One Piece Chapter 1123: The Void Fortnight

A massive seaquake rocks the ocean as a ship tilts violently amid towering waves. A speech bubble declares EGGHEAD ISLAND, RESPOND!! while large sound effects and the caption THE AFTERMATH OF HAKI... fill the sky. On the devastated deck of a Marine vessel, bodies lie scattered among debris. A sword stands upright in the wreckage. A man with a scar on his face lies dazed as another voice asks WHAT'S YOUR STATUSI Nearby, a Marine ship with a face-like bow rocks in the water. In the lower panels, more unconscious Marines litter the ground. A curly-haired man lies face-down. Then a young woman with long blonde hair and a seashell top, identified as Nami, sits up on a pile of rubble, looking alarmed. She shouts THE STRAW HATS ARE ESCAPING!! and WAKE UP, YOU GUYS!! while gesturing urgently.

On the deck, a wild-haired man laughs HA HA!! while a tall armored figure with a long beard exclaims THAT WAS GREATER THAN RED HAIR'S, BUT IT DIDN'T SEEM HOSTILE, DID ITI! A round creature with goggles yells WOW!! and another shouts ALL OF 'EM ARE DOWN!! SERIOUSLY...I THAT'S AMAZING! In a wide splash panel, a massive explosion erupts on the sea as a small figure leaps through the air shouting...IRON GIANT!! and THANKS FOR EVERYTHING... The background shows multiple ships and a distant island. Below, a close-up shows a grinning face yelling SHI SHI SHI!! as a large armored figure crashes into the water with a huge splash and sound effects.

The massive Thousand Sunny launches dramatically from the water with a huge splash and the cry YEAAAHH!! WE'RE OFF TO ELBAF!! A black bird-like figure clings to the prow. On the right, Usopp and Franky cheer WE'RE GETTIN' OUTTA HERE!! LET'S GO WHILE THEY'RE SLEEPIN'!! GABA BA BA BA!! and LET'S GO, YA BASTARDS!! with excited faces. Below, scattered panels show reactions: a blonde woman questions I COULDN'T FOLLOW EVERYTHING YOU WERE SAYING, BUT IT WAS PRETTY OUTRAGEOUS, WASN'T ITI A man replies HEY NOW... while another notes WAS THIS ALL SOME SORT OF 'GOTCHA' MOMENT FOR YOUI Vegapunk's voice asks VEGAPUNK, WHAT YOU SAID EARLIER... ISN'T SITTING RIGHT WITH ME. Nami sits up looking concerned, a small child reaches upward, and various crew members react with shock and determination as the ship speeds away.

Two weeks prior in Egghead, a massive airship hovers above the clouds near the power station. A voice orders, "MONITOR FOR ANY FLUCTUATIONS IN PARTICLE DENSITY AND NEUTRON FLUX." Another adds, "YOU CAN SAY THAT AGAIN..." A third warns, "THERE ARE SOME ANOMALOUS READINGS COMING FROM THE POWER STATION!!" Inside the control room, a helmeted figure marked "01" stands beside a spiky-haired scientist. The scientist questions, "WAIT, AREN'T THESE NUMBERS DIFFERENT FROM OUR EARLIER CONFIRMED READINGSI" The helmeted figure replies, "YES, AND THE RATE OF REACTION IS INCREASING, TOO! BUT THE POWER STATION SEEMS STABLE." A second helmeted figure notes, "THE ENERGY USED BY THE SERAPHIM IS MEANT TO GRADUALLY INCREASE OVER TIME. THIS COULD BE A GRAVE ERROR IF WE MISCALCULATED." In close-up, the "01" helmet declares, "EVERY SINGLE DATA POINT RELATED TO THE POWER STATION... HAS BEEN CAREFULLY MODIFIED!! TO PULL THIS OFF, THE CULPRIT HAS TO BE..." The figure concludes, "HMM... THIS DATA SEEMS TO INDICATE... THAT SOMEONE HAS TAMPERED WITH THE MOTHER FLAME TO STEAL ITS ENERGY!!"

