Punk Hazard

Chapter 129: Punk Hazard

Punk Hazard

This island would witness the battle between Admiral 'Akainu' Sakazuki and Admiral 'Aokiji' Kuzan two years from now.

After a fierce ten-day battle, Aokiji ended it by losing a leg, and Sakazuki became the new Fleet Admiral. Kuzan, on the other hand, left the Marines.

Their battle had drastically changed the climate of Punk Hazard, turning it into a half-ice, half-fire island with extremely harsh weather conditions. Few ventured onto this island, making it safer and better suited to conceal Caesar and his associates.

However, at this moment, apart from the poisonous gas surrounding the perimeter, there was nothing else to be cautious about.

"So, I'll be responsible for landing on the island with Reiju. You all will remain outside as backup. If there's any issue, contact us through Sister Slug. Also, if those three of Germa cause trouble, Perona, the Negative Hollow, will handle them."

Before departing, Rodney assigned their tasks. He and Reiju then boarded the island enveloped in toxic gas.

A purple haze hung over the island as they arrived. There was no visible vegetation, no sign of life. The island appeared utterly desolate, a wasteland devoid of life.

Rodney couldn't help but activate his Sharingan. Visibility remained low, with exposed rocks and trees appearing withered and decayed, as if years had passed, despite it only being a year ago.

"Sensing Technique!"

The larger Sister Slug appeared beside Rodney. "Lord Rodney, how may I assist you?"

"Sister Slug, could you please sense the nearby life forces? How many people are still alive on this island?"

"Of course."

Sister Slug agreed and within a minute, she reported, "There are only a few humans and animals on the island. Due to the toxins, their vitality isn't very high. Additionally, there are two individuals... no, they're different from humans and have a strong natural energy, but it's not related to any Devil Fruit abilities. They seem more like humans composed of natural energy!"

"Natural energy? Humans? Are you saying they have Logia Devil Fruits? Caesar and Monet, right? Huh? Logia Devil Fruits can actually possess natural energy?" Rodney was surprised.

Caesar's Gas-Gas Fruit and Monet's Snow-Snow Fruit were both Logia. In Sister Slug's perception, they appeared as humans composed of natural energy, capable of transforming into natural energy. This revelation shattered Rodney's previous worldview; after all, this world didn't always adhere to scientific principles.

"Then they must be Logia Devil Fruit users, Caesar and Monet. They've consumed Logia Devil Fruits, which allow them to convert their bodies into elemental forces. That's probably why you sensed them as humans composed of natural energy. They're unique cases. But now, I'm curious about something."

"What's that?" Reiju asked.

"I'm wondering since your Sensing Technique sensed those two as beings of natural energy, can your Technique affect them?"

The practice of the Sensing Technique involved absorbing natural energy into one's body and mixing it with spiritual and physical energy, essentially chakra, to create Sage chakra.

So, could Sage chakra harm Logia Devil Fruit users? That was the question.

"Perhaps, I'm not sure until I try it," Sister Slug replied.

"Alright then, let's proceed, Reiju."

"Understood."

The butterfly-wing-like scarf on their Raid Suit fluttered as they advanced. Poisonous gas started to converge towards them, drawn into their suits to be absorbed and stored. 

Trying to inhale the gas directly, even with Reiju's ability, was dangerous. It could lead to severe brain oxygen deficiency. Their current method was the fastest and safest.

Rodney stepped back, allowing Reiju to store the toxic substances for battle later. He planned to accompany Sister Slug underground.

The toxic fog surrounding the island was rapidly absorbed and dissipated by the Raid Suit. After half an hour, the once-thick poisonous cloud had thinned considerably, revealing the island's buildings.

The Marine research facility came into view.

"It looks like we won't need to go underground. Reiju, how much more can you absorb?"

Reiju shook her head, pausing her actions. 

"I can't absorb anymore. If I do, I'll need time to digest it. This is like having a full meal for me. Captain, should we fly over?"

"Alright then, Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!"

A fierce wind gushed from Rodney's mouth, creating an opening in the poisonous gas. Sister Slug vanished with a pop, leaving only the small one on their shoulders. The two of them leaped forward.

"Once we spot anyone who's lost the use of their lower limbs, kill them all. No need to spare anyone. This is a Marine research facility. The Marines evacuated due to an incident, leaving behind a group of prisoners. We don't need to hold back. After entering the research facility, check for any kidnapped children. If there are any, bring them with us."

"Understood. Captain, someone's approaching!"

Not far away, several burly men were bound with ropes, using gas spheres to move. Their legs were completely dead, dragging behind them, and they supported themselves with weapons resembling bamboo poles.

"Fire Release: Phoenix Sage Fire Technique!"

Fireballs grazed the gas spheres these men were using, instantly detonating them. Gas was highly prone to explosions; otherwise, incidents like the constant gas explosions in some gas companies wouldn't occur. The gas company had to issue apologies regularly and occasionally pay compensation to the affected.

Boom, boom, boom!

They crossed over the flames and glided over the abandoned town, reaching the central lake of the round-shaped island.

Reiju flew directly in the air, while Rodney moved swiftly across the water's surface, his speed no less than Reiju's jet propulsion.

Before the lake were bare mountains, without vegetation protection, and the research facilities built on top of them were clearly visible.

"Sister Slug, can you sense what's inside from this distance?" Rodney asked.

"I can."

"Then, are there children inside? Caesar started experimenting with them to achieve Gigantification. He can't escape this. Anyone who harms children... There's a special place in hell for them."

"Yes, there are fifteen of them, but some have grown to a height similar to yours, Lord Rodney. They might be guards."

"No, those are children!" 

Rodney's eyes flashed with a cold light. He hadn't expected Caesar to start his experiments on children. This guy, an amateur scientist, was only good at one thing: making poisonous weapons. But he also had more or less vulnerabilities. Rodney, now armed with Haki, didn't need to exert too much effort to deal with him.

Killing Caesar wouldn't be much trouble, and Rodney could even earn a nice bounty since Caesar's head was worth 300 million Bellies. Plus, the system had issued a mission to eliminate Caesar, offering rewards that further motivated Rodney to take him down.