After retiring from the Navy, I became a doting husband.

As soon as Martin finished speaking, Caesar suddenly looked up. His eyes gleamed with longing, like a dog eyeing a bone.

"Oh!"

Caesar turned around and knelt down in front of Martin, taking Martin's hand and saying, "Captain, Captain, do you have any ideas? Tell me quickly, and if you can tell me, I'll be yours from now on."

"Pah! What do you mean you're mine? I have no interest in men. If you stay here and do your research, I might tell you."

Do you know why Vegapunk is so brilliant in scientific research, why he's called a scientist 500 years ahead of human intelligence, why he's said to possess technological abilities 500 years ahead of modern times, and why he's proficient in everything from Devil Fruits to mechanical engineering?

"Why? Why? Why?"

Caesar was completely bewildered by Martin's barrage of "why" questions. His eyes started darting around, and he felt a little lost. All that was left in his mind was "why." He had only ever thought about surpassing Vegapunk, and had never considered thinking about "why" before.

"Captain, why is this happening? Tell me quickly."

That's because he stood on the shoulders of giants.

Caesar stood there, stunned by Martin's words. Standing on the shoulders of giants, what did scientific prowess have to do with giants? Was it simply because he was taller that he was more powerful than him? Should he find a giant to stand on? But wait, I've never seen Vegapunk stand on the shoulders of a giant, and he's not even as tall as me.

"Captain, please stop teasing me. What do you mean by standing on the shoulders of giants? We're all men, right? You're just trying to comfort me, thank you."

Martin never expected that Caesar would become so calm and reasonable after his obsession with Vegapunk. This was not the Caesar he remembered. The Caesar of the past was possessed by evil, living only to surpass Vegapunk. But this Caesar was exactly what he needed.

“How could I lie to you? My giant isn’t about height, but about achievements. Vegapunk is so powerful because he’s just repeating the work of his predecessors. Do you know where Vegapunk was born? The future kingdom of Baltimore, which has technology that is hundreds of years ahead of the rest of the world. And I bet Vegapunk also came to the technology of a great kingdom, which is why he is proficient in everything and knows so much advanced knowledge.”

"What do you mean by repeating the work of predecessors, Captain?" Caesar was somewhat confused by Martin's question.

"If you don't understand, then let me ask you, what is Vegapunk's greatest strength?"

"The most impressive thing is that Vegapunk created an artificial Devil Fruit. He can also create incredibly powerful robots. But the most impressive thing is that he actually created a dragon—a real living being! Wait, a dragon..."

Caesar suddenly remembered something and quickly took out the Germa 66 data to look at it. After reading it, he felt a little uneasy. It turned out that he had been somewhat skeptical of Martin's words, but he believed them as soon as Martin finished speaking because the principle of dragon creation was the same as that in the Germa 66 data.

“I’ve got it. The information I showed you came from Vegapunk’s former partner, King Judge of Germa 66,” Martin said calmly to Caesar.

Caesar nodded. "Captain, you're right, but I don't understand why Vegapunk doesn't use such advanced technology?"

"It's not that he doesn't want to use it, it's that the World Government won't let him use it, the World Government is afraid he'll use it."

"Why is that, Captain?" Caesar asked, puzzled.

"That's because Vegapunk didn't join the World Government voluntarily; he was forced to join. So the World Government is afraid that if Vegapunk gains power, he will become uncontrollable and break free from the World Government."

"I see. I didn't expect the captain to know so much about this. By the way, captain, you haven't repeated the work of your predecessors." Caesar then thought of his earlier question.

"First, the Devil Fruit. How do you think Devil Fruits came about?" Martin asked.

"Of course they grow on trees." Caesar then realized something was wrong. "Captain, do you think Devil Fruits were originally man-made?"

"Of course, where else would you think they came from? The reason Vegapunk was able to create Devil Fruits is precisely because of this. Moreover, he just wanted to test whether the technological data he had was real and whether he could complete that kind of experiment. After the experiment was completed, he would not continue to do it."

"That seems to be the case. Vegapunk created one artificial Devil Fruit. Does the captain have any more?"

Seeing Caesar's stunned expression, Martin continued, "Finally, we'll have the artificial dragon from Vegapon. Caesar, you and I look different, don't you? Think about the races in this world: humans, giants, fish-men, mermaids, mink, snake-headed, long-armed, long-legged, human, three-eyed, and so on. Where do you think these races came from?"

"Captain, could all of these be man-made? This is incredible! They actually created so many races. They had such advanced technology before, why don't we have it now?"

"This is the answer I've been searching for. I want to understand this world. How about we find it together? Maybe when I find the answer, you'll become the world's number one scientist."

"Of course, Captain, do you think I have any other choice?" At this moment, Caesar accepted his fate. From passively accepting the contract to now wanting to join actively, the efficiency of his work was completely different.

"By the way, Captain, I also have some technical data here, about experiments on human gigantification. I don't know if you're familiar with it." Caesar thought of Martin's seemingly omniscient nature and immediately asked, recalling the experimental data he had obtained.

Where did you get your information?

“My data is in the laboratory…” Caesar realized this as soon as he started. He had been blinded by his desire to surpass Vega and Pompeo, but now he felt something was wrong. The source of this data was too suspicious.

“Vegapunk is more merciful than you. He didn’t want to do the experiment himself, afraid of experimenting on children, but he also wanted to know if the data was correct, so he deliberately gave the data to you. In fact, it’s not just humans who can grow to gigantic size. Think about those animals, those sea kings, these are all results of gigantification. The best proof of human gigantification is the giant race.”

