Highlights
The World Government's technological superiority and control over the seas is largely attributed to Dr. Vegapunk's inventions and innovations.
Losing Vegapunk's scientific knowledge and research would greatly impact the Marines, as there are no other scientists among them who possess his exceptional intellect.
The Five Elders are determined to acquire Vegapunk's creation, the Mother Flame, and are prepared to take extensive measures to safeguard it and acquire an alternative version.
The authority of the World Government in One Piece is unquestionable, even for the most powerful individuals. Particularly, when it concerns the Void Century, there is a strict prohibition on any research. Violating this taboo means certain death for those involved. This fate befell the scholars of Ohara who dared to seek knowledge.
Now, Dr. Vegapunk, the renowned scientist in the One Piece world, faces a similar grim future. Both Cipher Pol and Admiral Kizaru have marked him for assassination due to his involvement in forbidden research. The Egghead Incident has resulted in complete chaos, with the Straw Hat Pirates battling against an Admiral and even one of the Five Elders. Amidst this confusion, the World Government remains determined to eliminate Vegapunk, but is such a decision truly feasible?
Losing Technological Superiority
In addition to their formidable military power, the World Government relies on the advanced technology developed by Vegapunk to maintain control over the seas. One notable example is the use of Seastone hull ships, which protect the Marines from Sea Kings while navigating the treacherous Calm Belts.
Vegapunk's ingenuity is indispensable to the World Government, as he has also created the Livestream Den Den Mushi, gas-proof suits, living weapons derived from Devil Fruits, and Artificial Devil Fruits. Additionally, he has designed island-wide climate control systems. Perhaps most notably, Vegapunk combined the art of cloning with the replication of Devil Fruit powers to develop the formidable Pacifista and Seraphim.
Both projects owe their existence to Vegapunk's groundbreaking discovery of the Lineage Factor. Without his ingenuity, they would have never come to fruition. The creation of the Seraphim, in particular, marked a significant milestone, so much so that it played a role in the dismantling of the Seven Warlords system. These cybernetic clones of the Warlords themselves proved instrumental in this development. With Vegapunk's invaluable contributions to their arsenal of weaponry, the Marines gained the ability to effectively manage formidable individuals like the Four Emperors and maintain the delicate balance of power on the seas.
A Threat Of Stagnation
Ever since the inception of the storyline, the World Government has made significant advancements in their arsenal of weaponry, all thanks to Vegapunk's groundbreaking contributions to the Marine SSG (Special Science Group). A considerable portion of these advancements can be attributed to the extraordinary research conducted by the brilliant scientist during his tenure as the head of MADS, an illicit research institution that boasted exceptional intellects like Vinsmoke Judge from the Germa Kingdom, Caesar Clown, and even Queen, a future member of the fearsome Beasts Pirates.
Given that none of the other members of this institute have any inclination or desire to align themselves with the World Government, the Marines would face a significant dilemma if they were to lose Vegapunk's scientific advancements. Other members of MADS, on the contrary, have chosen to form alliances with groups like the Donquixote Pirates or the Beasts Pirates, directly opposing the World Government, or have utilized their research in ways that defy its authority, as Judge did.
Previously, in order to keep pace with the accomplishments of these individuals, the World Government's only viable option was to collaborate with Vegapunk, enticing him with abundant funding and resources to support his own research. However, with the possibility of Vegapunk defecting from the Marines, there is now a risk that Judge or Caesar could potentially surpass Vegapunk's contributions to the World Government's arsenal if given enough time, especially without Vegapunk's expertise and further refinement of his inventions. Consequently, the Marines are faced with a genuine threat of technological stagnation, as there is no individual within the organization who possesses the same level of brilliance as Vegapunk.
Unleashing The Mother Flame
Throughout the conflict on Egghead Island, a significant development has emerged regarding Vegapunk's relationship with the Five Elders. It has been verified that the creation called the Mother Flame, in which Vegapunk played a role, was responsible for the destruction of the Lulusia Kingdom following the Levely.
What is particularly noteworthy is that the Five Elders are now in dire need of safeguarding Vegapunk's satellite York, as it provides them with the only opportunity to obtain another iteration of the Mother Flame. Given the crucial role this invention plays in the World Government's future plans, their willingness to bestow the title of a Celestial Dragon upon York in exchange for betraying Vegapunk's main body demonstrates the Five Elders' desperate desire for another version of the Mother Flame.
While York may have the ability to create another sample similar to the one she shared with the Five Elders, it is uncertain if she can refine this creation to the same extent as Vegapunk and his team can when working together. This is the crucial and definitive reason why the World Government's decision to order Vegapunk's assassination is a serious error, particularly because Vegapunk is likely to join the Straw Hat Pirates on their journey to Laugh Tale and contribute his skills to uncover the hidden history of the world.
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