Sakazuki paused as another thought surfaced in his mind.
"What's the situation in Alabasta?"
Carlo had been monitoring the desert kingdom closely for a long time. The moment the question left the admiral's mouth, he gave a steady report.
"Crocodile's scheme has already begun to take effect. The side effects of the Dance Powder are gradually starting to show. Rainfall in Alabasta has dropped sharply this year. It hasn't reached a complete drought yet, but it's close. Maybe another year or two. When that happens, he'll make his move."
Sakazuki listened without expression, then gave a nod. "Keep an eye on him. And pay special attention to the revolutionaries positioned in that region. We can start the plan. Find a chance for them to make contact with Nico Robin. And as for Sengoku, that old man… I thought he could hold out for a few more years. Didn't expect it to happen this fast."
His final comment ended with a cold snort.
Carlo could only shrug helplessly before placing a hand on his arm.
Whoosh!
In the next instant, both men disappeared into the red magma.
* * *
New World, Punk Hazard.
Vegapunk walked ahead in silence, leading Law through several hallways until they reached an isolated laboratory. His face held an unusual heaviness.
Law felt a bit confused, though he kept his questions to himself. He was no longer the thin boy he once was. The electric stimulation that pushed his cells to grow, paired with the special nutrient solution without side effects, had strengthened him. He stood two meters tall now, his build resembling a smaller version of Soter, with firm and balanced muscles.
Once the doors closed behind them, he spoke first.
"What happened, Teacher Vegapunk."
Yes, Law had become the scientist's protégé.
Vegapunk took out a sheet of paper covered in dense notes and handed it over to him.
"Take a look at this."
Law accepted it. After reading only two lines, his brows drew together.
"This is vile. Is this Caesar's plan."
The page was filled with virus experiments and human trials. It even listed the number of children required, along with the test subjects meant to be used as live weapons.
In his memory, only one scientist on the island would go this far: Caesar, a man with no limits.
Vegapunk nodded. "Yes. It's his. Someone under him secretly copied it and gave it to me. He has already begun implementing these ideas. I called you here because we are preparing to arrest him. I have already spoken with the Five Elders to authorize the operation. Enel should be back soon. The two of you will act together, just in case."
* * *
Punk Hazard, noon, Third Research Institute.
A nervous researcher rushed to Caesar Clown with trembling steps.
"Master—"
Caesar, frustrated from a failed experiment, snapped instantly.
"Idiot! Didn't I tell you never to disturb me during experiments?! Do you want to die?!"
The researcher flinched and blurted out, "N… no, Master! Vice Admiral Enel is here to see you. He is waiting outside."
Hearing the name, Caesar's rough breathing grew louder, but he still set down his tools and forced his anger down.
"What does that lightning bastard want now? Where is he?"
"No idea. He's at the front entrance."
Caesar snorted coldly, shoved the researcher aside, and stormed out.
"Don't touch my table."
* * *
Outside the lab.
Ceasar pushed open the door with an annoyed look.
"What now?"
He hated dealing with that lightning freak, but Enel never talked things through. He only used force.
Enel spoke in his usual careless tone. "I brought something good back. Come take a look. Follow me."
He walked off with his hands in his pockets, looking relaxed.
Caesar cursed under his breath but still followed the man obediently. After a few minutes, he slowed his pace and stopped. This wasn't the direction of the First or the Second Research Institute.
A faint sense of danger crept up his spine. His expression darkened.
"What are you trying to do, Enel?"
Enel turned, a cruel smile spreading on his face. "Tricking the pig out to slaughter."
Caesar's pupils shrank as he said through gritted teeth, "You've got to be joking, you lightning bastard."
Enel's eyes held no amusement. "I don't have time to joke with you, Caesar. You've been exposed. Resisting arrest… could get you beaten to death."
His Conqueror's Haki burst out with killing intent. Caesar's gas-like body flickered under the pressure.
"You…"
He glared at Enel, then suddenly blew himself apart. Gas and poison swept out, surging in every direction.
At that moment, Law's voice rang out.
"ROOM!"
A translucent dome appeared in the forest and expanded in an instant, covering a third of the island. The spreading gas and poison were cut off immediately.
Caesar's body reformed with a gasp. Seeing the situation turn bad, he shoved a hand into his pocket to grab something and tried to turn away.
Boom!
A thunderclap exploded out of thin air and struck him.
The lightning sent him twitching on the ground as Enel walked toward him at an unhurried pace.
"To be honest, when we first caught you and I saw those human experiments, I wanted to kill you on the spot. But orders were orders, nothing I could do. Never thought that after all these years, you still didn't stop. Using children and innocent civilians for experiments… you really have some nerve."
He crouched in front of Caesar, grabbed him by the hair, and lifted his head.
Caesar braced himself on one arm and looked up with effort.
"Bastard... what's wrong... with me researching... weapons! The Marines... also want to kill more pirates! My... work... is exactly what they need! Didn't your missile research... come from the same demand! As long as... my tests succeed! Those weapons can bring peace to the world!"
His voice grew more agitated as he looked straight at Enel.
Enel answered calmly, "You're not wrong. But don't make yourself sound righteous and make me look like the bad guy. Your rotten nature is impossible to hide. So, just die here."
He pulled out a Devil Fruit Extractor and drove it into Caesar's body.
Caesar twisted and struggled. "What is this… Stop!!!"
His other hand finally slipped out from his pocket, holding a detonator. He panted heavily as he spoke.
"I knew this day would come… I buried bombs all over the island. That brat's range is already at its limit. A third of the island… impressive. But still not enough. Let me go… or we all die!!!"
**
**
**
Thank you for reading! If you'd like access to extra chapters and want to support my work, you can visit my P@treon:
P@treon/SilverShark769
Vote with Power Stones for Bonus Chapters!
Your support means a lot, thank you!