The Den Den Mushi's expression changed, shifting from calm to one of panic mixed with anger. Even though the Den Den Mushi in Monet's hand had mimicked Doflamingo's sunglasses during the imitation form, it was still obvious that Doflamingo was not calm inside.
What he least wanted to provoke were the Emperors of the Sea. He still had the qualifications to negotiate with the Marines and the World Government. Due to surface-level rules, the World Government and Marines always had to show some restraint in their actions.
But the Beasts Pirates were different. Once they got truly angry, they would retaliate without regard for consequences.
You never knew when Kaido might fall from the sky or when Jack might sail up to you. Doflamingo couldn't afford to bear the weight of such a crime.
"If he can't be stopped, then cut ties. In short, don't let this guy drag us into provoking them."
Although if something happened to Caesar, Doflamingo would lose SAD, but once Caesar truly provoked someone from the Beasts Pirates, his demise would be inevitable.
Since Caesar was doomed either way, of course Doflamingo had to look out for himself.
"Shurororororo, Joker, how heartless of you. No matter what, we're still partners. Are you really in such a hurry to abandon me?"
A large cloud of gas surged through the crack of the door behind Monet. As it compressed and condensed, it finally formed into Caesar. Being a Logia user always had its conveniences in such matters.
Their bodies were composed of intangible elements, and gas, in particular, can freely pass through even the smallest crevices.
"Fuffuffuffu, Caesar, huh? Looks like your brain hasn't turned into a vacuum yet, at least you didn't go looking for death yourself."
"What kind of joke is that, Joker? I'd never want to provoke a monster like Kaido. It's just a few failed test subjects. They weren't successes to begin with, what difference does it make if they are taken?"
Caesar didn't care at all about those children being taken away; in fact, he was quite pleased that it had happened.
The World Government had launched an experiment on giantification drugs many years ago. After all, Giants were a formidable force for any nation.
This was a technology the whole world craved, but Caesar believed it was nearly impossible to complete.
Those children had indeed grown larger under the influence of the drug, but that was the extent of it. Whether they could grow to adulthood, whether it could be used on adults, or what side effects the drug might have. Caesar had no idea.
After the Carmel incident years ago, the World Government had reached an agreement with the Giants and had acquired genuine Giant soldiers, thus abandoning this research.
As things stood now, the only one still obsessed with this project was Charlotte Linlin.
Caesar's research funding had come from Charlotte Linlin. Strictly speaking, this project was his side hustle. It didn't have much to do with Doflamingo.
Believing the experiment was destined to fail, Caesar had still been taking a large amount of funding from Charlotte Linlin, and he had spent it all on his personal pleasures.
Every night, Caesar would summon the "Girls' Ship" to the island and indulge in a life of debauchery.
But as Charlotte Linlin's delivery deadline drew near, Caesar began to panic.
If it were to be exposed that he had been deceiving Big Mom, Charlotte Linlin would also fly into a rage, and that consequence could be even worse than provoking Kaido.
Thus, Caesar's lifestyle began to change: he no longer indulged in drinking and partying every day with abandon; instead, he now did so in constant fear.
Anyway, the matter hasn't been exposed yet. Death is still a long way off.
Whether worried or relaxed, the outcome won't change. Before the truth comes to light, Caesar naturally intends to enjoy life to the fullest.
The arrival of Misu and her group actually gave him an opportunity—an opportunity to cover up the truth.
"Master! Bad news! The records room is on fire!!"
Caesar's subordinate rushed in frantically to report the incident that had just occurred.
"The fire is intense, even water can't put it out! We're trying to save the records, but it's possible that…"
"It's alright, my dear subordinates. Your safety is far more important than those documents. Don't risk injury for lifeless things like that, it would break my heart."
Caesar even pretended to wipe away a tear. To him, these subordinates were just expendable test subjects. This whole act was a fabricated illusion to make them willingly serve him.
And it turned out his persona had been quite effective. Seeing Caesar show such concern, his subordinates were moved beyond words.
"Don't worry! I'll risk my life to save those records!"
"No, no, no. Your safety is more important. As for the records, just let them burn."
Even though Punk Hazard was now abandoned, it had originally been a heavily funded experimental island built by the World Government, complete with a comprehensive fire prevention system. The fire in the records room had been started by Caesar himself. After all, once everything burned, there would be no evidence left, which was exactly what he wanted.
If these people really managed to salvage something from the flames, it would actually be a nuisance for Caesar.
Seeing how firm Caesar was, his subordinates didn't insist any further. Instead, they suddenly remembered something else.
"Master, the children in the Biscuits Room were all taken away by that woman.
That woman betrayed your trust, not only did she steal the children, she also set your records room on fire. And to think we even prepared a welcome ceremony… We'll make her pay for this!"
This time, he didn't wait for Caesar to respond. As if afraid Caesar might go soft, he grabbed his weapon and ran out.
That was one of Caesar's objectives as well. Something this major had happened, if he didn't even send out pursuers, wouldn't it look like he didn't care?
As long as he sacrificed a few subordinates, he could better fool Charlotte Linlin. As for whether they lived or died, Caesar couldn't care less.
He just needed Charlotte Linlin to think that he valued the matter greatly, but in the end was powerless to do anything. That would be enough.
It wasn't like he hadn't done research, it was just that the results were destroyed. He couldn't afford to offend the Beasts Pirates. If Charlotte Linlin was so capable, she could go deal with them herself.
Thinking this, a pleased smile spread across Caesar's face.
At that moment, Doflamingo's slightly mocking laughter came through the Den Den Mushi again.
Since Caesar's subordinate had entered, Doflamingo hadn't spoken. It wasn't until the subordinate left that he made a sound again.
"Fuffuffuffu… Caesar, you've really got some guts."
"Shurororororo, Joker, I don't know what you're talking about."
"Forget it. But Caesar, I remember that a few years ago, Morgans published a newspaper. The title was 'The Lone Hero' or something like that…I don't remember the specific issue, but you'd best look it up. After all, that might just be your ending."
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