The Stunning Double Standards Behind Vegapunk's Pacifist Ideals

Dr. Vegapunk, a brilliant and mysterious figure in Eiichiro Oda's One Piece, was known for his exceptional genius. For a significant part of the story, his true appearance remained a mystery until it was revealed in the Egghead Island Arc of the Final Saga. Throughout the Straw Hats' journey, various characters mentioned his name, portraying him as both an idolized individual with unparalleled intellect and a mad scientist whose creations only brought death and destruction. As a result, he remains a divisive figure, but his contributions to scientific advancement in One Piece cannot be overlooked. Leading the secret research group MADS, Vegapunk, together with Vinsmoke Judge of the Germa Kingdom, discovered the Lineage Factor, described as the "blueprint of all life." This groundbreaking discovery led to the development of Artificial Devil Fruits, Modified Humans, Cloning, as well as formidable weapons like the Pacifista and their successors, the Seraphim. Vegapunk's inventions have been utilized by the World Government for destructive purposes, despite his self-proclaimed pacifism and genuine desire to advance civilization and enhance lives. This contradiction raises questions about the true nature of his pacifism, especially for those who admire and aspire to be like him, such as the Straw Hats' shipwright, Franky. The dilemma of whether Vegapunk's pacifism is genuine or not does not have a straightforward answer.

Producing Results At Any Cost

Vegapunk possesses an idealistic aspect to his character, firmly opposing the use of children in gigantification experiments, the release of poisonous gases that may harm innocent civilians, and the creation of weapons of mass destruction. Although he has successfully prevented the occurrence of the first two catastrophes, his relentless pursuit of results often overshadows his concern for how his inventions are utilized.

As a brilliant scientist, Vegapunk played a significant role in developing both the Pacifista and the Seraphim, two creations capable of causing the very destruction he sought to avoid. It comes as no surprise that he is a perfectionist driven by his ambitions, but he frequently disregards the consequences that accompany his actions. He becomes excessively fixated on certain objectives and refuses to let go of his desires, regardless of the toll on him and his subordinates. This includes projects like his determination to determine the weight of the human soul or recreate Kaido's Devil Fruit using the Lineage Factor.

Aiding The World Government

As the leader of the Special Science Group (SSG) within the Marines, Vegapunk is responsible for advancing technology and creating advanced weaponry to support the World Government and its armed forces. He was appointed to this position after being arrested for his involvement in MADS, and decided to collaborate with the World Government in order to secure funding for his research. Vegapunk is fully aware of the potential risks associated with his work falling into the wrong hands. This is evident in his efforts to keep his knowledge about the secrets stored in Ohara's library, especially concerning the Void Century, hidden from others.

Despite the island's destruction two decades ago, Vegapunk managed to keep himself hidden out of fear of becoming a target of the World Government. He alone possessed knowledge of the research conducted on Ohara regarding the Void Century. It is commendable that he sought to preserve and replicate the work of the scholars from Ohara, as his mind was the sole remaining record after the Tree of Knowledge was destroyed. Unfortunately, the government eventually discovered his research and ordered his execution, considering it a threat that needed to be eliminated promptly.

However, Vegapunk's decision to utilize some of this research to create weapons of mass destruction for the World Government contradicts his previous intentions. By using the knowledge of the scholars, he brought about the very outcome they feared. This raises doubts about his pacifism, awareness, and moral compass, as he willingly aided the government despite knowing that his creations would only cause death and destruction to those who opposed them. On the other hand, he likely had no other choice, as refusing the government's requests would have undoubtedly resulted in a death sentence, regardless of his value as an asset.

Creating Instruments Of Oppression

Vegapunk, known for his pacifist image, contradicts himself with his involvement in creating the World Government's three most feared weapons: the Pacifista, the Seraphim, and the Mother Flame. While these weapons have played a role in dismantling the Shichibukai system, they also possess immense destructive power that can result in significant loss of life if they fall into the wrong hands. Considering the World Government's history of using deadly force to suppress dissent, entrusting them with such powerful weapons may not be wise. Furthermore, Vegapunk's deliberate creation of these weapons, fully aware of their potential for spreading tyranny and oppression, suggests a lack of concern for their misuse, despite his potentially less malevolent initial intentions. These concerns, however, fade in comparison to the Mother Flame, an unparalleled super weapon designed exclusively for the Five Elders. With unlimited destructive capabilities, this invention can obliterate entire islands in an instant, erasing any trace of their existence.

In One Piece, it made its first appearance shortly after the Levely. Imu ordered the Five Elders to use the weapon to completely erase the Lulusia Kingdom from existence. This powerful weapon aligns perfectly with the World Government's mission to cover up the truth about the Void Century, allowing them to deny the kingdom's existence after its destruction. Even if Oda reveals any hidden intentions behind Vegapunk's involvement, the fact remains that he played a role in committing genocide. This starkly contradicts Vegapunk's supposed pacifism, showing that actions speak louder than words.