"Die?"
"How could that be?"
Vegapunk looked stunned.
The Warlords of the Sea (Shichibukai) did follow the World Government's orders, but they were relatively independent.
It wasn't uncommon for them to disobey the Government's commands.
Just look at the current Warlords— each of them was a bold and unrestrained figure.
How could they be completely obedient to the World Government?
"The Five Elders aren't as kind as you, Vegapunk."
Sanders said blandly.
"With Bonney as a weakness…"
"Of course the World Government would fully exploit that."
"They will demand that Kuma be transformed."
"Transformed?"
Vegapunk was surprised.
"None of the other Warlords were ever required to be modified."
"That's because they're in a cooperative relationship with the Government."
"But Kuma needs something from them."
"So of course they'll squeeze as much value out of him as they can."
"And turning him into a cyborg would make him more intimidating to other pirates."
Sanders explained.
"Modify me, huh?"
"If Lord Sanders needs me to go undercover, I'm willing to be transformed."
Kuma said with a smile, showing no concern for giving up his human body.
Then he turned apologetically toward Sanders:
"I'm sorry, Lord Sanders."
"I didn't mean to imply that I resent or blame you for not fully curing Bonney."
"Having Bonney grow up safely is already my greatest wish."
"I just want to do something to repay your help."
Kuma had always felt deep gratitude toward Sanders.
Even if Sanders never treated Bonney again, it wouldn't matter— because he had already restored her body to the pre-symptomatic stage.
That alone meant Bonney could likely live another five or six years, something Kuma had never dared hope for before.
"But if they transform you, the Five Elders will definitely demand that you give up all thoughts and your sense of self."
Sanders said shockingly again.
"Give up my thoughts and self?"
"That's no different than killing Kuma!"
"If a cyborg has no human will, then it's just a machine!"
"Would the Five Elders really make such a harsh demand?"
Vegapunk was a little skeptical.
"Heh... Don't try to judge the Five Elders' evil with a human perspective, Vegapunk."
"To them, only Celestial Dragons count as 'people.'"
"The rest are just livestock—either useful or useless."
Sanders sneered coldly.
The Celestial Dragons never considered others to be people.
Even the member nations of the World Government were no exception.
They always stood high above the rest.
And to the Five Elders, second only to Imu in authority, even ordinary Celestial Dragons were no different from anyone else.
If they interfered with the interests of the World Government— they would die all the same.
"Don't forget, Kuma once joined the Revolutionary Army."
"To prevent him from turning against the World Government later, the Five Elders will definitely make such a demand."
Sanders continued.
Vegapunk fell silent.
He knew Sanders was right.
"Then forget it."
"I can accept minor modifications, but wiping out his entire consciousness and self… it would be like killing Kuma with my own hands."
Vegapunk gave up on the idea of having Kuma go undercover in the World Government.
To a scientist, physically modifying someone was no big deal.
In fact, it even benefited the modified subject.
They would grow stronger— and injuries could be fixed by replacing parts.
More extensive modifications could even be considered a kind of immortality.
But wiping out someone's mind was going too far.
He'd rather give up the perfect clone template than go through with that.
If he did— it wasn't just Sanders and Kuma who'd object— even Dragon would probably flip out.
Kuma also showed resistance.
He wasn't afraid of being modified—but erasing his consciousness meant he'd no longer know his daughter, Bonney.
That was unacceptable.
After learning that Sanders could effectively cure Bonney, he had already begun to envision her growing up happily.
He still had to protect and care for her— he couldn't just "die."
"Of course, if you just pretend to modify Kuma, I wouldn't mind letting him temporarily become a Warlord."
Sanders suggested.
"Pretend to modify him?"
"I'm a scientist working for the World Government—you're asking me to defy the Five Elders' orders?!"
Vegapunk flailed his tongue, eyes full of disbelief.
"Oh, cut the crap, Vegapunk."
"As if you actually care about following their orders."
"You think I don't know what you're secretly researching?"
Sanders scoffed.
You're secretly studying the Void Century.
You've already been betraying the World Government for who knows how many years.
That was also why Sanders agreed to let Vegapunk not officially join the Thunder God Pirates—for now.
Vegapunk knew that sooner or later, he would fall out with the World Government.
So Sanders saw no need to risk offending him by forcibly taking him away.
Vegapunk's heart trembled. He quickly put on a confused face and asked:
"What could I possibly be researching in secret?"
But the way he said it… clearly a bit guilty.
"Is that so?"
"There's someone in my crew," Sanders said meaningfully.
Crap!
This brat Sanders really does know what I'm researching!
Vegapunk thought to himself in shock.
He immediately realized Sanders was referring to Nico Robin, who was from Ohara.
How the hell does this kid know that?
Did he go to Elbaf with Robin or something?
But Sanders didn't press the matter.
He simply continued:
"You're already planning to join me. Don't tell me you're still afraid of making a few secret moves."
Vegapunk let out a sigh of relief.
That's true— he was already planning to join Sanders and study him.
That alone was already treason.
On top of that, the forbidden research he was secretly conducting...
He'd already betrayed the World Government long ago.
One more act of defiance against the Five Elders didn't seem like a big deal anymore.
He began thinking about the feasibility of faking Kuma's modification.
Hmm… not too hard.
The World Government had given him a lot of freedom.
With the recent discovery of a tapped Den Den Mushi (surveillance snail), he could even use the opportunity to act furious, which might make the World Government reduce its monitoring of him.
That way, he'd have enough room to make some secret maneuvers.
After thinking for a while, Vegapunk said:
"It's possible… but Kuma must still undergo some minor modifications."
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