Although the MADS Research Team doesn't represent top-tier global combat power, each of its members has their unique survival techniques. These scientists have all integrated their expertise into their combat styles, and even Vegapunk has similar inventions.
As a Logia-type wielder, Caesar also fused his science with his Gas-Gas Fruit, and in an instant, his gaseous substance filled the ship's cabin.
The oxygen that was originally in the space was extracted by him and stored within his own body, creating a gas space where only he could breathe.
All living beings aside from himself would be deprived of oxygen and unable to breathe.
The lack of water and food can be endured, but without breathable air, they wouldn't last long.
"Shaulololo, you guys are really gullible, believing what I said so easily?"
This was just the first step of his plan; the restraint of those handcuffs was too severe, making him incapable of doing anything. If they replaced them with longer chains, he would have room to maneuver.
Unexpectedly, these soldiers naively loosened his bonds directly. He wasn't going to pass up such an opportunity.
The soldiers didn't expect Caesar's transformation to be so drastic, but now they were also incapable of resisting, like dehydrated fish, gasping for air.
Yet no matter what they did, their lungs couldn't intake any oxygen. Instead, they inhaled a large amount of gas, collapsing one by one.
The extent of his World Without Void wasn't vast, however, since this was on a ship, the soldiers outside didn't understand what was happening and fell unconscious one after another.
"Shaulololo, I really am merciful, letting you leave this world in such an environment without any pain."
Freed from the seastone restraints, Caesar soared into the sky, holding a seemingly insignificant matchstick in his hand. When he threw down the match, the flame was extinguished by the sea breeze, but the remaining sparks on the stick still ignited the high-density gas around the ship.
To avoid being recaptured by the World Government, Caesar mercilessly opted for silence, then flew toward a nearby island, plotting his next move.
Research was one of his interests, and he was also a hedonist, so living in seclusion was impossible. Currently, on the World Government's side, he had already incurred the disdain of Vegapunk.
Even if the World Government didn't pursue him, he couldn't return to the Science Class, not to mention his current status as a criminal.
He needed a financial backer, one who could let him continue researching in his Realm of Death while enjoying life.
During the MADS period, the research team had accepted sponsorship from Du Feld, something he was long accustomed to.
"The Revolutionary Army are all paupers, while other factions... the Hundred Beasts are the wealthiest, but... damn Queen, it's all because of that guy."
Looking at the forces on the sea, the Hundred Beasts Pirates were currently the wealthiest, but the Hundred Beasts weren't suitable for him to join now.
First, the Hundred Beasts Pirates already had Queen, and if he went over now, he would most likely end up as Queen's subordinate.
Even if he were beaten to death, he wouldn't want to work under Queen. Of course, if he couldn't be beaten to death, that's another story. If he were truly forced to that extent, he would choose to obediently be a subordinate, but for now, he definitely wasn't considering it.
Moreover, he couldn't freely exercise his talents in the Hundred Beasts. His forte was weapons of mass destruction, but the Hundred Beasts already had such capabilities. He didn't believe those were Queen's work, he firmly believed Queen was just a scapegoat.
The problem is, regardless of whether this was Queen's doing or not, the person behind it is with the Hundred Beasts, and even if he went, he might not be taken seriously.
For a fledgling strategist, a newfound power that's impoverished and lacking in resources would definitely offer a better development environment compared to an old, strategist-laden power. Only in a new power might such talent be valued.
Being valued can grant control over funds, and with control over funds, he can find ways to embezzle public money, allowing for indulgence and enjoyment.
And as a self-proclaimed genius scientist, he wouldn't voluntarily present himself as that would be too demeaning.
"Knows how to do business, lacks scientific talent but has territory, ideally can connect with the Hundred Beasts, shaulololo, you'll do."
After much consideration, Caesar decided to start with Doflamingo.
As a rising intermediary in the New World, Doflamingo had an extensive trading network, stable territory in Dressrosa, and the identity of a member of the Seven Warlords of the Sea. He wouldn't attract too much attention from the World Government, making him Caesar's relatively perfect candidate.
Currently, the Hundred Beasts are still collecting Zoan Devil Fruits from all over the world. From this, Caesar judged that even if the Hundred Beasts possess various strange abilities, at most, it's just transformations and not the creation of Devil Fruits from nothing, so his Artificial Devil Fruits surely still had a market.
Even if the Hundred Beasts weren't interested, as long as he could produce those items, they would undoubtedly sell well outside, and Caesar believed he had made considerable technical breakthroughs. If someone was willing to support him, he was sure he could succeed.
"Shaulololo, Doflamingo, don't let me down."
He destroyed the prison ship not to let the Navy quickly find his whereabouts, but that didn't mean he could cover up the news; the prison ship was required to report to the Navy Base regularly. When that prison ship went missing, certain things were already predetermined.
In just a few days, he became a wanted criminal valued at three hundred million Belly, and then, using the treasures and log pointers he scavenged from the prison ship, he smoothly arrived in Dressrosa, purposefully wandering in front of the members of the Donquixote family.
...
"Doffy, aren't you really going to meet that guy?"
In the Royal City of Dressrosa, which had long since become Doflamingo's base, he sat by the window, listening to Trebol report the new situation.
"Did Vergo send back the information?"
"He did. He said Caesar was arrested due to experimental issues, slightly different from the outside story."
After many years as a mole, Vergo had already risen to the mid-to-high ranks of the Navy, constantly sending back valuable new intelligence, and for this kind of not-too-confidential information, Vergo could still figure it out.
"Fuffuffuffuffu, then there's no problem, keep stalling, I don't believe that guy can bide his time."
Caesar wanted Doflamingo to actively recruit him, but Doflamingo had no intention of making the first move to maintain more control.
After all, he was one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, a legitimate pirate recognized by the World Government, so capturing a wanted criminal within his territory was his responsibility.
Ordinary bounty hunters wouldn't act like this, Caesar clearly had his own ideas, how could Doflamingo not see through it?
In any case, he's not in a hurry, he wants to see how long Caesar can hold out.