The helmeted figure continues, "I'M AFRAID THE THREE OF US... ARE THE ONLY ONES WITH IRONCLAD ALIBIS." The spiky-haired scientist shouts, "A VEGA-PUNK!! WAS IT LILITHI" In a wide shot of the Vegapunk laboratory tower, the group discusses the theft. One states, "WE HAVE TO PUT OUR BRAINS INTO OFFLINE STEALTH MODE, TOO. THAT'S RIGHT, IF OUR MEMORIES OF THIS GET UPLOADED TO PUNK RECORDS THEN LILI-, I MEAN THE CULPRIT WILL KNOW WE'RE ONTO THEM." Another adds, "AN INSANE AMOUNT OF ENERGY WAS STOLEN!! SO WE HAVE TO OBSERVE THE OTHER FOUR TO DETERMINE WHO IS RESPONSIBLE...I ESPECIALLY LILITH..." Suddenly, Punk 04 points dramatically and yells, "IT'S YORK!!" The others react in shock, "WHAAATTTI!!" A sign reads "ONE WEEK BEFORE THE PRESENT" as Punk 04 announces, "ATTENTION!! I'VE IDENTIFIED THE CULPRIT!!"

Punk 04 explains, "THAT THE SURVEILLANCE SNAILS AT THE SCENE OF THE CRIME WERE TAMPERED WITH, TOO!! I'VE ALSO CONFIRMED... THE MEMORIES SHE'S BEEN SYNCHRONIZING WITH PUNK RECORDS ARE PHONY!!" The spiky-haired scientist asks, "WHY WOULD SHE DO SUCH A THINGI...AND MY BAD, LILITH!" Punk 04 continues, "I KNOW!! WE CAN RECONSTRUCT THE CALL DATA DIRECTLY FROM OUR LONG-DISTANCE TRANSPONDER SNAIL!! A JAMMING WHITE TRANSPONDER SNAIL WAS ALSO FOUND IN OUR INVESTIGATION!! I'VE ALSO FOUND EVIDENCE THAT SUGGESTS SOMEONE DEPLOYED THE WEAPONIZED SEA BEASTS WITHOUT AUTHORIZATION!!" The scientist clutches his head in distress. In a later scene, a figure in a black coat stands with their back turned while two Vegapunks sit at a table. A voice states, "DR. VEGAPUNK IS RESEARCHING THE VOID CENTURY." The spiky-haired scientist exclaims, "NO WONDER CIPHER POL KEEPS COMING HERE TO SNOOP AROUND!! SHE RANG MARY GEOISE...I!!"

Six days before the present, the spiky-haired scientist sweats heavily as he reports, "THE KINGDOM OF LULUCIA HAS BEEN ERASED... BUT I HAVE A BAD FEELING ABOUT THIS. THE DETAILS ARE STILL A BIT FOGGY." In the lab, he insists, "I'M SURE OF IT!! THAT PORTION OF THE FLAME MUST'VE BEEN DELIVERED TO THE GOVERNMENT BY ONE OF THE WEAPONIZED SEA BEASTS." Punk 04 asks, "DO YOU THINK THIS HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE THEFT OF THE MOTHER FLAMEI!" The scientist replies, "YES, SIR!!" while ordering, "PYTHAGORAS, OBSERVE ANY CHANGES TO THE SEA LEVELS AND MONITOR ALL WIRELESS TRANSMISSIONS!!" Later, the scientist sits dejectedly with his head in his hands as Punk 04 and another figure stand nearby. He laments, "ONLY A FOOL LETS THEIR GREED RUN AMOK, AND I WENT AND PERSONIFIED MINE... IT'S MY FAULT AFTER ALL!!" A large hand gestures as a voice concludes, "AND THEY MUST HAVE NEEDED THE MOTHER FLAME ENERGY THAT YORK STOLE TO FUEL IT!! WELL, SEE IF THE EVIDENCE SUPPORTS MY CONCLUSION... IF YOU'LL PERMIT ME TO INDULGE IN PURE CONJECTURE, IT SEEMS PLAUSIBLE THAT THE WORLD GOVERNMENT POSSESSES ONE OF THE ANCIENT WEAPONS. EVEN IF THIS DEDUCTION IS SOUND... IT'S HARD TO SPEAK IT ALOUD."

