Vegapunk fell silent for several seconds, then gave a heavy nod.
"I understand. I'll develop the special Den Den Mushi you need as soon as possible."
Even he had once felt incomparably stifled and indignant over the World Government's ban: "No popularizing livelihood technologies that could greatly improve civilians' lives."
Adams's words had undoubtedly struck a sore spot deep in his heart.
Seeing that his carefully prepared speech had worked remarkably well, the corner of Adams's mouth curled up almost imperceptibly.
Naturally, that grand declaration was not all his true intention. It was more of a line tailored for those members of the team with stronger moral convictions, the kind who needed ideals to drive them.
After all, some people found it difficult to serve a pure ambitious maniac bent only on destruction and conquest for long. He needed to give their actions a lofty reason.
From beginning to end, Adams's fundamental purpose in going after the World Nobles had been to realize his dream of "becoming the freest person in the world, unrestrained by anyone," not to save or liberate anyone.
But it was undeniable that both his true personal ambition and this righteous rhetoric meant to fool people were highly aligned in their current goal of "overthrowing the World Government."
Although outsiders saw Adams as a dangerous ambitious man and a master manipulator who deceived people with honeyed words, he himself believed that he merely wanted to live a normal life in this chaotic world, free from anyone's restraints and threats.
In an era where laws were little more than decoration and pirates ran rampant, even an ordinary person's wish to live out a peaceful life was a luxury. At any moment, they could be casually killed by passing pirates—or worse, captured and presented to the World Nobles