Although the MADS research group wasn’t known for top-tier combat power, its members each had their own means of survival. These scientists had all integrated their expertise into their fighting styles, and even Vegapunk had similar inventions.
As a Logia user, Caesar had combined his scientific knowledge with his Gas-Gas Fruit. In just an instant, the entire cabin was filled with his gas.
The oxygen originally present in the space was extracted and stored within his body, creating a gas-filled environment where only he could breathe.
All other living beings were left without oxygen and unable to breathe.
While one could endure the lack of water or food for some time, the absence of breathable air was something they couldn’t survive for long.
“Shurororororo! You fools really are easy to trick! You actually believed what I said?”
This was the first step of his plan. The restraining power of the handcuffs was too severe, leaving him unable to do anything. If the chains were just a bit longer, he would have some room to maneuver.
To his surprise, the naive soldiers completely released his restraints, a chance he would never let slip by.
The soldiers hadn’t anticipated such a dramatic change in Caesar. Now, they were powerless to resist, gasping for air like a fish out of water.
No matter how hard they tried, their lungs couldn’t take in any oxygen. Instead, they inhaled large amounts of gas, collapsing one by one.
The range of his Land of Nothing wasn’t very large, but since they were on a ship, the soldiers outside had no idea what was happening and soon fell unconscious as well.
“Shurororororo! I truly am merciful, letting you leave this world without a shred of pain.”
Freed from the restraints of the Seastone handcuffs, Caesar floated in the air, holding an inconspicuous matchstick in his hand. When he tossed the matchstick down, the flame was extinguished by the sea breeze. However, the lingering sparks on the stick ignited the highly concentrated gas around the ship.
To ensure the World Government couldn’t capture him again, Caesar ruthlessly chose to eliminate all witnesses. He then flew toward a nearby island, contemplating his next move.
Research was one of his passions, but he was also a hedonist. Living in seclusion was out of the question. On top of that, he had incurred hatred of Vegapunk on the World Government’s side.
Even if the World Government didn’t pursue him, he couldn’t return to the SSG, let alone the fact that he was now a criminal.
He needed a sponsor, someone who could allow him to continue his research on Shinokuni while also allowing him to enjoy life.
Back during the MADS era, the research group was funded by Du Feld, so Caesar was well accustomed to this kind of arrangement.
“The Revolutionary Army are just a bunch of paupers. As for other forces… the richest has to be the Beasts Pirates. But… damn that Queen. It’s all that guy’s fault.”
From all the forces on the sea, the Beasts Pirates were currently the wealthiest. However, joining them was not a viable option for him right now.
First of all, the Beasts Pirates already had Queen. If he went there, he’d most likely end up as Queen’s assistant.
Even if he is beaten to death, he wouldn’t work under Queen. Of course, if it came to that, he might still choose to obediently be a subordinate. But it wasn’t at that point yet, so he certainly wasn’t considering it.
Secondly, the Beasts Pirates weren’t a great fit for him to showcase his abilities. His specialty is weapons of mass destruction, but the Beasts Pirates already possess such capabilities. He didn’t believe for a second that those were Queen’s creations; he was convinced Queen was just a scapegoat.
The problem was, whether or not it was Queen’s work, the person behind him was still part of the Beasts Pirates. Even if Caesar joined, he doubted he’d be regarded as important.
For a novice strategist, a fledgling force with no resources would definitely be better for development than an established power with a plethora of strategists. Only in a new force is such talent likely to be valued.
Being valued meant gaining control over funds, and with control over funds, he could find ways to embezzle some for personal indulgence.
Moreover, as a self-proclaimed genius scientist, he wasn’t about to go begging for a position. That would be beneath him.
“Someone who understands business, lacks scientific prowess, but has territory—and preferably a connection to the Beasts Pirates. Shurororororo! You’ll do just fine.”
After careful consideration, Caesar decided to start with Doflamingo.
As a newly rising broker in the New World, Doflamingo had an extensive trading network, the territory of Dressrosa as his base, and the identity of Shichibukai to shield him from undue attention from the World Government. To Caesar, Doflamingo was an almost perfect candidate.
The Beasts Pirates were currently gathering Zoan-type Devil Fruits from around the world. From this, Caesar deduced that, while the Beasts Pirates might have some strange abilities, at most, they were modifying existing things—not creating Devil Fruits out of thin air. This meant his Artificial Devil Fruits still had a market.
Even if the Beasts Pirates weren’t interested, as long as he could produce them, they would surely sell well in the outside world. Caesar believed he had already made significant technical breakthroughs. With someone willing to support him, success was all but guaranteed.
“Shurororororo! Doflamingo, don’t disappoint me now.”
Destroying the prison ship wasn’t about completely hiding his whereabouts; Caesar just wanted to delay the Marines from locating him too quickly. That didn’t mean he could keep the news under wraps forever. Prison ships were required to regularly report to Marine base, and when this one went silent, certain things became inevitable.
In just a few days, Caesar became a wanted criminal with a bounty of 300 million Berries. Using the wealth and the Log Pose he plundered from the prison ship, he made his way to Dressrosa and deliberately loitered in front of members of the Donquixote Family.
…
“Doffy, are you really not going to meet that guy?”
Inside the royal palace of Dressrosa, which had long since become Doflamingo’s base of operations, he sat by the window, listening to Trebol report the latest developments.
“Did Vergo send back any news?”
“Yes, he said Caesar was arrested due to issues with his experiments. It’s slightly different from what’s being reported publicly.”
After years of working undercover, Vergo had climbed the Marine ranks to the mid-to-high level, consistently sending back valuable intelligence. For less classified information like this, Vergo could easily uncover the truth.
“Fuffuffuffu… then there’s no problem. Let’s keep waiting. I don’t believe that guy has the patience to keep this up for long.”
Caesar wanted Doflamingo to take the initiative and recruit him, but Doflamingo had no intention of making the first move. He wanted to maintain the upper hand in negotiations.
After all, he was a Shichibukai, a pirate legally recognized by the World Government. Capturing a wanted criminal within his territory was technically his duty.
Ordinary bounty hunters wouldn’t act this way, and Caesar’s behavior clearly indicated he had his own agenda. Doflamingo could see right through him.
Anyway, he wasn’t in a hurry. He wanted to see just how long Caesar could keep this up.
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