Chapter 122: Storming the Lab
Caesar Clown needed to be taught a lesson, to be shown who was truly in charge.
However…
"Liberation: Black Hole Blast!"
Following Ian's instruction, Skylark unleashed the compressed mass of devoured matter as a massive shockwave, blasting directly towards the upper levels of the research institute. The solid iron wall was torn open like paper, and the mixed debris shot straight into the room where Caesar Clown, Vergo, and Monet were located.
"Huh?"
"Wha-?"
"Look out!"
The two Logia users immediately transformed into their elemental forms to evade the attack. Vergo, his entire body hardened with Armament Haki, stood his ground and weathered the overwhelming impact.
Ian placed the Video Den Den Mushi on Speed's back, ensuring the live feed continued uninterrupted for the time being.
"Well done, Skylark!" Ian praised. "Everyone, the 'gate' to the lab is open. Let's charge in! Follow me across this giant bridge!"
With Ian leading the charge on Speed, his subordinates, their morale soaring, closely followed his footsteps. Nami, lagging slightly behind, went to Skylark first.
"Phew…" Skylark let out a shaky breath, wiping sweat from her brow. "Sister Nami, I was really scared just now. Thankfully, we destroyed the monster and stopped it from hurting anyone."
Nami put her arm around Skylark's shoulders. "Our Skylark is amazing! You were a huge help this time. Lieutenant General Ian must be so proud of you!"
Her thoughtful words brought a bright, adorable smile to Skylark's face.
…
Inside the Lab's Broadcasting Room.
The three who had been forced to retreat temporarily regrouped in a corridor.
Vergo brushed dust off his coat, his voice cold. "Is the broadcast shut down? Caesar, you idiot, stop bragging already."
Caesar Clown, still running, retorted, "There's no time to shut it down! Who knew that little girl was a freak with that kind of destructive power? Let's just get to Building B! It's full of sealed labs. I'll handle them! Do you really think Slime is my only poison gas invention? Just watch! I'll bring out another terrifying weapon. I guarantee I'll finish them off in one go!"
Monet, having transformed into a flurry of snowflakes, floated lightly above them. "Master, Vergo, I'll leave eliminating Jock Ian to you. I might not be able to defeat them, but…" Her voice trailed off as they reached a room with double doors, her form beginning to fade into the swirling snow within, "…slowing them down will be easy."
Her determination was clear as the snow rapidly intensified inside the room.
"Ufufu… That's my most trusted secretary," Caesar cackled evilly. "Please buy me some time. Leave the rest to your master."
Vergo, watching from the side, felt nothing but disgust. If Doflamingo hadn't explicitly stated that Caesar Clown was crucial and must not die, Vergo would have gladly killed the mad scientist himself right then and there.
…
Ian and his team gathered inside the main hall of the research institute. He signaled for Speed to temporarily turn the projected Den Den Mushi away. In the brief moment of privacy, he quickly assigned tasks.
"Peacock, Doll, your mission is updated. Go down the corridor to the left. Take any money, treasure, or supplies you find… Grab everything valuable or that looks valuable and have Little Red carry it. Eliminate any strange creatures you encounter!"
Peacock: "Understood, Lieutenant General Ian."
Doll: "Understood, Lieutenant General Ian! If I encounter another dragon, I'll definitely kill it myself!"
The benefits of having a giant porter were fully apparent at critical times like this. The massive red dragon was more than capable of carrying all the loot and supply crates.
"Uncle T-Bone, take this central passage. You'll run into a group of Caesar's men. Don't leave anyone alive. Head to room B-B at the end and wait for us."
T-Bone: "Yes, Lieutenant General Ian. Leave it to me."
"Nami, Skylark, Speed. You three continue with me. We'll handle Caesar and Vergo. You have fifteen minutes. We rendezvous in room B-B in fifteen minutes. Move out!"
…
While this unfamiliar research institute might have disoriented other Marines, for Ian, with his ability to perceive everything, it was like following a treasure map. The movements of Caesar Clown and the others appeared simultaneously in his mind. A game of cat and mouse was about to begin.
Under Ian's guidance, they easily bypassed a tightly sealed door mechanism.
"Brrr… It's so cold!"
"Waaah, there's snow in here?"
"Lieutenant General Ian's analysis was correct. There's a Logia user on the other side!"
"…"
Inside the brightly lit room, the temperature plummeted, causing the three women to shiver in surprise.
Snow Woman Monet!
A woman who thought herself clever.
Her combat prowess wasn't particularly high; she relied entirely on her Snow-Snow Fruit abilities. She often managed to restrain opponents who were stronger than her overall, a classic case of over-reliance on a Devil Fruit's power.
Ian stepped into the room without hesitation, his boots crunching on the thick snow.
Swish…
Swish…
Simultaneously, layers of swirling snow enveloped Ian. The frigid temperature rapidly sapped the body's heat.
Outside the door, Nami, Skylark, and Speed—the three women most familiar with Ian—showed no signs of nervousness. When Ian chose to face an enemy alone, that enemy's fate was already sealed.
"Ufufu… What a man with a perfect body," Monet's voice cooed seductively as her charming figure materialized from the snow, her arms wrapping around Ian from the front in an embrace of ice. "It's a pity you're a bit too reckless. I never thought I could defeat you head-on, Mr. 'Sea King.' Your body temperature is dropping steadily, isn't it? I can feel it clearly! Come now, sleep well in my arms…"
The intense cold caused Ian's body temperature to drop even further.
Nami: "Hey! How can you be so shameless? Hugging him just like that, you hussy!"
Skylark: "Really! Such a rude Logia user!"
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