Kong's voice immediately rang out from the other end of the Den Den Mushi, sounding urgent.
"Kenji, have you arrived at Egghead?"
"...I just set off, how could I be that fast?" Kenji was speechless.
"I was so busy I forgot about this. Perfect, you are to immediately change your original itinerary. Upon arriving at Egghead, apprehend Vegapunk and his illegal scientific team."
"Oh? Illegal? Is this a planned crackdown?"
Before today, the World Government, Marine, and Vegapunk's scientific team had a cooperative relationship. Now, they suddenly changed their tune, and the other party was designated as an illegal organization.
Kenji keenly sensed that the World Government must be involved, and he frowned, asking Kong for the reason.
"...The World Government has taken action. CP0 has already begun to apprehend Vegapunk's team..."
Kong briefly explained a few sentences, but each sentence was crucial, succinctly outlining the cause and effect.
The World Government issued an order, requiring CP0 personnel to go to Egghead to apprehend Vegapunk and his team, and also requested the Marine to dispatch high-ranking Admirals to cooperate.
What Kong meant was that Vegapunk's scientific team had always been handled by the Marine, and Kenji often traveled to Egghead. Rather than letting the World Government's CP0 spies apprehend them, it would be better for the Marine to apprehend and control Vegapunk's team first.
Moreover, Kenji's current voyage was directly to Egghead. Even if he couldn't get there before CP0, he wouldn't be far behind, so there was enough time.
"You will be fully responsible for the matters on Egghead."
Kong gave one final instruction, then hung up the communication.
"This old man, he's quite good at being a hands-off boss."
Kenji chuckled, then turned his head to gaze in the direction of Egghead in the distance, a mysterious curve forming at the corner of his lips.
"But it's perfect... it's exactly what I want."
While Kenji was communicating with Marineford.
On the other side, Toki, who was leaning against the ship's side seemingly gazing at the sea, had actually already secretly perked up her ears, eavesdropping on Kenji and Kong's conversation.
Her hearing was quite good. Even with the wind, she still heard most of their conversation. However, she didn't recognize who Vegapunk was, nor did she understand why the World Government and the Marine wanted to apprehend these people. But she was quite interested in a certain term they mentioned.
"Science? I think I've heard of it..." Toki frowned, her small mind trying hard to recall.
"There was a very strong robot... what was its name?"
At this moment, Kenji came over and nodded to the girl, who was frowning in deep thought, saying, "After the warship arrives at Egghead, you will disembark with us."
Upon hearing this, Toki suddenly looked up, her eyes wide with shock. She had just heard Kenji's conversation with Marineford and knew that they were going to Egghead to apprehend people.
What did it mean that he now asked her to go ashore with them? Did he want her to participate in the apprehension, or was he going to deal with her as well?
Kenji saw through the girl's thoughts. In fact, her every move was within his observation.
At this time, Kenji didn't explain much, just smiled and waved his hand.
"Our relationship with Vegapunk isn't that bad. This time, it's just to protect him."
Toki didn't respond, but from her suspicious gaze, it was clear that she didn't quite believe him.
Kenji shook his head with a smile. "You'll understand when we get there."
After speaking, he turned around, preparing to return to his office in the ship's cabin to rest.
Afternoon tea time was approaching.
However, halfway there, Kenji suddenly turned back to look at Toki, then instructed his subordinates to arrange afternoon tea on the deck.
Inviting the girl to sit, enjoying tea and scenery with a beauty by his side.
Actually, Kenji generally didn't drink afternoon tea in public. He mainly felt that enjoying himself in front of his subordinates would have a bad influence.
But, the warship was full of old-timers who had followed him for many years, and over these many years, Kenji's habits, especially his habit of drinking afternoon tea on time, had long been known to everyone on the warship.
Whether he avoided people or not, it actually had no lasting impact.
"The warship is sailing at full speed, estimated to reach Egghead tomorrow... I wonder where CP0's ship has arrived?"
Kenji pondered for a while, reached into his embrace, and felt a special Den Den Mushi, but after thinking about it, he withdrew his hand.
"There's no need to contact them for such a small matter."
In reality, Kenji didn't know that the reason Kong suddenly received the news that the World Government was going to apprehend Vegapunk's team was due to a discreet hint given by his few CP0 'acquaintances.'
However, they didn't personally provide the intelligence but routed it through several intermediaries to prevent their own exposure.
And the relevant intelligence didn't suffer from inaccuracies as it was passed along.
Speaking of which, for the World Government to 'crack down' now... isn't it a bit too early?
Kenji carefully recalled, and found that... the timing seemed to be just about right?
'I remember that the reason the World Government arrested Vegapunk was because he discovered Lineage Factor, which the World Government considered extremely dangerous.'
'Vegapunk's team likely discovered the Lineage Factor after creating the Stussy clone... counting the time, it's about right.'
'But... I feel like maybe I gave Vegapunk too much funding in the past year, which sped up his research progress?'
Scientific research requires funding, especially the research projects undertaken by Vegapunk and his team, which consumes at a faster rate than burning money every day.
Therefore, whether under normal or abnormal circumstances, Vegapunk's team always lacked finances, and their research progress would naturally be limited.
'Never mind, after we land tomorrow, I'll take a close look at what's going on.'
Kenji put away his thoughts and lightly sipped his tea.
Pururururu!!
The Den Den Mushi rang without warning.
Kenji glanced at the Den Den Mushi casually placed on the table, frowning slightly.
"What does that old man Kong want now? Doesn't he know I'm having afternoon tea?"
When the call connected, he found it was a communication from Ruri on Kubo Island.
The content of the report was very simple, just one sentence.
Suspicious individuals discovered near Kubo Island's Grand Entertainment City!
According to the intelligence Ruri had gathered, those suspicious individuals were possibly World Government personnel.
"...Are they CP organization spies?"
Kenji pondered for a moment, feeling that it was unlikely for the suspicious individuals on Kubo Island to be CP0 members.
CP0 is the strongest spy organization under the World Government. Their personnel quality, especially their professional skills, wouldn't be that poor.