Chapter Seventeen: The Poison Gas Leak Incident

The Punk Hazard Naval Research Base served as a site for Dr. Vegapunk’s experiments, while also functioning as a prison for certain criminals of the World Government, some of whom were used as test subjects. If Buffon’s suspicions were correct, the current incident was none other than the infamous gas leak. Due to M. Caesar Clown’s failed experiment, a massive amount of poisonous gas was released across the island, transforming it into a land of death.

With his current physique, Buffon no longer feared toxins of this level; such chaos presented the perfect opportunity for him to act. To be cautious, he activated the powers of the Clear-Clear Fruit. Upon entering the second level, his first act was to release all the imprisoned pirates, plunging the place into utter turmoil.

He then strode straight toward the deepest part of the research facility, noticing that the further he went, the thinner the concentration of poisonous gas became. This meant Caesar’s actual laboratory was located elsewhere.

At the innermost area, he found the scientists in white coats in a state of panic, hurriedly gathering up documents, with several Navy officers assisting them. At that moment, a voice rang out from the facility’s broadcast: “Everyone evacuate immediately. Any remaining materials and documents will be handled by the chemical defense team later…”

“Heaven favors me indeed!” Buffon smiled, waiting patiently for everyone to clear out.

Upon receiving their orders, no one spared another thought for the documents; they simply dropped everything and dashed for the exits. Once the last of them had gone, Buffon used his Clear-Clear Fruit power to turn Rosinante’s corpse invisible, hefted the body onto his shoulder, and strode out without sparing a glance at the files or the Seastone.

At the entrance, he saw a group of Navy officers in hazmat suits approaching. Buffon quickly found a hiding spot to stash Rosinante’s corpse, then followed the chemical defense team back into the facility.

Inside, Buffon swiftly located the ice storage room, consulting the mental map he’d constructed. The ice room, it turned out, was not far from the entrance—just separated by a few corridors.

With that in mind, Buffon made his way to the very back of the ice room, disengaged his invisibility, and let Armament Haki cover his entire body. He stepped back and broke into a run, intending to smash through the steel wall with his own force.

Perhaps he misjudged his strength, for in an instant he crashed straight through two walls and found himself outside the research facility.

By sheer coincidence, he came face to face with Sentomaru, who was leading a squad of Navy officers in hazmat suits.

Before Sentomaru could react, Buffon darted behind him and felled him with a karate chop.

Preparing to deal with the hazmat-clad Navy, Buffon was surprised to find that none of them showed the slightest intent to attack. One of them even spoke: “Lord Buffon…”

Before the man could finish, Buffon realized their identities. These were none other than the Navy zombies he himself had stitched together!

“Heaven truly favors me!” Buffon muttered quietly.

He immediately began directing the Navy zombies, brazenly hauling the corpses from the ice storage out into the open. Although Sentomaru technically held authority over the zombie army, Buffon’s control was a level higher, second only to Moria. Even if Sentomaru was conscious, Buffon could still command the zombies.

At that moment, a sly, mocking voice sounded behind Buffon: “Fufufufu, let’s see which little thief dares to steal from our research facility amidst the chaos!”

Turning, Buffon saw not far behind him a man with ram-like horns, a pallid face adorned with garish makeup—none other than Caesar Clown.

“And you, the true culprit, dare to shout ‘Stop, thief!’?” Buffon thought to himself, as he let Armament Haki and Conqueror’s Haki envelop his body.

He stamped his feet with blinding speed, unleashing the Navy’s Six Powers: Shave!

In a flash, Buffon appeared behind Caesar, seizing him by the throat.

A sharp crack signaled the breaking of bone.

Caesar coughed up blood, his words slurred, “You… are you Navy?”

Buffon made no reply, dragging Caesar next to the unconscious Sentomaru and then deactivating all his Devil Fruit powers.

Bending down, he tore the Seastone handcuffs from Sentomaru’s waist, snapping one cuff onto Caesar’s wrist, the other onto Sentomaru. Then, with another swift chop, he knocked Caesar out cold.

“So this is the power of a Logia user?” Buffon snorted.

His gaze fell upon Caesar’s neck.

“The violence just now must have broken Caesar’s throat. How could I leave it unstitched?” That familiar, uneasy itch crept up—the urge to suture any wound left unattended.

Buffon drew his surgical knife and, with practiced hands, quickly cut open Caesar’s windpipe and set the bone, sewing him up in less than three minutes.

“The Gas-Gas Fruit is finally mine!”

Before he could even consult his catalogue, the zombie army led by Ryuma had already arrived.

A thought occurred to Buffon. He rushed back into the facility and unleashed his Conqueror’s Haki on the genuine Navy in hazmat suits, felling dozens instantly. He then ordered the zombie army to don the hazmat suits.

He put one on himself, retrieved Rosinante’s corpse, and—along with the newly outfitted zombie army, hauling the frozen bodies—boldly made his way to the docks.

By now, the harbor was in utter chaos; no one had the attention to spare for a hazmat-clad zombie troop.

Locating the battleship he’d arrived on, Buffon directed the zombie soldiers to load all the frozen corpses aboard, then returned to his own ship to fetch Brook.

Upon seeing Buffon in his current outfit, Brook asked in confusion, “Was all this on the island your doing?”

Buffon shook his head, offering only, “Come with me.”

Brook didn’t press for details, following Buffon onto the Navy ship.

Just then, an anxious Navy officer hurried over. “Whose command are you under? Where are you headed as you leave the island?”

Buffon replied calmly, “Science Division under Sentomaru’s command, tasked with transporting rescued experimental subjects back to Navy Headquarters.”

When the officer hesitated, Buffon added, “If you don’t believe me, you’re welcome to inspect the cargo hold.”

The officer nodded and followed Buffon aboard. Seeing the hold filled with figures in hazmat suits and frozen corpses, he nodded and disembarked.

Before leaving, Buffon added, “Sentomaru is currently engaging Caesar. Hurry and send reinforcements!”

At this, the officer saluted Buffon. “Thank you for risking your lives to rescue these test subjects. Leave the rest to us!” With that, he turned and hurried away.

Buffon nodded, then boarded the ship, weighed anchor, and sailed the battleship openly away from Punk Hazard.

He left with the same number of people as he’d arrived—plus quite a few more corpses.

Watching the island gradually disappear beneath a shroud of poisonous gas, Buffon couldn’t help but sigh. “What a shame about that fire dragon!” Then he turned and entered the cabin.

After finding a safe place to lay Rosinante’s body, Buffon finally began the grafting and stitching work he had so long anticipated.

“A Celestial Dragon, is it? This will be my first time sewing one,” Buffon mused to himself, and began his work.