering S-Bear, the three are to assassinate all the Vegapunks' with as little damage to the lab as possible. When Lucci pondered whether this order is due to what happened to Lulusia, his fellow agents warned him against inquiring this. At around the same time Shaka, having foreseen his imminent death, contacted Dragon to tell him something.

Meanwhile, in the seas of Winner Island, the Polar Tang was under attack, with the Heart Pirates themselves suddenly started turning into women. Forced to surface, they soon found their attackers, the Blackbeard Pirates, waiting for them. Law countered his feminization with a strong amount of Haki, with Doc Q, the one who spread the disease with his Shiku Shiku no Mi ability, commenting that by doing so, the cure would also spread out amongst the crew. Van Augur then used his Wapu Wapu no Mi ability to teleport Jesus Burgess to the island, who used his Riki Riki no Mi ability to throw a mountain at the Heart Pirates, though Law countered it with his own Ope Ope no Mi ability. Teach himself appeared on top of Stronger (and Doc Q), who now could fly thanks to the Uma Uma no Mi, Model: Pegasus. The Blackbeard captain launched this ambush in order to steal Law's copies of the Road Poneglyphs. Law then used his awakened ability R-ROOM: Amputate on Stronger to make them fall, though not before Teach used Gurash to shake up the Heart Pirates and the island with it. Doc Q then threw a basket of explosive apples at his enemies, but Shachi countered it by spitting out a jet of water to intercept the bombs. Bepo then identified Augur's position and had Jean Bart intercept his shot targeted at Law. The Surgeon of Death himself faced Blackbeard, using K-ROOM: Shock Willie against the Emperor.



Augur then saved his captain with ability, before placing him before Law, and just as the two clashed again, Teach used his Kurouzu against his opponent. Meanwhile, the Heart Pirates proved the aquatic fighting ability by attacking the Blackbeard Prates ship from underwater, the very ship imprisoning Charlotte Pudding. In Marine Headquarters, Fleet Admiral Sakazuki expressed his frustration of his inability to do anything, as he received the news of the two crews fighting.

Meeting Dr. Vegapunk: Secrets Unraveled
In the Labophase of Egghead, as the Straw Hats entered the lab, they marveled at the technology, such as the escalator and the phase-through door, while Lilith explained the the island's mechanisms are powered through fire. The crew soon lost sight of Lilith but were guided to a room by Edison over the speaker system, where they encountered S-Shark. Jinbe's Seraphim Pacifista. Though at first confused, after the cyborg had attacked them, the Straw Hats quickly fought back, though they were hampered by S-Shark's combination of lasers, Fish-Man Karate, his Lunarian/Fish-Man physique, cyborg modifications and an ability similar to the Sui Sui no Mi. The battle was quickly put to an end by Shaka, who ordered S-Shark to stand down whilst restraining the pirates by magnetizing the Dom Shoes they were wearing to the floor. As it turns out, the battle was an experiment set up by the three satellites Lilith, Edison and Pythagoras, to test out S-Shark in actual combat. Shaka then asked the four whether the island looked like the future to them, and though Franky gave an enthusiastic positive response, Shaka stated that this was an island of the past.



He goes on to state that the technology they used was mostly that which they recreated from an ancient kingdom from 900 years ago. As he continued talking, Robin realized that he was referring to the Void Century, with Shaka expanding that he theorized that Ohara discovered the existence of the kingdom and that the Void Century was the history of the war between the Great Kingdom, and the 20 nations which later became known as the World Government, who won the war and erased its existence from history. The Straw Hats were shocked by this reveal, though Sanji then realized that this information would make them a target of erasure by the World Government if they knew that the pirates knew this, to which Shaka casually affirmed, causing some of the pirates to despair. Though the satellite stated it was but a theory, he questioned Robin that if Ohara were annihilated for simple conjecture, then this should probably mean that they were basically admitting it was true. However, Robin asked back of whether he really could get such information from being affiliated to the Government, to which he denied, and when she asked how he could have known this, Shaka stated that the "will of Ohara" still exists.

He then tells his story of how he once knew Professor Clover, who was an eccentric yet well-respected Archaeologist/adventurer in his youth, whose charisma helped make Ohara the "holy land of archaeology". A few months after the Ohara Incident, Vegapunk visited the remains of the island to pay his respects, where he came across the sight of a lake stuffed full to the brim with books, the final acts of the Oharan scholars. In doing so, they managed to safeguard their knowledge and legacy, and as such, secured Ohara's "victory". Hearing this, Robin recalled parting with her mother and fellow archaeologists, and realized what her mother and old friends intended, causing her to tear up. Robin then affirmed Vegapunk's theory of the Oharans discoveries before asking where the books were now. Shaka then elaborated on the story, stating how the lakes were being dredged of the books by giants of Elbaf, being led by a giant covered in bandages. Vegapunk learnt their identities from Dragon, who arrived earlier to also pay his respects, and found out who they were directly from them. As the two paid their respects, Dragon who was then a captain of the Freedom Fighters, expressed his disgust at not only what the World Government did to Ohara, but also at Vegapunk for turning his group down and working for them, though the scientist was practical stating that their poor group could not support his research.



