Chapter 371: Just a Marine Admiral

Many years ago, because Vegapunk was arrested, he had no choice but to join the World Government's Science Division.

Naturally, the top-ranked scientist in the Science Division was Vegapunk, while the second-ranked was Caesar, who had joined the division in the same period.

Caesar mainly researched artificial Devil Fruits, human gigantification, and weapons of mass destruction, earning him the title of the supreme authority on weapons of mass destruction.

Caesar boasted of being a genius scientist.

In reality, he was a thoroughgoing madman.

To research human gigantification, Caesar not only kidnapped children but also used them as experimental guinea pigs; he would even use his subordinates as test subjects. His moral bottom line was so low he could easily sit at the same table as the Celestial Dragons.

Because his research direction differed from Vegapunk's, Caesar's laboratory was located in an inconspicuous corner of the northern part of Punk Hazard.

This was Caesar's deliberate doing.

On the surface, it was to avoid interfering with Vegapunk, but in reality, it was to prevent others from discovering his experimental projects, especially the Marine Admiral Kizaru.

After all, since he used children as experimental guinea pigs, Caesar dared not gamble on whether Kizaru would target him because of it.

Fortunately, in recent years the Marines had encountered many major incidents, so they had not discovered his experiments on children.

However, recently the seas had become relatively much calmer, and Kizaru had been stationed on Punk Hazard for a long time.

This made Caesar panic.

Caesar believed he had done nothing wrong; for the development and progress of science, a little sacrifice was very necessary.

But actually, deep down he knew clearly that the Marine Admiral Kizaru would definitely not agree with his viewpoint, and there was even a chance Kizaru would personally execute him.

Caesar realized he must find a way to leave Punk Hazard and seek a better partner.

Perhaps fate had not yet decided to end his life.

Just then, a letter arrived from Vinsmoke Judge, a former colleague from MADS, promising that the Emperor Kaido would protect him and provide research funds and a venue.

Caesar agreed immediately without a second thought.

Rather than staying on Punk Hazard in fear, worrying that Kizaru would discover those experimental materials, it was better to defect to the Emperor Kaido.

With his talent, he would sooner or later surpass Vegapunk and become the most renowned scientist on the seas.

After copying the important data, Caesar finalized the prison-break plan and waited in the laboratory for Kaido's arrival.

Meanwhile.

In the waters of Dressrosa, on Onigashima.

Perhaps because someone was about to come to Onigashima to keep him company, Judge was reporting to Kaido with a face full of smiles.

"Boss Kaido, Brother Caesar is willing to join our Beasts Pirates. He is currently in the northern part of Punk Hazard, and the Marine Admiral Kizaru is there too."

Although somewhat tempted, adhering to the principle of planning before acting, Kaido asked again.

"Is there only Kizaru?"

"Yes, only the Admiral Kizaru; the rest are just ordinary Marines and CP agents."

Having spoken, Judge produced a faxed photograph.

"This is the guard distribution map of Punk Hazard sent by Caesar. We only need to lure Kizaru away..."

Kaido took the distribution map: "Just a Marine Admiral. I'll be back in no time."

If it were a solo intrusion into the Marine Headquarters, Kaido might have hesitated, but Punk Hazard, guarded only by Kizaru, was a place one could enter and leave as one pleased.

After all, Caesar mastered the technology of artificial Devil Fruits; he was the key to whether the Beasts Pirates could take off and to Kaido himself becoming the Pirate King.

He must be brought back to Onigashima.

Facing the huge temptation of becoming the Pirate King, Kaido decided to face Kizaru head-on.

"Whoa, go get Ace."

The reason Kaido specifically brought Ace was that he planned to use his drunkenness to stall Kizaru, allowing Ace to sneak into the northern part of Punk Hazard and take Caesar away.

In this way, even the World Government and the Marines could find no fault.

"I just happened to pass by Punk Hazard and happened to feel a bit itchy-handed, so I sparred a couple of rounds with Kizaru. What's the problem?"

As for where Caesar went?

How would I know!

Everyone knows the Beasts Pirates are all reckless brutes; as the Provincial Military Commander of the Beasts Pirates, it is very reasonable for Kaido to be a bit reckless!

Since learning from Barzab Saint Saint Saiwen's experience of setting sail, whenever encountering difficult matters, Kaido would switch to Barzab Saint Saint Saiwen's perspective to consider the problem.

To be honest, it actually worked quite well.

It felt quite satisfying to use one's brain.

Before long, Kaido handed the distribution map to Ace, and the two, taking advantage of the night's cover, shot straight up into the sky, flying towards the direction of Punk Hazard.

Meanwhile, on Punk Hazard.

Inside Vegapunk's laboratory, Vegapunk was conducting a physical examination for Blackbeard.

"All physical data is normal. It will probably take another three months to complete the first stage of transformation. By then, you will become a true Lunarian."

Hearing this, Blackbeard grinned.

"What is a true Lunarian like? Have you seen one before?"

Vegapunk did not hide the truth.

"Many years ago, I was fortunate enough to see one. The signature characteristic of the Lunarians is white hair..."

"White hair?!" A detestable face immediately floated before Blackbeard's eyes, and he hurriedly interrupted.

"Vegapunk, is there a possibility that Barzab Saint Saint Saiwen is actually a survivor of the Lunarians?"

"Think about it, he has white hair, right?"

Vegapunk nodded.

"Can he also control fire? And have you heard of the Human-Human Fruit, Mythical Zoan Type, Lei Shen Form before?" Blackbeard countered.

"Even if the Devil Fruit he ate was truly the Lei Shen Form, Lei Shen should control Lei Ting; how could he possibly control fire!"

Vegapunk nodded, then quickly shook his head.

"Titch, although Saint Saint Saint Saiwen also has white hair and can control the power of fire, the Lunarian race has brown skin and wings on their backs."

"Saint Saint Saint Saiwen's skin tone is normal and slightly pale, and he has no wings on his back; how could he possibly be a Lunarian?"

Hearing this, Blackbeard shook his head.

"I didn't feel much before, but since you started modifying my bloodline factors, this feeling has become increasingly intense."

"It's like..."

Due to his lack of education, Blackbeard couldn't think of a word to describe it at that moment.

Hearing this, Vegapunk tentatively added, "Like a connection between members of the same race?"

"Yes, yes, yes." Blackbeard nodded vigorously.

"That's exactly the feeling."

Vegapunk clasped his hands behind his back and paced around the workbench.

"If one of Saint Saint Saint Saiwen's parents was a Lunarian and the other was human, then this possibility is not entirely out of the question."

"But even if your guess is correct, it's useless."

"Saint Saint Saint Saiwen is not only the king of a World Government member nation, but also a World Noble, a Celestial Dragon recognized by the Five Elders."

"I do not have that much authority to turn a Celestial Dragon into an experimental subject."

Having said this, Vegapunk shrugged with both hands.

"Besides, given Saint Saint Saint Saiwen's strength, even if he is a surviving Lunarian, who in this vast sea could possibly be his match?"

"..." Blackbeard suddenly felt like cursing.

This damn world, treating people differently!

Precisely because he was a descendant of the D. family and the son of Rocks, he was arrested by the World Government and sent to Vegapunk for modification.

But what about Little Bai Mao?

As a descendant of the Lunarian race, he should have been wiped out root and branch by the World Government, yet now he has become a World Noble, a Celestial Dragon!

Is there any justice left in the world!

While the two were chatting, the alarm inside the laboratory suddenly blared without warning.

"Enemy attack, enemy attack."