The Great Escape: Caesar's Plan Unfolds
Although this may sound like an interrogative sentence, its meaning is absolute—it cannot be refused!
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At that moment, the scientists were utterly helpless.
"Hahahaha! Since His Majesty, the Heavenly King, holds you in such high regard, I will accept it!"
"I accept it too!"
After exchanging a few bitter chuckles, the scientists fell into silence. There was no room for resistance.
Vinsmoke Judge (Gaji) clenched his fists but remained quiet. He knew there was no way out of this.
Seeing that everyone had resigned themselves to their fate, Caesar Clown smirked and moved to advance the overall plan.
"Before you leave, you can take everything you want!" he declared, gesturing grandly.
Behind him, a dark green spatial rift shimmered within an Air Door—a portal created using the Doa Doa no Mi (Door-Door Fruit).
"This is a pocket dimension where everything can be stored!" Caesar continued.
His voice was light, but his eyes carried a sharp glint. He had planned everything meticulously. To avoid detection by spies lurking outside, he needed to extract the scientists quickly and cleanly.
"Also..."
Caesar shot a knowing glance at Doyle, who stood within the swirling space behind him.
"In there, I've prepared something special—some criminals who closely resemble you in build and appearance. And let me be clear, they are all disposable."
"They will replace you."
"From this moment forward, as far as the world is concerned, you are dead. No one will come looking for you."
As he spoke, Doyle dragged the unconscious criminals out of the portal one by one. Their bound forms slumped onto the floor.
The gathered scientists exchanged uneasy glances. Their eyes flickered with hesitation, but deep down, they knew—there was no escape. Those who had even considered refusing felt their hearts tighten with fear.
Only now did they fully grasp the truth. From the moment they were entangled with Caesar, their choices had been stripped away.
Caesar Clown had left them no alternatives.
With grim acceptance, the scientists began carrying the unconscious criminals to their usual workstations.
To ensure the deception was foolproof, they dressed the criminals in their lab coats, mimicking their own work routines.
Caesar's knockout methods were ruthless, ensuring these impostors wouldn't wake up anytime soon. Since they remained unconscious, restraints weren't necessary.
After gathering all the research data they required, Caesar directed the scientists into the Air Door.
Then, under Dr. Vegapunk's grim yet resolute gaze, he pressed the self-destruct button on the research facility.
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Shockwaves in Mariejois
Meanwhile, in Pangaea Castle, deep within Mary Geoise, the Five Elders sat in a grand, dimly lit chamber.
Opposite them, a grim-faced Kong, the Supreme Commander of the Marines, sat with arms crossed.
The reason for this urgent meeting was simple—the fate of Dr. Vegapunk.
After a lengthy discussion, the Five Elders had come to a decision:
Vegapunk would now work directly under the Marines.
With the world in turmoil, the Navy required greater strength. Science and technology played a crucial role in maintaining global order, and they had no intention of losing such a valuable asset.
As they finalized their plans, they awaited the results of the joint operation between Cipher Pol and the Navy.
If this mission succeeded, the World Government would secure an unprecedented advantage.
As high-ranking figures, they understood better than anyone the true power of advanced technology.
Night fell over Mary Geoise, yet the grand halls of Pangaea Castle remained brightly illuminated.
Then—
Purupurupuru...
The sudden chime of a Den Den Mushi disrupted the tense atmosphere.
A hushed silence followed as the call was swiftly connected.
The next moment, the Five Elders and Kong's expressions shifted dramatically—shock flashing across their faces.
The report from the other end of the line was grim.
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The Aftermath of the Explosion
When Caesar pressed the skull-emblazoned detonation switch, the entire research base erupted in a series of deafening explosions.
Flames surged skyward, turning the once-imposing facility into an inferno.
The Navy and Cipher Pol agents, who had been prepared to storm the lab and arrest the scientists, instinctively retreated.
They couldn't afford to be caught in the blaze.
As the facility was engulfed in fire, the operatives quickly assessed the situation.
No one was seen escaping.
A sinking feeling settled in their chests.
"Could they all have perished in there...?"
A sense of dread crept into their hearts.
Determined to confirm the outcome, several high-ranking operatives activated Armament Haki and plunged into the fiery ruins.
They had strict orders:
"If alive, capture them. If dead, recover their bodies."
The World Government placed immense importance on these scientists. They needed to know their fate.
Soon, they found the bodies—charred beyond recognition—scattered near the remains of the test benches.
At that moment, any lingering hope evaporated.
Emerging from the wreckage, the lead agent made the fateful call to Mary Geoise.
Thus, the scene of the Five Elders and Kong's stunned reactions unfolded.
"I'm very sorry, sir," the agent reported, voice tight with anxiety.
"Just as the mission was about to commence, a massive explosion suddenly occurred within the research facility, followed by a devastating fire!"
"We searched thoroughly. The scientists... they're all dead."
"There were no survivors. Judging by the evidence, it appears to have been a tragic accident."
Though his voice remained steady, beads of sweat dripped down his temples.
As the mission leader, he bore full responsibility. Regardless of the circumstances, he would be held accountable.
The facility had exploded right under his watch. No one had anticipated such a catastrophic event.
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A Perfect Deception
Back in the skies—high above the chaos—Caesar Clown smirked.
Within the Air Door's alternate dimension, he had safely extracted all the scientists.
Now, soaring far from the burning wreckage, he maneuvered the group toward the Middle Kingdom.
As they flew, many of the scientists couldn't help but marvel at Caesar's abilities.
They had long heard rumors that Caesar possessed a terrifying power beyond that of any Devil Fruit.
But witnessing it firsthand was another matter entirely.
Wrapped in an invisible force, they felt a strange, overwhelming energy surrounding them.
It was unlike anything they had encountered before.
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Arrival at the Floating Research Institute
Upon reaching their destination, the scientists stepped into a vast laboratory complex—an ancient floating research institute located on Skypiea.
The moment they set foot inside, their eyes widened in awe.
The facility was filled with relics of a bygone era—advanced technology far beyond anything the modern world had ever seen.
As expected of the Middle Kingdom, an enigmatic nation rumored to rival even the World Government in knowledge.
The scientists quickly became engrossed, eagerly inspecting the ruins.
"Hey, tell me—who lived here before?"
"Could an ancient Sky Island civilization have existed?"
"These technological artifacts… they're far more advanced than what we have now!"
One bearded scientist was particularly excited, examining intricate mechanisms and cryptic writings.
He had always believed in the legends of the Sky Island civilization, but now, standing amidst undeniable proof, he was ecstatic.
Yet before they could delve deeper, Caesar raised a hand.
"Everyone," he said, his voice carrying authority.
"You can study this later. For now, listen carefully."
He paused, letting the weight of his next words sink in.
"As far as the world is concerned, you all died in that explosion."
"You can never return to your previous lives."
A heavy silence followed.
For some, this was a death sentence.
For others… a new beginning.
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