Vegapunk and his satellites debate their dire situation on Egghead. One satellite notes, "YORK ALREADY DEMONSTRATED HER WORTH TO THEM BY RASHLY HANDING OVER THE MOTHER FLAME." Another adds, "...COME TO ERASE ANYONE WHO KNOWS OF THE VOID CENTURY!!" A third warns, "NO, IT'S TOO LATE FOR THAT!! YORK'S MOTIVES ARE IRRELEVANT NOW, THEY WILL STILL..." They consider the slim chance of escape: "IS THERE ANY BENEFIT TO APPREHENDING YORK NOW THAT WE KNOWI" The best option is to use trust as an opportunity to determine the Navy's intent and mitigate damage from the Mother Flame. "BUT IT'LL BE DIFFICULT FOR US," one admits. "THEY STILL HAVE A SHOT OF ESCAPING EGGHEAD," another states while preparing a boat for the other residents. "STELLA, WE STILL HAVE A CHANCE TO ESCAPE IF WE FLEE NOW!!" The Navy has issued secret orders to every branch and base. At least on Egghead they have the means to amplify their voices worldwide, unlike Ohara twenty-two years ago. "THEY'LL CHASE US TO THE ENDS OF THE WORLD," one concludes, "AND OUR INEVITABLE DEATHS WILL BE MEANINGLESS!"

Vegapunk roars with determination, "I WILL SELL MY LIFE DEARLY!!!" while York stands with her back turned, thinking, "THE CLOSER I GET, THE MORE SHROUDED IT BECOMES!! WHAT EXACTLY IS THE WORLD GOVERNMENTI!" The satellites rally together. "WE'RE ALL THINKING THE SAME THING!!" one shouts. Another Vegapunk apologizes, "I APOLOGIZE FOR WRAPPING YOU TWO INTO ALL THIS..." and tells York, "DON'T BE SILLY. WE'RE VEGAPUNKS, JUST LIKE YOU!!" In the massive lab, they ponder their nature: "WHAT EXACTLY CONSTITUTES DEATH FOR SOMEONE LIKE USI" One replies, "JUST ONE ISSUE, STELLA..." while another notes, "GOOD POINT..."

Above Egghead, the Vegapunks discuss their inventions. "OUR CLOUD-LOFT TECHNOLOGY TO MANUFACTURE... ARTIFICIAL ISLAND CLOUDS!! IT MAY BE PIVOTAL IN SAVING HUMANITY IN THE NEAR FUTURE!" one declares. "THERE IS ONE OTHER THING WE MUST SAFEGUARD..." On the island, York spots someone and calls out, "OH, IS THAT YOU, YORKI YOU KNOW, SAME OLD, SAME OLD." Stella turns and asks, "STELLA, WHAT ARE YOU DOIN' HEREI" York laughs and replies, "HUHI" The group continues their exchange. "RIGHT..." one says. "IT'D BE AMAZING IF WE ACHIEVE THAT SOON! THAT'S RIGHT!" another agrees. York adds, "I CAN ONLY PRAY IT NEVER GETS PERFECTED." They consider moving their experiment again to optimize the Mother Flame, noting it would be a big breakthrough in creating an ideal energy source.