Dragon then stated that he would create an army that could fight back against the World Government's injustices, which Vegapunk doubted due to Dragon's pacifistic nature. However, before the end of that year, Dragon, together with Kuma and Ivankov, established the Revolutionary Army. While the Straw Hats were shocked by all these revelations, Shaka continued to say how Vegapunk later visited Elbaf and read all the books from Ohara, with all that knowledge now stored in his brain. Robin however, wished to know if that bandage-wrapped giant leader was perhaps Saul, and though Shaka did not confirm this, he did say that the giant was in hiding, which brought happy tears to Robin's eyes. He then dragged the Straw Hats to the monitor room using their Dom Shoes, allowing them to see their captain on the surveillance.

Meanwhile, in the Fabriophase, Luffy's group managed to get lost and stumble upon an Iron Giant in the Scrap Heap, with Luffy excitedly wishing to ride it. However, all of a sudden, something impacted the machine, and the next moment they found a man half stuck to the Iron Giant, exclaiming how his warping experiment failed and that he was sinking into the machine. Luffy saved him, and the man happily recognized Luffy and Bonney, though Bonney was not happy to see him, realizing the man as the original Dr. Vegapunk. When Luffy exclaimed at his hovering, Vegapunk explained to them how they could use their Dom Shoes to do the same, with Luffy, Chopper and the doctor accidentally flying off too high in the process. A bit later, Bonney demanded to know what happened to his head, to which Vegapunk casually replied that it grew too big and he had to cut it, though he was shocked when Luffy asked if he was now stupid. Vegapunk then explained that, even though he was already a genius, he had eaten the Nomi Nomi no Mi, which allowed him to store an unlimited amount of knowledge but caused his brain to continuously grow to accommodate. But since it was too big, he turned his brain into Punk Records, the giant egg in which the Labophase is contained, and he can access all this information thanks to the apple top antenna he replaced his brain with. He then explained about his satellites, each containing an aspect of his personality, and how he divided his work amongst the six, with all of them updating their experiences and ideas to Punk Records daily. Vegapunk shared his intent to one day allow humanity to have access to it, essentially allowing humankind to share a brain, though Jinbe questioned whether there would have issues if dangerous ideologies were included, the doctor brushed it off, in favor for more knowledge.



His statement however, angered Bonney who drew the beam saber on the doctor and demanded he turn her father back to normal. Despite being threatened, Vegapunk insisted that she turn off the saber as it was a failure, and though she refused, stating that it cuts well enough, the doctor elaborated by stating that the light of the beam attracts bugs, just as a huge swarm of insects surged toward her causing her to faint in fear. After she had fainted and the insect swarm left, Chopper attended to her, and Vegapunk became depressed, stating that he could not blame her for wanting to kill him. He then inquired about the second dragon in Wano, coming to the conclusion that it must have been his failed Artificial Devil Fruit, though Luffy claimed it was a success as Momonosuke was capable of doing nearly everything Kaidou was. Vegapunk then asked about its color, and Luffy stated it was pink, the scientist became more depressed insisting it was a failure, revealing that he was a perfectionist, and that the Artificial Devil Fruit was a failed product solely because of the color. When Luffy then asked about the Iron Giant, Vegapunk explained that they did not build it, and that it was made approximately 900 years ago, but 200 years ago it climbed up the Red Line and nearly attacked Mary Geoise, but suddenly stopped before it did any damage. It was supposed to be disposed of, but the scientists of that time preserved it instead. After stating how he felt bad for Bonney and that he needed to give her something, Vegapunk then requested Luffy to take him off Egghead.

In the Labophase monitor room, the Straw Hats observe their captain talking to Vegapunk, and when the talk of the Iron Giant came up, Shaka explained how he built the Vegaforce-01 based on the older robot, but he was unable to replicate the machine's dynamic power source. Soon after, CP0 started breaking through the Sea Beast Weapon defense line, with Pythagoras being notified and spreading the news to the other satellites and Straw Hats. Though Lilith suggested handing the pirates over, Shaka ordered that they tell the agents to drop the Seraphim and immediately leave while preparing them for battle much to everyone's surprise.

On Momoiro Island, the Revolutionaries are in disarray when Kuma, who was undergoing repairs, suddenly gets up and starts running and falling over continuously as he heads to the coast, with no regards of his own safety or the voices of his old friends. As they pursued him, Kuma ripped of the implements used to fix him, before using his Nikyu Nikyu no Mi ability to transport himself from the island.



