【One Piece】Dawn in the Darkness

Chapter 528 Escape from the Research Institute

Ace chuckled and shook his head as he watched Luffy excitedly run off. He then turned to Lucci and complained, "That guy's air-drawing skill is really..." Ace was halfway through his sentence when he realized Lucci was no longer in his original spot. Looking at Luffy's retreating figure, he muttered in dissatisfaction, "Couldn't you have said something before you left?"

Law, who had just warned Smoker not to let the Navy stop them, turned around and noticed that two people were missing. He looked at Fire Fist in confusion and asked, "Where are the Straw Hat leader and Lucci leader?"

“They’ve gone to capture Caesar,” Ace shrugged. “Luffy won’t wait for you to finish speaking.” After saying that, Ace also ran in the direction Luffy had left. He wouldn’t let Lucci enjoy all the fun. Ace grinned and punched the guy blocking his way, sending him flying.

"Tsk, these guys don't listen to orders at all," Luo said, frowning, then looked impatiently at Nami who had called him back.

"Hey! Traman! Hurry up and switch us back!" Nami shouted urgently, pulling on Sanji.

"ROOM!" Law raised a finger and instantly switched the bodies the two had swapped back. Ignoring Nami, who immediately started beating Sanji as soon as they switched back, he turned to the people below and shouted loudly.

"Listen up, everyone here! There's only one way to reach the shore without being exposed to the poisonous gas outside, and that's the door marked R Building 66!"

"We are currently in Building A. If you walk straight ahead, you will reach Building B, and then Building R. This is the fastest route to leave the research institute. You must escape before the toxic fog completely invades the institute, and an explosion is imminent!"

"G5, take the children rescued by the Straw Hat crew and head straight for the gates of R66!!" Smoker ordered the Marines below. "Then seize the cruise ship in the port and escape Punk Hazard!!"

"Kids, we're leaving the lab!" Chopper shouted, looking at the giant children behind him. Then he turned to the Marines. "These kids have been given stimulants by Caesar for a long time. We need to treat them before sending them home."

"I understand. Thank you for your help, and thank you for entrusting the children to us." Tashigi looked at the Straw Hat crew and said gratefully, "We will definitely get them home safely."

"Let's get out of this research institute safely first," Zoro said directly.

"Green moss head, how dare you talk to a lady like that!" Sanji glared at Zoro in displeasure.

"What did you say?! You perverted cook!!" Zoro immediately glared angrily back at Sanji.

"Stop arguing!!" Nami punched the two of them on the head to stop their fight, then looked at Tashigi and said with a smile, "First, we need to make sure these children escape the research institute safely. After that, we'll trouble you to help take them home."

Tashigi nodded and immediately arranged for the Navy to begin operations. They had reached an agreement with Law when he rescued them, and would not attack the Straw Hat crew before escaping Punk Hazard. Moreover, the traitor Vergo had already been dealt with by Law. Their only task now was to safely return these abducted children to their parents.

"There are so many enemies blocking our way." Usopp fired bullets at the surrounding enemies while asking Nami with a puzzled look, "Nami, why did you agree to hand these children over to the Marines?"

"Although I said I would definitely save you, we are pirates after all, and we will cause trouble for the children and their parents in the end," Nami said with a smile.

“That’s true, it’s more appropriate to leave it to our righteous allies,” Usopp said with a smile.

"Wait a moment, Momonosuke!! I will definitely get you out of here!!" Kin'emon shouted, then rushed out. Zoro and Brook followed, wanting to witness the samurai's swordsmanship that could cut through flames.

Qi looked at Luo, who was about to leave, and followed after him.

......

"Master! The enemy has completely invaded the lobby of Building A!!"

"Master, the poisonous gas outside has slowly seeped into the research institute!"

"Master, what should we do!?"

"Shut up, all of you!!" Caesar roared angrily. "What the hell is that piece of trash Vergo doing?! He actually failed to stop it even though he had those two people's hearts!!"

"These brats, they've turned my paradise into this horrible mess!"

Caesar roared angrily, staring at the video den Den Mushi in front of him. The middleman was already dissatisfied with the results of this experiment; he needed to demonstrate more. Since the Kingdom of Death had already infiltrated the research institute, let it infiltrate even more thoroughly! Weren't these guys at the institute perfect guinea pigs? Anyway, he wouldn't be in any trouble, hehehehe!!

Thinking of this, Caesar immediately ordered his subordinates, "Close the passage doors between Building A and Building B immediately, trapping them all in Building A. Then destroy the outer wall of Building A to let the poison gas from the Land of Death in faster!"

"Huh!? If we do that, our guards will get caught too..."

"Who cares! Idiot, stop talking nonsense and get to work! Don't forget to put the surveillance Den Den Mushi in place! Also, move all the guards to Building B to stop Straw Hat Boy. Absolutely do not let them into this room in Building C!" Caesar ordered impatiently.

“Yes, yes… Master…” the guard replied hesitantly.

"We can use the poison gas in the research institute to bring this public experiment back on track in front of the middleman. We have plenty of useless lab rats in this lab," Caesar muttered to himself smugly.

"That bastard Monet! He actually ran away after seeing Law rescue the Straw Hat Puppy! I'm an important scientist!! He didn't even stay to help me at a time like this!" Caesar shouted angrily, then became smug, "Anyway, everyone in this lab is going to die!"

......

"Beep——"

"Law, what kind of alarm is this?!" Smoker knocked down the enemy blocking his way and asked Law on the other side.

"The alarm is about to close the main gate of this building. This is the only passage to the next building, Building B," Luo said, frowning. "Caesar wants to lock us out, doesn't he? Hurry up and take your men inside!"

"G5! Proceed quickly into the passage!" Smoker shouted the order directly to the G5 Marines who were carrying the enormous child.

"Yes, Lieutenant General Smoker!!"

"Brothers, charge straight for the door!!"

"Hey, Luo!"

Luo turned his head in confusion to look at the person who had called out to him. He looked at the man with some surprise. Why was he still here? Hadn't Lucci already left?