Caesar
The Giant race Elbaf and the Fish-Man Island have already set off.
As the wedding date approached, allies who were on good terms with the Night Pirates or invited by the Big Mom Pirates left their territories and flocked to the Night Sea Domain from all over the New World.
Dressrosa, the wedding will be short-lived, but Doflamingo still needs to make some arrangements beforehand, both business-related and war-related.
With the Big Mom Pirates and the Night Pirates' allies gathering together, he could consider strengthening cooperation or establishing connections with some forces to expand his power and influence.
Most of the Dark Lords of the Underworld have already set off. Only a few Dark Lords are connected to the Night Pirates: Morgans, Umit, Stephanie, Doflamingo.
The others also have cooperative relationships with the Big Mom Pirates. In the Underworld, the Big Mom Pirates have the largest network of connections.
"Baboon! Caesar, how's it going on your end?"
On the other side, in a secret research institute, a man with a body that had turned into gaseous black hair, ram's horns on his head, a height of over three meters, wearing purple lipstick and eye makeup, hid in the corner of a secret room.
He glanced around tentatively, then whispered into the Den Den Mushi, "Joker, I finally managed to find a chance to contact you. Due to the situation in the New World, Pond Hasaak is at risk of being exposed and seems to be abandoned."
"Those damn bastards, Vegapunk has already moved to another research base."
"Really? So you're now in charge of Pond Hasaak?"
Doflamingo took a sip of red wine, then asked with a smile.
"Hmm, but it's no use. We're being watched very closely." Caesar asked softly, "Joker, when are you going to take me away? It might not be long before we're taken to the Grand Line."
"Baboon, you can leave anytime you want. I'll get you. Since the World Government is already planning to abandon this base and start a research facility, let's give them a hand." Doflamingo said with a strange smile, as if he had thought of something.
"How do we do that?" Caesar's eyes lit up.
"Trigger an accident, use your weapons of mass destruction. This time, you can do whatever you want without any restrictions or concerns about the consequences. In this way, the World Government will be forced to abandon this island."
"Anyway, with your Gas-Gas Fruit abilities, you won't be affected much," Doflamingo said with his legs crossed.
"Stop rambling! I can't wait to put it into practice right now." Caesar was a mad and evil scientist, and the thought of his weapon shining with its own unique brilliance filled him with immense excitement. He didn't care how many people would die.
Anyway, he was already planning to leave the World Government and join the Joker.
"Just wait a bit, something's come up. Get ready in about two weeks," Doflamingo said.
He had been in contact with Caesar for some time, two years ago, because Caesar was dissatisfied with the World Government and had been suppressed by Vegapunk within the entire research team.
Now that the World Government is planning to abandon its research base in Pond Hasaak, this presents an opportunity for Caesar to break away from the World Government, so he seizes the chance to tell Doflamingo this news.
As one of the Shichibukai, Doflamingo wielded immense power, making him a valuable patron for Caesar. Moreover, working for Doflamingo offered Caesar considerable freedom and few restrictions.
Without Doflamingo's help, he would have had a hard time leaving Pond Hasaak.
"Okay, I understand." Caesar was somewhat expectant. He had long ago created a super-powerful and terrifying weapon and wanted to test its power, but he had never had the opportunity.
However, he still feels that the power is somewhat insufficient and wants to see if there are any adjustments that can be made.
"Also, I need a compilation of information on Artificial Devil Fruit, the technology for giantification experiments, and the data on Lineage Factor research," Doflamingo said again.
"Hmm? That's no problem, but none of these experiments succeeded. The Artificial Devil Fruit experiment was abandoned by the World Government after four years, and all that was produced were failures. As for the giantification experiment, if I may be so bold, Joker, such a thing is simply impossible to succeed."
Caesar was very decisive. At least in his view, Artificial Devil Fruit were one thing, but how could a giantification experiment possibly turn people into giants?
"Baboon! You've been isolated in the research institute, so you probably don't know that the Night Pirates have already successfully conducted giantification experiments. Unlike the ideal experimental results, it can increase a person's size to seven to nine meters, and also enhances their strength and physique."
"Many of Big Mom's children have already taken it, and while the production efficiency doesn't seem high—it's somewhat of a waste of time—it's undeniably successful," Doflamingo explained with a smile. Even so, it's still quite miraculous. It might be ineffective for some agile individuals, but are there any other effects?
For example, extending lifespan.
Of course, Doflamingo wasn't very interested in this, but the sudden increase in size would greatly weaken his fighting power, and if it really had such a strong effect, why would the Night Pirates be willing to give it to the Big Mom Pirates?
Doflamingo understood this perfectly. Moreover, there were few Night Pirates who had changed in size, meaning that this kind of thing was only suitable for the Big Mom Pirates.