Back on Egghead, in the Scrap Heap, Luffy questioned why Vegapunk wanted to leave, to which he explained how he wished to create endless, free energy for all mankind, though this did not impress the Straw Hat captain. When Jinbe stated that a lack of resources to create energy is one of the main causes of war, Vegapunk enthusiastically expanded on that, stating how energy was everywhere and that he wished to convert it into a form that can be seen and harnessed, though Luffy was still unimpressed. The scientist then revealed that his research into this led him to the "ancient energy" which was the power source of the Iron Giant. Their conversation is then interrupted by an explosion caused by CP0 landing on the island, prompting Vegapunk to wrap things up by stating that he took too much interest in the Void Century and now the Government wants to get rid of him. After briefly explaining what the CP0 were to Luffy, he again requested for the Straw Hats to take him, which the captain approved of, on account that he found the scientists head funny. Vegapunk then decided they should reconvene in the Labophase and requested they bring Bonney with them, and after Luffy had agreed, the scientist literally vanished before their eyes.

A Fateful Reunion: Monkey D. Luffy and Rob Lucci
In the Labophase, Pythagoras attempted to civilly ask the agents to have S-Bear return by itself, and for the rest of them to turn back. Lucci, suspecting that Vegapunk was onto them, asked if they knew about the Egghead Disappearances, how Government ships from CP5, CP7, and CP8, who had visited the island within the last two months, all disappeared. The Vegapunks seemed unaware of this, with Pythagoras claiming all three ships visited and left their port safely, and Lilith getting angry at their insinuation and even considering letting them in just to prove themselves, though in the end the satellites again requested they leave, before cutting communications. However, Pythagoras soon reported that the Sea Beast Weapons were consuming the Government ship, while the agents and S-Bear were spotted in the Fabriophase. Coming to the conclusion that they used S-Bear's replicated Nikyu Nikyu no Mi ability to transport themselves onto the island, Shaka came to the conclusion that the agents were determined to fight, and started giving out orders, having the researchers and workers evacuate, to have Atlas return and to mobilize S-Shark, S-Snake and S-Hawk, while putting Sentomaru in charge of them.

As the Government ship approached Egghead, they were attacked by the Sea Beast Weapons, with the CP0 agents fighting back. The agents then discussed reports of Jewelry Bonney heading to Egghead and contemplated killing her. Pythagoras then contacted them, politely asking them to have S-Bear return by itself and for them to leave. Lucci then decided to abandon the ship to the Sea Beast Weapons and had S-Bear use its ability to transport them to the island. Once they land in the Fabriophase, Kaku excitedly attacks a space monster that seems to be trying to attack them, though just as he attacks, Stussy, who had been on the island before, mentions it was a hologram, which elicits an annoyed reaction that she should have mentioned that first. However, as he was already in the air, Kaku decided to try to enter the Labophase using Geppo, when Stussy casually mentioned to Lucci that the double lines running the circumference of Punk Records was actually a border known as the Frontier Dome and those who cross it gets shot down by laser fire, which Kaku unintentionally triggers, causing them to fall down all burnt.



Just as a burnt up Kaku yells at Stussy for again mentioning things too late, Atlas charged at them and wound up for an attack, but Lucci quickly transformed into his hybrid leopard form and used Rokuogan on her, instantly knocking her out and badly damaging the large robot. At this point the Jinbe, Chopper, Luffy and the still unconscious Bonney ran right in front of the agents, with Lucci and the rubber-man instantly recognizing each other. While temporarily surprised at each other's presence, Luffy quickly ran towards Atlas in concern, and seeing her condition, requested Chopper to take care of her. Kaku cautioned Lucci from engaging them, as Luffy was now considered an Emperor, and that they were not permitted to engage one without approval from their superiors, as it could potentially lead to an unwanted war, however a fight soon broke out regardless as the Straw Hats went to support their assassination target.

Meanwhile, at Marineford HQ, Akainu learnt of the Straw Hats presence on Egghead, with the Marines assuming that Vegapunk recruited them after realizing CP0 was targeting him for assassination. After learning that Borsalino was already heading to Egghead on a different mission, Fleet Admiral then ordered them to contact CP0 and demand that they wait for Marine reinforcement and to not engage the pirates. Kizaru soon learnt of his new orders and promptly ordered all battleships they could mobilize to set course for Egghead. However, at Marine Base G-14, Doll argued with Vice Admiral Garp over the Den Den Mushi, trying to stop him as the base mobilized their battleships to head for Egghead. However, the Hero simply yelled for Helmeppo, who heard him, and told them that he was going to Blackbeard's base Hachinosu, to beat up the pirates and rescue Koby, while inviting him aboard.

In the meantime, Kuma, having used his ability to transport himself, ended up colliding into the Red Line, and falling into Red Port. He then attempted to climb up the continent, though was met with great resistance as the Marines fired mortars at him, causing him to fall of the wall. They continued to attack him while calling for back up, as the former Warlord while single-mindedly attempting to ascend the continent. Elsewhere, the Kid Pirates sighted Elbaf.



