The problem Caesar needed to solve at present was the artificial Soul-Type Devil Fruit.
It was the fastest way Lofan could think of to increase soul energy.
By developing a Devil Fruit Ability, they could increase soul energy, then improve their Conqueror's Haki.
Lofan already understood why Conqueror's Haki could not be improved through training.
It was because no one currently knew how to cultivate the soul.
Once that concept was understood, Conqueror's Haki would no longer seem so lofty and impressive.
When the time came, he could wave a hand and have hundreds of subordinates unleash Conqueror's Haki together.
Like hell he believed they couldn't take on a single Red-Haired Shanks!
Caesar and Doflamingo were still digesting the concept of Hollowfication. After all, it was a theory from another world.
But they were familiar with Conqueror's Haki, and after listening, they understood just one thing:
Conqueror's Haki could be acquired and strengthened by cultivating soul energy!
Conqueror's Haki that could grow stronger through cultivation?!
That alone was enough to overturn everything the two knew.
Had they been people from Lofan's homeland, they would already have showered him with praise: "Sir, you truly are an extraordinary genius!"
"Your theory is unparalleled throughout the ages. I, Caesar, am willing to spend my life realizing it."
At that moment, Caesar was utterly won over. His earlier restraint had merely been due to Lofan's strength in taking Caesar down single-handedly. That was fear.
Now, however, Caesar also felt respect from the bottom of his heart.
He truly was a mad scientist who had resolved to devote his entire life to research.
He could feel fear and submit. But there was only one condition for earning his respect: the emergence of research that won him over.
Vegapunk had once been the only person to earn his respect.
Though he bullied the weak and feared the strong, and even pursued research without any moral limits,
he still possessed a basic reverence for research that surpassed its era.
Because that was his dream as well, the ultimate pursuit of a person's lifetime.
Doflamingo's face was expressionless, but his hands were already trembling with overwhelming excitement.
His eyes gleamed behind his sunglasses. He had gone all in this time and won big.
"As for what comes next, Devil Fruits are already difficult to find, let alone ones of a specific category.
"If we can produce them artificially, that will become our greatest asset."
Lofan did not tell them about the subsequent theories, such as Arrancar.
That would be combat power exclusive to him, enough to intimidate the entire world.
Never mind revealing even a little of it; even Doflamingo was not among his candidates.
"As for how to create artificial Soul-Type Devil Fruits, unfortunately, I can't offer any help either.
"But Caesar, once you achieve this result, you will be the first person ever to do it!
"Do you understand what that means?"
A flush suddenly spread across Caesar's pale face.
That's right. If this research succeeds,
I, Caesar, will surpass Vegapunk and become the world's greatest scientist!
Vegapunk was already hailed as an unparalleled scientist whose intellect was five hundred years ahead of humanity.
Then what about me, Caesar?
Once I reach and surpass Vegapunk's level, won't that honor make me the world's greatest scientist?
A man eight hundred years ahead of human intellect: Caesar Clown!
Watching Caesar, who was still lost in his thoughts, Lofan prepared to offer an even greater gift.
One that would make him work for him with everything he had.
"Caesar, you've already created artificial Zoan Devil Fruits using materials developed through the Lineage Factor.
"Now I can let you extract my Lineage Factor and see whether you can make any more astonishing discoveries."
"Huh?!!"
Caesar's eyes bulged out of their sockets. Not even his exaggerated expression could convey his excitement at that moment.
This was Lofan's Lineage Factor! He was one of the strongest people in the world!
Having someone like that as a source of data was already the best treatment countless researchers would never even dare dream of.
What kind of day is this? Could I, Caesar, be the chosen one?
After providing his Lineage Factor, Lofan left Punk Hazard with Doflamingo.
On the way, Doflamingo declared without hesitation that he would cover all expenses related to Soul-Type Devil Fruits.
How could I let such a trivial matter waste my brother Lofan's precious time? Was this even worth mentioning? It was nothing!
Lofan could finally feel completely reassured about Doflamingo. A Devil Fruit's market price was at least a hundred million Beli, and even then, there were none available to buy.
Actually getting one would probably cost more than twice that.
The total would certainly not be small, because Soul-Type Devil Fruits were not only rare, but most also had outrageous abilities.
Doflamingo would probably sink several billion into this round alone.
That did not even include the actual research expenses.
Or the losses from previously halting all cooperation with Kaido and so on.
"Doflamingo, help me contact Morgans. This time, it's my turn to give you something in return."
There were quite a few kings of the dark world, but Morgans undoubtedly held the most secure position.
Apart from Doflamingo, he was probably the only one who could act without restraint.
The reason was simple.
In the pirate world, World Economy News possessed unparalleled intelligence-gathering capabilities.
As well as the most powerful publicity capabilities.
There was no scoop they could not dig up, and no tall tale they could not sell.
His newspaper could be considered an important propaganda tool for the World Government.
The Navy genuinely backed him, and he always appeared before others in his Albatross form.
No one knew what his true appearance looked like. He had practically concealed his identity to perfection.
Everyone knew who Morgans was, yet no one knew who the real Morgans was.
"Morgans? No problem. I'll have someone contact him to arrange a meeting in the Underworld."
Doflamingo did not know Lofan's objective.
But since the other man had said it was a gesture of reciprocation, he only needed to wait with peace of mind.
"Oh, right. I wonder if I could speak with Sugar."
This was Lofan's final step. He very much wanted to know whether the Hobby-Hobby Fruit could realize the idea in his head.
This time, Doflamingo fell silent. He considered Sugar his most important officer.
It was through the Hobby-Hobby Fruit's abilities that Doflamingo had achieved his goal of completely controlling Dressrosa.
This was his very foundation!
I've already been so sincere in cooperating with you. Surely you're not still thinking of tearing out my roots?!
"I can't tell you why just yet. It's an idea I haven't fully worked out.
"But I hope this can lead to a deeper level of cooperation. I hope you understand."
Lofan could use Illusion's ability to ensure that everyone,
including Sugar, would remain unaware that the two had met.
But acting that way was too devious. Lofan did not want everything he did to be a shadowy scheme plotted from the darkness.
Thinking that way year after year would eventually turn him into a sinister schemer shrouded in mist.
After some thought, Doflamingo came to understand Lofan's sincere intentions and agreed to arrange a conversation between them.
The game had finally reached its conclusion.
More than two months after setting sail from an empty place, Lofan had finally laid the basic framework for his development.
Suddenly, he looked up and saw a seagull fly past, hovering overhead for a long time without leaving.
The sea breeze carried a briny scent. The blue sea met the sky in endless azure, and spring graced ten thousand miles of jade cliffs.
It was rare for him to be in the mood to appreciate the beauty of the world.
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