The sword-wielding member of the Five Elders demanded:
"We need a reasonable explanation for what happened in the Germa Kingdom, Sakazuki."
"It is an Affiliated Nation of the government, after all. If word gets out, what will become of our credibility?"
Sakazuki replied:
"Germa's technology is too dangerous."
"Given the resources, they can produce an elite soldier in his twenties in just five years."
"Technology that dangerous would be better off in our custody."
"Besides, hasn't Mr. Vegapunk's research hit a bottleneck?"
"Vinsmoke Judge once worked with Mr. Vegapunk, but their research took opposite directions."
"I had Enel deliver the documents to Mr. Vegapunk to see whether they might offer some inspiration."
The Five Elders on the other end of the Den Den Mushi fell silent for a moment.
To be honest, Vinsmoke Judge's technology tempted them too.
Technology that could churn out unlimited troops-when it came to resources, who on the seas had more than the government?
But they could hardly make a move. The World Government could not openly seize an Affiliated Nation's technology, even if the Vinsmoke Family had a terrible reputation in the North Blue.
Even if every nation in the North Blue had banded together to boycott them, there was still such a thing as seeing another's fate and fearing for your own.
Whatever the circumstances, the government could not act.
But if a Marine Admiral acted on his own... well...
The sword-wielding Elder slowly spoke:
"We'll leave this matter at that."
"There must not be a next time."
"But you'll have to figure out how to clean up the aftermath yourself."
"Word absolutely must not get out."
Sakazuki grunted in acknowledgment:
"Understood."
Click-
The other side hung up the Den Den Mushi.
Enel looked astonished:
"That's it?"
Sakazuki chuckled:
"Of course not."
"We still