Back on Egghead, as Luffy and Lucci engaged each other in their awakened forms, in the Labophase, the original Vegapunk appeared in the monitor room and asked the Straw Hats about their captain's new form, though they were also clueless, believing it to be an extension of his rubber powers. However, Vegapunk then revealed that none of the old books ever mentioned the Gomu Gomu no Mi, and instead he drew comparisons between Gear 5 and the legends of the Sun God, Nika. He then stated his shocking theory to the Straw Hats, that Devil Fruits themselves were manifestation of the possibility for human evolution, with all the different powers representing the many branches for humanity's future, brought into existence by human hope and desire, though this unnatural state ended up making them loathed by the sea. When Sentomaru entered the battlefield with the other Seraphim, thinking he was going to support CP0, he was shocked when Vegapunk informed him that the agents were there to kill the scientist. Vegapunk then guilt-tripped the Marine with the favors the scientist did for him in the past, forcing him to go against the agents. As the Seraphim joined the battle, Franky started weeping, having recognized S-Shark's ability, and believing Senor Pink to be dead, though Vegapunk then revealed his research in Artificial Devil Fruits, with him having greater success with Zoan (though it was highly limited and expensive with Mythical Zoans), virtually no results with Logia, and his success with Paramecia, which he replicated using Lineage Factor to create Green Blood, which all the Seraphim possess, declaring the cyborgs to be the "strongest form of humanity".

In the Fabriophase, Luffy and Lucci both used awakening, though in spite doing so, the CP0 struggled to land a single blow on the pirate. When Sentomaru appeared with three more Seraphim, Kaku attempted to have S-Bear eliminate at least one of the cyborgs, before remembering that in terms of the Pacifista's authority hierarchy, they, who possessed the Authority Chips held less priority than the Marine. Sentomaru then ordered S-Bear to wipe out the agents, S-Snake to guide the pirates to the Vacuum Rocket and S-Shark and S-Hawk to hold back CP0. Lucci, having observed the situation after being knocked back by Luffy's Gomu Gomu no Mogura Pistol, attacked Sentomaru with Shugan in an attempt to usurp control over the cyborgs. Though the Marine managed to defend himself in time, it was still penetrated, leaving him with a mortal wound. Luffy, shocked that the Marine he was just chatting to during the lull of battle was attacked, sent Lucci flying with a Gomu Gomu no Dawn Whip before he could finish the job, though the recoil of the attack sent him comedically drilling into the ground. In the meantime, the Seraphim demonstrated their replicated Devil Fruit abilities against the Cipher Pol minions, with S-Bear firing a small Ursus Shock and S-Snake using Mero Mero Mellow. Lucci reappeared and again ran at Sentomaru with Soru, though Luffy blocked his way by emerging from underground with a gigantified head and attempted to chomp him. The leopard-man dodged it, but the Sun god then spat the rubble in his mouth at him and used the opening to defeat Lucci with a Gomu Gomu no Dawn Rocket.



Luffy then quickly reunited with his friends at the Vacuum Rocket, but not before promising Sentomaru that he would take Vegapunk off the island. After boarding the Rocket, Luffy deactivated his awakening, quickly aging in appearance, whilst Bonney suddenly regained consciousness and expressed her confusion. They quickly reached the Labophase, where Bonney angrily started to look for Vegapunk, irrationally blaming him for the bugs attack, with the intent of forcing him to restore her father, or else. In the Labophase, the Straw Hats in the monitor room question Vegapunk joining them, as well as why the Government would want to eliminate their greatest scientific mind, though they quickly understood after the scientist questioned back what they would do if said mind were to turn on them. In the Fabriophase, with Sentomaru finally unconscious, the CP0 now have control over the Seraphim, but were now met with the Frontier Dome's virtually impenetrable defense. They decide to cordon of the island to prevent escape.

CP0 Closes In: Vegapunk's Trump Card
When Stussy questioned Lucci's decision to fight Luffy, the agent simply stated that he did not see Luffy as an Emperor. All of a sudden, the security seemed to knock off, and though Lucci wished to exercise caution, believing it to be a trap, when the three agents used Geppo to reach the Labophase and still did not receive a counterattack, Kaku believed that this was an opportunity. The three then spotted the Thousand Sunny, and at Lucci's order Kaku attacked it with Rankyaku "Amane Dachi". Thankfully Zoro, who was napping aboard the ship cancelled out the attack and engaged the agents. As it turns out Bonney had found Vegapunk and pursued him through the facility, demanding he restore her father, even though he could not and that he had a good reason.

The Vegapunks then assembled, with Stella packed up to depart. As they contemplated how to escape, since CP0 had cordoned off the island, Lilith opted to use force, which Shaka vetoed, and while Pythagaros mentioned that they had one more ally, Edison stated that supporting them would result in said ally being pursued by the Government. This did not stop Vegapunk requesting the mysterious ally for help, who easily obliged. Vegapunk then requested the Straw Hats for permission to board their ship for all seven, which was met with mixed reactions from the pirates. However, much to the scientists' surprise, the Frontier Dome was deactivated, despite seemingly no one being in the control room, allowing the agents as well as the Seraphim to infiltrate before they could reactivate their defenses. Meanwhile Luffy managed to reunite with the rest of his crew, and though he was disappointed in leaving early, he quickly realized he lost sight of Bonney.

