One Piece chapter 1123 dropped recently, and it’s safe to say that it was one of the most important chapters in the series in regards to moving towards a new arc.

With the release of this chapter, fans can now be certain that the Egghead Island arc is officially over, and that the story is moving towards Elbaf. The land of the Giants in One Piece is a place that fans have been waiting to see in the story for years now, and finally, the crew is moving closer to this place.

Of course, this week’s chapter focused more on Egghead than it did on Elbaf. While on the way to the land of the Giants, fans got to see a Vegapunk flashback, which essentially explained how he found out about York’s betrayal, and at the same time, why he wasn’t aware of who the traitor was, as well as how Vegapunk and Sanji had a secret plan all along.

How Vegapunk Died In The Egghead Island Arc

Vegapunk Sacrificed His Life To Reveal The Truth

As fans know, Vegapunk had a very hectic journey in the Egghead Island arc to endure. Right from the beginning, it seemed as if he knew that he was going to die. As soon as the Strawhats got on the Labophase, Shaka knew that he was going to die soon enough, and this feeling was shared by Stella as well. But, the Stella asked Luffy to save his life, and it appeared as if that was going to be the case. However, later down the line, that promise did not last, simply because Stella ended up losing his life. This happen specifically on the Fabriophase, when Stella descended with Sanji, Franky, and Atlas, in order to save Bonney. On the Fabriophase, things got quite intense, especially when the Elders decided to arrive. Saturn’s presence alone made things quite difficult, and, during this time, Vegapunk suffered quite a lot.

Please, I beg you, let me die here! I’ve made my bed! – Vegapunk

Not only was he stabbed through the chest by Saturn, but was Kizaru who finished the job by shooting a powerful laser through his chest. Sanji did his best to keep him safe, but, in the end, Vegapunk succumbed to his injuries, and that is precisely why the message that he had recorded started playing. The message essentially meant that Vegapunk lost his life, and with that, the world’s greatest mind officially died. Of course, fans were blaming Sanji to a certain extent for letting Vegapunk die. However, One Piece chapter 1123 confirms that Sanji and Vegapunk had a deal all along.

Vegapunk’s Secret Request To Sanji Before Dying

Vegapunk Begged Sanji To Be Allowed To Die

In One Piece chapter 1123, fans got to see Sanji and Vegapunk inside the Vegatank once again. This flashback was from when Sanji and Vegapunk were descending from the Labophase to the Fabriophase in an attempt to save Bonney. During this journey, Vegapunk clearly asked Sanji to let him die on the Fabriophase. Of chis course, Sanji rejected the request at first, which is very true to character for him. Sanji is a very kind individual and it wouldn’t be a stretch to say that he’s the kindest of all in One Piece. For him to simply let another man die in front of him is not an easy decision. That is precisely why Sanji refused the request at first.

However, this was not enough to convince Vegapunk either. Clearly, Vegapunk continued begging Sanji to let him die, because his death was going to accomplish something massive. Vegapunk did not know what it was going to accomplish, but he knew in his bones that his death was necessary.

About the One Piece…I want you guys to claim it! – Vegapunk

That is precisely why Sanji started contemplating this, and is a major reason why Vegapunk actually ended up dying. He never wanted to leave the Fabriophase anyway, and Sanji knew that was his wish as well. Essentially, the Vegapunk was forced to die, which, as it appears right now, Sanji was fine with later down the line. Of course, Sanji still wouldn’t let his body be desecrated or left behind for the Marines to make a show off.

He carried his body all the way to the ship of the Giants, and now, fans got to see Sanji speak to Vegapunk’s corpse in One Piece chapter 1123. Things finally made sense in regards to how he died despite Sanji’s protection, and it also shows a very special bond between Sanji and Vegapunk form.

How Sanji Is The Carrier Of Vegapunk’s Will and Sacrifice

Sanji Will Forever Uphold Vegapunk’s Wishes

Sanji is the only character who Vegapunk conversed with in the end. Of course, there were other characters in the Vegatank as well, such as Atlas, and also Franky. However, the only one thinking of Vegapunk and his words is Sanji. Furthermore, the conversation was specifically between Sanji and Vegapunk, which just goes to show that these two had a very special bond indeed. At the same time, Vegapunk said very special words to Sanji. He brought up the One Piece and told the cook of the Strawhat Pirates that he wants the crew to be the ones who find the One Piece. This was an absolutely massive statement, especially knowing that Vegapunk earlier mentioned that he wished for the ancient weapons and, of course, by extension, the One Piece not to be found by anyone for the sake of humanity. The fact that Vegapunk trusts Sanji and, by extension, the Strawhats, with the One Piece is proof of the fact that he has come to see that this crew could never lead to the destruction of the world.

More importantly, Vegapunk is now dead, but, Sanji still carries the burden of his death. Sanji is a very kind individual and fans saw him take Pedro’s death to heart as well. Once again, someone died in front of Sanji, and it is difficult for him to cope with the loss, especially knowing that he had to reluctantly let him die. Sanji will carry this loss with him and use it as an opportunity to grow stronger so better solutions can be found in the future. Above all, Sanji will have to carry out Vegapunk’s legacy in whichever way he possibly can. This might make Sanji’s scientific genetic modification plotline even more exciting, and fans absolutely cannot wait to see where it leads his character.

Of course, for that to happen, fans will have to wait for the Elbaf arc to begin, which, as things stand, is just a few weeks away now. Fans should deet the island of the Giants soon enough, which means that an incredibly exciting journey where Sanji can develop greatly is about to begin very soon.