Ian smiled and nodded, then turned his gaze outside. A unique light flashed in his eyes. "And I'm not staying here because of this robot. I just want to personally feel… just how shocking that Conqueror's Haki from eight hundred years ago truly is."
For Ian, the only valuable things on this island were Vegapunk and that Conqueror's Haki that had traversed eight hundred years.
There was no other way. His power was different from that of other transmigrators; it couldn't compare to those who relied on systems to steadily strengthen themselves. Every step he had taken so far had depended on himself, so he believed that the Conqueror's Haki that spanned eight hundred years would surely yield results.
Just like the Devil Fruit he had eaten, Zephyr's training manuals, Garp's specialized training, and later the Divine Departure!
Unfortunately, he wasn't the so-called true God of Sun that those guys talked about, so he couldn't awaken the robot in front of him, nor could he make the robot expend all of its energy to block enemies for him.
But it didn't matter; he might as well stay here and watch for a while.
That was also why he didn't reveal himself: To avoid scaring off the World Government and allowing the Straw Hat Pirates to escape safely.
Speaking of which, during the last incident with the Big Mom Pirates, he had hidden, which had directly caused Teacher Kaido to lose his job.
Whether the Straw Hat Pirates entered Little Garden while on the Grand Line, Ian didn't know.
But without Crocodile's meddling, it's uncertain whether the Straw Hat Pirates have forged a deep friendship with Dorry and Brogy.
The Donquixote Family had long been destroyed, and Ace was living well under his watch.
Without the tournament organized by Doflamingo, the Straw Hat Pirates probably had no chance to become friends with Hajrudin.
Without the help of the Giant Warrior Pirates, under the World Government's pursuit, could the Straw Hat Pirates still escape successfully and, under the Giant Warrior Pirates' lead, reach Elbaph?
"Ian, what are you thinking about?"
As Ian pondered, Vegapunk approached. "By the way, are you really sure this ancient robot can be activated?"
"Who knows? I'm not sure either."
Ian reined in his thoughts and shrugged. "I just have a feeling."
"A feeling? Could it be the Observation Haki?"
"… Maybe you should just leave? I'll tell you what to do later."
"No way. Even if it's just a feeling."
Vegapunk rejected Ian's suggestion without hesitation, his tone firm. "As a scientist, I can't let this go easily. I want to witness the awakening of this ancient robot with my own eyes!"
"Do as you please!"
Ian shrugged, glanced at the projected chaos outside, then turned his gaze back to the door. "I didn't expect another mouse to come here! Vegapunk, the place you chose isn't very secretive, huh."
"Someone else is coming?"
Hearing Ian's words, Vegapunk, who had been curiously watching the robots, snapped back to attention and hurriedly looked toward the door. "Who?!"
Before he could finish, a unique laugh sounded from the doorway.
"Fufufufufu!"
The sound instantly made York, who had been despairing and quietly awaiting death, brighten up.
Has the World Government finally found this place?
She… was saved!
…
A little earlier, outside, the entire Egghead Island had fallen into flames of war.
The Marines' fleet, led by the former Fleet Admiral Sengoku, had successfully arrived at Egghead and instantly sealed it off.
Admiral Kizaru was also there. He seemed to be in a very bad mood, his face grim as he followed Sengoku.
"Don't feel too bad, Borsalino."
Although Borsalino hadn't spoken a word on the way, Sengoku understood why he felt this way. He sighed and patted Borsalino on the shoulder. "We are the Marines; obeying orders is our duty."
Of course, even though they had to obey orders, if some things were intolerable, exploiting a mess wouldn't draw criticism.
But as the former Fleet Admiral and current Inspector General, such words certainly wouldn't be said aloud.
"If it's really impossible, then just stay on the ship. Don't worry, I'll personally explain everything to the World Government."
"No need."
Borsalino shook his head at Sengoku's suggestion. His face remained gloomy, his tone tinged with melancholy and regret. "As a close friend, let me personally see him off."
"… Fine. If you really can't bring yourself to act, then so be it."
Sengoku didn't say more, only shook his head with a sigh while staring at the island that had once been futuristic but was now in chaos, a hint of regret on his face.
"According to the intelligence, the other satellites have joined the Straw Hat Pirates, but the real Vegapunk hasn't appeared yet. We don't know where he's hiding. The information came from another satellite, York…"
"It seems Vegapunk wants the Straw Hat Pirates to take them away, so we absolutely cannot let them escape."
Unexpectedly, that grandson of Garp… had reached this point.
Just like the one who once caused the Marine Headquarters to miss their target, these guys were truly unpredictable!
And the public execution had only ended recently!
"The World Government has also issued a kill order. Everyone must be captured, including Vegapunk's clone. Even the Straw Hat Pirates are included. If capturing isn't possible, you are authorized to kill them on the spot!"
This clearly showed that the World Government was serious this time.
Noticing Borsalino's gloomy mood beside him, Sengoku added with a teasing tone, "Don't think too much. Even before we arrived, the World Government had already sent CP0, the hyenas. I heard a newly developed secret weapon has also been deployed. Perhaps by the time we land on the island, it will all be over?"
"Don't underestimate CP0… those guys are called the strongest shield of the Celestial Dragons and the world's strongest intelligence organization, they're certainly formidable!"
…
Meanwhile, on the other side.
"Fufufufufu!"
The moment that unique laugh reached her ears, York felt her entire body come back to life.
No, rather… She saw hope to survive.
Especially when she saw the figure step inside.
"Hahaha!"
York laughed wildly. "The World Government has found this place, the World Government has found this place! You're finished!"
She shouted to the figure standing at the doorway, seemingly puzzled about the situation inside, "Doflamingo, come save me! No, send the news out to the World Government! Tell the Five Elders, the Umbrella Corporation is here, too. Let those guys figure out how to save me. Quickly, send out the news!"
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