Marineford, Admiral Sengoku's office.
Finn and Borsalino sat on the comfortable sofa while Sengoku rifled through filing cabinets, searching for specific documents. The Admiral's office was spacious but functional, dominated by a massive desk covered in paperwork and Den Den Mushi units of various sizes.
Finn poured two cups of tea from the service set on the low table, pushing one toward Borsalino with a casual gesture.
Borsalino glanced up from where he'd been meticulously trimming his nails, offering a lazy smile. "Thank you."
"You're welcome. We're friends." Finn smiled back, settling into his seat.
"That's true." Borsalino resumed his nail maintenance, then added conversationally, "How have you been lately?"
"How have I been?" Finn rolled his eyes with exaggerated displeasure. "I was robbed of trillions of berries by an old man. I should be living a life of luxury right now, but instead I'm poor and destitute."
"Hehehehe..." Borsalino's chuckle was knowing and unsympathetic.
He'd witnessed the Golden Land situation firsthand, so he knew exactly what Finn was referencing. The sight of Shandora's golden cityscape had been impressive, but watching Sengoku systematically extract the treasure from Finn's possession had been equally entertaining.
Admiral Sengoku, standing by his filing cabinet, demonstrated remarkable shamelessness. He pretended not to hear Finn's complaint, continuing his document search with studious focus.
"What about you? How have you been recently?" Finn shifted topics, genuine curiosity in his voice. "I haven't seen you at headquarters for a while. We didn't even get to chat properly in Loguetown..."
"I've been at Punk Hazard." Borsalino's tone remained casual, almost disinterested. "The Marine Scientific Unit is under my supervision. Quite a lot to manage, honestly. Headquarters is planning to build a comprehensive research base there. Originally, funding was problematic, but now..." His smile turned slightly wicked. "Thanks to your generous contribution, there should be no issues."
"Ah yes. Sacrificing myself to benefit thousands of families." Finn sighed with theatrical sorrow. "I'm practically a philanthropist."
Punk Hazard was a standard "non-existent island," similar to Baltigo, the future Revolutionary Army headquarters. Islands without magnetic fields couldn't be detected by Log Poses, making them effectively invisible to conventional navigation. Reaching such locations required special routes and precise coordinates, providing natural concealment.
Perfect for a Marine scientific research facility that needed to operate without drawing attention.
Borsalino continued chatting amiably while working on his nails.
After a few minutes, Sengoku finally located the documents he'd been seeking. He tossed them onto the coffee table in front of the two Vice Admirals, then picked up his own tea. "This matter actually concerns your Scientific Unit directly, Borsalino."
Finn and Borsalino each picked up a document and began reading.
After scanning several paragraphs, Borsalino nodded slowly. "This does concern us. I've heard of this doctor before... Vegapunk."
Borsalino's Scientific Unit included numerous talented researchers, currently led by M. Caesar Clown. The man possessed virtually no humanity or ethical constraints, but his talent for scientific research was undeniable. Top-tier in the world, particularly regarding weapons manufacturing and chemical applications.
Borsalino had heard the name Vegapunk countless times from Caesar's mouth. Though never with admiration. Caesar spoke of him only through complaints—how Vegapunk was supposedly overrated, how people worshiped his intellect unjustly, how Caesar himself was the true genius among them. The bitterness was so thick that it required no explanation.
Once, Caesar had been part of MADS, the legendary research team that brought the brightest lunatics in the world under one roof. Dr. Vegapunk. Vinsmoke Judge. Queen. Caesar Clown. Buckingham Stussy.
Together, they achieved what no nation, kingdom, or government had ever managed: the identification of the Lineage Factor
But the moment they reached that peak, everything changed.
Each of them looked at that discovery and saw a different future.
None of them would yield.
So MADS didn't collapse—it split under the weight of its own genius. They walked away from one another.
As for Caesar…
Being compared to Vegapunk day after day had dug into him like a slow poison. He could not live in the same sky as a superior mind. So he left—clinging to pride, running from the shadow he could never surpass.
Borsalino understood him completely. When Caesar praised someone, they were beneath him. When he insulted someone, they were above him. And so, Caesar's relentless slander of Vegapunk said everything:
Vegapunk stood at a height Caesar could never reach.
"A brain that is said to be five hundred years ahead of human intelligence." Finn looked up from the document, his eyebrows raised. "Is he some kind of Devil Fruit user with brain enhancement abilities?"
