"Did it work?" Michael turned to look at Vegapunk.
"This should be the limit of what my abilities can achieve... I've altered most of its properties, but its fundamental form remains unchanged."
But Vegapunk didn't answer Michael at all.
Instead, he frantically stripped off the fireproof suit he'd just put on.
Then in three quick strides, he rushed to the front of the Mother Flame apparatus.
To be honest, it was the first time Michael had seen Vegapunk act so swiftly... Even when he had just assimilated the Seraphim, nothing like this had happened.
Vegapunk reached out, as if caressing the now-calm Eternal Fire through the observation window.
Though its color had drastically changed, Vegapunk knew...
"It worked! This must have worked! Containing immense energy while remaining perfectly stable..."
Vegapunk muttered to himself, tears streaming from those eyes brimming with unparalleled intellect.
"This must be... a blessing from the angels."
Michael watched the now slightly deranged Vegapunk, his lips twitching...
This is bad.
Last time, he'd caused Vegapunk to crash.
Now, he'd triggered an emotional outburst...
Michael was starting to wonder if he was somehow incompatible with Vegapunk.
But Vegapunk's lapse lasted only a moment before he quickly regained composure.
Wiping away his tears, he turned to face Michael.
"Forgive me, Michael. That was unbecoming."
"I don't find this amusing at all. On the contrary, knowing the world's greatest and smartest scientist is someone with deep emotions and compassion... finally puts my mind at ease." Michael patted Vegapunk's shoulder.
"To be honest, I came here prepared to kill you if necessary—even if it meant these inventions would be lost forever, unable to brighten the world's future."
"That's understandable." Vegapunk nodded solemnly. "A scientist gone astray can do far more harm than any ordinary pirate."
"You're talking about... the other former members of MADS, aren't you?"
"Ah." Vegapunk sighed. "Whether it's Vinsmoke Judge, Queen, or Caesar... they all had talent. But ultimately, they were too obsessive."
"Or perhaps they lacked the mind and spirit to bear the weight of their gifts." Michael's gaze burned into Vegapunk.
"Vegapunk... would you join me in changing this world?"
"Haven't I... already been doing that with you?"
Vegapunk's answer didn't surprise Michael.
After all, Vegapunk was already friends with Dragon and had close ties with Dr. Clover of Alabasta...
Michael and Vegapunk were practically natural allies.
"However, I can't leave Egghead with you." Vegapunk continued. "The research resources and projects here can't be relocated at this stage... But under the Marine's protection, especially with Stella and Crocodile managing things, I rarely interact with World Government officials. So there's no need to worry about my safety."
"No... your safety will soon be compromised." Michael said gravely. "One of your clones... has betrayed you."
"... betrayed me?" Vegapunk was stunned for a moment before shaking his head vigorously.
"Impossible. Although my six satellites each have distinct personalities, at their core, they are all Vegapunk."
"Do you remember how you created these six satellites in the first place?"
"These six represent my six personalities: Shaka, representing 'righteousness'; Lilith, representing 'evil'; Edison, representing 'thought'; Pythagoras, representing 'wisdom'; Atlas, representing 'violence'; and York, representing 'desire'..."
"Exactly, Vegapunk. Even you, when acting purely from desire, would become selfish and uncontrollable..." Michael nodded, cutting straight to the truth.
"Just now... I discovered a well-hidden Video Transponder Snail near York's body. In other words... she's been showing everything we do in front of her to someone else."
"York!?" Vegapunk's expression darkened.
After all, Vegapunk had never treated his six satellites as mere "creations" or "tools."
To him, they were extensions of himself—independent yet harmonious parts of a unified whole...
Even within Egghead, all Vegapunk satellites had the exact same authority as the original, without any distinction.
Under these circumstances, a traitor had emerged.
For the first time, Vegapunk personally experienced...
The so-called "evil of human nature."
"Why would York do this?"
"Come on, Vegapunk. She represents desire—the root of all human negativity," Michael shrugged.
"It's simple. She's perfectly driven by desire. She wants to replace the original Vegapunk, to become a Celestial Dragon indulging in endless pleasure and power... That's right. She must be collaborating with the World Government, likely having already struck some kind of deal."
Michael's words seemed to open a new door for Vegapunk.
After a long silence, Vegapunk let out a sigh.
"Then... how do we handle this? If what you say is true... then your presence in Egghead must already be known to whoever was on the other end of that Den Den Mushi..." Vegapunk suddenly looked up.
"You need to leave quickly... or it'll be too late."
"No, no, no, Vegapunk. That's not how we should handle this," Michael shook his head.
"If I leave now, what about Stella and Crocodile? What about you? What about Egghead? Are we just going to let the World Government take over?"
"Then... what should we do?" Vegapunk sighed. "When it comes to scientific research, my brain is undoubtedly the strongest in the world... but schemes and plots... have never been my forte."
"That's normal. These things have little to do with raw intelligence."
Michael reached out and patted Vegapunk's shoulder.
"Leave this matter to me. Don't forget..."
"I am Michael, after all."