Two days before the present, Dr. Vegapunk prepares a worldwide broadcast. A satellite tests the equipment: "ATTENTION, WORLD... HELLO, THERE. TESTING, TESTING... ONE, TWO, THREE! AHEM... MIC CHECK!!" Vegapunk steps up to the microphone as the recording begins. He introduces himself with flair: "THE WORLD'S GREATEST AND MOST HUMBLE SCIENTIFIC GENIUS. ERR... THIS IS DR. VEGAPUNK..." The message continues, "MY DEATH WILL TRIGGER THE TRANSPONDER SNAIL TO BE SENT OUT WORLDWIDE. NO ONE WILL EVER EXPECT THE TRANSPONDER TO BE HIDDEN HERE!! MAYBE, BUT EVERYONE HAS A RIGHT TO KNOW THE TRUTH!! WHAT WE SAID WILL COME AS A BIG SHOCK, RIGHTI"

Inside a high-tech lab, several Vegapunk satellites hover around a central console. One declares, "ANY ABNORMALITY IN OUR BEHAVIOR COULD BE A TIP-OFF THAT SPOILS OUR PLANS." Another adds, "WE NEED TO ENSURE THAT NO ONE FINDS OUT TILL IT'S TOO LATE." A third states, "ERASING OUR OWN MEMORIES IS THE SAFEST BET." The discussion continues with concern over York stealing the Mother Flame and the risk to their current memories. They conclude that even if things go sideways, their countermeasures are in place, but they will have to suffer through all those bombshells again. The satellites exchange grim looks as one says, "THE FEAR WE FEEL FOR OUR LIVES WILL BE BRAND NEW TO US...!!" and another replies, "INDEED."

A massive impact shatters the ceiling as debris flies. A huge speech bubble declares, "...IT'LL STILL BE OUR VICTORY!!!" In the lab below, two figures stare upward in confusion. One asks, "WHAT ARE WE DOING HEREI" while another mutters, "HMI" A disheveled Vegapunk with wild hair reads a handwritten note aloud: "A NUMBER OF THINGS WILL PROBABLY COME AS A SURPRISE BECAUSE OF THIS, WHICH IS IRONICALLY PRETTY AMUSING." He reacts with shock, "HUHI" The note continues, "GOOD MORNING, EVERYBODY. YOU'LL FIND THAT YOU THREE..." and "I WILL TELL YOU ONE THING THOUGH." Another line reads, "HAVE A MISSING FORTNIGHTS WORTH OF MEMORIES THAT WERE WIPED OF YOUR OWN VOLITION." The scientist exclaims, "THIS IS... MY HANDWRITING!!"

Vegapunk frantically speaks into a Den Den Mushi, "I HAVE ALREADY TAKEN THE BEST PRECAUTIONS POSSIBLE. YOU WILL JUST HAVE TO PUT YOUR FAITH IN ME AND DIE." Nearby figures react in panic. News arrives that the World Government has discovered their Void Century research. Alarms blare as reports confirm a naval armada is blockading the island and Cipher Pol is approaching. Admiral Kizaru and Elder Saint Saturn are seen arriving with the fleet. On the coast, the Straw Hat crew and Bonney have landed. Luffy shouts, "WHATI! THEY FOUND OUTI!" while others yell, "WHAAATI!" A crew member cries, "STELLA, EMPEROR STRAW HAT'S CREW AND BONNEY HAVE JUST MADE LANDFALL!!" Panic spreads as someone asks, "WHATI! DO YOU HAVE A DEATH WISHI!"

Aboard the Thousand Sunny, the Straw Hats celebrate wildly. Luffy yells, "IT'S ABOUT THE ONE PIECE..." while others shout, "WOAH!!" and "ONE MORE THING!!" Nami warns, "THIS IS GONNA BE A BIG MESS!! WE CAN'T JUST SIT THERE AND WATCH YOU DIE!!" Usopp adds, "WE'VE GOTTA DO SOMETHING!!" The crew raises mugs as someone toasts, "HERE'S TO REUNITING WITH OLD FRIENDS!!" Luffy cheers, "...TO BE THE ONES WHO FIND IT!!!" and "WHOOO!! WE'RE OFF TO THE LAND OF MY DREAMS, ELBAF!!" The group erupts in laughter and shouts of "CHEERS!!" and "GEGYA GYA GYA GYA!!" with sound effects filling the air. The page ends with the title "ONE PIECE" and "CH. 1023 /END."

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