-Broadcast-
Caesar Clown, despite his current predicament, couldn't resist sharing his scientific expertise with the watching world. Through the Sky Screen's broadcast, he explained the terrifying efficiency of carbon monoxide poisoning with the clinical detachment of a researcher discussing lab results.
"Through extensive human experimentation," he began with disturbing pride, "Carbon monoxide's affinity for red blood cells is hundreds of times greater than oxygen's. Once CO binds to hemoglobin, it refuses to let go—creating carboxyhemoglobin that renders the blood incapable of oxygen transport."
"The progression of poisoning" he explained with scientific precision, "Followed a predictable pattern. First came hypoxia: shortness of breath, dizziness, and mental confusion as the brain began to starve. Next were the stress symptoms: nausea, vomiting, and crushing chest pain as the body fought desperately for oxygen. Finally came brain damage: coma and complete loss of consciousness as neural tissue died from oxygen deprivation."
Smoker listened with growing interest despite his disgust. During his training with the Moku Moku no Mi, he had discovered this colorless, odorless gas quite by accident. Combat experience had taught him its effectiveness—enemies exposed to his carbon monoxide-laced smoke suffered excruciating pain and rapid incapacitation. The technique's only drawback was its indiscriminate nature, potentially harming allies caught in the toxic cloud.
"So that's what it's called," Smoker mused, genuinely interested in the scientific explanation. "Carbon monoxide. I suppose even a rough fighter like me can learn something new."
The universal need for oxygen made this technique devastatingly effective. Vergo, despite his superhuman conditioning and years of Haki training, had been rendered helpless after just a few breaths of concentrated CO. Caesar Clown, with his scientist's sedentary lifestyle, would fare far worse.
But a brilliant mind was too valuable to risk permanent damage through oxygen deprivation. Smoker approached the cowering scientist with measured steps, hoping to convince him to surrender peacefully and preserve what little dignity remained for both of them.
"Put on the seastone cuffs, Caesar," Smoker said reasonably. "There's no need to make this more difficult than it has to be."
Caesar's response was a high-pitched giggle that sent chills down the Admiral's spine. "Oh, that's the best joke I've heard all day! I knew that loser Vergo couldn't protect me—fortunately, I prepared for this contingency." He produced a red remote control from his lab coat, pressing a single button with theatrical flair. "Let me show you the true power of science, Admiral!"
Deep within the factory complex, three cryogenic chambers began their slow activation sequence. Mechanical systems that had been dormant for months hummed to life, releasing locks and beginning the thawing process for their precious contents.
Smoker waited patiently for some dramatic explosion or chemical reaction, but the factory remained eerily quiet. After several long moments, his patience evaporated entirely. "What exactly am I supposed to be impressed by?"
Moving with fluid grace, Smoker closed the distance between himself and Caesar in an instant. His arms darkened with Armament Haki as he reached for the scientist's throat. "Marine prison is looking better and better—"
"Tell me, boy," a voice called from behind Smoker, dripping with familiar arrogance, "have you ever been kicked at the speed of light?"
Golden radiance erupted behind the Admiral, providing no time for reaction or defense. The attack struck with devastating precision—a light-speed kick infused with both Armament Haki and Devil Fruit power, launching Smoker like a broken kite into a cluster of industrial machinery.
Metal shrieked and sparks flew as Smoker crashed through pipes and containers before sliding to a halt among the wreckage. He emerged moments later, clothes torn but otherwise unharmed. The physical damage was negligible, but the psychological impact proved far more devastating.
Why was Admiral Borsalino's signature technique being used at Punk Hazard? Had scientific advancement somehow conquered even logia-type Devil Fruits?
Alternative explanations seemed equally impossible. Kizaru himself couldn't be here—the figure responsible for the attack bore no resemblance to the laid-back Admiral, appearing distinctly inhuman despite wielding identical abilities.
What emerged from the shadows defied all logic and reason. A square, yellow, porous creature radiated golden light from within its bizarre form, holes dotting its surface like some nightmarish cheese. When it spoke, the voice carried Borsalino's characteristic drawl despite the speaker's impossible appearance.
"Caesar Clown, this marks our final collaboration," the entity announced with glowing intensity. "Our agreement ends here and now."
[Character Notes: Sea Sponge Fishman Clan - SpongeBob, Logia-type Pika Pika no Mi user]
"One last time is all I need," Caesar replied, his cowardice instantly replaced by renewed arrogance. Three powerful guardians had transformed his situation completely. "Extract blood samples from Smoker's body, and I can create another Logia Fruit user. Move quickly—I don't care if you kill him in the process."
"What a chatterbox," grumbled a second voice as pink coloration emerged from concealment. The creature's bloated belly and pointed head radiated intense heat, volcanic vapor streaming from its mouth as it spoke in crude, aggressive tones.
[Character Notes: Patrick, Starfish Fishman Clan, Logia-type Magu Magu no Mi user]
The third guardian appeared alongside its companions—an octopus-like being with an oversized nose and completely bald head, exhaling freezing mist with each breath. "If SpongeBob hadn't insisted on honoring our contract, I would have eliminated Caesar myself by now."
[Character Notes: Squidward, Octopus Fishman Clan, Logia-type Hie Hie no Mi user]
The surreal nature of the situation would have been comical under different circumstances. Caesar Clown had somehow created fishman versions of the Marine's three Admirals, though copyright infringement was hardly the most serious charge that could be leveled against him.
"How amusing," Smoker said, his expression deadly serious despite the bizarre opponents. "Fighting my own colleagues in this godforsaken place. I'll be sure to report this encounter to Sakazuki, Kuzan, and Borsalino personally." His mind raced through tactical assessments. If these creatures possessed even a fraction of the original Admirals' strength, his survival chances had plummeted to near zero.
Caesar's villain-like posturing reached new heights as he taunted his captive audience. "Behold—The power of SCIENCE! With access to additional genetic samples from the originals, I can mass-produce logia-type fishman warriors indefinitely. Science will make me the ruler of this world!"
His megalomaniacal rant revealed deeper motivations. Years of working under others had bred resentment and ambition in equal measure. Caesar Clown intended to crush everyone who had ever dismissed or ridiculed him, starting with his former colleague Vegapunk.
"Using fishmen as experimental subjects..." Smoker's voice carried genuine disgust alongside tactical concern. "Caesar Clown, you're playing with forces beyond your control."
As any proper villain would, Caesar couldn't resist explaining his methodology to his captive audience. Human test subjects had proven inadequate—every attempt to integrate Admiral-level bloodline factors with human physiology had resulted in immediate death. The genetic material of monsters like Sakazuki, Borsalino, and Kuzan simply overwhelmed ordinary human biology.
Fishmen, with their naturally superior physical capabilities, had provided the breakthrough Caesar needed. After sacrificing tens of thousands of experimental subjects, he had finally succeeded in creating three viable specimens. SpongeBob, Patrick, and Squidward possessed not only their template's Devil Fruit abilities but had somehow absorbed personality traits and combat techniques as well.
These three represented Caesar's greatest scientific achievement—living proof that even the Marine's most powerful warriors could be replicated and potentially surpassed through dedicated research and unlimited test subjects.
The disgraced scientist's rebellion against his current employers remained hidden from both Doflamingo and Kaido. Neither the Shichibukai nor the Yonko suspected that their hired researcher was conducting unauthorized experiments with revolutionary implications. Caesar had every intention of keeping it that way until his preparations were complete.
As the three pseudo-Admirals moved into attack positions, their combined presence filled the factory with conflicting elements—searing heat, freezing cold, and brilliant light creating an otherworldly battlefield where science had twisted nature itself into unrecognizable forms.