In the monitor room the Straw Hats and the satellites observed the situation outside, and though they thought Brook and Zoro might be able to hold on in a two vs. three match, Shaka revealed that the Seraphim followed the agents, most likely due to their limited personality judging they would be needed there. The satellites decided to take advantage of this, with Lilith and Edison heading towards the Seraphim to order them to fight CP0, with Franky and Sanji following to assist their crewmates. This left Nami and Usopp with Shaka who started panicking when CP0 ordered the Seraphim to destroy the lab.



At some point he managed to hide from her, though taking advantage of his naivete, she regressed her age into a child and started weeping crocodile tears, which drew him out. She then used Distortion Future to assume a muscular form, before using Toshi Tsuki to regress Vegapunk into a child. Having captured him, she demanded to know the reason for her father's lobotomy, though Vegapunk claimed that the truth would only hurt Bonney, and that he promised Kuma that he could never tell her, insisting that Kuma himself volunteered for this. Though she claimed he was lying, Vegapunk insisted that he loved Kuma as a dear friend and was proud of him, how doing what he did was so hard he wished to forget it, and that was why he could not tell her, though Bonney refused to accept this. At that moment a locked door started beeping, drawing Bonney's attention, and though the child-sized Vegapunk tried to stop her, Bonney eroded the lock with Oil Shock, and opened the door to reveal a large paw-shaped bubble. Vegapunk then recalled how he theorized together with Kuma that his abilities may work on other things, like memories, and requested that the Warlord try it out, though Kuma persistently refused. In the present, Vegapunk attempted to stop Bonney from touching it by claiming the bubble was pain, but Bonney knew that it was most likely memories as she slowly approached it. Bonney saw a bit of Kuma's childhood when he was running away from something and beaten by assailants for trying to flee. Overwhelmed by the sight, Bonney fell out of the memory world but resolved to reenter so she could understand her father's motives.



As Zoro fought Kaku, the other two agents soon found that the Seraphim had followed them by their own discretion and realized that they could not send them back down as the defense system has reactivated. Meanwhile, Kaku entered his awakened form and fought Zoro though the swordsman repelled him. Knowing that they would lose control if a Vegapunk were to give the Seraphim a direct command, Lucci ordered the cyborgs to destroy the lab before the scientists could get their chance.



While Kaku looked at the destruction in satisfaction, the two male agents noticed too late that Stussy had approached the giraffe-man and knocked him out by sucking his blood. A clone of Buckingham Stussy of the Rocks Pirates, she was secretly Vegapunk's ally. She dodged Lucci's attack before subduing him as well, using Seastone hidden within a lipstick tube to weaken him before biting him. Stussy then contacted Shaka to inform that she had taken care of the Cipher Pol agents, surprising the Straw Hats with him that he has a mole within the World Government. However, Stussy could not override Lucci's command to the Seraphim. Zoro and Brook defended the lab, as Lilith and Edison rushed outside. When Lilith tried to shout out an order, S-Hawk prepared to attack her, and although Zoro managed to block it, Lilith was too frightened to continue. Edison arrived shortly after and managed to order the Seraphim to stop, but Sanji had to save Edison from S-Shark's laser beam. This finally ceased the attack on the lab. After Stussy bound Lucci and Kaku with Seastone, Shaka invited her to join the Satellites on the Straw Hats' ship. Meanwhile, Luffy and Chopper began searching around for Vegapunk and Bonney.



On Sphinx, the residents informed Marco that the Marines had invaded looking for Whitebeard's treasure. The Marine captain, Ratel, had threatened to execute them one-by-one until they would admit where it was. However, Weevil had arrived to defend his father's hometown and fought off the Marines, forcing them to retreat and request backup. Ryokugyu was sent and had subdued and captured Weevil. After the story finished, Miss Buckin, formerly known as Buckingham Stussy, an ex-Rock pirate and a former member of MADS as well, demanded that Marco rescue her son and tell her where Whitebeard's treasure was. Marco thanked her for protecting the island, but she assumed that he doubted her son's lineage and offered to have Vegapunk prove it. In a fleet of Marine and World Government ships making their way to Egghead, Kizaru served tea to Saint Jaygarcia Saturn, one of the Five Elders.

Vegapunk Search Operation: The Labophase Death Game


Back on Egghead, Sentomaru had awakened and ordered a Pacifista Mark III to detain the other Cipher Pol agents in the Fabriophase. Still unable to contact Vegapunk or receive reports from the outside world, Sentomaru deployed all fifty Pacifistas Mark III and ordered them to aid in the Straw Hats' escape with Vegapunk.

