Although the Gura Gura no Mi (Tremor-Tremor Fruit) has the power to destroy the world, even a monster with a physique as strong as Edward Newgate (Whitebeard) cannot fully withstand its side effects.
Not to mention the Caesar family, whose members are slightly inferior to Whitebeard in terms of endurance.
Caesar did not want to see his children suffer an early death due to the burden of a powerful Devil Fruit.
Moreover, Whitebeard might become an ally in the future, making it unwise to turn him into an enemy.
Thus, this "top fruit" was passed over.
Next, there was Charlotte Linlin's Soru Soru no Mi (Soul-Soul Fruit).
Caesar was quite optimistic about this fruit, but for it to reach its full potential, it required an overwhelming sense of fear from others. This was one of its most crucial conditions.
In the later years, Big Mom's body and appearance changed drastically, making her an outright terrifying figure. Ordinary people would feel sheer dread upon seeing her.
However, when Caesar looked at his own children, they were soft and tender in their youth, and as they grew, they became handsome and beautiful. It would be difficult for them to naturally instill fear in others!
This lack of inherent intimidation would hinder the fruit's ability to steal souls.
Unlike Big Mom, who even in her youth had a darkened expression that could make her appear as fearsome as a witch, Caesar's children lacked this terrifying presence.
Since soul extraction required invoking genuine terror, Caesar concluded that he needed a Devil Fruit more suitable for his children's innate traits.
Although the Gura Gura no Mi and Soru Soru no Mi were both immensely powerful, neither aligned well with his children's natural disposition.
Lastly, there was Shiki the Golden Lion's Fuwa Fuwa no Mi (Float-Float Fruit).
This was undeniably a high-level strategic ability, allowing flight and the ability to manipulate touched objects, both living and non-living, by making them float.
However, since the Caesar family already possessed telekinetic powers, this fruit's abilities were somewhat redundant.
If they acquired the Fuwa Fuwa no Mi, it would essentially be a wasted opportunity to gain a new power.
Their innate psychic abilities already encompassed much of what the fruit offered, making it unnecessary.
Thus, the Fuwa Fuwa no Mi was also dismissed.
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The Marine Camp's Devil Fruits
As for the Navy, both the Hie Hie no Mi (Ice-Ice Fruit) and the Magu Magu no Mi (Magma-Magma Fruit) were outstanding.
However, their current users, Kuzan (Aokiji) and Sakazuki (Akainu), were highly valued by the Marines, considered rising pillars of the next generation.
Targeting them would be extremely difficult.
Although these two were still young at the time, it was well-known among high-ranking officials that one of them would become an Admiral in the future.
If Caesar attempted to assassinate them or steal their fruit, it would undoubtedly provoke a severe retaliation from the Navy.
At this stage, his kingdom had only recently stabilized, and his growing influence was still not strong enough to withstand the full force of a Marine offensive.
If he were still merely a pirate, with only a single crew, it would be another matter.
But now, he ruled over millions of civilians.
If war broke out between him and the Navy, the defenseless populace under his rule would be caught in the crossfire, and their chances of survival would be slim.
For a Logia fruit that might only be used effectively years later, it simply wasn't worth the risk.
Additionally, unlike the Yami Yami no Mi (Dark-Dark Fruit), which granted unique power over Devil Fruit users, he had no inherent anti-Devil Fruit abilities.
If he was caught hunting Devil Fruits, he would easily be surrounded and overwhelmed.
Despite his strength, even he could not fight against multiple high-level Marine officers at once.
Many powerful figures in the Marine forces were no pushovers. There was no need to provoke them recklessly.
After weighing his options carefully, Caesar decided that he would have to find another powerful Devil Fruit in the future.
To that end, he turned to the underworld networks, seeking their help in tracking down two specific fruits:
The Mera Mera no Mi (Flame-Flame Fruit)
The Kaze Kaze no Mi (Wind-Wind Fruit)
Of course, underworld dealings were purely transactional—as long as the price was right, they would stop at nothing to find the fruits.
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Caesar's Daily Life & Expansion Plans
In the following days, Caesar spent more time with his four newborns, ensuring their well-being.
Meanwhile, his three older children focused on intense training.
His two sons engaged in daily combat practice for an hour and a half.
His daughter, Alice, pushed herself even further, determined to last at least an hour sparring against her father.
While his territorial expansion efforts continued, one day, Caesar flew toward the North Blue.
A specific island in that sea met his requirements, housing over 200,000 civilians who needed rescue and relocation.
Thanks to his incredible flight speed, he could reach almost any place in the world within a few hours—even less if he pushed himself to the limit.
After arriving, Caesar scanned the area.
The island had a strong foundation, suggesting that it was once a beautiful place before various external influences led to its decline.
However, before beginning the relocation effort, he first needed to check neighboring areas, where additional civilians required aid.
Each time he moved an island, not all the migrants were its original inhabitants—many were people he had rescued from other locations.
By carefully selecting islands that fit well with the central kingdom, he ensured that post-migration integration would be smooth.
After confirming the main location, he flew toward another site where tens of thousands awaited his help.
Many of them were young, strong, and of high birth rate, making them ideal candidates for repopulating his expanding kingdom.
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Unusual Rumors & A Mysterious Threat
As he hovered in the sky, preparing to amplify his voice using electromagnetic fields, he overheard a strange discussion among some locals.
A group of hunters, clad in patched-up, worn-out clothing, sat on the ground, looking utterly defeated.
Despite being skilled hunters, they were starving—a puzzling contradiction.
"This monster… we can't even hunt it. We're finished."
"The King of Near Mountain… it's become something else."
"A three-headed, six-armed freak! It destroyed an entire hill with one punch."
"It used to be a normal beast… but something changed."
"Could it be an Awakening? Or did it consume a Devil Fruit?"
Upon hearing this, Caesar's eyes narrowed.
The Hunters seemed convinced that the creature had gained supernatural abilities.
But if it had truly eaten a Devil Fruit, this could be a major discovery.
He decided to listen further before making his next move.
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