Kizaru curled his lips.
"Yo~yo~, do you think I'd lie to you?"
Fleet Admiral Sengoku also wore a serious expression.
"Everything Borsalino said is true."
"Xia Yu came here to build more Seraphim."
"You must complete the mission I assigned to you properly. Do not treat it lightly."
After hearing Sengoku personally confirm it, the Vice Admirals' breathing grew heavier with excitement.
Their gazes once again focused on Xia Yu.
Their throats bobbed as they subconsciously swallowed.
What an incredible kid!
If this was really true…
Then the entire balance of power across the seas might change because of him.
"Um… I still have a question, Fleet Admiral Sengoku."
Momonga spoke up hesitantly.
"If that machine really is that powerful… then our protection doesn't seem that necessary, does it?"
"After all, the Navy's top brass already know about Xia Yu. Other people probably wouldn't be able to defeat that Seraphim anyway, right?"
Sengoku smiled slightly.
"I originally didn't intend to tell you this. But since you asked, it's fine."
"Your main task is simply to ensure no one disturbs Dr. Xia Yu while he conducts his research."
"After all, many people at Navy Headquarters may not recognize that machine… but they certainly recognize you."
"With you here, we can avoid unnecessary trouble within the Navy itself."
The Vice Admirals finally understood.
So they weren't really here as bodyguards at all.
At most…
They were just glorified gatekeepers.
That realization stung.
Momonga's mouth twitched slightly.
It seemed he had embarrassed himself by asking that question.
"Ah… I understand now."
Momonga gave a bitter smile.
"If there are no other instructions, I'll take my leave."
"Oh right—one more thing."
"Everything that happened today must remain strictly confidential."
"Especially from the pirates. Under no circumstances can they learn about the Navy's secret."
"You understand that, right?"
Sengoku's expression turned grave.
Everyone immediately felt the weight of his words.
This secret concerned the future of the entire Navy.
These Vice Admirals had served in the Navy for many years; they naturally understood the seriousness of the situation.
"Understood!!"
The Vice Admirals answered in unison.
Sengoku nodded slightly.
"Yo~yo~, little brother. Work hard here."
Kizaru waved lazily as he said goodbye to Xia Yu.
Soon after, Sengoku and Kizaru departed.
Once they had left, the four Vice Admirals immediately moved to guard the four directions surrounding the laboratory.
As Vice Admirals of the Navy, they had enough sense to know how important this task was.
No one was allowed to approach.
Within a one-kilometer radius, loud noise was strictly prohibited.
Nothing could interfere with Xia Yu's research.
However…
One person's thoughts were elsewhere.
Vergo.
The undercover agent planted in the Navy by Donquixote Doflamingo.
Standing guard outside the laboratory, waves of shock surged within Vergo's heart.
If all of this was true…
Then the Navy's future strength would receive an unprecedented boost.
And that meant Doflamingo-sama could be in danger.
The Young Master had always been able to operate freely.
Aside from his secret connection with the Celestial Dragons, the biggest reason was his personal strength.
The Navy also needed the Young Master's influence to help maintain balance in the seas.
But if Seraphim were mass-produced in the future…
The Seven Warlords of the Sea could be completely replaced.
This was an extremely serious matter.
He had to inform the Young Master as soon as possible.
Later that evening, after finishing his shift, Vergo returned to the G5 branch.
His expression was grave as he dismissed everyone around him.
Then he dialed a familiar Den Den Mushi.
…
Inside the royal palace of Dressrosa.
Donquixote Doflamingo sat lazily on his throne.
He wore his signature pink feather coat and pointed leather shoes, one leg crossed over the other as he gently swirled a glass of fine red wine.
At that moment, the Den Den Mushi suddenly rang.
Buru Buru Buru…
When Doflamingo saw who was calling, a hint of surprise appeared on his face.
It was Vergo—the undercover agent he had planted inside the Navy.
To avoid suspicion, the two of them hadn't contacted each other for quite a long time.
Doflamingo picked up the receiver.
"Fufufufu… Vergo. So you finally decided to call."
His lips curved into a sinister smile.
From the other end came Vergo's familiar voice.
"Young Master, I have extremely important information to report."
Vergo sounded urgent.
"Oh?"
Behind his sunglasses, Doflamingo's eyes shifted slightly.
He knew Vergo very well.
Vergo was usually calm and composed.
For him to suddenly make contact—and with such urgency—meant something major had happened.
Doflamingo narrowed his eyes slightly and dismissed all the servants from the palace.
His expression gradually turned serious.
"Go on."
"You sound quite anxious for someone as steady as you."
Vergo continued.
"Today I received a special mission at Navy Headquarters."
"I was ordered to stand guard for a newly arrived scientist named Xia Yu and ensure no one disturbs him."
A new scientist?
"Xia Yu?"
"I've never heard of that person."
Doflamingo sounded curious.
"How powerful is this scientist to require a Vice Admiral like you to act as his bodyguard?"
Vergo let out a bitter laugh.
Powerful?
That was putting it lightly.
"He's only eight years old."
"But according to what I've heard… this kid's technological level might surpass even Vegapunk."
"…?"
For a moment, Doflamingo froze.
Vegapunk was someone he knew very well.
His own subordinate, Caesar Clown, was already a genius in artificial Devil Fruit technology.
And yet Caesar himself had once admitted that even in the field he specialized in—artificial Devil Fruits—Vegapunk was still superior to him.
Not to mention Vegapunk's other technologies.
Vegapunk was widely recognized as a genius whose intellect was five hundred years ahead of the current world.
A mysterious and unparalleled figure.
The undisputed number one scientist in the world.
Doflamingo had always believed that no scientist could ever surpass Vegapunk.
Yet now—
His most trusted subordinate was telling him that someone existed whose technology might even surpass Vegapunk's.
And the most terrifying part was—
That person was only eight years old.
Eight.
Not eighteen.
An eight-year-old child whose brain wasn't even fully developed yet.
And now he was being told that this child's technology might be more advanced than Vegapunk's?
It sounded completely unbelievable.
Doflamingo's face was filled with astonishment.
"An eight-year-old kid whose technology surpasses Vegapunk?"
"Are you certain your information is reliable?" Doflamingo asked suspiciously.