Caesar let out a mocking laugh, his eyes gleaming as he took in Coby's grin. "You really think you can waltz through my gas?" he sneered. "Pirates really are monkeys, thinking the Gas Gas Fruit can only make toxins." With a wave of his hand, he pulled all the oxygen from the area, causing the Marines and the crew to gasp, clutching their throats as they struggled for air.
But before Caesar's grin could stretch any wider, a sudden gust whipped through the space, filling their lungs with air again. Caesar's smirk vanished, his eyes narrowing as he spotted Coby, who stood calmly, a faint glow surrounding him from his Wind ability.
Coby grinned, clearly enjoying the moment. "Did you just call all pirates monkeys?" he taunted, voice loud enough for the whole area to hear. "I got that recorded. Should I show it to Big Mom? Maybe I'll sell it on the black market—Joker's always interested in… strange recordings."
Caesar's eyes shot to Vergo, who met his glance with a sharp frown. After all, Vergo too had pirate ties, and Caesar could tell the Copy Ninja's words struck a nerve. Caesar clenched his jaw, cursing under his breath as he shot a glare at Coby. Could the Straw Hat really know about his connections to Doflamingo and Big Mom, or had he just thrown out names to stir trouble?
Caesar waved his hand, pulling in gas from every direction, condensing it into a swirling, poisonous cloud. "Think you're clever, spineless dog?" he sneered. "Let's see how smart you are when you can't breathe!"
Coby feigned shock, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Pirate dog? Are you saying the Shichibukai are dogs? I mean, sure, people say that behind their backs, but you're pretty bold for saying it out loud, Caesar."
Caesar bristled, glaring daggers at Coby. "You're twisting my words, Straw Hat scum! I serve the best interests of the New World's future—something you couldn't understand!"
"Oh, I understand plenty," Coby replied, tapping Shusui's hilt. "But I'm not the one throwing a tantrum and resorting to cheap gas tricks." He glanced at the swirling cloud around them. "This your big move, Clown? By the way, do Marine fund experiments on children, Vice-Admiral Vergo?"
Vergo shot Caesar a sharp look, eyes narrowing as he glared at the scientist. Doflamingo hadn't requested this kind of mess. He clenched his jaw, wondering if Caesar was really using the money meant for the experiment on something else.
Coby, ignoring the shared tension between Caesar and Vergo, smirked as he casually added, "Now that I think about it, I only know one guy who's obsessed with giants. Funny, right?"
The color drained from Caesar's face. He was working for Doflamingo—who was himself dealing with Kaido. But if it came out he was also working on something Big Mom wanted, he'd be a dead man from either side. Vergo's gaze flicked between Caesar and Coby, his eyes calculating. Caesar could feel sweat trickling down his neck.
"D-Don't be ridiculous!" Caesar stammered, looking between Vergo and Coby, his voice a mix of anger and desperation. "Doflamingo knows exactly what I'm doing here! All of it is to secure our future in the New World!"
Vergo grimaced, his jaw tightening as Smoker's eyes narrowed in suspicion. Several of the Marines exchanged confused glances, shifting uneasily, while Caesar tried to keep a straight face, clearly rattled.
Coby chuckled, crossing his arms. "Doflamingo? Thought you worked for the Marines, Vice-Admiral. Care to explain?"
Vergo's gaze turned icy as he met Coby's smirk. "I don't explain to pirates," he snapped, turning to Caesar and Monet with a fierce glare. "Caesar, Monet—kill them all."
Caesar sneered, spreading his hands as toxic gas began swirling around his fingers. "Gladly," he hissed, the poisonous mist thickening. "I'll make you regret ever setting foot here."
Smoker's expression turned stormy as he stepped forward, hand on his jutte. "Vergo, you better start talking. What the hell is going on here?"
But Vergo ignored him, focusing solely on the Straw Hats and Law, his fingers twitching as his own Armament Haki coated his fists. Caesar's gas filled the air, and the Marines fumbled for their gas masks, scrambling to cover themselves. Law's eyes shifted, clearly sizing up the situation as he adjusted his stance.
Coby raised an eyebrow, not a hint of concern on his face as he watched Vergo and Caesar prepare for battle. "Guess we're doing this the hard way."
With a quick flick of his hand, Caesar sent a cloud of gas shooting toward Coby, who sidestepped smoothly, watching it hiss past. He shot a glance over his shoulder at the crew. "Nami, Robin, you and the others get those kids out of here. Luffy and I will take care of Vergo."
Law nodded, his Room expanding across the area, the blue sphere shimmering. "Smoker, you'd be wise to fall back," he said sharply. "You don't want to get in the middle of this."
But Smoker only tightened his grip on his jutte, his gaze fixed on Vergo. "Not a chance. This bastard's got a lot to answer for."
Coby shrugged, giving Luffy a nod. "Luffy, you chase after that winged lady. Smoker, Law, Vergo's all yours. Leave this gasbag to me."
Luffy cracked his knuckles, his face lighting up with a grin. "Fine by me!" He shot forward with Geppo, blasting after Monet before she could fully retreat, leaving a trail of dust in his wake.
Smoker nodded sharply at Coby, locking eyes with Vergo. "Been waiting to knock some sense into this traitor," he muttered, jutte raised.
Law's Room expanded in an instant, humming with blue light. He gave Smoker a quick nod. "We finish this, here and now."
Coby, meanwhile, faced off with Caesar, who grinned smugly, clouds of gas swirling around him as he readied another attack. "You're gonna regret showing up on my turf," Caesar sneered, throwing his hands forward. "Gastille!"
A massive cloud of toxic purple gas burst from Caesar's palms, filling the air between him and Coby. But Coby was unfazed. With a quick swipe of his hand, he summoned a burst of wind, sending the gas billowing harmlessly to the side. Caesar's smug grin faltered.
"What's wrong, Caesar?" Coby taunted. "Your toys not working?"
Caesar's face twisted with anger. "You think you can mock me? I'm a genius!" He raised both hands, condensing the gas into a solid cloud that twisted and pulsed with deadly energy. "Gastanet!" He clapped his hands, launching the dense sphere of gas right at Coby.
Coby dodged smoothly, leaping forward with Shusui drawn. "Enough playing around, Clown." In a single, fluid motion, he brought his blade down, slicing through the gas cloud and scattering it in all directions. Caesar staggered back, eyes widening in alarm as he realized his attacks were doing nothing.
Caesar's face twisted in anger as he raised his arms, summoning a searing blade of blue flames. The oxidized flame pulsed, crackling as he pointed it at Coby with a twisted grin. "Let's see if you can handle real power, Straw Hat scum!"
The flaming sword sliced through the air, aimed straight at Coby. Coby sidestepped, feeling the heat as the blade narrowly missed, scorching the ground where he had been standing. In one swift movement, Coby stepped in close, forcing Caesar to backpedal, his confidence faltering.
Caesar's frustration grew as he swung the flaming blade again, each stroke fueled by anger, but Coby kept moving, dodging effortlessly with quick footwork and closing in with each dodge. Caesar snarled, his patience wearing thin. "Stand still, damn you!" he roared, slashing wildly.
Seizing the opening, Coby shot forward, his fist connecting with Caesar's gut, sending him stumbling back. Caesar coughed, but he raised his hand, summoning a fresh cloud of blue gas that swirled around him, mingling with the oxidized flames on his sword. He laughed, thrusting his burning blade forward with deadly intent.
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From the last free chapter to the last Patreon chapter, there are currently 70 chapters available. Patreon now offers 70 advance chapters, and that number will go down by one each day as I steadily release them to the public.
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