Oh definitely Vegapunk had put in a few fail-safes to ensure that no matter what happens to him, his research won't be for naught. I hate that he had to die (though I was always on the "Lilith is our next Straw Hat" train), but he
is a genius. This must be the event that shocked the world that has been hinted about for a while now. Like if Ace's execution and Whitebeard's declaration was broadcast to the world to reignite the pirate era, no doubt Vegapunk sending a transmission to whoever would listen would kickstart a new era that would actually threaten the World Government, who're totally run by a bunch of morons to have not seen this coming.
That being said, Saturn's definitely on autopilot right now, and it's absolutely terrifying to look at. He's either letting this Mythical Zoan (if it's a Devil Fruit) take over, or he was always a demon who could go into a rage when pushed to his limits. Either way, I'm extremely unnerved by it and I hope Luffy gets a few more good punches in before they escape.
Such a good panel. (The tiny straw hat ties it all together.)
Also would this make it the third time Luffy comes into contact with poison? His lifespan just keeps getting halved. Fucking hell he's going to die at the end of the story, isn't he.