"Did it work?"
Michael turned around and looked at Vegapunk.
"This should be the limit of what my ability can accomplish... I've changed most of its properties, but the fundamental form of its existence cannot be altered."
But Vegapunk didn't respond to Michael at all.
Instead, he hurriedly tore off the fireproof suit he had just put on.
Then, in two quick strides, he rushed straight toward the Mother Flame device.
To be honest, it was the first time Michael had ever seen Vegapunk move that fast… even when he had just assimilated the Seraphim, he hadn't reacted like this.
Vegapunk reached out his hand. Through the observation window, he seemed to be gently caressing the now-calm, undying flame.
Its color had changed drastically, but Vegapunk knew—
"Success! It's a success! It holds immense energy and yet remains unbelievably stable..."
Muttering to himself, tears streamed down from those brilliant eyes that held the wisdom of a genius unmatched in this world.
"This must be... a blessing from the angels."
Michael twitched the corner of his mouth as he watched Vegapunk, who looked half-crazed in awe.
Oh no.
Last time, he had caused Vegapunk to crash mentally.
Now, he'd triggered an emotional overload.
Michael couldn't help but wonder if he and Vegapunk were simply incompatible.
Fortunately, Vegapunk only lost control for a moment before quickly regaining his composure.
He wiped away his tears and turned to face Michael.
"Forgive me, Michael. You must find this ridiculous."
"I don't think there's anything ridiculous about it. On the contrary, knowing that the world's greatest and most intelligent scientist is also someone deeply emotional and compassionate... it puts my mind at ease."
Michael patted Vegapunk on the shoulder.
"To be honest, I knew a bit about you before coming here, but I hadn't seen you with my own eyes. So... I came with the intention to kill you if I found anything suspicious. Even if that meant your inventions would be buried forever and the world would lose its chance at a brighter future."
"That's understandable," Vegapunk nodded sincerely. "A scientist who strays off course can be far more dangerous than any ordinary pirate."
"You're talking about the other members of MADS, aren't you?"
"Yeah," Vegapunk sighed. "Whether it's Vinsmoke Judge, Queen, or Caesar—they all had talent… but in the end, they were too obsessed, too extreme."
"Or perhaps," Michael's eyes gleamed, "they simply lacked the mental and spiritual capacity to handle their own genius. Vegapunk... are you interested in changing the world with me?"
"Aren't I already doing that with you?"
Michael wasn't surprised by that answer.
After all, Vegapunk was close friends with Dragon, and he had a deep bond with Dr. Clover from Alabasta...
Michael and Vegapunk were, by nature, on the same side.
"However," Vegapunk continued, "I can't leave Egghead. All of the island's research facilities and projects can't be relocated right now. But under the Navy's protection—especially thanks to Stella and Crocodile's arrangements—I rarely have direct contact with members of the World Government, so there's no need to worry about my safety."
"No... I'm afraid your safety will soon be in jeopardy," Michael said gravely.
"Among your clones... one of them has betrayed you."
"Betrayed me?"
Vegapunk froze, then quickly shook his head.
"Impossible. Though my six satellites have different personalities, they're all me at the core."
"Do you remember how you created those six satellites?"
"Each of them represents one of my personalities: Shaka for 'good,' Lilith for 'evil,' Edison for 'thinking,' Pythagoras for 'wisdom,' Atlas for 'violence,' and York for 'desire'..."
"Exactly," Michael nodded, cutting straight to the truth. "Even you, when driven purely by desire, can become selfish and uncontrollable. Just now... beside York's body, I found a very well-hidden image Den Den Mushi. That means she's been showing everything we did in front of her... to someone else."
"York!?"
Vegapunk's face darkened.
To him, those six satellites were never tools or creations—they were extensions of himself, independent yet harmoniously united.
In Egghead, every Vegapunk satellite had the exact same authority level as the original, with no differences whatsoever.
And yet, a traitor had appeared.
For the first time, Vegapunk truly felt...
the darkness of human nature.
"Why... why would York do this?"
"Come on, Vegapunk, she represents desire. And desire is the source of all human negativity," Michael shrugged. "It's easy to understand—she's completely enslaved by her own lusts. She wants to replace the original Vegapunk, to become a Celestial Dragon who indulges in pleasure and excess, enjoying wealth and limitless power. That's right—she's working with the World Government. She must have already made a deal with them."
Michael's words opened a door in Vegapunk's mind.
After a long silence, Vegapunk sighed deeply.
"Then what should we do? If what you say is true, then those on the other end of that Den Den Mushi already know you're here on Egghead..."
He suddenly looked up.
"You have to leave—now! Or it'll be too late!"
"No, Vegapunk. That's not how we handle this," Michael shook his head.
"If I leave now, what happens to Stella and Crocodile? What happens to you? To Egghead? Should we just let the World Government take over?"
"Then... what should we do?" Vegapunk exhaled helplessly.
"When it comes to scientific research, my mind is the sharpest in the world... but intrigue and scheming—that's not my strength."
"Naturally. That has nothing to do with intelligence."
Michael placed a hand on Vegapunk's shoulder.
"Leave this matter to me. Don't forget..."
"I am Michael, after all."