At the docks of Water 7, two groups had also arrived in the city.
One group consisted of only two people.
Although they wore masks, one look at their figures made it clear they were women.
After all, with curves that obvious, anyone who was not blind could tell.
These two women had been sent by Stussy.
As a double agent, was it excessive for her to cultivate a few people of her own?
The information this time was too important. She had originally planned to come personally, but the World Government seemed to have some urgent matter and had summoned her back.
With no other choice, she could only send two of her subordinates.
Stussy was very confident in their strength. Random nobodies would not be able to harm them.
The other group did not have many people either. Only a few.
One was a tall, thin man with patterns painted on his face.
Another was a strange man with horns on his head, a pale face, and gas rolling around his whole body.
There was also a beautiful woman with glasses, green hair, and an impressive figure.
Doflamingo attached great importance to this matter. He had specially sent two people to protect Caesar's safety.
Doflamingo had already realized that the man had become interested in artificial Devil Fruits.
With his understanding of that person, that guy had definitely made a lot of preparations.
The reason Doflamingo handed over Caesar was that scientists could still be found elsewhere.
But the Tontatta princess—or rather, the Heal-Heal Fruit user—was the only one of her kind.
On top of that, the Tontatta Tribe had an extremely strong talent for cultivating plants.
At the same time, Doflamingo wanted to see whether that guy could actually create Devil Fruits.
If he succeeded, then based on the favor of contributing Caesar, that guy should give him a share.
Doflamingo had prepared both sides.
If White Ghost failed, Doflamingo could sell him the fruits he produced himself.
Either way, he would profit.
If Kaido came looking for trouble later, Doflamingo could simply push the blame onto that guy.
He had been forced.
"Shurororororo! So that great figure has taken interest in this genius's wisdom?"
After learning the whole story, Caesar laughed.
At first, he had thought Doflamingo had sold him out.
He had not expected that he had been noticed by a great figure instead.
That made him both happy and nervous.
He was happy because someone had finally discovered his ability.
According to Monet, that great figure had taken interest in his deep research into Devil Fruits.
Caesar had always held one ideal in his heart.
Surpass Vegapunk.
He admitted that man's brain was better than his, and that his technology was more advanced.
But Caesar was not some mediocre nobody either.
All this time, Caesar had treated Vegapunk as the target he had to surpass.
Unfortunately, things had not gone his way.
After that experimental accident, he had been expelled from MADS and had a bounty placed on him.
That forced him to hide everywhere until he encountered Doflamingo. After that, the two began secretly cooperating on Devil Fruit research.
Researching this kind of thing burned money most of all.
Fortunately, Doflamingo was willing to fully support him.
Just as their research had started showing some results, Doflamingo informed him that a great figure had taken interest in him and his research into Devil Fruits.
Doflamingo had given him to that great figure.
Caesar had originally felt very hurt.
Hadn't they agreed to cooperate?
They had only just produced some results, and he was already being kicked away?
Then Doflamingo's final words came.
That great figure was extremely rich and willing to fund him unconditionally. Whatever he wanted, he would receive, as long as he could create results.
After learning that, Caesar began packing without another word and set off with Monet and Diamante.
It seemed Big Mom had sent people too, but he was too lazy to ask about the details.
Meeting that generous great figure was more important.
Only after Caesar arrived at Water 7 did he learn who that great figure was.
The strongest creature on land, sea, and air.
Dragon Emperor White Ghost.
After learning who it was, Caesar became a little uneasy.
He had heard of this person.
He was extremely wealthy and powerful enough to protect him.
But the sea's evaluation of that man was that his temper was a little strange.
He liked married women.
He was a murderous demon.
Countless pirates had died at his hands.
Not long ago, he had slaughtered an entire country.
He was publicly recognized by the sea as the fifth Emperor.
"Shurorororo. I wonder if that great figure is really like the sea says—hard to talk to and bad-tempered."
Caesar muttered to himself from the side, annoying Monet until she kicked him.
"You'll meet him soon enough. Then you'll know, won't you? Stop scaring yourself over there."
"Shurororo."
Caesar laughed awkwardly.
"Don't be angry, Monet. I'm just a little excited after suddenly being noticed by a great figure like that."
Diamante, standing to the side, looked very unhappy and snorted coldly.
"If he's dissatisfied with what you make, your ending will probably be getting fed to the fish."
"Eek!"
Caesar's face turned frightened.
That was exactly what he was worried about.
At this point, he could not run even if he wanted to.
Monet ignored the two bickering beside her and looked at the intelligence report that had just been delivered.
"They rose into the sky from Mock Town, then descended back to Mock Town? Where did they go?"
As she spoke, Monet thought of a story.
The story of Noland the Liar.
Diamante and Caesar both turned their gazes toward Monet, who was talking to herself.
Monet's eyes suddenly widened.
"The City of Gold. Did they find the legendary Golden Shandora?"
"Hm?"
Caesar and Diamante blinked at the same time.
"There's no mistake. A few years ago, a huge bell sound suddenly came from above Mock Town. A few days ago, the same sound appeared over Mock Town."
The more Monet spoke, the brighter her eyes became, while the two beside her grew more and more confused.
Diamante rubbed his chin.
"Noland the Liar? Isn't that just a joke? Monet, are you mistaken?"
Caesar's eyes shone.
If that was true, then as long as he worked hard and created what that great figure wanted, wouldn't he have enormous research funding?
Monet put away the intelligence and answered Diamante's question.
"Whether it's true or not, we'll know soon enough.
"With that person's personality, if we ask, he probably won't refuse to answer."
Diamante nodded and looked at her suspiciously.
There were rumors that the guy seemed to have some interest in Monet. In the past, whenever Monet went to deliver something, that guy often harassed her.
After the young master learned about it, he did not say anything. Instead, whenever they had dealings with that man, he sent Monet over.
Thinking of this, Diamante's eyes lit up.
Was Doffy planning to find another backer?
Kaido alone was unreliable, so add that man too.
As long as they did not act recklessly in the New World, they could practically walk sideways.
Monet did not notice Diamante's gaze.
She only looked at the sea outside the window.
She knew the young master's plan.
She could understand him.
But there was still something uncomfortable in her heart.
She felt like a piece of merchandise, waiting for someone to choose her and then send her away.
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