In the Navy's Science Division…
Vice Admirals Onigumo, Burning Mountain, Comil, and Vergo had all gathered together, fiercely discussing the arrival of a supposed technological genius.
"You all received orders from Fleet Admiral Sengoku as well?" Vergo asked suspiciously.
"Yeah! You got them too? My assignment is to take shifts guarding the new genius the Navy's recruiting into the Science Division!" Comil replied, visibly surprised.
"A technological genius… who could it be? Don't tell me… Vegapunk?" Onigumo speculated.
"That can't be right," Burning Mountain countered. "Everyone knows Vegapunk prefers to stay on Egghead Island. He wouldn't bother coming to our Science Division."
"Strange… aside from Vegapunk, who else could make Sengoku go this far? Four Vice Admirals dispatched daily just to serve as bodyguards? This lineup is practically the same as protecting a Celestial Dragon!" Comil narrowed his eyes, still unable to piece together who this mysterious scientist could be.
Just as their discussion heated up, Sengoku's warship docked at the port.
He's here!
The Vice Admirals' eyes flickered with curiosity as they stepped forward to greet him. They were eager to see what kind of genius warranted such an extravagant escort. Could it really be someone on par with Vegapunk?
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku!"
"Admiral Kizaru!"
They saluted as Sengoku and Kizaru came ashore. But scanning the group, their expressions stiffened—aside from the Admiral, there was only a child of about eight trailing behind him. Not another soul. Certainly no scientist.
The Vice Admirals exchanged confused glances.
"May I ask… the scientist you said we're to protect and keep from any interruptions—did he not come today?" Comil asked cautiously, curiosity gnawing at him.
Sengoku chuckled softly.
"Kizaru, why don't you introduce him?"
Kizaru stepped forward lazily.
"Everyone, this little brat here is my younger brother, Natsuha. From today, he'll be working in the Navy Science Division."
The Vice Admirals turned their eyes to the boy.
Cute kid. Honestly… far better looking than the older ape.
But… an eight-year-old? In the Science Division? Surely, he can't do much.
They immediately suspected Kizaru of nepotism—trying to shove his own brother into the division. The Admiral was already known for loafing around; now even his little brother was here to freeload?
"Nice to meet you all! My name is Natsuha, and I'm the one you're assigned to protect. Please take care of me!" the boy said, his childlike voice ringing out.
Huh? Wait.
What did he just say?
He's our protection target? Meaning… this kid is the genius Sengoku spoke of?!
The Vice Admirals were dumbfounded.
Sengoku's tone over the Den Den Mushi had been deadly serious. They had expected some great figure. Instead, it turned out to be… an eight-year-old child, and Kizaru's brother no less.
Kizaru, of all people! Everyone knew his reputation—slacking at work, spending his nights in bathhouses and massage parlors. If that's the older brother, the younger one couldn't possibly be scientific genius material…
Completely absurd!
The Vice Admirals stared at one another, reading the same look of disbelief and frustration in each other's eyes. But with Sengoku and Kizaru standing right there, they had no choice but to swallow their complaints and force a bitter smile.
Just then, Natsuha spoke up again.
"Oh, right. There's also my friend. He can't talk."
A moment later, a massive figure appeared beside him—the Seraphim Kuma.
Your friend? And he can't speak? What kind of nonsense…
Still, curiosity won out, and they turned their eyes toward the new arrival.
A black-winged, gray-skinned child-like figure with flickers of fire along his body stepped into view.
Wait…
"Wings with flames? That's the Lunarian lineage!"
"And doesn't he… look a bit like Kuma?"
Confusion spread across the Vice Admirals' faces.
"He's my creation," Natsuha explained with the seriousness of an adult. "His name is Seraphim Kuma."
"Seraphim Kuma, say hello. These people are our security."
The machine-boy raised a hand in greeting, silent.
The Vice Admirals finally understood—the boy wasn't human at all. He was a machine, crafted by Natsuha himself!
An eight-year-old… had created a humanoid machine?
And it even incorporated Lunarian genetic traits?!
Perhaps that's why Sengoku valued him so highly. With such talent at such a young age, his future was immeasurable.
The realization softened the knot of resentment in their hearts.
"Don't underestimate this Seraphim," Kizaru added with his usual drawl. "Its combat power has already reached the level of a Shichibukai. Make sure you guard this place carefully."
What?!
The Vice Admirals froze in shock.
The Pacifista weapons they already had couldn't even compare to that! Even Vegapunk's masterpieces weren't guaranteed to reach Shichibukai-level strength.
Yet this eight-year-old's child-sized machine… was stronger?
Unbelievable. Unreal.
Their jaws fell open, brows furrowing deeply as disbelief painted across their faces.
But… it wasn't their fault. Even Sengoku and Garp had been left speechless the first time they witnessed it.
Most of these Vice Admirals hadn't even reached the level of the Shichibukai themselves.
And now, they were being told that an eight-year-old's toy-like creation surpassed them in power?
How could they not be shaken?!
At last, after a long stunned silence, someone found his voice.
"Ahem… Fleet Admiral Sengoku, about what Admiral Kizaru just said—was he being serious?" Comil coughed awkwardly, his doubt still strong.
"Yeah… Admiral Kizaru, you're not pulling our leg, are you? Are you really saying this child-like machine is that terrifying?" Burning Mountain swallowed hard, his voice trembling.
The other Vice Admirals perked their ears, desperate for an answer.