Roy had arrived at Egghead.
Two years ago, this futuristic city was the Marines' 8th Research Institute.
Saturn, one of the Five Elders known as the Warrior God of Science and Defense, was also a scientist. The World Government had established numerous research institutes around the world.
Their primary research focus remained on the human body, and the 8th Institute was no exception.
Now, after Vegapunk's modifications, it had transformed into a city of the future.
Besides his main body, Vegapunk also had six satellites. Roy had already informed Whitebeard about them, so all six were captured as well.
"Pops, Big Bro, and Loxus are back."
A member of the Whitebeard Pirates spotted ships approaching from the sea. After confirming through binoculars, he rushed to report to Whitebeard.
"They're finally back. The Marines should be taking action soon, too," Whitebeard said.
"It's been seven days. According to the Marines, they'll likely arrive in three more," Marco added.
"Newgate."
After a while, Roy entered, and Whitebeard looked at him and said, "Your plan worked well."
"We still need to be cautious. The Marines might not back down so easily," Roy replied.
"What do you mean?"
"I have a hunch. Where's Vegapunk? I want to see him."
"He's in the dungeon. All seven of them," Whitebeard replied.
"I've never met the world's smartest man. Time to see for myself." Roy left Whitebeard and the others, and under the guidance of a crewmate, he headed to the dungeon.
At the moment, the dungeon held quite a few people: Vergo from Marine G5 and Vice Admiral Doll from G14. These Navy officers were no match for the Whitebeard Pirates and were easily captured.
"Nice to meet you, Dr. Vegapunk."
Roy addressed the seven Vegapunks inside the cell. Of course, he mainly greeted the one with half an apple on his head, strikingly similar to a certain real-life scientist.
Vegapunk's long tongue and playful expression reminded Roy of an old photo of a certain scientist sticking out his tongue, resembling a mischievous child.
He also resembled another person: Charlotte Perospero.
Also known for his long tongue. 'Could it be that Big Mom's lover was…?'
Perospero was quite intelligent. Honestly, the resemblance was uncanny.
As ridiculous as the idea was, it still lingered in Roy's mind.
"You are?"
Vegapunk, with his massive legs and pants that looked like oversized shorts, glanced up at Roy. His oversized brain had been segmented, now replaced with an antenna to receive signals.
Hearing Roy call him "Doctor" surprised him—no pirate had ever referred to him politely.
"Nice to meet you. I'm Roy," Roy said with a smile.
"Roy?!!"
The Vegapunks all looked up at him.
"You're that Vice Captain of the Whitebeard Pirates?" Shaka asked.
"That's the title Newgate gave me. I haven't really accepted it myself," Roy replied, still smiling.
"Hurry up and let us out!" The furious Atlas slammed her fist against the bars.
"What's your goal? Why did you capture us?" Lilith demanded.
York was sleeping, Edison was still deep in thought about new research, and Pythagoras silently studied Roy, likely analyzing him.
The commotion attracted the attention of the Marine officers nearby. Since many high-ranking officers were also being held in this dungeon, they turned to Roy upon hearing the Vegapunks.
So this was the man, the Vice Captain of the Whitebeard Pirates and the mastermind behind the recent attacks on the Marine bases and research institutes.
"Looks like they still don't know. Didn't you tell them?" Roy asked the crewmember beside him.
Rakuyo scratched his head and said, "Without your orders, big bro, we just focused on capturing them."
"I see. Well, thanks for your hard work. Let me explain why you were captured. It's quite simple, we're using you for an exchange."
"Our 2nd Division Commander was captured by a traitor and handed over to the Marines. They're planning to execute him. We had no choice but to take you in for a prisoner swap," Roy said with a shrug.
"I see. So it was to save your comrade. Has the Marine and the World Government agreed to the exchange?" Vegapunk asked.
"As of now, it seems like they have," Roy replied with a smile.
"Seems like?" Vegapunk raised an eyebrow.
"Well, from what I know, the Marine has mobilized quite a force this time—three Admirals, over ten Vice Admirals, and even members of the Seven Warlords. I'm not sure they're just here to exchange hostages."
"Then what do you plan to do? Kill us?" one of the Vegapunks asked.
"No need for that. Just a prisoner exchange. We're peace-loving people."
"Ha! Pirates loving peace?" Vice Admiral Doll sneered.
"You're in the New World. You should know how chaotic it is here. But have you ever heard of the Whitebeard Pirates attacking civilians?
Don't see the world in black and white. Don't follow the Akainu mindset. If all Marines were righteous, why are there still so many pirates?"
"What are you trying to say?" Doll asked angrily.
"My point is simple. The Marine isn't all justice, and pirates aren't all evil. At least the Whitebeard Pirates have done more good in the New World than your Marines.
"We may be pirates, but we've never done anything truly heinous."
"Don't judge people by intentions; judge them by their actions. How many have died because of the Celestial Dragons? How many turned to piracy out of hunger? And how many have suffered under the Marines?"
"Can you say with certainty that there are no scumbags in the Marine?"
"I can say that there are none in the Whitebeard Pirates. We're just a bunch of orphans with no home, living under Whitebeard's protection."
"People who've been soaked by rain are the ones who hold umbrellas for others. We're not like you, so-called 'justice warriors' who talk about justice all day while casually wiping out entire islands."
"Comparing you to us is an insult to the Whitebeard Pirates."
Doll was left speechless by Roy's words. She was no rookie; she'd seen her share of the world.
As a Vice Admiral stationed in the New World, she knew the Whitebeard Pirates well, and what Roy said was basically true; they hadn't done anything terrible.
They only fought other pirates and never harmed ordinary people.
In fact, because of their reputation, many islands in the New World even wanted the Whitebeard Pirates to reside on their land.
Any place under Whitebeard's protection had prospered for over twenty years and was considered the happiest region in the New World.
The Marine, on the other hand, was far more pragmatic. They would never protect places that didn't pay the Celestial Tribute.
Even if they found pirates on an island, they would bomb them indiscriminately, dragging civilians into the mess.
After all, those people weren't "legal citizens," they were lawless. Killing them was "not a crime."
"No matter how well the World Government spins their propaganda, facts are facts. Vice Admiral Doll, are you at all interested… in joining us?"
...
If you enjoy the story, my p@treon is 30 chapters ahead.
[email protected]/DaoistJinzu