During this period, the West Blue's 315th Branch commander, Captain Smoker, became renowned throughout the West Blue with his terrifying strength and iron-blooded methods, becoming a figure the mafia dared not mention.
As for the Ohara, after that event, it entered a period of peaceful and rapid development.
The entire island had become completely different from when they first arrived, almost as if it had truly been reborn with new life.
At this moment, Ian, the leader of Umbrella Corporation, was stepping into a descending elevator.
The elevator was extremely ordinary, so plain and unremarkable that it had not even a hint of a sci-fi feel.
Compared to the futuristic and technologically advanced elevators Vegapunk had built on Egghead Island, the only praiseworthy aspect of this elevator was probably that it was sturdy, durable, and cheap to build!
Anyone familiar with it would instantly know it was built by the practical-minded Wolf.
As the elevator descended, Ian soon arrived in a simple and modest laboratory.
Inside, researchers were busy working, and Ian immediately spotted Ohara's chief inventor, Wolf, among them.
Thanks to the technology inherited from Karakuri Island and Punk Hazard, the Ohara's technological capabilities had truly soared over the past two years.
Perhaps they still could not match the World Government's level, but compared to the rest of the sea, Ohara was definitely among the top.
Noticing his arrival, Wolf stopped his current invention and cheerfully walked over to greet him: "Good afternoon, Mr. Ian!"
"Good afternoon, Wolf!"
After returning the greeting, Ian scanned the research facility. He wasn't here to see Wolf today, but even after sweeping the entire laboratory with his eyes, he didn't see the person he wanted.
His gaze fell back on Wolf.
"Where is that guy, Caesar?"
"Mr. Ian, are you here today to look for Caesar?"
Hearing Ian's words, Wolf froze for a moment, then continued: "Caesar is over at the biological research institute. I'll take you there!"
"Sorry for the trouble."
With Wolf leading the way, the two of them passed through the research facility in front and walked inside.
But as they were walking, Ian seemed to notice that Wolf beside him looked like he wanted to say something but was hesitating, so he asked: "Wolf, do you have something you want to say?"
"Mr. Ian... All right!"
Wolf opened his mouth, but after seeing Ian's gaze, he still nodded and said with a bitter smile: "I really do have something I want to say."
As if he had already made up his mind, Wolf didn't hide it anymore.
After taking a deep breath, he spoke with a hesitant tone: "Mr. Ian, I don't know if I should say this, but Caesar seems to..."
Before the Wolf could finish, Ian spoke as if he already knew what Wolf wanted to say: "What you want to say is probably that guy doesn't seem like a good person, right?"
Wolf: "..."
As those words fell, Wolf instantly fell silent, then he showed an embarrassed smile and scratched his head. "That is indeed what I think. Sorry, Mr. Ian, I don't mean anything else by it. It's just that guy..."
"No, your feeling isn't wrong."
Ian shook his head and cut him off. "That guy really isn't a good person; he doesn't even count as a normal person. He has no bottom line as a scientist at all. He's a pretty terrible guy. Haven't you heard Law mention it? The explosion on Punk Hazard was caused by him."
Wolf: "...?"
The explosion on Punk Hazard?
Law didn't say that!
Hearing Ian's words, Wolf stiffened completely, as if he hadn't expected that someone who already looked suspicious would commit such an act.
"Th-th-this..."
"That guy's goal is to surpass Vegapunk and become the world's number one scientist. It's just his level..."
Ian showed a disgusted expression. "Well, let's just say he doesn't know himself. But to chase his dream, he'll do anything, no bottom line at all."
Then he looked at Wolf with curiosity. "Did that guy do something again?"
"This..."
Faced with Ian's question, Wolf gave a troubled smile. "Caesar's scientific ability is actually very high. Especially in biological modification and toxins, he has intelligence far beyond everyone else. It's just that guy..."
He lowered his voice. "Recently, he's been misleading the newcomers, saying something about a Gigantification experiment, claiming it's a secret research project the World Government never reveals, but that he's already reached a critical stage. He just needs a few children, and then he can succeed. When the time comes, Ohara will have soldiers strong enough to dominate the sea."
"That guy..."
Hearing Wolf's words, Ian rubbed his forehead helplessly and said irritably: "A chunk of his heart was carved out, and he still can't calm down?"
Other people might not know, but how could he not understand Caesar's so-called Gigantification research?
It was a scam!
He turned his head toward Wolf. "Ignore that guy. He can only research the projects we allow him to do. If he dares to act recklessly, tell Law to squeeze his heart."
Wolf: "...?"
Is this serious?
Wolf stared blankly at Ian, but seeing Ian's serious expression, he understood he wasn't joking.
He could only nod seriously. "I understand, Mr. Ian. I'll keep a close eye on him."
Then he looked ahead. "We're here, Mr. Ian."
As he spoke, he stepped forward and opened the door with his card.
Instantly, a figure busily working came into their view; it was Caesar.
Noticing the door open, Caesar turned around. When he saw Ian, his expression instantly turned excited. "Mr. Ian, you're here! Look at what I've developed!"
He ran over, holding in his hands an ugly-looking fruit.
"The artificial Devil Fruit has finally been completed by me! As expected, I really am the world's number one scientist!"
Wolf: "...?!"
Hearing this, Wolf widened his eyes in disbelief as he stared at the artificial Devil Fruit in Caesar's hands.
Even his lips trembled, and his expression was like he was seeing god himself. "Mr. Caesar, you mean you've created..."
"That's right, the Devil Fruit! I've created an artificial Devil Fruit."
Caesar put both hands on his waist, wearing a proud expression. "I am the first scientist to invent artificial Devil Fruits!"
"Enough, stop bragging. Vegapunk was the first scientist to research artificial Devil Fruits."
Ian exposed him mercilessly. "You just picked up Vegapunk's research notes and are copying his work."
Caesar: "...?!"