The file before him contained basic information about Dr. Vegapunk, though notably sparse. Apparently even the Marines and World Government knew relatively little about this scientist.
The reason Dr. Vegapunk was drawing attention now was partly because of Caesar, and partly due to a recent scientific breakthrough that had caught the World Government's eye.
Under Vegapunk's leadership, MADS had succeeded in uncovering something known as the "Lineage Factor."
Application of this technology could potentially revolutionize the world's scientific capabilities.
Recently, strange items had begun circulating in the underworld. Objects that had somehow absorbed Devil Fruit powers. Swords that could transform into animals, guns that shot flames without gunpowder.
Rumors attributed these innovations to Vegapunk's research.
The Marine Scientific Unit constantly sought talented individuals. The World Government had also begun paying serious attention to Vegapunk's work.
Therefore, both had set their sights on recruiting or controlling this scientist.
Hence this mission.
"This kind of talent would be extremely dangerous if left operating independently." Sengoku set his teacup down with deliberate care. "The doctor isn't a Devil Fruit user, and his own strength is negligible. Once he's kidnapped by villains like Charlotte Linlin or Kaido, the technology in his hands will inevitably threaten global security and even undermine the Marines' fundamental strength."
The Admiral's expression grew serious. "Therefore, regardless of other considerations, Dr. Vegapunk can no longer remain unsupervised. The Marines have decided to recruit him into the Scientific Unit to serve as chief researcher."
Although this approach was somewhat overbearing, essentially forcible recruitment, Finn understood Sengoku's reasoning perfectly.
Dr. Vegapunk could legitimately be described as a walking nuclear weapon. His personal strength might be negligible, but he could build world-changing weapons.
Consider Vinsmoke Judge and Caesar Clown, two scientists who couldn't even compare to Vegapunk's capabilities. Look at the damage they'd caused historically. Judge created the Germa 66 clone army. Caesar developed weapons of mass destruction and addictive chemical agents.
If the doctor were genuinely held hostage by malicious forces, the consequences would be catastrophic.
Finn recalled that Charlotte Linlin's Big Mom Pirates were obsessed with scientific advancement. They'd wanted to annex Germa 66 specifically for Judge's cloning technology. They'd secretly funded Caesar's weapon development programs.
If Charlotte Linlin somehow acquired Vegapunk? The implications were genuinely terrifying.
"The situation is serious, but does this kind of operation really require both Borsalino and myself?" Finn asked, setting his document down. "Seems like overwhelming force for recruiting a civilian scientist."
"Yes, it does." Sengoku nodded firmly, then lowered his voice slightly. "According to Intelligence Division reports, the Big Mom Pirates have most likely already dispatched forces to secure Vegapunk. You need to move quickly. During this mission, you might encounter Big Mom's crew directly. I'm worried about either you or Borsalino handling this alone, so you'll go together."
"Big Mom Pirates..." Finn's eyes gleamed with interest. "Has Charlotte Linlin taken action personally?"
"That cannot be confirmed." Sengoku shook his head. "The Big Mom Pirates possess extremely strong intelligence capabilities. It's difficult for us to obtain accurate information about their movements, but we absolutely cannot rule out the possibility of Linlin's personal involvement."
Borsalino set his document on the table, his expression remaining characteristically untroubled. He nodded agreeably. "With Vice Admiral Finn's assistance, even if Charlotte Linlin comes personally, it shouldn't present major problems."
Finn glanced at Borsalino with surprise.
This isn't your usual style at all. Shouldn't you be saying something like "Oh my, how terrifying!" in that sarcastic tone, right before kicking Charlotte Linlin at light speed?
This sudden confidence and directness actually made Finn feel slightly guilty. Like he wasn't pulling his weight properly.
However, Finn didn't voice these thoughts. Instead, he lowered his head to examine the document again, murmuring thoughtfully, "Kusagumo Island... in the New World. It feels like I haven't been to the New World in quite a while."
"Then it's an excellent opportunity to visit and gain more experience in that region." Sengoku smiled approvingly. "Exposure to New World conditions is valuable for officers at your level."
At that moment, the Den Den Mushi on Sengoku's desk began ringing. After glancing at the caller identification, the Admiral said, "It's Vice Admiral Saul."
He didn't hesitate to answer in front of Finn and Borsalino. These two were his confidants, officers he trusted absolutely.