In the Labophase, Luffy, Zoro, Brook, and Stussy regrouped with the others after Luffy was unable to find Vegapunk or Bonney. Checking the monitors, Shaka noted that Bonney was in Room Nikyu but could not see Vegapunk anywhere. Pythagoras was already on the look out for main body, and seeing as they could not leave without Vegapunk, Nami suggested the crew go look as well. Luffy and Zoro stayed behind to look after the unconscious Lucci and Kaki. As Pythagoras was searching, someone approached him from behind, and an explosion went off in part of the lab.

In his news balloon, Morgans learned that the World Government was attempting to assassinate Vegapunk and that Luffy was also on Egghead. When he considered writing that Luffy was holding Vegapunk hostage and waging war with the World Government over it, Nefertari Vivi rebuked him for mischaracterizing Luffy. Wapol urged her to be quiet out of fear that the World Government could overhear, as well as reminding her that Morgans was hiding them both. Morgans dismissed Vivi's opinion, stating that his main concern was what sold as entertainment.

Back at the lab, Shaka sees Pythagoras being attacked on the camera Den Den Mushi and tries to contact him, but suddenly notices a figure attack the camera and cut the feed. Luffy likewise notes he cannot hear the others over the radio anymore. When he goes to tell Shaka this, Shaka points out the cameras all over Egghead are being taken out. Meanwhile the Straw Hats and Stella units have formed into teams to explore the lab to look for Vegapunk. Nami, Brook and Edison search the third floor of building A where Nami finds a machine that produces jewelry which she is ecstatic over and tries to take a few, but is forced to leave them behind to continue the search (though insists on retrieving them later).



Robin, Chopper, and Atlas searched the second floor of building A, a section which manufactured artificial organs to Chopper's amazement. On the second floor of the right side of building B. Sanji, Stussy and Jinbi search the development floor. On the third floor on the left side of building C is Ussop, Lilith, York, and Franky, the four arriving at the area where Pythagoras was attacked and finding his body. However, he survived by ejecting from his bigger body before he was hit. York then found S-Snake near by, and Pythagoras yelled out to York to stay away from her. However, having Hancock's Mero Mero no Mi powers, S-Snake turned her to stone. When Lilith ordered her to stand down, S-Snake attacked the group and forced them to jump off the platform.

Lilith and Edison were confused as they should have the higher clearance to command the Seraphim, and then the group noted the communication devices had malfunctioned, and they cannot contract the main control room. Back in building A, the lab was suddenly attacked by S-Bear and S-Hawk to the similar confusion of Shaka as Luffy and he arrived on the scene, finding Zoro trying to fend them off so they would not kill a still bound and helpless Lucci and Kaku. After the group had barely avoided an attack from the two Seraphim, Shaka noted that someone in the base was commanding them to kill everyone inside. Lucci requested the three untie him and Kaku to help with the situation, a suggestion that Luffy and Zoro did not take favorably.



The Seraphim continue their attacks (at one point Zoro noticing that S-Hawk is wielding Mr. 1's Supa Supa no Mi power) forcing Luffy and Zoro to pull Lucci and Kaku out of danger. Kaku proposes once again Lucci and he be freed, even promising to return to their cuffs once he threat is dealt with, but Zoro remains unconvinced. Shaka questions Lucci what their mission is to Egghead which Lucci bluntly answers is to kill Vegapunk and the Satellites. Also putting Stussy on his hitlist for her earlier betrayal. Seeing that they likely have no choice, Luffy agrees to free them but only with the condition Lucci only come after him once everything is settled. A term Lucci surprisingly agrees with stating he intends to kill Luffy before his crew. With that, the two CP-0 agents are freed and work together with Luffy and Zoro to fight the Seraphim.

In an unknown section of the lab, Cipher Pol agents from CP 5, 7 and 8 are being kept prisoner, being there for two months without food or water. Vegapunk finds himself awakening here and surprised to find that Lucci's statement of agents disappearing near the island were truth as one of the agents reveal they were attacked by his Sea Beasts and captured, with the following agents investigating their disappearances meeting the same fate. Vegapunk worries about this occurrence as there should have been no way the World Government knows about him studying Ponegliffs. Meanwhile on the island of Elbaf, in a bar of one of the coastal villages, a young giant asks Shanks to take him with him but is refused for being too young. Rockstar comes in to inform Shanks someone is fighting their crew near the island. Shanks chides himself for taking so long to leave but promises the residents he won't let the island become a warzone.



The rest of the Red Hair Pirates follow after him, joined along with Dorry and Brogy at Shanks' request to fight the incoming threat who turns out to be the Kid Pirates. Shanks tells Rockstar to give Kid a message: either fight there and now or leave their Ponegliff and flee. Out at sea, Eustass Kid and Killer notice the ships their fighting are crews allied with the Red Hair Pirates. Killer asks Kid if he truly wishes to continue as their last encounter with the crew ended with their defeat, not even seeing Shanks and the loss of Kid's left arm. Plus the pirates will kill him if he loses to them again. Kid confirms he isn't backing down and proceeds onward to battle.

