Chapter 311: Caesar and Law

Caesar, whose face had contorted from daydreaming about the future, was counting the usable equipment and supplies inside the laboratory. These items would serve as the foundation for realizing his future ambitions.

"Hmm? What's this..."

Opening the door to one of the research rooms, Caesar's gaze was immediately drawn to a strange fruit placed under a glass cover.

"This is one of Vegapunk's laboratories..."

Caesar approached the odd fruit, searching carefully. Unsurprisingly, he found an instruction manual nearby.

"Shurorororo... Look at what this genius has discovered!"

After quickly reading through the manual, Caesar burst into triumphant laughter:

"An artificial Devil Fruit! Shurorororo! Vegapunk, how could you leave something so important behind?!"

He immediately began rummaging through the room, tossing things around until he unearthed a pile of research documents, clutching them like a treasure:

"Lineage Factor and artificial Devil Fruit data!"

"The secret of Lineage Factors... Shurorororo! Even if the data is incomplete, this genius can easily fill in the missing pieces!"

"It's just a few flaws... A low success rate is better than nothing!"

"Even if there are other defects, as long as the combat power is guaranteed, the big shots of the underworld would pay a fortune for these!"

"Shurorororo! This is the pinnacle of my life! With this, even 'Joker' would have to protect me with all his might, rather than treating me as just another business partner!"

"The dream of this genius! A large-scale weapon of mass destruction! With the funds from these items, I will become the Gas King!"

"Shurororororo!!"

"Wow~ How magnificent. Then, Your Excellency Gas King, can you purify poison gas?"

"Shurorororo! What kind of nonsense is that? Why would anyone want to purify... You—"

Caesar's smug laughter abruptly halted. He snapped out of his self-satisfaction, turning his head—only to see a golden fist rapidly enlarging in his vision.

"Boom!"

Caesar was sent flying with one punch, spinning through the air before crashing heavily into the wall, leaving a human-shaped crater.

"Three hundred million berries bounty criminal, dangerous scientist, M. Caesar Clown. I'm surprised you dared to come back here."

"..."

Barely conscious, Caesar struggled to open his eyes at the familiar voice—

"Marine Headquarters... Admiral... 'Orange Horse' Wright!"

"Why... are you here?!"

Caesar's mind raced, unable to fathom why a Marine Admiral would appear in this desolate, gas-filled, decrepit research facility.

Could he really be here to purify the poison gas? Admiral Wright indeed possessed the ability to purify poison gas—but why now, of all times?!

"Good thing I asked Dr. Vegapunk to set up an alert system... I knew someone would be keeping an eye on this lab."

Wright crouched beside Caesar, observing the scientist's now deformed face.

"We both know what caused the explosion. You fled immediately—far too dangerous to be left unchecked."

"If you intended to continue your vile experiments, isn't Punk Hazard—still equipped with complete research facilities—the perfect hiding spot?"

"..."

Caesar couldn't utter a word. The Marine Admiral had seen through his plans completely.

"With your clearance level, you wouldn't know about the Lightforged Beacon... but it doesn't matter. The current situation is that you're under arrest."

"A Marine Admiral coming personally to capture you—aren't you pleasantly surprised?"

No... You really didn't have to come... This is pure terror...

Tears streamed down Caesar's face. His life had plummeted from the brink of success straight into the abyss.

...

Skypiea, Watcher's Island.

Judge frowned as he looked at Caesar, half-dead and dumped on the ground by Wright.

"Highlord... Did you really fly all the way from the New World carrying him?"

Judge took out a pair of Seastone cuffs and shackled Caesar, who let out a weak groan before twitching and going limp.

"He'll live. Even as a civilian scientist, his constitution surpasses most ordinary people—plus he's a Logia user, with decent combat abilities. He just likes to act pathetic."

Caesar hadn't even begun his nefarious plans, but from the moment he pressed the detonation button, he was already irredeemable.

A complete scumbag.

Right now, Caesar's death would be too merciful. His top-tier scientific knowledge and the myriad applications of the Gas-Gas Fruit made him extremely valuable.

Thus, being researched was the only fate fit for Caesar—before the Gas-Gas Fruit found a more suitable owner.

As for punishment... well, considering what Kizaru endured during Vegapunk's studies... there was no way Wright would let one of their own eat the Gas-Gas Fruit only to end up a lab rat.

Besides, the fruit granted flight abilities—such a precious Logia power had to be assigned to the right person.

The artificial Devil Fruit Caesar found was likely the same one Momonosuke ate in the original timeline—modeled after Kaido's Lineage Factor.

Though its combat potential was uncertain, it should at least allow flight. Wright planned to consult Vegapunk for more information. As a failed fruit, it wouldn't be worth the risk to let their own allies consume it without careful consideration.

And as for controlling Caesar during research...

"Is Law here?"

"He's already arrived, Highlord. I'll call him right away."

Not long after, the 23-year-old Trafalgar Law walked over, wearing his signature spotted hat and sporting a small goatee, with a long sword slung over his shoulder.

"Wright-san!"

Law beamed—after so many years, this was his first reunion with Wright since their parting in the North Blue.

"Not bad. You've grown taller... and more handsome."

Wright patted Law's shoulder, looking him up and down.

"But you're still so scrawny. Have you been training your stamina?"

"Cough... I'm lean, not weak. I've got muscles, you know..."

Law sighed helplessly. "No matter how much I eat, I can't seem to gain weight, Wright-san!"

"Brat!"

Wright chuckled, throwing a casual punch. Law smirked and met the blow head-on—

"Boom!"

Their Haki-clad fists collided, sending Caesar, who had been secretly eavesdropping, flying with a shriek.

"Armament Haki... Not bad. Your body is strong enough."

Wright nodded in satisfaction, withdrawing his fist before pointing at the groaning Caesar.

"You can handle him, right?"

"Of course. Leave it to me!"

Law had been briefed on the mission beforehand—he was here to assist Wright in controlling a sadistic, deranged scientist.

The Punk Hazard incident had made waves—even Law had heard rumors. Learning that Caesar had tried to harm King Judge's former colleague, the world's greatest scientist Dr. Vegapunk, Law naturally wanted to help.

"Dealing with someone like him? I won't feel a shred of guilt."

Law approached Caesar. The self-proclaimed genius quickly realized that whatever this young man planned wouldn't be pleasant.

"Bastard! What are you going to do to this genius?!"

"I warn you! This genius will never submit—"

"Bang!"

A Haki-infused fist knocked Caesar out cold, leaving him twitching on the ground.

"Too much talking."

Law smirked. "Doctors don't have much patience. Physical anesthesia is the best method for guys like you."

"..."

Wright glanced at Judge.

"Hey, Judge... where did Law learn that?"

"Physical anesthesia?!"

"Well... His moniker in the North Blue is 'Surgeon of Death.' Though his medical skills are top-notch, his sharp tongue surpasses even his surgical prowess."

Judge's expression grew odd.

"Apparently, it stems from his childhood... He once met the greatest doctor he'd ever seen—who preferred physical methods..."

"Stop, stop! I get it!"

Wright's jaw clenched. That greatest doctor... was none other than himself.

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