"It's probably better to inform the main body. After all, he's been obsessed with The Plunderer, — the Devil Fruit user that shouldn't exist."
Pythagoras [Wisdom], wearing his usual clockwork decorations and goggles, with a bold "04" etched on his chest, offered his suggestion.
"Then I'll go tell him!"
York [Desire] — tall, alluring, barely dressed — turned with a playful smile and skipped toward the exit.
"And while I'm at it, I'll grab something to eat. I'm starving again~"
"York [Desire], eat less! I swear I've grown taller lately!"
Atlas [Rage], with her split pink-and-white hair and a booster pack strapped to her back, frowned and gestured angrily.
"Nyah nyah nyah, you can control yourself, but can you control me? I eat for all of us Vegapunks!"
York stuck out her tongue, laughed, and danced out the door.
---
After leaving the lab, York's grin slowly faded, replaced by a burning ambition.
"I didn't expect the one caught this time to be that Shirogai Yamikuro — the Devil Fruit user the Gorosei fear the most."
Her heart raced with greed. She thought of reporting directly to Holy Land Mary Geoise, but hesitated.
"No… if the Gorosei haven't arrived yet and he escapes, I'd lose everything."
York frowned, sighing as she headed toward Vegapunk's secret research chamber.
"Such a massive achievement, and I can't even claim credit. It'll all go to the main body again."
Her lips curved in a bitter smile.
"When will I finally be the only Vegapunk left? The world doesn't need so many of us…"
She arrived before the hidden laboratory entrance. The pupil-shaped scanner flashed to life.
"Welcome, Lady York [Desire]."
Click.
York pushed open the door, giggling.
"Main body~ We've captured the one you've been obsessed with."
---
"So that's it… you actually thought of using this method to stop the world from being submerged," a man's calm voice echoed.
Inside the lab, Vegapunk was speaking animatedly with someone.
Across from him sat a tall figure, his expression relaxed yet sharp.
"You seem to have realized it too, Dr. Vegapunk," Shirogai Yamikuro said with a faint smile.
"Of course," Vegapunk chuckled. "But without a miraculous Devil Fruit like yours, I can't rely on science alone."
---
"What! How is this possible?!"
York froze at the door, eyes wide.
"You—you're supposed to be in the confinement room!"
The man across from Vegapunk smiled lazily.
It was none other than The Plunderer himself — Shirogai Yamikuro.
"Oh, York [Desire]?" Vegapunk turned around, smiling at his flustered counterpart.
"I already understand Shirogai's purpose. You may withdraw."
"But, main body—!"
York pouted, glancing between them, clearly displeased.
"It's fine. Cancel all alarms," Vegapunk ordered, laughing heartily.
"Shirogai isn't our enemy. In fact, he might be the missing piece in solving our greatest problem."
"Reckless old fool," York thought bitterly. "Trusting a man the World Government marked as capable of destroying the world… no wonder you were bold enough to study the forbidden texts of Ohara."
Yet, on the surface, she only smiled sweetly.
"Understood, main body. I'll leave now."
Click.
The door closed behind her.
---
As silence returned, Vegapunk's expression suddenly stiffened.
He turned toward Shirogai, eyes narrowing.
"So you're saying… York is the traitor among us?"
Shirogai leaned back on the massage chair, smirking.
"Didn't you just hear the thoughts I shared with you, Doctor?"
"But… why?!" Vegapunk clutched his head in disbelief.
"We're all Vegapunk. How could one of us betray the others?"
Shirogai sighed softly.
"You split your mind into seven and gave them independence. You should've known — once they could act on their own, they stopped being you."
Vegapunk's face fell. "I created them with distinct personalities, thinking even different sides of myself would stay loyal. How naive…"
"Human desire is complex," Shirogai said. "For profit or power, even a man will sell himself."
Vegapunk began pacing, voice trembling.
"You're right… York visited Mary Geoise once. I thought she'd see how rotten it was. But I was wrong. My design — giving Desire form — created my opposite."
He stopped, eyes wide with realization.
"My secret research into the Ohara archives… she must have reported it to the Gorosei."
"Exactly," Shirogai replied calmly. "That's the trump card she'll use to eliminate the rest of you. Once the others are gone, she'll be the sole Vegapunk — the world's only 'greatest mind.'"
"How could I betray myself…" Vegapunk muttered bitterly.
"If not for your warning, I might've been erased the moment I perfected the Mother Flame."
"The Mother Flame?" Shirogai opened his eyes, gaze sharp.
"That powerful energy source in the central zone?"
Vegapunk nodded. "Even someone like you can sense its danger."
He stepped closer, desperation in his voice.
"Shirogai, your arrival must be fate. Take me away from Egghead! Isn't that why you came?"
Shirogai stood from the chair, his calm presence dominating the room.
"Not yet. If you vanish now, the World Government might detonate that weapon prematurely."
Vegapunk grimaced. "Those fools… they value no life but their own."
"Relax," Shirogai said. "As long as the Mother Flame remains incomplete, you're safe."
He closed his eyes for a moment, sensing the new abilities granted by his [God-Level Comprehension System].
My business here was never about you — but about your Brain-Brain Fruit. Now that I've obtained it, I can move on.
"Then… when will you return for me?" Vegapunk asked quietly.
"Soon," Shirogai replied, his body shimmering into violet light.
"When the Four Emperors shake the foundations of the World Government, I'll return. Then, I'll take you to Sky Island."
Vegapunk stood frozen, repeating the words softly.
"The World Government… brought low by the Four Emperors…"
His gaze darkened.
"York… you've gone too far, even for me."
---