Caesar had raised a number of assistants within his research facility.
After all, no experiment could be conducted entirely alone.
These assistants were sometimes valuable partners in his work, sometimes convenient test subjects—and now, disposable shields.
Caesar knew that sending his underlings to block the intruder would likely do nothing to save his own skin.
Whoever had found this hidden refuge and smashed their way through the door was no ordinary foe.
He could guess well enough: the Beasts Pirates' elite fighters had finally tracked him down.
In truth, he had suspected this day would come from the moment he received word to slow Artificial Devil Fruit production.
He had poured years into the project, and knew better than anyone how vital it was to Kaido's crew.
To cut off their supply was to invite their wrath—and he would be caught in the crossfire. What could a mere scientist do against such power?
He had already earned Big Mom's fury; making an enemy of the Beasts Pirates as well would be a death sentence.
That was why he had fought Doflamingo's order to halt production from the start.
But he was nothing more than a guest sheltered by the Donquixote Family, with no real sway over their leader.
His protests had been brushed aside.
That was why he had poured every resource into fortifying this hidden island—hoping to defend himself if either Emperor's crew came calling.
Many of the New World's greatest crews had been swindled out of research funds by Caesar, trading on the prestige of having once been Dr. Vegapunk's assistant.
Scientists of true genius were vanishingly rare across the seas; every great pirate faction dreamed of securing such talent.
Vegapunk was too well guarded by the World Government to ever be approached—otherwise, he would long since have been seized.
Caesar was the next best thing. Yet for all his brilliance, he fell far short of his former mentor.
Tasks Vegapunk could accomplish with ease took Caesar months of grueling work—and vast sums of money.
Much of what he was accused of stealing had gone honestly toward research, but no one cared.
In the end, he was branded a fraud who only knew how to beg for funds.
With such a reputation, who would dare step outside without heavy defenses?
While his men rushed to block the entrance, Caesar made to slip away.
As the saying went: the wariest rabbit keeps three burrows.
This was far from his only lab—even after King had destroyed so many of his favorites, he was not yet cornered.
"Don't bother running, Caesar!"
El had already reached the corridor just outside. Through his Observation Haki, he could see the scientist darting frantically, still clinging to hope of escape.
The guards sent to the door were utterly useless—they had not even glimpsed El, and were still scrambling to bar the way against a foe they did not understand.
"It ends here! You're only wasting your own time!"
El's voice drew near with terrifying speed.
Caesar's blood ran cold—had the Beasts Pirates sent someone this formidable?
WHOOSH!
A gust of wind whipped past his ears, and a figure blocked his path. "I told you to stop!"
El's sudden appearance nearly stopped Caesar's heart.
POP!
Caesar's entire body dissolved into a cloud of gas. He was no mere researcher—he was a Logia Devil Fruit user, one of the rarest of all: he had eaten the Gas‑Gas Fruit, making him a Gas Human.
At will, he could turn his entire form into toxic fumes. In theory, such power made him a walking weapon—anyone swallowed by that smog would never know what killed them.
But in the New World, Logia users were no longer untouchable.
Against masters of Armament Haki, their elemental forms offered no protection at all—if anything, expanding their bodies only made them easier targets.
Even so, Caesar did not think to fight; he only wanted to flee.
"Not so fast!"
El reached out and closed his fist around the swirling cloud. His arm was coated in thick Armament Haki—enough to grasp even a Logia's true substance.
THUD!
Caesar slammed back into his human form and crashed hard against the floor.
Though he was made of gas, the blow left him gasping in pain.
In that split second, El had not only seized him—he had snapped Seastone handcuffs around his wrists.
"Who are you—" Caesar tried to push himself up, but only met a heavy boot to the chest.
"Down you go! You're far too fond of running!"
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