The natural system started off strong, but the navy finally reached its peak!

Instead, they broke through to the other side and saw the heavily injured Sanji and Jinbe, as well as the unconscious CP0 members.

As for Shakyamuni…

She paused, her voice even lower: "If...if it's really as you say..."

All the clones lost their unified connection with the original body and Shakyamuni, coupled with York's betrayal..."

Nami didn't finish her sentence, but the meaning was already clear.

Shakyamuni, as the "wisdom" avatar who coordinates all his avatars, has likely met with misfortune.

The prime suspect is York, who was armed with the murder weapon and controlled Vegapunk.

“How could this be…” Edison held his round head. “York… how could York… kill Buddha?”

Aren't we... aren't we 'Vegapunk'?

Shouldn't we... be together?

Other clones

Lilith represents "evil," and Edison represents "thought."

Pythagoras, representing "wisdom," and Atlas, representing "rage."

York represents "desire," and Buddha represents "righteousness" that governs everything...

Although they have different personalities and responsibilities, they are all essentially part of Vegapunk.

Together, they constitute the complete personality of the "world's number one scientist".

Since their birth, they have always cooperated with each other, and never imagined that one of them would kill the other.

York's betrayal was not merely a threat from an external enemy, but a tearing apart from the very core of his being.

This impact was revolutionary for Atlas and Edison.

A tense silence fell over the scene.

Luffy watched as Atlas and Edison descended into chaos and pain.

He glanced at his wounded and exhausted companions around him, and his eyes gradually hardened.

We can't linger here any longer.

Uncle Apple is still in danger, Sanji and Jinbe need treatment, and the island is becoming increasingly dangerous.

Luffy took a deep breath, slapped his straw hat hard, and broke the silence with a crisp sound.

"Hey everyone, listen to me!"

All eyes were on him.

Luffy's gaze swept over each of his crewmates, finally settling on Atlas and Edison, his tone resolute:

"Now is not the time to be daydreaming! Atlas, do you know the way to the Thousand Sunny?"

You, along with Nami, Zoro, Usopp, Chopper, Franky, Brook, and Sanji and Jinbe, return to the ship immediately!

Chopper, do everything you can to heal! The rest of you, protect the ship and the wounded!

"I sent those Blackbeard Pirates flying, but they're probably still somewhere in the lower levels..."

Luffy pointed at Zoro and Franky: "So, Zoro, Franky, the ship and our crew are in your hands!"

Brook, Robin, you guys help too!

"Luffy, what about you?!" Nami asked anxiously.

Luffy grinned, revealing his signature smile full of determination and trust, and patted Edison, who was still clutching his head.

"Edison and I are going to rescue Uncle Apple!"

"What?!" Everyone was shocked.

"Luffy! It's too dangerous for you to be alone!"

"York might still be controlling Seraph, and the Blackbeard Pirates might be nearby!" Usopp shouted hurriedly.

"I'm going too!" Zoro gripped his sword tightly.

"Super~ Count me in!" Franky struck a pose.

Luffy shook his head vigorously, his eyes extremely serious: "No! You must go back to the ship!"

Sanji and Jinbe need immediate treatment, and..."

He glanced at the faint tremors and explosions coming from afar.

"This island is about to become an even more terrifying battlefield!"

Our ship must be safe! That's the captain's order!

After finishing his sentence, Luffy turned to Edison, recalling Edison's casual remarks to himself while Luffy was feasting in the food section.

So he asked, "Edison, you must know the structure of this island."

That's also the best way to analyze where York might have hidden Uncle Apple, right?

"Take me there! We have to hurry!"

Edison seemed to be startled by Luffy's decisiveness, raising his head as the indicator light on his round head flashed rapidly a few times.

Finally, he nodded vigorously, "Yes...yes."

Based on Miss Nami's description of the laboratory's characteristics, combined with the island structure database...

I have a greater than 78% probability of locking down a few of the most likely hidden areas.

"If York hadn't undertaken such a massive spatial transformation... I could have found my way!"

"Alright! Let's go!" Luffy clenched his fist and looked at his crew. "Everyone, get back to the ship and wait for me!"

I will definitely bring Uncle Apple back!

Then together, we'll leave this awful place!

"Luffy..." Nami wanted to say something, but Zoro stopped her.

