"Hello?"

"Admiral Kizaru, that's... a black Den Den Mushi."

'Oh, did I pick up the wrong one?' Prompted by his subordinate, Borsalino sighed and exchanged the receiver for the correct Den Den Mushi. He slowly brought it to his ear. "Hello? Is this about something important? If not, I'm hanging up."

"Get serious, Borsalino!" the Den Den Mushi, its features shifting to resemble a man in a Marine seagull hat, roared into the line.

"Ah, is that you, Fleet Admiral Sengoku? Don't tell me something troublesome has come up again."

"Something big has happened," the snail, now a perfect likeness of Fleet Admiral Sengoku, replied in a grave tone. "Where are you now?"

"Something big... Sounds like a lot of trouble." Borsalino scratched the back of his head in annoyance. He glanced at Marineford's harbor, now almost within reach, and drawled, "I just arrived. We're about to dock. Can't you call Kuzan? I'm pretty sure he's sleeping somewhere in Marine Headquarters."

"I told you to be serious! This is your job!" Hearing Borsalino's attempt to slack off, the Sengoku-faced Den Den Mushi's expression turned furious. "You're already at Marineford? How did you get there so fast? Never mind that. Get back to Egghead. Now."

"Egghead? But I just came from there," Borsalino said, his brow furrowing as he continued to scratch his head. "Did something happen? Don't tell me Vegapunk was secretly working with pirates."

"No." The Den Den Mushi shook its head. "It's far more serious than that."

Borsalino's leisurely posture straightened, his own expression turning serious to match the snail's. Before he could ask, Sengoku's voice came through the receiver again, heavy and solemn.

"Vegapunk has disappeared."

A flicker of surprise crossed Borsalino's face.

--**--**

The sudden disappearance of Dr. Vegapunk sent immediate shockwaves through the World Government and Marine Headquarters. As the world's greatest scientist, the man whose brain was said to be centuries ahead of its time, his importance was immeasurable. Many of the World Government's and Marines' most critical inventions were his creations.

The Seastone-lined warships, for instance, were a product of his genius. It was these vessels that allowed the Marines to navigate the treacherous waters between the Four Seas and the Grand Line, curbing the rampant growth of piracy and maintaining a fragile order across the world.

Vegapunk could be allowed to die, but he could never be allowed to fall into the hands of those with their own agendas. His influence on the world was simply too immense.

--**--**

At the holy land of Mary Geoise, within the highest seat of power, the Five Elders had gathered.

"Marine HQ has already dispatched a fleet to blockade the waters around Egghead," said Saint Topman Warcury, the Warrior God of Justice. He was dressed in a dark green suit, his bald head and distinctive mustache giving him a severe look. "According to the initial report, Vegapunk told his staff not to disturb him while he went to inspect the docks alone. It wasn't until he failed to return by evening that they realized something was wrong. They searched the island but found no sign of a struggle, not even a single footprint out of place."

"Those incompetent Marines," grumbled Saint Shepherd Ju Peter, the Warrior God of Agriculture. Dressed in a dark red suit with no tie, his blonde hair and beard framed a face marked by a prominent scar on his neck. "No footprints? No sign of an enemy ship? Could Vegapunk have simply fled on his own?"

"Impossible." Saint Jaygarcia Saturn, the Warrior God of Science and Defense, shook his head. He leaned on his cane, he frowned beneath his flat cap. "I had an agreement with him. The World Government would grant him a certain degree of freedom, and in return, he would deliver the results we require. He had no reason to leave now. To realize those wild ideas in his head, only we possess the necessary resources."

This was, in fact, the World Government's leverage. To achieve his grandest visions, Vegapunk had no other choice but to work under their patronage. Without them, his dreams would simply vanish.

"But he has truly disappeared now!" Saint Warcury retorted, his voice laced with dissatisfaction. "Perhaps we shouldn't have given Vegapunk so-called freedom. We should have made him obediently follow our commands. If he disagreed, we should have simply eliminated him!"

"Scientific research isn't that simple. If we force him, Vegapunk might not comply with our demands!" Saint Saturn, true to his role as the Warrior God of Science Defense, countered. "Even if we wanted to destroy him, now isn't the time, he's still too useful. And I still don't believe Vegapunk would willingly leave the World Government at this moment and abandon his work."

"So you believe someone took him?" asked Saint Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro, the Warrior God of Finance. Dressed in a white monastic robe and wearing glasses, he was the only one of the five without a suit or a beard. "But who could abduct Vegapunk from under the noses of a Marine garrison without leaving a trace? And how could they do it so quietly, unless he went with them willingly?"

"Speculation is useless. The fact is, Vegapunk is no longer on Egghead," said Saint Marcus Mars, the Warrior God of Environment, his long white hair and beard lending him an ancient air. His tone was grim. "Only a handful of powers in this world are capable of such a feat."

"Are those foolish insects provoking the us?" Saint Saturn growled, his tone grew cold. "And those Marines... all of them must be put on trial and sentenced to slavery! It's because of their negligence that such a huge problem occurred!"

"Calm yourself, Saturn," Saint Warcury said, holding up a hand. "I know you are furious, but for now, all we can do is wait for news from the fleet. It's possible he is still on the island. In the meantime, dispatch our own intelligence agents to investigate."

He paused slightly, his gaze hardening, a chilling intensity in his eyes.

"No matter the cost, Vegapunk must not fall into the hands of another power."

The other four Elders' eyes hardened in silent agreement. They all understood the unspoken command. Even if it meant the man with the world's greatest mind had to die, he could not be allowed to serve another master. Vegapunk was simply too dangerous. As for the loss of his technology, what need did gods have for the tools of mortals?

The five men looked at one another, a single question hanging in the air.

A shared confusion, however, flickered in the eyes of all five as they looked at one another.

Which force dared to challenge the World Government's authority at this time? The Four Emperors? The Revolutionary Army? Or perhaps... someone else entirely?

--**--**

Meanwhile, in the waters of the East Blue's 16th Marine Branch, the mysteriously vanished Dr. Vegapunk was slowly waking up. He opened his eyes, his gaze sweeping around a space he did not recognize. 'Where am I?'

As he tried to get his bearings, a shadow fell over him. Something was looming just out of sight. Startled, he looked up, a question forming on his lips.

Before he could speak, a cheerful voice rang out.

"Welcome, Dr. Vegapunk."

===============

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