Pangaea Castle, Mary Geoise.
The Five Elders sat on an enormous sofa.
Saint Shepherd Ju Peter said, "I didn't expect this Vegapunk to be so sensible. He hasn't tried anything underhanded."
Saint Nusjuro said, "We've only seen his surface. That old man is full of schemes. He's certainly doing something behind the scenes."
Saint Warcury said, "Exactly! Don't trust that old man so easily. He's been researching the history of the Void Century. If he weren't still helping us research the Mother Flame, even a hundred lives wouldn't be enough to pay for it!"
Saint Saturn said, "What is there to worry about? His six satellites are still in our hands. He wouldn't dare try anything even if he had a hundred times the courage."
Saint Mars said, "No matter what, we must keep this Vegapunk under our control. The technology he possesses is simply too astonishing. If a pirate like Lott rescued Vegapunk, the consequences would be unimaginable. Besides, the glass chamber holding Vegapunk was made by his own hands. Its defenses need to be strengthened."
"Agreed!"
"I second that!"
"Agreed!"
"I second that!"
Meanwhile, in the Flower Room.
A butterfly fluttered through the room.
A dark figure was pacing. Although he said nothing, his slightly hurried footsteps showed that he was somewhat anxious.
He extended his slender fingers and grasped at the air. Photographs instantly appeared in his hand.
Those eyes, patterned with alternating yellow and black concentric circles, stared fixedly at the person in them.
Then he forcefully crushed the photograph in his hand into several scraps.
They drifted to the floor.
The butterfly slowly settled on the corner of one torn photograph.
From that corner, it was still just possible to make out Lott!
An enormous island stood quietly in the waters of the New