In the passage connecting the building A and B blocks, the Straw Hats and Kin'emon ride on Brownbeard's back, much to his annoyance. Behind them, Tashigi and the remaining G-5 Marines are attacked by the dragon. The Marines celebrate the arrival of Vergo, believing he has come to save them, but are shocked when Vergo uses Shigan on his subordinates. Tashigi lunges at him, but Vergo defends against her by hardening his arm, then knocks her down. The G-5 Marines attack him, refusing to believe that he is Vergo, but are effortlessly defeated. Sanji arrives to rescue Tashigi, and kicks Vergo in the face with Diable Jambe. Luffy dashes through the B block with enough speed to set the ground behind him alight, while Smoker flies alongside him. Inside Caesar's laboratory, Caesar tells Monet to let Shinokuni into the connecting passage, even though Vergo is there. When Luffy and Smoker enter Caesar's laboratory, Smoker is disappointed to see that Vergo is not present, while Luffy immediately punches Caesar.