Borsalino curled his lips.
"Yo~ yo~, you think I'd lie to you?"
Sengoku's expression was just as grave.
"What Borsalino said is true. Everything about Natsuha is real."
"Natsuha came here for one purpose—to build more Seraphim!"
"You must carry out the mission I've assigned to you with absolute seriousness. No fooling around."
Hearing Sengoku's confirmation, the gathered Vice Admirals felt their breathing quicken.
Once again, every gaze locked on the boy's small frame. Their Adam's apples bobbed, and several couldn't help but swallow hard.
What an incredible brat!
If this was true, the entire balance of the seas might one day be overturned by him!
"Uh… but I have one question, Fleet Admiral Sengoku."
"If this machine is really that powerful, isn't our protection… a bit redundant? I mean, aside from you high-ranking officials, hardly anyone could possibly defeat this so-called Seraphim." Comil tilted his head, voicing the doubt that gnawed at him.
Sengoku gave a small smile.
"I hadn't planned on telling you, but since you've asked, I'll say it plainly. Your main duty isn't to act as Natsuha's shield—it's to make sure no one interrupts his research!"
"After all, not everyone in Marineford knows about this machine. But everyone knows you. With you standing guard, unnecessary trouble from within the Navy itself can be avoided."
At that, the Vice Admirals finally understood.
So… they weren't really bodyguards at all. At best, they were glorified doormen.
That stung. It stung badly.
Comil's mouth twitched uncontrollably, realizing he'd practically asked for humiliation with his own question.
"…Alright. I understand now." He let out a bitter laugh.
"If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave."
"Oh, one more thing." Sengoku's tone sharpened.
"Everything you've seen today is strictly confidential. Especially regarding the pirates—this must never, ever reach their ears."
His voice carried weight, his gaze like steel.
The Vice Admirals' hearts tightened. This wasn't just any secret. It was one that could decide the very future of the Marines. And having served for years, they understood perfectly the severity of the matter.
"Understood!!"
Their voices rang out in unison.
Sengoku nodded.
"Yo~ yo~, little brother, do your best here, okay?" Borsalino waved lazily as he took his leave.
Soon after, Sengoku and Borsalino departed, leaving the Vice Admirals behind.
The four remaining officers quickly spread out, guarding the lab from every direction.
As Vice Admirals, they at least had that much awareness—no one was to approach, and silence was enforced within a kilometer radius. Nothing would be allowed to disrupt Natsuha's research.
But one man's thoughts were far from calm.
Vergo.
Doflamingo's undercover agent within the Navy.
The revelation shook him to his core.
If this were true, then the Marines' strength would grow to unprecedented, terrifying heights. And when that happened… Lord Doflamingo would be in danger.
The Young Master's dominance had always relied not only on his hidden ties to the Celestial Dragons but also on his own formidable power. The Marines tolerated and even utilized him because his influence was useful.
But if Seraphim could be mass-produced, then the Seven Warlords of the Sea would become obsolete!
This was a world-shaking development!
He had to get word to the Young Master immediately.
Only when night fell, after the day's duties were exchanged, did Vergo finally return to his G-5 branch. His expression grim, he dismissed his men and dialed a familiar number.
…
In the royal palace of Dressrosa, Donquixote Doflamingo lounged on his throne. Dressed in his trademark pink feathered coat and pointed leather shoes, he swirled a crystal goblet of red wine, savoring every drop.
Suddenly, the Den Den Mushi began to ring.
Buru buru…
Doflamingo glanced at the caller, his brows arching in surprise.
It was Vergo—his long-placed spy within the Marines.
The two had avoided contact for ages to prevent suspicion. For him to call now… something big must have happened.
Doflamingo picked up.
"Fufufu… Vergo. You finally decided to call me, huh?" A thin smile curved across his face.
The familiar voice came through the receiver.
"Young Master, I have an extremely important report."
"Oh?"
Behind his shades, Doflamingo's eyes flicked back and forth.
Vergo was a man of stability, rarely shaken. For him to sound so urgent… something monumental must have happened.
Dismissing everyone from the palace hall, Doflamingo's smile thinned into something sharp.
"Go on. For someone like you to sound this pressed—it must be serious."
"Today, I was assigned a special mission at Marineford," Vergo said quickly.
"I was ordered to stand guard over a new scientist named Natsuha, and to ensure no one disturbed him."
"A new scientist?"
"Natsuha? Never heard of him. How impressive can he be, if even a Vice Admiral has to babysit him?" Doflamingo arched an eyebrow.
Vergo gave a helpless laugh.
"Impressive doesn't even begin to cover it. He's only eight years old, but his technological genius… they say it may even surpass Vegapunk's."
"…What?"
For the first time, Doflamingo froze.
Vegapunk—that name alone carried weight.
Caesar, his own subordinate, prided himself on his research into artificial Devil Fruits. But even Caesar admitted that Vegapunk had surpassed him in every aspect of that field, his knowledge centuries ahead of anyone else.
Vegapunk was the undisputed titan of science—his brilliance five hundred years ahead of the world.
Doflamingo had always believed no one could surpass him.
And yet, Vergo was now claiming an eight-year-old boy might?
Eight years old. Not eighteen—eight!
A boy whose brain wasn't even fully developed, supposedly eclipsing Vegapunk's genius?
It sounded like madness.
Doflamingo's face twisted into disbelief.
"An eight-year-old brat, stronger than Vegapunk? Are you absolutely certain about this, Vergo?"