"If we give the data to the Night Pirates, they might be able to figure something out. If there are any results, the Big Mom Pirates will owe me a favor, you baboon!"
"That's really interesting." Caesar was also intrigued, but he knew that this wasn't the ideal technology for gigantification, and he didn't have any interest in it; it wasn't his area of expertise, and he lacked the passion to research it.
"Our next goal is to research Artificial Devil Fruit. Building upon the research conducted by the World Government, we're sure to achieve results with some time."
"As far as I know, the Beasts Pirates are researching Artificial Devil Fruit, and the Night Pirates should be doing the same. These materials, along with the failed attempts at Artificial Devil Fruit, could fetch a good price even if sold." Doflamingo had already planned it out. The materials that the World Government's luxurious research team, led by Vegapunk, whose wisdom surpassed that of the world by five hundred years, had been researching for many years were extremely valuable.
In Doflamingo's eyes, the research on Artificial Devil Fruit was almost complete, with only a few key points missing. However, due to various reasons, the World Government eventually gave up. After all, the World Government was desperately short of Beli in previous years, to the point of selling everything they owned, so where would they find the money to invest in these bottomless pits?
After all, too many failures had caused the World Government to lose patience.
The World Government pursued the giantification experiment for a long time, but abandoned it due to the excessive investment required. After acquiring Vegapunk, it continued for a while, but still could not be sustained.
After all, the World Government's prestige has been greatly damaged and it has suffered a blow. It urgently needs powerful weapons to deter the seas. Having witnessed the power of Uranus, the World Government naturally set its sights on technology.
Or perhaps, Vegapunk had already figured it out, but didn't want to hand it over to the World Government, Doflamingo thought.
After all, Vegapunk's joining the World Government was partly forced, and aside from that, there was ample funding to support his research.
Compared to biomechanical technology, Artificial Devil Fruit can also change the world. When precious Devil Fruit are mass-produced, even if they are only Zoan or only half or a third the size of ordinary Devil Fruit, they can bring tremendous improvements to people.
No one possesses such technology yet. It would be possible if all three factions had the ability to research and Artificial Devil Fruit, though it would take time to verify.
Doflamingo is not selfish; he is willing to share anything that benefits his goals. For example, when his Gold-Gold Fruit was taken from him, he did not think of destroying it after the other party succeeded; instead, he cooperated with him.
It is necessary to increase their own power. The Night Pirates will inevitably clash with the World Government sooner or later, and the Beasts Pirates' current territory is partly located in the front part of the New World.
The Navy's return to the New World first impacted the Beasts Pirates, the Big Mom Pirates, and a large area of sea between the two sides, which was home to numerous Great Pirate forces, including the Red-Haired Pirates, the Clown Pirates, and the Moonlight Pirates.
Given the current hostility, the strengthening of the three forces does not conflict with each other; the only ones who will suffer are the World Government and the Navy.
Because the Beasts Pirates cannot surpass the Night Pirates, the number of top-tier powerhouses determines everything. The Night Pirates possess three rulers, and the Seven Demon Kings are still young and have the potential to continue growing.
In Doflamingo's eyes, no force was more qualified to challenge the World Government than the Night Pirates, not even the Revolutionary Army. Even though there wasn't much information about the Revolutionary Army, there were no strong individuals comparable to Dragon.
Furthermore, the Night Pirates' ability to reclaim Devil Fruit made him deeply wary.
"Why give them the research data? Wouldn't it be better if we kept it? They're also researching Artificial Devil Fruit. If they get it, they'll definitely become our competitors." Doflamingo's words puzzled Caesar. How could something like this be traded so easily? As a scientist, he valued technology highly.
"Baboon, broaden your perspective. It's only a matter of time before they develop Artificial Devil Fruit. Each faction has a massive research team, and their research speed is dozens of times faster than ours."
"If we were the first to figure it out, and the intelligence were leaked, what do you think they would do? What would be the consequences for you?"
Doflamingo's words sent a chill down Caesar's spine, and he shivered.
The image of this technology had already formed in my mind; my first instinct was to seize it.
Compared to the Beasts Pirates and the Night Pirates, they were definitely the weaker party. If they were forced to hand over their technology, how could they possibly fight back?
Only then did he understand what Doflamingo meant. "You, you mean?"
"That's right, baboon. What you possess must match your strength. If you don't have the technology, that's one thing. If those top-tier forces that are researching it target us, we won't be able to hold our ground. If we're third, there won't be any problem. We can even get the protection of the Night Pirates. Besides, they don't even have enough Artificial Devil Fruit for their own internal consumption. We'll never lack buyers."
