"Alright, you two go explore on your own!"
Kouta turned to Robin and Indigo with a smile, "This laboratory isn't dangerous. Look around, you might find many interesting things."
"Aren't you coming with us?"
Robin looked at Kouta, a hint of confusion in her eyes.
"Captain, it's like you already know this place. I feel like you came here specifically for it?"
"Haha!!"
Kouta laughed heartily and continued, "Indeed I do. I won't tell you the specifics, I have to go find someone and send him to hell."
As he said this, Kouta glanced at the dimly lit corridor in the distance, a murderous glint flashing in his eyes.
...
In the dimly lit research room, a cool, clear light emanated from countless vertical glass containers.
If not for the corpses in various grotesque poses within the containers, this room would have been just an ordinary laboratory.
However, the presence of these corpses made anyone who entered feel a prickle of fear.
Because these corpses were all human.
At the very back of the laboratory, there was a workbench with a spotlight casting an intense white beam.
Beside the workbench, Caesar, wearing black gloves, was engrossed in something on the body of a middle-aged man.
From his occasional "Rororororo" laughter, it was clear he was enjoying himself immensely.
"Yo! That's some neat stitching work."
Just then, a light chuckle sounded abruptly from behind Caesar.
Hearing the compliment, Caesar blushed instinctively and then replied proudly, "Of course, do you know who I am?"
Having said that, he suddenly realized, quickly turned around, and looked behind him.
Behind him stood a handsome young devil with a long sword at his waist, looking at him with a smile.
Caesar looked left and right, then towards the door.
Seeing the intact, completely sealed door, a look of confusion crossed his face.
Frowning, Caesar slowly put down his needle and thread, then a large amount of white mist emerged from his hands, the mist carrying bloodstains from his gloves, falling to the ground.
Instantly, his gloves were as good as new.
Only then did he turn and face Kouta, "Kid, tell me! How did you get in?"
He always sealed the laboratory door when conducting experiments, and it could only be opened from the inside.
Yet, this kid had appeared in his laboratory silently.
"Looks like you're not just any ordinary kid!"
Kouta looked at Caesar, tilting his head, a smile playing on his lips, and said mockingly, "You... don't recognize me?"
"Recognize you?"
Caesar leaned forward, staring intently at Kouta's face. After a moment of scrutiny, he arrogantly declared, "Who the hell do you think you are?"
"Why should I recognize you?"
"Uh..."
Kouta's lips twitched. This guy probably hadn't paid any attention to the state of the seas or the news for the past six months.
It made sense. With two Emperors, a Warlord, and the Marines behind him, no one could do anything to him.
As a scientist, his research was his primary concern.
Thinking this, Kouta's expression calmed.
Since the guy didn't know who he was, there was no need to play around.
He pulled out his gourd, took a long drink, then looked down at Caesar and said seriously, "Who I am is not important. I'm here this time mainly to kill you."
"Kill, kill, kill, kill me???"
Caesar's face contorted in disbelief, his expression etched with utter shock.
Then, a large amount of pink gas began to appear around his body.
This guy was a Logia-type Gas-Gas Fruit user.
He could turn his body into gaseous mist.
Because he could transform any part of his body into gas, he could fly and float.
He could also produce highly poisonous gas, capable of killing enemies, or manipulate flammable gases to ignite targets.
He could purify the gas around himself or compress nearby gases. He could also extract oxygen from the air to extinguish fires and suffocate opponents, or manipulate flames that completely consumed oxygen for attack.
In short, this was a powerful Devil Fruit.
If it had fallen into the hands of a skilled martial artist instead of this man, it would have created another powerhouse on par with an Admiral.
The Gas-Gas Fruit was unlike Smoker's Smoke-Smoke Fruit.
This was extremely dangerous.
Kouta watched Caesar with interest, not preventing him from transforming.
Before long, the lower half of his body completely disappeared, turning into pink smoke.
His upper body floated in the air, surrounded by pink mist that swirled like ribbons. Combined with his long black hair and the horns on his head, he looked like a true demon.
Caesar spread his arms, leaned forward, and completely enveloped Kouta in his shadow.
He opened his mouth wide and laughed arrogantly, "Kid, with you, do you really think you can kill me?"
"Shulolollolollol!!"
"Who do you think you are?"
"Who do you think I am?"
"Oh..." Kouta looked up, his blue eyes calm. The corner of his mouth quirked up as he chuckled, "Who are you?"
"Who am I..."
Caesar took a step back, puffed out his chest, spread his arms, and declared wildly, "Who am I?"
"I am..."
As he spoke, he lowered his head, stared intently at Kouta, and roared, "I am Caesar Clown."
"I am the genius scientist, Caesar Clown."
"You said you wanted to kill me, kid?"
As he spoke, he gradually leaned forward, once again enveloping Kouta in his shadow.
The corner of his mouth turned up, his face twisted with madness.
"I have Warlords and Emperors backing me, what makes you think you can?"
"You, a mere kid, dare to try and kill me."
"Shulolollolollol!!"
Kouta looked at the madly laughing Caesar, a hint of helplessness on his face.
"This guy is too arrogant!"
"You're right, with Warlords and Emperors backing you, there aren't many people in this world who can do anything to you, but I don't fear any Warlords or Emperors!"
*Zheng—!*
No longer wanting to watch the guy laugh, Kouta unhesitatingly drew his sword and slashed upwards.
*Pfft—!*
The dark blade, cloaked in pink gas, easily cut through Caesar's body.
The roaring laughter abruptly ceased, and the laboratory fell silent.
Kouta didn't look at Caesar. He swung his right hand to the right, and with a "plop," left a bloody red trail on the floor to his right. He then twirled his sword, sheathed it, and turned towards the bookshelves at the very back of the laboratory.
Behind him, Caesar stared at Kouta's retreating back, his face filled with disbelief.
But the piercing pain in his chest told him that this kid not only didn't fear Warlords or Emperors, but he had actually dared to kill him.
He opened his mouth to say something, but all that came out was blood.
An overwhelming weakness washed over him, making him unable to maintain his elemental form. His vision went black, his body reverted to normal, and his entire body split in half from the chest down, falling to the ground.
*Bang—!*
The sound of a heavy object hitting the floor was particularly loud in the quiet laboratory.
Hearing the sound, Kouta paused slightly, shook his head, and continued forward.
"He deserved to die."