Even though Borsalino would later shift toward the neutral faction politically, Sengoku trusted him completely on fundamental matters. Internal Marine political maneuvering was one thing. Betraying the organization itself? Borsalino would never do that. Neither would Finn.
"Hello? Saul, what's the situation?" Sengoku asked after picking up the receiver.
"I apologize, Admiral Sengoku. The mission has failed again." Saul's voice came through muffled and depressed.
"Failed again? The same as last time?" Sengoku's expression tightened.
"Yes. After we surrounded them, those scholars all chose suicide rather than capture." Saul's tone carried obvious emotional distress.
He couldn't shake the feeling that he was doing something fundamentally unjust.
Sengoku sighed heavily. For several years now, a group of rogue scholars had been active across the seas, searching for Poneglyphs and researching the forbidden historical texts.
This was extremely dangerous activity that had been ongoing without resolution.
However, neither the Marines nor the World Government could confirm these scholars' identities or trace their activities back to any specific organization. They couldn't determine what kind of group would dare disregard international law to study banned ancient texts. What were they trying to accomplish?
Resurrect Ancient Weapons, perhaps?
But the Marines had made no breakthrough on this matter. Not a single scholar had been captured alive.
These academics were remarkably resilient. Every time Marines discovered them, they attempted desperate escape. If escape proved impossible, they committed suicide immediately rather than risk interrogation.
The situation was profoundly frustrating.
"These people are studying Poneglyphs, and they may intend to revive Ancient Weapons," Sengoku said firmly, his voice taking on commanding weight. "This represents a threat to the entire world, Saul. We cannot turn a blind eye to their activities. We must continue tracking them down. We must locate the organization behind them and eliminate the threat completely to maintain world peace and stability!"
Through the Den Den Mushi's transmission, it seemed Sengoku's words reached Saul effectively. The Vice Admiral's depressed voice lifted slightly, gaining conviction.
Yes, although these scholars were unarmed civilians with admirable backbone, seemingly worthy of respect... they were violating critical laws. And they were very likely endangering the entire world. Why should he sympathize with criminals?
He was enforcing justice.
"Yes, Admiral Sengoku!" Saul's response carried renewed determination.
After providing a few additional instructions, Sengoku disconnected the call.
Finn smiled slightly. "Troublesome situation?"
"Very much so. As you know, these scholars have been playing cat and mouse with our forces for several years without any progress." Sengoku's frustration was evident. "I genuinely worry that one day I'll wake up to discover someone has successfully resurrected Ancient Weapons..."
"Maybe they simply want to unravel history?" Borsalino suggested with characteristic detachment. "Research that blank hundred-year period, satisfy academic curiosity. Not necessarily weapons-related."
"That is also illegal." Sengoku's voice hardened. "Research into the Void Century is explicitly prohibited by international law."
After a brief pause, he continued with measured intensity. "If scholars truly wish to conduct such research, they should follow proper procedures. Strive to gain political influence, secure support from relevant nations, raise the issue at the World Conference, and petition for legal amendments. Not simply disregard existing law as they're doing now."
His eyes narrowed. "If everyone believed their personal causes justified trampling laws, what kind of world would we have? Complete chaos."
Finn nodded agreement with Sengoku's reasoning.
Laws certainly had problems. From a historical perspective, legal codes varied dramatically across different eras, constantly evolving and improving.
As Sengoku said, if you thought a law was inappropriate or unjust, the correct approach was following legitimate channels to amend that law through democratic or political processes.
Personal disagreement with legislation wasn't justification for simply ignoring it.
If these scholars felt today that this particular law was wrong and handled matters independently, disregarding legal authority, then tomorrow Finn might decide another law was inappropriate and create his own rules.
If everyone operated like that, society would collapse into absolute chaos.
Innocent people would suffer most.
Borsalino had nothing to add. Sengoku's logic was fundamentally sound, even if the specific application regarding historical research remained somewhat ambiguous.
"All right, you don't need to concern yourselves with these matters." Sengoku's tone shifted back to immediate business. "Focus on the Vegapunk situation. Move quickly. Also, you absolutely must not allow the doctor to fall into hostile hands. Do you understand what I mean?"
Finn and Borsalino nodded together, though neither spoke immediately.
Of course they understood the implication.
If there was no other option, if capture seemed impossible, even if they had to kill Dr. Vegapunk, they couldn't let him be taken by pirates or other hostile forces.
Better a dead genius than an enemy asset.
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