Meanwhile, the Phoenix Pirates began to move in secret.
For Vegapunk, the greatest scientist in the World, Marco was determined to bring him under his protection. If he could not secure him, then he would rather see Vegapunk destroyed than allow him to aid the World Government. If the World's most brilliant mind chose to stand with them, the difficulty of overthrowing the World Government would rise sharply.
After all, the weapons Vegapunk had created were terrifying. The Seraphim in particular possessed overwhelming combat power, hailed by Vegapunk himself as the strongest humans. There might have been some exaggeration in that claim, yet if the World Government were allowed to mass produce war weapons on the level of the Seraphim, the balance of power across the seas would tilt beyond recovery.
Anyone below Admiral or Emperor level would struggle to defeat even a single Seraphim.
The mass produced Pacifista had already strengthened the Marines considerably. If the Seraphim could also be produced in large numbers, then even if Marco relied on his own strength to eventually overthrow the World Government and defeat Imu, his subordinates might be slaughtered by those artificial weapons.
At that moment, the transponder snail in Marco's arms rang out, Brrr brrr.
He answered calmly.
"Hello, this is Stussy."
Marco's voice remained steady. "What is it?"
"Dr. Vegapunk wishes to speak with you."
A moment later, the transponder snail transformed to resemble Vegapunk's distinctive features.
"Hello, this is Vegapunk. Those messages you asked Stussy to relay…" His tone shifted, becoming tense. "How exactly did you know about these matters?"
Marco allowed a faint smile to touch his lips. "It's simple. I learned it through divination."
"Divination?" Vegapunk paused, clearly taken aback.
Stussy immediately understood and leaned closer to the snail. "Doctor, he may be referring to Madam Shyarly of Fish-Man Island."
"Madam Shyarly?" Vegapunk sounded puzzled.
Stussy explained patiently, "She is the most renowned fortune teller on Fish-Man Island. For decades, her predictions have never been wrong."
Vegapunk believed in observable science, yet he was not ignorant of the mysteries that existed beyond it. This World held powers that defied logic, including Haki and other phenomena that science had yet to fully explain. Divination, perhaps, was one of them.
His thoughts grew complicated. It was true that he had been researching the Poneglyphs. If the World Government discovered that, they would never allow him to live.
Sensing the silence, Marco spoke again, his tone relaxed but firm. "I was planning to head to Egghead Island anyway. We can discuss everything in person once I arrive."
Vegapunk's voice rose sharply. "Wait, wait. What are you coming here for? You are a pirate. If you appear, the World Government and the Marines will follow. Are you trying to get this old man killed?"
"You don't need to worry about that," Marco replied evenly. "The Phoenix Pirates will handle the Marines. I am offering you protection. It would be a tragedy for the greatest scientist in the World to be eliminated by the World Government. I can provide you with research funding and materials."
"Even so, this old man cannot possibly become a pirate," Vegapunk shot back. "Besides, the World Government has no evidence that I am researching the Poneglyphs."
Marco's expression hardened slightly. "The World Government does not need evidence. And York has already betrayed you. By now, they likely have more than enough justification."
Vegapunk's breathing grew uneven. "How can I simply believe that?"
"It does not matter whether you believe me," Marco answered coolly. "As long as you have researched the Poneglyphs, you are already on their execution list. You know better than anyone whether you have crossed that line."
Silence filled the other end.
Finally, Vegapunk spoke in a serious tone. "If you offer protection, what do you want in return? Let me make one thing clear. If you expect me to build weapons of war for you, forget it. I would rather die."
Marco had anticipated that response. Vegapunk's principles were rigid, even if his curiosity was boundless.
"You do not need to build weapons for me," Marco said calmly. "Remain neutral. Keep your Seraphim and Pacifista. Continue your research. I only require logistical support when necessary. Once I overthrow the World Government and establish a new order, you may decide then whether to serve it."
Vegapunk was stunned. He had expected coercion, not negotiation.
When had pirates begun speaking like this?
"We will discuss the details when we meet," Marco concluded, then ended the call.
"Hello? Hello?" Vegapunk stared at the silent transponder snail, unease creeping into his heart. Moments ago, he had been peacefully immersed in research. Now he stood at the edge of a political storm, forced to choose a side.
He could not confirm whether Marco's words were true. Yet his research into the Poneglyphs was undeniably real, and if the World Government learned of it, his fate would be sealed.
Stussy's voice was gentle but serious. "Doctor, what should we do?"
Vegapunk ran a hand through his hair in frustration. "I am only a scientist. I wish to pursue knowledge in peace. Why must trouble find me?"
Stussy gave a faint, knowing smile. "Because you are the greatest scientist in the World. The military power stationed on Egghead Island rivals that of a Yonko crew, perhaps even surpasses it. It is natural that the Three Emperors Alliance would attempt to win you over."
Vegapunk fell quiet again.
After a moment, Stussy added, "Regardless, we must prepare for all possibilities. With Egghead's technology, cooperating with the Phoenix Pirates is not impossible."
Vegapunk looked at her in surprise. "Are you suggesting I leave the World Government?"
"If you are truly researching the Poneglyphs, Doctor, then you have already left in everything but name," Stussy replied softly. "The World Government will never forgive that, no matter how valuable you are."
Vegapunk closed his eyes briefly. The weight of decades of research pressed heavily upon him.
At last, he made his decision. "Very well. We will meet Marco first. Then we will decide."
Stussy nodded. "And about York, whether the accusation is true or not, you must remain cautious."
===
Sorry for the late update.
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