"Sage?"
Seeing Sage remain silent, Lily asked in confusion, "Is there someone more technologically advanced than Renedia?"
She's not the only scientist; a recently joined Quinn is also an outstanding scientist specializing in weapons and pathogens. Of course, one can't say he's not proficient in transformation and chemistry, just that he's stronger in the former areas.
And Renedia is exceptionally gifted. Even without direct communication, Quinn acknowledges Renedia's talent in weapon and material manufacturing surpasses his. Through interactions with Quinn and studying Caesar's leftover research notes, she has gained extensive knowledge.
In the Disaster Pirates, Renedia's technological prowess is superior to her combat strength and is considered invaluable.
Such a high bounty placed on a twelve-year-old is naturally boosted by other aspects.
"Yes, is there anyone stronger than me?" Renedia furrowed her little brows.
"Have you all forgotten..."
Sage pointed to the outside door, where stood two Bartholomew Kuma.
Or rather, two Peacekeepers.
These are Peacekeepers taken over from Zephyr, PX-Z.
These Peacekeepers replaced part of the defensive function of O'hara Main Island, especially inside the Royal Palace, where all the guards have been substituted by these mechanical constructs.
And the creator of all this...
Lily suddenly realized, "Vegapunk, huh."
This person, known as having mastered technology from five hundred years in the future, is extremely low-profile, to the point where if not deliberately mentioned, no one would intentionally think of him.
After all, brute force is the ultimate Secret Technique of this vast sea.
"That's right, Vegapunk!"
Sage stood up, looking at the city buildings outside the window, "I'm not too interested in what technology five hundred years ahead looks like. Humanity can only use universally applicable technology that it understands and masters. Extremely high-level things do not suit us right now, but that doesn't mean I don't want to grasp it."
"We've reached this point, to avoid being submerged, we naturally need to fight for it."
Sage turned around and said to Lily, "Go search, uncover every suspicious place, have our subordinates work diligently during this period."
"Are you saying Vegapunk is in the New World?" Lily frowned.
Such a thing is logically unlikely.
If she were the World Government, she wouldn't place such a significant scientist in the uncontrollable New World, not even in the most controlled East and South Seas; at the very least, she would place him on the Grand Line, or even next to Marineford.
Even with the main base relocated, Paradise is quite a safe place.
"Lily, regarding intelligence gathering, you're not considering enough. This way, it's impossible to make a large-scale plan."
Sage chuckled, "The previous intelligence said, what place is Punk Hazard? It's not just Caesar's experiment base, right? A creature like the Barbarian Tyrant is something Caesar cannot create."
Lily nodded thoughtfully, this must be acknowledged.
The 'legacy' of the Beast Pirates was taken over by them, including the 'Barbarian Tyrants' bigger than Giants, who were also subdued. These beings far stronger than Hajrudin, though lacking in intelligence, are not weak in strength.
But these individuals were not acknowledged by Hajrudin and the others; they were considered not to be genuine Giants, thus were not accepted into the Giant Warrior Pirates they established internally with Sage's approval. However, low intelligence sometimes has its uses, now they are patrolled within Faust's treasure vault.
And these beings were not something Caesar could create.
If he really had the ability, he wouldn't have returned to Punk Hazard to continue his research, nor would he hide from Big Mom.
Caesar's scientific prowess is similar to Quinn's, including their 'MADS' members, the deceased Caesar, the joined Quinn, and Law working for them in the North Sea, all are somewhat similar.
They don't have the capability to create Barbarian Tyrants, and the one who can...
"Vegapunk was also at Punk Hazard before." Lily asserted.
They had ample intelligence, especially after the Beast Pirates joined; Quinn told them the Barbarian Tyrants were bought from Punk Hazard.
And the most powerful scientist of 'MADS' is Vegapunk.
This meant there must have been traces of Vegapunk there before.
With the thought process opened up, the clarity followed.
"If it's all in the New World, equipment can't just be transported directly from the Red Earth Continent, because the World Government fundamentally doesn't care about technological advancement; otherwise, the sea wouldn't be the way it is now."
"Adding Vegapunk's own will... it is indeed highly likely he's in the New World, the latter part is unlikely, as the World Government's reach is most difficult there. But the first half of the New World, there are still some allied nations and World Government forces present, plus the current headquarters, the former G1..."
Lily said, "There's a high chance he's within our territory, we just haven't discovered it yet!"
"Exactly!"
Sage grinned broadly, "It's very likely he's here! Go search, mobilize all our forces, find Vegapunk!"
About this matter, Lucci can't inform him; his main occupation is still a special agent of the World Government, and Vegapunk isn't of low priority either.
Especially with Gabra Squad now stationed in O'hara, Owl can't say anything even with loose lips due to lack of relevant information.
Since that's the case... let's mobilize forces to search!