"Rolan, I know that to your Peach Garden, I should be considered an enemy."
As Vegapunk's voice echoed from the screen, Ivankov immediately scoffed. "What are you trying to say, huh? Begging for your life now?"
Vegapunk continued as if he hadn't heard him.
"I don't know when you arrived at Egghead Island. By the time you see this, I might no longer be here. This is a recording I prepared in advance."
His expression turned serious, almost strained.
"There is something I want to ask of you. It may be presumptuous, but I still have to say it. Can you save me?"
The screen froze briefly on his pleading face, as if waiting for an answer that would never come.
Ivankov's expression twisted with disbelief. "What a joke. Crocodile tears. While working for the World Government, who knows how many weapons and monsters he created?"
He jabbed a finger toward the sea outside.
"That giant Sea Beast we encountered on the way here is proof enough. You think that's the only thing he made? The World Government is still our enemy. Rolan, don't fall for this."
Law remained silent, but his frown showed clear doubt.
Rolan, however, showed a faint smile.
He understood Vegapunk better than most. The man had chased knowledge above everything else. The only place with the highest level of scientific advancement was the Great Kingdom from over nine hundred years ago. After its fall, that knowledge fell into the hands of the World Government.
For someone like Vegapunk, joining them had been inevitable.
But that choice came with chains.
Instead of freedom, he became nothing more than a tool, forced to endlessly produce weapons. It went against whatever ideals he once held.
Ever since the events at Marineford, when the truth of the World Government had been exposed, Vegapunk had likely been searching for a way out.
But Rolan's actions had also forced the World Government to tighten its grip. All secrets were gathered in Mary Geoise, including Vegapunk and his research.
The recording resumed.
Vegapunk let out a dry laugh. "Ridiculous, isn't it? A man with knowledge that could benefit the entire world, yet I used it to create tools of slaughter."
His voice lowered.
"There were even... unspeakable human experiments. Families destroyed. Lives ruined."
Ivankov's patience snapped.
He lunged forward.
"Okama Kenpo, Secret Technique!"
A flurry of attacks passed straight through the projection, as if it didn't exist at all.
"Damn it, Vegapunk!"
"ROOM. Shambles."
Law instantly repositioned Ivankov beside him.
"Ivankov san, it's pointless. Let's listen first."
Ivankov clicked his tongue but didn't argue further.
The projection continued undisturbed.
"The real reason I'm asking for help is simple. The World Government intends to kill me."
"What?"
Both Ivankov and Law reacted at once.
Vegapunk, their greatest scientist, a man who built weapons like the Pacifista, was suddenly a target?
Vegapunk seemed to expect their disbelief.
"You find it hard to believe, right? It's because I crossed their limits."
He raised a finger.
"First, my technology has exceeded what they can control."
A second finger.
"Second, I learned secrets I was never meant to know."
A third.
"And third, I began researching the Void Century."
His expression darkened.
"They won't kill me immediately. More likely, I'll be confined in Mary Geoise."
He paused, then spoke again, more urgently.
"You possess the Electromagnetic Fruit. In my laboratory, there is a device that can locate me. You'll find it."
His voice grew quieter.
"I don't know how long my research will survive, but I'll do everything I can to preserve it until you arrive."
The recording ended. The light screen faded into nothing.
Silence filled the space.
Ivankov stepped forward, his expression serious. "Rolan, don't trust that man. This could easily be a trap set by the World Government. If you go to Mary Geoise, you might walk straight into an ambush."
His voice carried genuine concern.
Law spoke next. "Captain, Ivankov san has a point. We don't know his true intentions."
Rolan shook his head slightly.
"I know. But Vegapunk isn't evil. At worst, he's obsessed with science."
He looked toward where the screen had been.
"I'll save him. Just not now."
Both of them focused on him.
"If he's in Mary Geoise, he won't be killed immediately. That gives us time. We plan properly, then move."
He turned away.
"We're heading back to Peach Garden first."
Ivankov clenched his fists. "Rolan!"
Before he could continue, a hand stopped him.
"Law boy..."
Law shook his head. "Once Captain decides something, nothing will change it. Not even a group of Sea Kings."
He smirked slightly.
"But relax. We're the Ion Tempest. The strongest crew in this world."
Rolan gave a faint, amused look. "You know me well."
In the next moment, he vanished.
When he reappeared, he held a device resembling an old communication tool.
"Found it."
Without another word, he activated his ability. Invisible electromagnetic forces spread outward, and the entire Egghead Island began to rise into the sky.
"Let's go."
Far away, in Mary Geoise, inside a vast glass chamber filled with blinding light, the sound of machinery echoed nonstop.
Beep. Beep. Beep.
An old man with an apple shaped head and a long tongue worked rapidly at a control panel, surrounded by countless instruments.