Story Impact

 * A few characters make their first appearances in the manga after the timeskip. The characters (in the order they were reintroduced) are: Daz Bonez, Vasco Shot, Doc Q, Van Augur, Stronger, Oimo, and Kashii.
 * Doc Q, Augur, and Stronger were previously seen as silhouettes during the Levely Arc.
 * Vegapunk is fully seen for the first time.
 * Every Straw Hat's bounty is revealed to have been raised following the events on Wano Country. Zoro's bounty is 1,111,000,000, Jinbe's is 1,100,000,000, Sanji's is 1,032,000,000, Robin's is 930,000,000, Usopp's is 500,000,000, Franky's is 394,000,000, Brook's is 383,000,000, Nami's is 366,000,000, and Chopper's is 1,000.
 * The fates of every remaining Warlord after the dissolution of the Seven Warlords of the Sea is revealed.
 * Crocodile contacted Mihawk in order to form the Cross Guild. He also rescues Buggy from the Marines and takes over Buggy's Delivery due to Buggy being unable to repay his debt. However, due to his subordinates' love for him, Buggy was advertised as the Cross Guild's leader, leading to the Marines recognizing him as such as well as giving him the status of an Emperor of the Sea. Ultimately, Crocodile and Mihawk let Buggy remain as president in order to have him attract all the unwanted attention.
 * Boa Hancock decides to leave Amazon Lily to protect her people, leaving Rayleigh and Shakuyaku to protect her home and reunite with Luffy after its invasion by the Marines led Koby, who attempted to arrest her, and the Blackbeard Pirates, who wanted to steal her power.
 * Shakuyaku is revealed to be a former Empress of the Kuja tribe and the former captain of the Kuja Pirates from two generations ago.
 * The Seraphim, upgrades to the Pacifista, are revealed as the new fighting force of the SSG to replace the Seven Warlords as part of the Three Great Powers.
 * According to Stussy, the Five Elders, Vegapunk, and Sentomaru are the only holders of the authority over the Seraphim, superseding even CP0's "control chips". Likewise, the Seraphim can only be commanded directly, as commanding them via Den Den Mushi is impossible. However, according to Shaka, the Seraphim are capable of limited decision-making, not requiring orders to act in certain circumstances.
 * Koby is abducted by the Blackbeard Pirates, following the invasion of Amazon Lily by the Marines.
 * Garp arrives at the G-14 Navy Base, intending to lead a mission to save Koby from the Blackbeard Pirates.
 * Edward Weevil was captured by Ryokygyu after protecting Sphinx from the Marines who arrived to confiscate Whitebeard's treasure.
 * Sabo is aware that the Empty Throne has an occupant and is thus targeted by Im and the World Government, who annihilate the Lulusia Kingdom in the process and erase its existence from history.
 * More information about Jewelry Bonney, Bartholomew Kuma and their relationship is revealed.
 * Jewelry Bonney is revealed to the daughter of Bartholomew Kuma. This explains why she was crying while watching the Summit War of Marineford, witnessing the army of Kuma-like Pacifista. This also explains why she was in Mary Geoise during the Levely, as she wanted to save her father.
 * She claims to be looking for Vegapunk for an explanation regarding Kuma becoming a Pacifista. This reveals that Vegapunk is the person she held a grudge against and sought after before entering the New World.
 * According to Bonney, Kuma belongs to a special group of people and was therefore targeted by the World Government for their Pacifista project. Vegapunk told Bonney that the process of Kuma being turned is irreversible but that there is a good reason for why it happened. According to Vegapunk, Kuma willingly gave up his own free will while participating in the Pacifista project.
 * Bonney encounters one of Kuma's paw-shaped repulsions inside a room in Vegapunk's laboratory, which she recognizes as her father's memories. The repulsed memories were part of an experiment Vegapunk conducted on Kuma, after the former begged the latter to participate in it. Vegapunk tries to prevent Bonney from accessing Kuma's memories due to a promise he made to the former Warlord.
 * Her bounty was increased to 320,000,000.
 * A CP0 squad consisting of Rob Lucci, Kaku, Stussy, and S-Bear are tasked with the mission to eliminate Vegapunk and all his copies. Lucci thinks the mission could be connected to Lulusia's destruction. They also decide to kill Bonney as well due to her escaping the World Government too often.
 * However, Stussy betrays the group and renders the former two unconscious. She is revealed to be a MADS-developed clone of former Rocks Pirates' member, Buckingham Stussy. She is also revealed to have been an undercover spy for Vegapunk for the last two decades and is confirmed to have also been the one to whom Vegapunk had secretly contacted to help them.
 * Later when the Seraphim had been ordered to kill everyone, Lucci and Kaku are forced to propose a temporary alliance to deal with them, much to the chagrin of both Luffy and Zoro.
 * The destinations of both the Heart Pirates and Kid Pirates after departing Wano Country have been revealed:
 * The Heart Pirates are close to Winner Island, where they are attacked by the Blackbeard Pirates for their Road Poneglyph etchings.