"Understood." Zoro looked at Luffy and said in a deep voice, "Leave the ship to us. You... be careful."

“Of course!” Luffy grinned, then turned to Edison, “Let’s go!”

Without the slightest hesitation, Luffy grabbed Edison, who exclaimed in surprise.

The rubber arm stretched out, grabbed the pipe high up in the distance, and launched itself out, quickly disappearing into the depths of the intricate tunnels.

The remaining Straw Hat crew members, along with Atlas, exchanged glances.

"Let's go." Zoro turned first and walked towards the coast. "Trust that guy."

Nami took a deep breath and gripped the Clima-Tact tightly: "Atlas, please lead the way!"

Atlas looked in the direction Luffy had disappeared, and finally nodded.

“Follow me. I know a relatively hidden maintenance tunnel leading to the coast.”

Chapter 687 Eagles on the Coast

The atmosphere at the scene did not lighten after Luffy left with Edison.

Zoro is currently the first mate and the only remaining top-tier fighter on the ship.

Bloodstains were faintly visible beneath the bandages on his chest, but the bandages remained in place.

Instead, he drew Enma and Sandai Kitetsu from his waist, maintaining a vigilant stance with both swords in his hands.

The Blackbeard Pirates' officers...

Van Augur, Burgess, and that treacherous Shiryu, who were slapped away by Luffy earlier, most likely landed in this area.

With this in mind, Zoro remained vigilant while urging his companions behind him to hurry up.

"Hurry up! Stay close to me, don't fall behind!"

Usopp and Chopper worked together to carry the heavily injured Sanji on a makeshift stretcher, while Franky carried the unconscious Jinbe on his back.

Atlas led the way.

Before long, the group gradually approached the coast along the passage indicated by Atlas.

You can even faintly hear the sound of waves crashing against the rocks.

"Almost there!" Zoro's heart skipped a beat, and he quickened his pace.

Rounding a bend, and passing through a grove of low-lying trees ravaged by the aftershocks of battle, the view suddenly opened up before me...

The familiar lion head figurehead and orange-white hull of the Thousand Sunny are already in sight!

Sunlight filtered through the broken clouds, casting a warm golden glow on the deck of the Sunny.

This ship, which carried their countless adventures and dreams, is now like the only harbor in the storm.

"I see it! It's the Sunny!" Usopp couldn't help but cheer softly, a smile spreading across his tired face.

Zoro, who was walking at the front, stepped out of the shadows of the bushes.

Just as I was about to step onto the beach, I suddenly stopped!

His body came to an instant halt, his pupils contracted, and his hands gripping the knife tightened instinctively, his arm muscles bulging!

"Zoro? What's wrong?" Nami, who was following closely behind, almost bumped into him and asked in confusion.

Zoro remained silent.

The others also stopped and looked up in confusion.

Following Zoro's frozen gaze, they saw the scene on the beach...

On the open ground in front of the bow of the Thousand Sunny

A tall and upright figure stood there quietly.

He had his back to them and was facing the sea.

He wore a black top hat adorned with elegant white fur.

She was wearing a burgundy patterned shirt, the hem of which was casually tucked into white slim-fit trousers.

He wore a long, pure black trench coat, the sea breeze making the hem flutter.

Even just from his back view, he exuded a sense of overwhelming grandeur and unparalleled awe.

Jolac Mihawk.

"The world's greatest swordsman," "Hawkeye."

The Navy... or rather, the special forces under Marshal Gern.

The people behind Zoro almost simultaneously held their breath.

Usopp was so frightened that he quickly covered his mouth to keep from screaming.

Chopper was so frightened that he hid behind Franky's legs, only revealing half of his antlers.

Nami's face turned deathly pale instantly, and she gripped the Clima-Tact tightly with her fingers.

Franky and Brooke immediately went on high alert.

The beach was deathly silent except for the sound of the waves and the sea breeze.

"Zoro..." Usopp called out in a barely audible, trembling voice.

Zoro did not answer.

Instead, they took a step forward.

The boots made a soft "rustling" sound as they stepped on the fine sand.

This step broke a certain solidified balance.

Hawkeye seemed to have sensed their arrival long ago, and slowly turned around as Zoro took that step.

Beneath the brim of the top hat, a pair of sharp, hawk-like golden eyes calmly swept over.

My gaze first fell on Zoro, then swept over the scarred figure behind him.