"I see. Now that you hear what the captain said, I understand. The reason why Vegapunk has made so many technological achievements over the years is simply because he has repeated the experiments that his predecessors had already completed."

Caesar was suddenly filled with fighting spirit again. It turned out that it wasn't that he was inferior to others, but that he hadn't obtained the research data.

"Research data".

Caesar suddenly had an idea: Vegapunk has research data, right? If I steal the data, all those data and technological achievements will be mine.

"Hahaha, hahaha." Caesar burst into laughter again at the thought, as if the arrogant and domineering Caesar had returned.

“Captain, I’ve been away from the research base for a long time. I’m afraid the people there will be looking for me, so I’ll go back to the base first and then come out again. Besides, I still have some important things there,” Caesar said to Martin, his eyes darting around.

Martin saw Caesar's eyes darting around and knew the guy was up to something again, but as long as it didn't harm him, Martin didn't care.

"Go! Come back early, or you might die if our ship leaves when you're late, you know?" Martin said, then closed his eyes to relax and enjoy the sun.

"Don't worry, Captain, I'll be right back. I'm the future number one scientist." Caesar flew off.

Martin opened his eyes again and looked around. Caesar's Devil Fruit ability was really good, but his strength was too weak, so he didn't stay in the laboratory base.

"Have you found him? Have you found Lord Caesar?!"

"Without the captain, we searched the entire mountain town but couldn't find Lord Caesar."

"Should the captain report this to the World Government? We can't afford to be blamed if they do."

“If you report it now, we can take responsibility. Are you dreaming? If you don’t find Lord Caesar, no matter when you report it, you’re doomed. Find him now.”

"Yes, yes, Captain."

"Captain, captain!"

"What is it now?"

"Captain, I think I saw Lord Caesar."

"where?"

"Captain, look!" the soldier pointed upwards.

Meanwhile, Caesar was flying leisurely, completely unaware that a group of soldiers were searching for him below. He had only one thing on his mind: to obtain Vegaponco's research data.

"Lord Caesar, you're back!"

"Ah."

"Oh no, Lord Caesar actually responded to me! Am I going to die? Am I going to die?" the soldier said worriedly. He had heard from his seniors that anyone who received a response from Caesar eventually disappeared.

"You're finished, you're doomed! Hurry up and write your medical manual!"

"What are you two doing? You're not allowed to whisper to each other while on guard duty."

"It's Captain, our Lord Caesar is back."

"Lord Caesar is back! I must tell Lord Vegapunk right away."

"Captain, Lord Caesar actually responded to me just now. Are we going to die?"

"The captain paused for a moment after hearing the soldier's question, then walked away without looking back."

The soldiers saw what the captain was doing.

Dead!

"Caesar, I heard you were back. Why were you gone for so long?"

When Vegapunk heard that Caesar had returned, he rushed over. Caesar wasn't here, and no one was bothering him, which made him feel uneasy.

"I'm going to buy some experimental materials. I don't know where I can find them in stock. What, Vegapunk, are you afraid I'll have some amazing inventions that will steal your title as the world's number one scientist? Hahaha."

Seeing Caesar's arrogant demeanor, Vegapunk simply walked away. He had come over partly to banter with Caesar, and partly to find out when Caesar would begin his experiments on human gigantification. However, he now knew that Caesar was probably out gathering experimental materials.

As Vegapunk reached the door, he turned back and said, "Work hard and strive to surpass me as soon as possible."

"Just you wait!" Caesar shouted, then added in a low voice, "Once I get your information, let's see how arrogant you can be then."

Caesar imagined himself as the world's greatest scientist, receiving the spotlight and being welcomed by crowds.

"Hahaha, hahaha!"

Before they'd gone far, chatting about Vegapunk, they heard Caesar laugh and curse, "XXX!"

Night fell quietly, and a dark figure appeared at the Punk Hazard research base, moving cautiously through the base under the lights.

"Hahaha, after tonight I will be the world's number one scientist. There's a Den Den Mushi here to monitor me."

Caesar pointed his finger, and a stream of gas shot out from his fingertip, causing the Den Den Mushi to faint.

Even with the best precautions, it's hard to guard against a thief within your own ranks, especially since Caesar was the second-in-command of the research base and knew the entire facility inside and out. Caesar effortlessly incapacitated every creature he encountered, from surveillance Den Den Mushi to patrol personnel, taking them all down with a single move. For the first time, he felt his Devil Fruit ability was truly impressive.

Caesar looked up and saw Vegapunk's laboratory, a place he used to frequent. He gently pushed open the door and saw a figure still working diligently.

"Take a good rest, tomorrow will be better." Caesar smiled and stretched out his finger, activating his Devil Fruit ability towards the laboratory.

the next day.

"Lord Vegapunk, nothing is missing from the base, except Lord Caesar is gone again!"

Vegapunk (⊙o⊙)…

Chapter 215 Drought Jack

Near Insect Island.

The pirates on duty discovered an unexpected situation: a ship flying a strange flag was rapidly approaching the port.

"What's that?" a pirate asked, pointing to Kim Rami hanging on the bow of the Little Harem.

The other pirates also looked over, and after seeing it, they rubbed their eyes in disbelief.

"It's Lord Kim Rami, and it looks like a ship from out of town."

"Quickly, inform Lord Jack."

"Oh!"

The Little Harem is docked at the port; the Beasts Pirates built such a nice port on Insect Island.

"Surround them, and don't let anyone escape."

Upon seeing the Little Harem dock, all the pirates in the harbor surrounded it.

Martin looked around and said, "Hey, Martin, one of the Five Emperors and the Demon Blade, is here on the island for supplies. What do you want?"

Upon hearing this, the pirates immediately dared not move.

Bang bang bang?