 * Jesus Burgess, Augur, Doc Q, and Stronger have acquired Devil Fruit powers. Burgess has the Riki Riki no Mi, Auger has the Wapu Wapu no Mi, Doc Q has the Shiku Shiku no Mi, and Stronger has the Uma Uma no Mi, Model: Pegasus. As a result, Blackbeard confirms that all of his officers now have Devil Fruit powers, thus completing his quest of hunting down powerful Devil Fruits.
 * Kuzan is confirmed to have officially joined the Blackbeard Pirates and has kidnapped Charlotte Pudding alongside Augur. Pudding is held captive on one of the Blackbeard Pirates' ships.
 * The Kid Pirates arrive at their island of choice, Elbaf.
 * The Kid Pirates are challenged by the Red Hair Pirates to a battle with the former's Road Poneglyph etchings as the prize.
 * More information about the Void Century is revealed.
 * Shaka reveals that the technology on Egghead are all attempts to replicate the lost technologies of the Void Century.
 * Vegapunk is aware of the true events that happened during the Void Century and Shaka states that anyone holding such knowledge is liable to death by the World Government, regardless of affiliation.
 * Vegapunk explains that the ancient Iron Giant found in the Scrapyard was created before the Void Century and once attacked Mary Geoise 200 years ago, although it stopped working before it could cause any damage. According to Shaka, the robot is powered up by an unknown power source that is currently impossible to recreate but was available in ancient times.
 * As Vegapunk revealed that his research is connected to the ancient energy that powered the Iron Giant, he has learned too much about the Void Century which is why he wishes to leave Egghead as the World Government wishes to eliminate him.
 * More information of the Ohara Incident is revealed.
 * Jaguar D. Saul is revealed to be alive and has the Giants recover what is left of Ohara's books. Vegapunk and Monkey D. Dragon witnessed this event and Dragon announced his plans to start an Army in response to Ohara's destruction. He offers Vegapunk an invitation to join but he declines, believing he can do more good trying to change the Marines from the inside.
 * Dragon, Emporio Ivankov, and Kuma are the founding members of the Revolutionary Army, having established it that very same year.
 * Vegapunk visited Elbaf and memorized every book the Giants recovered from Ohara.
 * Vegapunk reveals that he is the user of the Nomi Nomi no Mi and that the Punk Records found in the Labophase is where most of his brain is stored, which he can remotely access anytime with the help of the antenna on his head. He wishes to someday grant the whole world access to Punk Records and the intellect and knowledge stored in it.
 * Vegapunk's satellites are revealed to be clones of the original and are also mentally synchronized with Punk Records, allowing it to expand daily with new experiences.
 * Lucci and Kaku's respective Devil Fruits have awakened, granting them both a new form similar to Luffy's Gear 5 form.
 * More information about Devil Fruits is revealed.
 * As the Five Elders gave the Gomu Gomu no Mi its current name to hide its real identity, it did not exist in the ancient Devil Fruit Encyclopedia, as stated by Vegapunk and noted that Gear 5 resembles the Mythical figure Nika.
 * According to Vegapunk, Devil Fruits are all born out of the desires of humans. Because of this "unnatural evolution", nature itself (aka the sea) rejects them.
 * According to Shaka, awakened Zoans usually lose control of their minds, with Lucci being considered an exceptional case due to averting this.
 * In some rare cases, though, Zoan users can retain their personality upon awakening their fruit.
 * An awakened Zoan is characterized by flaming hair and what appears to be sash of flaming smoke appearing around the user.
 * More information about Artificial Devil Fruits is revealed.
 * Vegapunk explains that only Zoan-type Devil Fruits can be completely reproduced successfully; he speculates that with limitless resources, he may also be able to do the same with the Mythical sub-type, but Vegapunk states that it is currently unknown whether or not these artificial Zoan Devil Fruits can be awakened by their consumers.
 * Vegapunk also explains that while it is very complicated to reproduce Logia-based fruits, Paramecia-type Devil Fruits can be reproduced only by having the user's Lineage Factor and a transfusion of an artificial Green Blood which he made that is transfused through the arms of the Seraphim.
 * Vegapunk confirms that he acquired Senor Pink's Lineage Factor at some point to provide S-Shark with the Sui Sui no Mi's abilities.
 * Buckingham is revealed to be a scientist and a former member of MADS. She claims that Vegapunk can prove that Weevil is indeed Whitebeard's son.
 * A third type of Pacifista is introduced under Sentomaru's command, the Mk. III, which weaponizes resin bubbles for combat.
 * Vivi is revealed to be with Wapol, both being in Morgans' airship. Morgans has sheltered the two of them from the World Government for unknown reasons.
 * The Giant Warrior Pirates have reunited on Elbaf, including Dorry and Brogy, who are no longer in a feud.
 * In addition, they are acquainted with Shanks, and are allied with his crew.

Trivia

 * This is the first main story arc where the plot directly connects with the concurrent cover story and characters appearing in person in both simultaneously.

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