To Saint Saturn, this idea seemed utterly delusional.
Shampodi Archipelago is the territory of the Konoha Pirates, there's no way they would hand over Vegapunk, and they might even fight the World Government to the death!
In contrast to Saint Saturn…
Navy Admiral Sengoku was undoubtedly much calmer.
In the Radio Snail, the Admiral did not give strict orders; he was earnestly discussing with Akihara Kagura on the tactics to retrieve Vegapunk.
After all…
Sengoku also did not want Vegapunk to fall into the hands of the Konoha Pirates.
The whole sea knows that the Konoha Pirates and the people behind them are destined to overthrow the World Government in the future. If Vegapunk, who represents ancient technology, also falls into their hands, the fate of the entire sea would be entirely controlled by the Konoha Pirates, and everyone's lives would be at the mercy of those monsters, which does not align with Sengoku's ideas.
However…
This issue is quite tricky.
Most of the high-ranking officers in the Navy are colluding with the Konoha Pirates.
If a battle were to break out directly, the relationship between the Navy and the Konoha Pirates would fracture, and the already fragile alliance would dissolve directly. From then on, the Navy's future would essentially only follow the World Government down a dark path, which is not what Sengoku wants.
"This is a very troublesome problem..."
Sengoku sighed deeply, unable to come up with a suitable solution: "The stakes with Dr. Vegapunk are significant; they surely won't let him go easily..."
"First, we should clarify a goal..."
Akihara Kagura narrowed her eyes as she gazed towards the direction of the port: "Surely, it's not just the World Government that wants to seize Vegapunk; others must also hope this genius scientist will work for them, right?"
"The Revolutionary Army?"
Sengoku's expression shifted as he recalled something and said in a deep voice, "Bartholomew Kuma was a cadre of the Revolutionary Army, and they will soon hear the news, but they may not act against the Konoha Pirates over Vegapunk, right?"
The leader of the Revolutionary Army, Monkey D. Dragon, never acts lightly, so how could he possibly collide with such a colossal force as the Konoha Pirates at this pivotal moment in the Revolutionary Army's development?
"Not the Revolutionary Army..."
Akihara Kagura casually spoke as she observed a figure wearing a pink cloak at the port: "I just happened to see Donflamingo from the Seven Warlords of the Sea seem to intend to seize Vegapunk when he arrived at Shampodi Archipelago..."
"That guy..."
Sengoku's voice turned cold; he was extremely dissatisfied with Donflamingo, a former Heavenly Celestial Dragon, both because of his evil pirate identity and due to some personal grudges from the past.
"No matter how bold Donflamingo is, he knows the importance of Vegapunk. If he were to seize Vegapunk, neither the World Government nor the Konoha Pirates would spare him..."
"I feel..."
"That Donflamingo might have the guts to do it."
Akihara Kagura continued to observe the port situation, speaking softly: "What if he were given the chance? No one would willingly let go of the world's number one genius scientist..."
"Admiral Kagura."
"I don't quite understand what you mean."
Sengoku furrowed his brow, unable to grasp Akihara Kagura's idea.
"Admiral..."
Akihara Kagura had to remind her supervisor: "Our goal doesn't seem to be to help the World Government retrieve Vegapunk..."
"Isn't our goal just to ensure Vegapunk doesn't fall into the hands of the Konoha Pirates? To prevent their already uncontrollable power from becoming completely unchecked..."
"!!!"
It was as if Sengoku's mind was suddenly enlightened.
At this moment, it was as if the fog cleared, allowing him to immediately clarify their goal. The Navy doesn't want to be the World Government's lapdog; they simply don't want the Konoha Pirates to become utterly unstoppable!
As for whose hands Vegapunk falls into, it doesn't really matter...
As long as it's not in the hands of the Konoha Pirates!
If Vegapunk falls into the hands of Donflamingo, and if the Konoha Pirates want Vegapunk, then the Seven Warlords of the Sea member would inevitably receive enmity from the Konoha Pirates, hopefully, Donflamingo can hold out a bit longer...
As for the World Government and the Heavenly Celestial Dragon side, they will surely make a move to demand, and it's extremely easy for the Navy to resolve Donflamingo!
Afterwards...
Sengoku would have more time to continue contemplating these matters, rather than being forced by his subordinates to come up with an answer quickly in the short term...
The key issue now lies in...
Whether Donflamingo has the ambition to seize Vegapunk...
And also...
If the Navy, including Kizaru and Akihara Kagura, makes the first move, causing chaos in Shampodi Archipelago over Vegapunk, they'll likely end up breaking ties with the Konoha Pirates...
"Why should the Navy make the first move?"
"I heard there are quite a few World Government agents on Shampodi Archipelago this time. As long as the World Government agents reveal their identities, let them create chaos at the slave auction..."
"Both Admiral Kizaru and I only enter Shampodi Archipelago to rescue the World Government agents, after all, we also received the order from the World Government to retrieve Vegapunk, we were compelled to act..."
"If there were a breakdown in relations between the two sides, and someone hard-pressed wanted to find a scapegoat, it would be the Five Elders who ordered Admiral Kizaru and me to go to Shampodi Archipelago..."
"..."
Sengoku felt this statement was somewhat odd.
But upon further thought, Sengoku also found some truth in it. If a breach in the alliance between the Navy and the Konoha Pirates did occur, the culprits would indeed be the Five Elders who issued the order...