Sig didn't want to meddle, but... the increasingly clear sense of summoning was declaring to Sig Momousagi current destination.
If nothing unexpected happens, this should be Vegapunk's current secret research facility!
No wonder they were so tight-lipped about it during the emergency call for help, only emphasizing that they should obey the orders of the "local official".
"Commander" should refer to Vegapunk. Although Momotaro is also there, if Momousagi were to obey Kizaru's second-in-command's orders, Momousagi would probably explode on the spot.
It seems that Vegapunk still has considerable autonomy in the Navy's secret laboratory; even Gion's support mission has to follow Vegapunk's orders.
This also aligns with some information Sig had gleaned from Whitey Bay and Caesar — Vegapunk wasn't just a miserable figure imprisoned and subjected to research.
Sig never expected that when he wanted to find Vegapunk, he was struggling to find any leads, but now that he didn't want to look for him anymore, he had suddenly appeared out of nowhere.
Although Sig isn't in a hurry to rescue him, since Vegapunk has extended such a warm invitation, there's no reason not to go and see.
Meanwhile, Sig was also curious about who had attacked the secret laboratory and what their purpose was...
After this attack, the research institute will definitely have to relocate. Since Sig has already caught up, he must have left some backup plans that can be used to track them.
As for whether to awaken the main body, Sig was still somewhat hesitant—if it wasn't necessary, Sig didn't want to alert the enemy now, after all, Vegapunk's efficiency in helping him play the role of "Priest of Light" was quite high.
Moreover, in this way, Sig could also control the "Pacifista" he created.
In other words, once Sig arrives at the research institute, he must be extra careful not to reveal Shiryu's identity. If Vegapunk becomes suspicious, even without confirmation, he might probe repeatedly, affecting the experiments being conducted on the main side.
As Sig was pondering this, a small island came into view in the distance...
"They're here," Momousagi reminded them.
To Momousagi's surprise and unease, upon closer inspection, she still found no signs of a battle.
On the contrary, the other party had already started waving flags indicating "entry and berthing are permitted" at the port!
While ordering everyone to be on high alert, Momousagi slowly sailed the warship in, and then... at the dock, she saw several familiar faces—two of whom Sig also knew well.
Indeed, at this moment at the port, it was clear that they were on high alert, as if the crisis had not yet arrived.
On this small island, more than 70% of the area is occupied by a huge building, which appears to be a converted mountain, showing both artificial and natural traces. It should be the location of Vegapunk's laboratory.
The port area is one of the few remaining "outdoor" areas...
Momousagi remained vigilant, fearing that the enemy had already won, and that what she was seeing was either an illusion or a traitor trying to "profit" from her!
Especially among these familiar people, there are some whom Momousagi never trusted in the first place.
"Shiryu" was still puffing on his cigarette, seemingly disregarding everyone else, but inwardly he was deeply frowning.
Bartholomew Kuma, Jora Mihawk!
These two Shichibukai are actually here...
Leaving aside Bartholomew Kuma, Sig probably figured he was there to cooperate with the experiment. As for Mihawk... the fact that he arrived so quickly only fueled Sig's suspicions that this guy had some kind of shady relationship with the World Government, and naturally made him think of No. 3 in Hispero's dream.
However, this logic doesn't quite hold up. If Dracule Mihawk is truly No. 3, then he should be connected to the World Government and Mary Geoise, while Vegapunk's research institute is under the Navy's control!
The difference may seem small, but Sig's thinking, putting himself in others' shoes, tells him that if he were Sengoku, he would never entrust the safety of Vegapunk's research institute to Mihawk, and even if he were to send an emergency distress call, he would not send it to Shichibukai.
Momousagi was especially wary of these two...
Like most marines, Momousagi has always harbored aversion and wariness towards the Shichibukai.
The "Shichibukai" were originally created by the World Government as a supplementary force to the "Navy"—the very existence of the "Shichibukai" system is a product of questioning and distrusting the power of the Navy!
The Navy undoubtedly distrusts these "licensed pirates" even more, but it has no choice but to acknowledge their status.
Momousagi didn't immediately reprimand him because she also saw Momotaro at that moment, and thus guessed where they were— Kizaru's lieutenant had been transferred to Vegapunk's research institute. This wasn't exactly a secret; they just hadn't known where Vegapunk's research institute was before.
"Momotaro, what's going on?" Momousagi asked Momotaro directly.
"Vice Admiral Momousagi, it's so good that you're nearby... This must be Shiryu Vice Admiral, right? How lucky... Just as you suspected, this is Dr. Vegapunk's research institute. For some reason, the location has been exposed. We have reliable information that the Red-Hair Pirates have crossed the Red Line Continent and are advancing into this area!"
The institute's important equipment and data still need to be packed up for a while. We need to buy time for the doctor and the research materials and equipment, and ideally, be able to repel the Red-Hair Pirates!
Momotaro spiritedly brandished the large axe in his hand.
"The Red-Hair Pirates? Aren't they fighting Wang Ochoku?" Momousagi was taken aback upon hearing this.
Clearly, Momousagi has been keeping a close eye on the battle situation in the New World...
"Hmm, it should be... a feint! Those bastards love to play this trick!" Momotaro probably remembered the Red-Hair Pirates' feint to rescue Tom and their subsequent destruction of Enies Lobby.
While feeling embarrassed, Sig was also somewhat touched—the boss and Big Fool were really amazing; they had actually discovered "my" location and even set up a trap to rescue me.
Unfortunately, they were discovered on their way, so Momotaro used the Den Den Mushi (snail Den Den Mushi) that Sengoku had given him to send a distress call to the surrounding Marines.
"The Red-Hair Pirates... what are they planning to do? Kidnap Dr. Vegapunk?" Momousagi asked, staring at Momotaro.
"Probably," Momotaro replied somewhat nervously, then added, "After all, the Doctor's wisdom is the most powerful weapon on this sea!"
However, Momousagi seemed to have guessed something by then, and gave Momotaro a disgruntled look.
Momotaro naturally knew that the reason the Red-Hair Pirates had set up this feint was most likely because of Siegfried!
However, Siegfried's activities at the research institute were also top secret.
Especially since... Momotaro knows that Siegfried saved Momousagi, so of course he won't tell the truth.
However, Momousagi guessed it anyway!
Because she had noticed before that after Vice Admiral Garp captured Siegfried, the man disappeared, neither being taken to Marine Headquarters nor to Impel Down.
Some suspect that Siegfried was secretly executed because of his actions on Enies Lobby, but Momousagi has never believed it—given the World Government's temperament, if they were truly going to execute someone, they wouldn't do it "secretly," otherwise wouldn't that show weakness?
And now, Vegapunk's research facility has been attacked by the Red-Hair Pirates...
Momousagi immediately thought of Siegfried!
Momotaro's reaction undoubtedly displeased Momousagi —not because he was lying, nor because he was unhappy that Siegfried was imprisoned here, but because of the underlying reason why he lied to her.
Does he think that he would show favoritism because Siegfried saved him?
Besides, the only reason that guy didn't kick someone when they were down was because Sister Crane arrived in time, okay?
However, Momousagi didn't show it too much. Now, as Marine Vice Admiral, her job was to assist the local navy in defeating the invading pirates... and also to be wary of the two Shichibukai!