Vegapunk was still trying to persuade Sanders to cooperate with his research. He had already promised—absolutely nothing from the research w
Vegapunk was still trying to persuade Sanders to cooperate with his research.
He had already promised—absolutely nothing from the research would be handed over to the World Government.
But Sanders still refused.
"Just tell me—what would it take for you to cooperate?"
After a long argument, Vegapunk finally asked, panting slightly.
Hearing this, Sanders' heart stirred.
Finally, you said it.
But outwardly, he still wore a look of firm rejection.
"Impossible. I won't let you study me."
"Who knows what kind of weapons you'd help the World Government create?"
Even though he didn't think Vegapunk could figure anything out from his "Deduction" ability, it was Vegapunk after all.
That guy's scientific prowess was simply terrifying!
In Sanders' eyes, even if you combined all the scientists in the entire One Piece world,
they still wouldn't match up to Vegapunk alone.
"I can study you in secret. I promise the World Government won't find out."
Vegapunk quickly reassured him.
Secret research?
It wasn't like he hadn't done it before.
The Poneglyphs and Ancient History? He'd studied them exactly like that.
He was used to it.
And the World Government had never caught him.
Out of respect for him, the Government generally only gave him research assignments—
they never really interfered with what he chose to study himself.
"Is that so?"
"You just arrived here. You haven't had time to inspect every corner of this place, have you?"
Sanders looked at Vegapunk with a cold smirk.
"What do you mean?"
Vegapunk's face changed slightly.
Kuma also realized something.
His gaze began scanning the room.
Sanders gave a playful wave toward one corner of the room— a large surveillance Den Den Mushi fluttered out of the shadows into his hand.
Seeing the oversized snail, Vegapunk's expression darkened.
A surveillance Den Den Mushi!
He recognized the type instantly.
So… everything he had just said to Kuma…
Had all been heard by the World Government?!
That was bad.
Really bad.
After all, Kuma was still a pirate with a 296 million bounty.
And he, Vegapunk, was a scientist of the World Government.
Kuma, seeing the snail's face, showed a trace of despair.
They'd been discovered!
And he didn't believe the World Government would still allow Vegapunk to treat Bonney after hearing all this.
Could it be… Bonney's illness truly had no hope of being cured now?
Kuma turned to Vegapunk with a look of despair.
But before either of them could speak—
Sanders waved toward the pipe overhead again.
Another Den Den Mushi—slightly smaller than the last—fluttered down.
This was a surveillance Den Den Mushi.
Like a camera, it could transmit visuals.
Sanders placed the two Den Den Mushi in his palm.
Both hung their heads limply—they were clearly powered down.
"Still think your 'secret research' won't be discovered?"
Sanders tossed the snails onto the floor, looking at Vegapunk with a smile.
"I just moved in. Haven't had time to sweep the place."
"Back in Punk Hazard, my labs were completely free of surveillance snails."
Vegapunk replied with a dark expression.
"I'll be more careful in the future."
He was still trying to salvage the situation.
He really wanted to study Sanders' body.
If possible, he even wanted to dissect Sanders' brain, just to understand how he had learned so many non-Devil Fruit abilities so quickly.
Back when Sanders was in the Marines, Vegapunk had already noticed how freakishly fast he progressed in Haki and martial arts.
In an incredibly short time, he had reached the level of a Marine Vice Admiral.
That was outrageous.
Most Vice Admirals had trained for over a decade—some for much longer.
But Sanders had only been in the Marines for three short years.
He was a complete monster.
"It's not that I completely refuse to be studied…"
Sanders said casually.
"Name your terms—whatever they are, if I can do it, I'll do my best!"
Vegapunk's eyes lit up.
"Join my crew."
Sanders finally revealed his true intention.
The world's smartest scientist, a genius said to be 500 years ahead of humanity—he wanted him badly.
With Pure Gold, Vegapunk could extend his lifespan and dedicate himself to research for centuries.
Just imagining it… Vegapunk, alive for hundreds or even thousands of years… What kind of progress could he bring to the world?
"Impossible, Sanders. You know I could never join you."
Vegapunk shook his head without hesitation.
"Are you sure you don't want to reconsider?"
Sanders pressed.
"Whatever research funding the World Government gives you, I can match it."
"I also know about ancient technologies on the moon—I can retrieve them for you to study."
"And then there's me."
"Don't you want to study how I've gained so many powers and can learn so quickly?"
Sanders' words were full of temptation.
"So your ability is indeed tied to your rapid learning?"
Vegapunk muttered, intrigued.
Vegapunk sharply grasped the core issue.
His expression was now full of internal conflict.
Sanders' offer was extremely tempting.
Vegapunk wasn't worried about the money—he didn't think Sanders would lie about that.
As an Emperor of the Sea, making money was no problem for someone like Sanders.
As long as he had territory, research funds would pour in quickly.
There was also the promise of lunar technology... and Sanders himself.
To be honest, Vegapunk was very, very tempted.
But that was all it was—temptation.
"If you're worried about retaliation from the World Government—don't be."
"I attacked Mary Geoise not long ago and killed quite a few Celestial Dragons. The World Government didn't even fart in response."
Sanders said casually.
"You… you attacked Mary Geoise?!!"
Vegapunk and Kuma exclaimed at the same time.
"Seems the Five Elders really can't do anything to you…"
Vegapunk looked at Sanders with a complicated expression.
To attack Mary Geoise and kill Celestial Dragons—that was a world-shaking event.
And yet, there hadn't been a single ripple across the seas.
No one had even heard about it.
Which could only mean one thing:
The World Government buried the news.
Which in turn meant they couldn't afford the consequences if it leaked.
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