Marco's words immediately cooled the Phoenix Pirates' earlier overconfidence. The deck quieted, though a few still tried to sound upbeat.
"Even so, we still have allies!" someone insisted. "The Big Mom Pirates and the Beasts Pirates are both our allies."
Jinbe answered in a low, steady voice, "After the Whole Cake Island War, the Big Mom Pirates suffered heavy losses. More than half their officers died, and up to two-thirds of their regular pirates were wiped out. Even if we really face a crisis, the help they can offer is very limited."
He paused, then continued, "As for the Beasts Pirates—Wano was just destroyed by Uranus. They also took heavy losses. If the Marines and the World Government move against us, the support they can give will be very limited as well."
Jinbe's analysis dragged the mood down. Every pirate on board understood how valuable the world's greatest scientist was. The Marines and the World Government would value Vegapunk even more. Things might be calm for the moment, but once they learned Vegapunk had joined the Phoenix Pirates, everyone could almost see it: a massive war was inevitable.
Vista spoke up, his tone serious. "Marco, do we need to notify the Beasts Pirates and the Big Mom Pirates in advance?"
Marco considered it, then shook his head. "No. If it's just the Marines, we can handle it ourselves. If it's the Gorosei—I've already found a way to break their immortality."
"Really?" The captains all stirred, excitement flashing in their eyes. They had fought Saturn before, and his so-called immortality had left them completely at a loss. Even Sea Stone bullets hadn't done a thing to him.
Ace leaned forward, unable to hold back. "Marco, how do we break their immortality?"
"Haki…" Marco replied. He went on, "As long as someone's Conqueror's Haki is strong enough, it can break their immortality. It hasn't been tested yet, but I'm almost certain. After all, true immortality is impossible."
Ace and Yamato both fell into thought. Each of them possessed Conqueror's Haki, and neither doubted Marco's judgment. If Conqueror's Haki could really deal with the Gorosei's immortality… then, with their own Conqueror's Haki, could they actually kill those so-called immortal Gorosei?
—
Meanwhile, in Mary Geoise, the seat of the World Government—
The Gorosei had just received new intelligence: Phoenix Marco had landed on Egghead Island, yet Vegapunk still hadn't sent a distress signal to the world government. That silence made them uneasy.
Saturn's expression was like ice. "What exactly is Vegapunk up to?"
"Could he have joined forces with Phoenix Marco?"
Nusjuro said darkly, "This is a critical stage in the production of the Mother Flame. No one can replace Vegapunk. No matter what, we must recover him as soon as possible. He must remain under the World Government's control."
Mars proposed, "In that case, let the Marines rescue Vegapunk."
Saint Peter snorted. "Hmph, those useless Marines? They're already severely weakened. There's no way they can stand against the Phoenix Pirates right now. And once they move on the Phoenix Pirates, the Big Mom Pirates, and the Beasts Pirates will definitely back them up. It'll turn into a drawn-out war of attrition."
The other Gorosei fell silent at that.
"The core problem," Mars said coldly, "is that Kaido and Marco's power is simply too great. Even a Marine Admiral can't compete with them. The situation with the Three Emperors Alliance is no longer something the Marines can resolve on their own."
Nusjuro grumbled, "Hmph. That Kuzan brat still refuses to return to the Marines. Looks like he's abandoned his justice and willingly sunk into depravity."
Saturn spoke in a low, serious tone. "I left a teleportation array on Egghead Island. If necessary, we can go there directly."
The other Gorosei nodded in agreement. "That's one option. But the Marines still need to be dispatched."
"This time, we end it quickly," Nusjuro said gravely. "If possible, we eliminate Marco in this battle. Once he's gone, the only real problem left is Kaido."
The others nodded again, their decision made.
Before long, the Gorosei's orders were passed down to the Marines. Sengoku, as Fleet Admiral, was taken aback. As a Marine, he knew better than anyone how terrifying Vegapunk's scientific genius was. If the Phoenix Pirates gained control of Vegapunk, the world's greatest scientist, it would undoubtedly become a massive threat to the entire world.
He immediately ordered Fujitora and Admiral Ryokugyu to lead a Marine force to Egghead Island to rescue Vegapunk.
—
…Inside Vegapunk's laboratory.
The "buruburuburu" ring of a transponder snail suddenly echoed through the room, startling Vegapunk and his satellites. All of them turned toward the sound. That particular snail was reserved for direct contact with the Gorosei—the highest authority in the World Government. The fact that it was ringing left no doubt about who was on the other end.
Cold sweat broke out on Vegapunk's forehead. He swallowed hard, while Edison shouted, "Stella, answer it! What's coming can't be avoided!"
"I know." Forcing himself to calm down, Vegapunk walked over and picked up the receiver. "Hello, this is Vegapunk…"
From the other end came the voice of Saturn. "I thought you wouldn't answer my call. Or that the one picking up would be Marco."
"Sa-Saint Saturn…" Vegapunk fought down the panic rising in his chest and asked, "Is there something you need from me?"
Saturn's voice turned icy. "That's my line. Are you planning to betray the World Government, Vegapunk?"
Vegapunk fell silent for a moment before answering, "I have no intention of betraying anyone. But history is something everyone has the right to know. I only wish to understand what happened in the past. Nothing more."
"...So you really are researching the poneglyphs." Saturn's expression darkened as he listened to Vegapunk's reply.
"Intelligence reports said you'd been researching the Poneglyphs, but we never had proof. I kept hoping that news was false—your contributions to the World Government are undeniable. Yet in the end, for the sake of that trivial history, you chose to betray us."
Vegapunk shot back, "Everyone has the right to know history. I won't make excuses. I know very well that if I study the Poneglyphs, you'll never let me go. As a scientist, I only want to uncover the truth of this world."
Saturn's voice turned icy. "So you chose to side with the Phoenix Pirates… hmph. How foolish."
He continued, disdain dripping from every word, "Do you really think mere pirates can shake anything? I thought the world's greatest scientist would be smarter than this, but it seems you're just as stupid as the other insects."
Vegapunk roared, "You keep calling humans insects. Do you really think you're the gods of this world, Saturn?!"
Saturn didn't respond to the outburst. He simply gave his final decree: "Await divine punishment, Vegapunk." Then he cut the line.
The den-den mushi went quiet. Staring at the disconnected call, Vegapunk realized his clothes were soaked through with sweat. Still, he had always known the World Government would never allow research into the Poneglyphs. This result had been within his expectations from the start.
In the Holy Land—
The other Gorosei had heard every word. Nusjuro spoke first, his voice chillingly calm. "So the reports were true—Vegapunk really is researching the Poneglyphs. To continue that research, he's willing to oppose our World Government. And he actually thinks the Phoenix Pirates can protect him. How utterly ridiculous."
Saturn let out a slow breath, full of regret. "I had a sliver of hope left. I wanted to believe he'd only been taken hostage by pirates. But now it's clear—he's fallen completely and become one of them. In that case, we have no choice but to erase him."
Mars frowned. "And the Mother Flame? Vegapunk is the only person in this world who can create it."
Saturn's answer was cold. "What's truly valuable isn't Vegapunk himself, but the Brain-Brain Devil Fruit. He's a Brain-Man who ate that fruit—that's the only reason he has such a brilliant mind."
He added, voice hardening, "But in the end, he's still just a mortal… and he dares to defy the gods."
Nusjuro concluded grimly, "Once Vegapunk is eliminated and the Brain-Brain Devil Fruit is reborn, we must find a scientist absolutely loyal to us and have them eat it."
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