"Understood. I'll prepare everything. I'll take action in two weeks. Come and meet me as soon as possible." Caesar indicated that he understood; from now on, he was considered one of Doflamingo's men, and he would just have to listen to him.
In the southern part of the New World, in the northwest corner of the Beasts Sea, the smoke of war has already spread, and the Beasts Pirates have established a tight defensive structure in a short period of time.
The residents of these islands have mostly been dispersed, or they are uninhabited islands with few inhabitants.
Having learned from the experience of the last war, the Beasts Pirates have made some subtle adjustments to certain aspects of their operations. For example, the construction of the Steel Fortress was improved by saving materials without compromising its functionality, resulting in more perfect building components.
Moreover, this time the opponent is the Navy, which is different from Wano Country. They have powerful firepower, and the Admiral Akainu, has a terrifying long-range attack capability.
Once the island is released, they become sitting ducks, vulnerable to attack.
To this end, a steel canopy capable of withstanding artillery shells was specially built atop the Steel Fortress, and it was coated with a heat-resistant material.
A Sea Mine had already been laid out on the sea. Having witnessed the role of Sea Mine in naval warfare, the Beasts Pirates intensified their research and application of Sea Mine, and had long considered targeting naval warships.
Therefore, they specially developed more powerful Sea Mine; even if one mine couldn't penetrate the bottom of a warship, two would be more than enough.
After all, naval warships are covered with a layer of steel plates, giving them amazing defensive capabilities.
This Sea Mine is also forcing the Navy to engage in a direct war with the Beasts Pirates. They shouldn't even think about taking a detour. The Beasts Pirates can't possibly build Steel Fortress on every island; at most, they can only build seven or eight, since time is limited.
Even if the navy can launch long-range attacks on the sea surface or send people underwater to clear Sea Mine, the vast sea area means that even clearing a path would take more than half a month.
It's not only inefficient but also a waste of time.
Moreover, sending people to clear Sea Mine is very dangerous. Sea Mine are unstable, which is also a quality issue. In order to mass-produce them, some Sea Mine will only explode when a warship hits them, while others may be triggered by a small wave.
Even without any action, a huge explosion would occasionally erupt on the sea surface.
Moreover, it cannot be guaranteed that Sea Mine will be cleared, which is a troublesome matter.
It can be said that the Beasts Pirates have reached the pinnacle of defense. Even in the Calm Belt, they have laid out a net of Sea Mine in the areas near their own territory.
After all, naval warships have propulsion systems, so they can still sail even in Calm Belt. I just don't know if they have yet developed the technology to embed Seastone into the bottom of the ship.
The Beasts Pirates have mobilized their army, numbering 30,000 pirates, a number no less than that of the Navy. More than half of their strongest members have gathered here, leaving 40,000 members to guard the various areas of the Beasts Pirates.
We will continue to mobilize personnel as needed, so for the time being, there is no need to worry about being attacked from behind during the war.
The Night Pirates wouldn't do that, nor would the Whitebeard Pirates, unless they wanted to invite retaliation from the Beasts Pirates. Attacking during a war between the Beasts and the Navy would be unacceptable in terms of reputation.
However, they are also wary of the Beasts Pirates of Wano Country, but they cannot launch a large-scale invasion of Wano Country because their tracks would be difficult to conceal. Based on their speculation, small groups of samurai and Mink Tribe members may invade the Beasts Sea.
They were prepared to deal with the situation; they couldn't possibly send out their entire fleet against just this one naval unit, and their headquarters was also garrisoned.
While the Beasts Pirates didn't have as many affiliated pirate crews as the Whitebeard Pirates or the Night Pirates, they still numbered close to fifteen, with each crew's captain possessing a bounty exceeding two hundred million Beli.
"The navy wants to stall for time in this war, but we can't let them have it so easy. The governor said that at least half of the navy's 30,000 troops must remain in this area."
On the video screen, Krell relayed Kaido's orders, and he remained in the Babarossa Kingdom.
"Don't worry, our defenses are complete, and we have plenty of ammunition. Also, we can test the weapons I developed using those werewolves. They're sure to give the Navy a surprise, hehe!" Queen exclaimed excitedly, finally having a battlefield to showcase his research.
"That smoke that turns people into monsters? I'm really looking forward to it."
They knew a little about Queen's research, and couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation.
"Idiot, what smoke? That's the Red Demon Virus, remember that!" Queen glared at the member who had just spoken, and said rudely. This was his "masterpiece," how could he call it smoke?
"Don't be careless. The navy's lineup is very strong this time. The governor will most likely be held back by Garp. We can only rely on ourselves. We must not let the governor down," Jin said in a deep voice.
"Understood. How can we expand our prestige and influence without letting the navy leave anything behind?"
The members of the Beasts Pirates were eager to show the Marines what they were capable of.