Facing the cold, expressionless Sanders, even in the warmth of the laboratory, Vegapunk couldn't help but shiver.
He had heard about the grudge between Borsalino and Sanders.
Just imagining that Borsalino still had no idea he'd soon face Sanders— Vegapunk silently mourned for his Admiral friend from the bottom of his heart.
Vegapunk didn't have much combat strength.
Even the lowest-level pirates on the sea could easily kill him.
Despite this, he still didn't believe that Kizaru, a Marine Admiral, could gain the upper hand against Sanders.
He hesitated for a moment, then looked at Sanders and said:
"Borsalino is my friend. Could you not kill him?"
"After all, he only captured you because of the Marine HQ and World Government's orders."
Sanders paused, then smiled:
"I didn't expect you to plead for Borsalino."
"I can't help it," Vegapunk shrugged with both hands,
"I don't have many friends."
"You know how I am—always busy with research, rarely interacting with people. Borsalino is one of the few I've known for a long time."
Sanders asked:
"Then tell me—if Kizaru received orders to kill you, would he do it?"
He already knew the answer.
In the original story, once Vegapunk's research into the Void Century was exposed, the Five Elders had sent Kizaru to kill him.
And it was Kizaru who killed Vegapunk's main body.
Vegapunk raised his eyebrows indifferently and replied:
"Of course he'd kill me without hesitation."
"That's just who he is."
"Though I really dislike that about him…"
"But it's part of his job, isn't it?"
"As a Marine Admiral, drawing a salary from the World Government, enjoying the admiration of countless Marines— he's got to give something in return."
"There's no such thing as a free lunch."
"Just like how you're helping Bartholomew Kuma because you want him to become your subordinate,"
"And I'm helping him partly because he's Dragon's friend— but also because I want to study his body and use it as a template for cloned soldiers."
Standing nearby, Kuma scratched his head, showing a gentle and sincere smile.
He hadn't expected their conversation to shift to him.
Though both had their own reasons for helping him, he was still deeply grateful to them.
Sanders was silent for a moment, then nodded:
"Fine. I won't kill him."
"Besides, it's not easy to kill an Admiral—"
"Especially someone like Borsalino."
"He'll suffer, though."
After all, an Admiral is one of the strongest forces on the sea.
Each of them is a monster.
When two top-tier powers go all out, it could take days to determine a winner.
Sanders was indeed stronger than the Admirals or even the Yonko…
But even so, defeating the opponent in a short time was impossible.
Not to mention—Kizaru was a Logia-type Devil Fruit user, possessing the power of the Glint Glint Fruit.
His speed was unmatched.
If he fought with the intent to stall, he could easily hold out until other Marine forces arrived for support.
Because King the Wildfire and Marco the Phoenix had gone to Dressrosa, Akainu and Aokiji were still in the New World.
If Sanders' battle with Kizaru dragged on, those two would definitely come to help.
And don't forget—the Five Elders had their eyes on this situation the whole time.
Sanders had no interest in taking on the combined top military powers of the World Government and Marines all by himself.
"Letting him suffer a bit isn't a big deal," Vegapunk chuckled.
"With that lazy look of his and how blindly he obeys the World Government— I've wanted to punch him for a long time now."
"I'm already looking forward to mocking him while he lies in a hospital bed."
At that moment, Sentomaru's eyelid twitched.
Sanders knew—it was time for him to leave.
He nodded to Vegapunk and Kuma, then turned and pushed open the lab door, stepping out.
Sentomaru, lying on the ground, slowly opened his eyes.
He stared blankly at the ceiling, but as realization struck, his expression changed drastically, and he tried to leap to his feet.
Bartholomew Kuma, with quick reflexes, scooped up the still-sleeping Bonney from his belly and held her in his arms.
"Dr. Vegapunk, what happened? Was there an intruder?"
As Vegapunk's bodyguard, Sentomaru wasn't weak.
He knew very well—he couldn't have just fallen asleep randomly.
He distinctly remembered that moments ago, he had been playing with Bonney.
At first, he suspected Kuma had done something.
But seeing Bonney sound asleep and Kuma standing calmly beside her, he dismissed that thought.
"Pirates?!"
Sentomaru's face changed drastically.
With a swish, he darted toward his weapon, grabbing it and positioning himself protectively in front of Vegapunk.
"It's quite clear that a pirate did sneak in,"
Vegapunk said with a helpless shrug.
"Where is the pirate?! Where's the Marine security on the island?!"
"Relax, Sentomaru," Vegapunk patted his arm.
"All the Marines on the island probably fell unconscious like you did."
"And the pirate who came—had no ill intent."
Despite Vegapunk's explanation, Sentomaru remained tense and alert, scanning his surroundings with wary eyes.
He was well aware— if even he had been knocked out, the condition of the other Marines and World Government personnel on the island must be even worse.
"Doctor… Who was the pirate that came?"
"Sanders, he just dropped by to check on me,"
Vegapunk replied honestly.
There was no way to hide Sanders' visit—especially since he was off intercepting Kizaru.
If the World Government got suspicious, it would only cause trouble.
Better to just tell the truth.
Over the past few years, he and Sanders had indeed crossed paths multiple times.
The Marine high command and the World Government were already aware of their acquaintance.
So saying he came by to catch up wasn't exactly hard to believe.
"S-Sanders?!!"
"Thunder God Sanders?!!"
"Why would he be here?!"
Sentomaru trembled slightly, a flicker of fear flashing through his eyes.
"Don't worry, Sentomaru,"
"Sanders already left."
"L-Left...?"
Sentomaru let out a breath of relief.
Good, he's gone. Good.
He definitely didn't want to face that former Marine genius.
That guy had been terrifyingly strong even long ago.
And after breaking out of Impel Down, his strength had grown even more— strong enough to defeat Marine Admirals.
A man like that could absolutely annihilate him in seconds.
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