"Sentomaru, Sentomaru, of all people, why did you have to provoke Vice Admiral Crocodile?"

The marines around Sentomaru hoisted up this reckless fool and retreated without looking back.

As for where they were retreating to...

Of course, it was the location Vice Admiral Crocodile had just designated!

In truth, drills like this had been conducted in previous years—splitting into multiple routes to different islands when evacuating Dr. Vegapunk, buying time.

But ever since Dr. Vegapunk created those six distinct clones of himself a few years ago, this exercise gradually lost its purpose.

So, it was understandable that Sentomaru, being new, wasn't aware of this drill...

But to dare openly defy his superior over something he didn't understand—that took some real guts.

"Hmph, did he really think I wouldn't lay a hand on my own subordinate? That damn fatso!" Crocodile snorted coldly.

"If it weren't for Borsalino asking me to look after him, I'd have sent him straight to the hospital today!"

"Crocodile, that move of yours was enough to leave him in pain for days." Stella maintained her gentle, charming expression, though a trace of displeasure flickered in her eyes.

"But I'll be reporting this to Fleet Admiral Sengoku... We can't just have high-ranking marines carelessly dumping their people everywhere."

"Well, strictly speaking, weren't the two of us also dumped here by Michael?"

"How is that the same? We're the military commanders of Egghead. And are you saying our abilities aren't enough to defend Egghead Island?"

"Tsk tsk tsk, you're even more narcissistic than I imagined, Stella." Crocodile raised an eyebrow before placing a slender cigarette between her lips.

"But Michael is actually coming to Egghead Island in person this time... Back when he was still with the Marines, all communication with Dr. Vegapunk went through the two of us... Now that he's temporarily left the Marine, he's coming himself."

"Different circumstances call for different approaches. Besides, Dr. Vegapunk's research on both the 'Seraphim' and 'Mother Flame' has reached critical stages... He probably wants to meet Michael in person too." Stella shifted her gaze to Crocodile's face with a smile.

"By the way, since when did you start smoking ladies' cigarettes? Weren't you still puffing cigars recently?"

"Can I say it's got its own unique charm?"

Crocodile's slender fingers held the thin cigarette, and amidst the swirling smoke, there was an almost witch-like allure about her.

"Unfortunately, I'm not particularly interested in cigarettes." Stella turned away, speaking softly.

"It's been a long time since we last saw Michael... Don't you go sneaking off ahead."

"You should be saying that to yourself, shouldn't you? You're the habitual line-stealer here!"

...

Under Stella and Crocodile's arrangements, all Marine forces on Egghead Island were dispatched to the surrounding islands.

Dr. Vegapunk and Michael would have two full days for their meeting.

"He should be arriving soon, shouldn't he?" Dr. Vegapunk stood by the shore, his permanently extended long tongue dangling by his mouth.

"According to navigation distance calculations... he should have arrived by now?"

"Dr. Vegapunk, Michael isn't with the Marines now, so he'll definitely take alternative routes to avoid their exclusive shipping lanes... That's why he's delayed."

"Ah, yes, of course. His current status is rather sensitive." Vegapunk nodded in understanding at Stella's explanation.

"Speaking of which, Michael and I crossed paths over a decade ago... Yet who would have thought it would take until today for us to actually meet face-to-face."

His voice was filled with emotion.

Before long, a steel-hulled ship flying no flags appeared on the horizon.

Even from a distance, Vegapunk immediately recognized the Seraphim Ship—his own creation.

Though a product from over ten years ago, its performance still surpassed all Marine warships and pirate vessels.

"The Seraphim Ship... what nostalgia." Vegapunk's expression turned wistful.

"Though it was just a warship I built out of personal interest while researching Lineage Factors, it remains one of my proudest works..."

"Naturally. It's Michael's favorite vessel after all... Even after leaving the Marines, he made sure to take the Seraphim with him."

"What an honor that is."

As they spoke, the Seraphim Ship grew larger in their vision.

And the man standing at its bow came into clear view.

Michael, no longer in uniform but clad in white robes instead.

Both Crocodile and Stella found themselves momentarily stunned.

Even they had rarely seen Michael out of Marine attire...

For a moment, they stood frozen, at a loss for words.

"Yo, Stella, Crocodile, haven't seen you both in years. How've you been?"

Michael didn't extend his wings, instead leaping directly from the ship's bow.

Only after the Seraphim Ship had properly docked did Jack and Yamato follow Michael onto Egghead Island.

"Michael, we finally meet."

"Dr. Vegapunk, for me, this is absolutely a historic meeting."

Though neither Michael nor Vegapunk appeared particularly excited on the surface, their handshake lasted an unusually long time.

After all, as each other's most steadfast allies, it was remarkable that they were only seeing each other's true faces after over a decade.

Michael had cooperated with Vegapunk confidently due to his foreknowledge as a transmigrator.

But for Vegapunk, it had truly been a matter of fate.

Of course, had Vegapunk ever wavered? Certainly.

After creating his six clones, Vegapunk had once taken them to Mariejois and witnessed the absurd lives of the Celestial Dragons.

Most outrageously, during that visit, several Celestial Dragons had insisted on taking Lilith and York as slaves.

That made Vegapunk completely understand...

Regardless of Michael's stance, opposing the World Government was absolutely justified.

Moreover, Vegapunk had already been acquainted with Monkey D. Dragon.

"Let's not delay, we should enter Egghead immediately," Vegapunk slowly released Michael's hand.

"Our meeting time is limited."

With that, he began walking into Egghead.

He had many questions to discuss with Michael...

Especially regarding the "Seraphim" created using Michael as their prototype.