Deep within the Grand Line.
This is a calm belt, yet it is home to a large number of Sea Kings.
And here, there is a giant island, shrouded in mist on all sides, with a particularly fierce fish in the sea that attacks everything that approaches the island.
Even ordinary ironclad warships would be shattered by the attacks of these fierce fish.
And yet, this island, protected by strange fish, is a massive research base.
A hundred-meter-high wall surrounds the island, and it is guarded day and night by solemn black-clad figures wearing masks, who take turns on watch.
“Caesar, how is our experiment progressing?”
The door of the laboratory where the experiment was being conducted was opened.
A burly man, over three meters tall, walked in and looked at Caesar, who was conducting the experiment, and said in a deep voice.
Caesar, who had consumed the Gas-Gas Fruit, stopped his experiment and turned to face the man, removing his blood-stained gloves and smiling, "What an experiment that's hard to stop."
"The experiment of artificial devils is basically without problems."
"However, there is still a significant gap in strength between devils cultivated by ordinary people and those cultivated by consuming artificial devil fruits."
"But even so, the power possessed by these devils is comparable to that of a Vice Admiral."
"Dax, a research base like this cannot satisfy my requirements."
"I need to apply to participate in more advanced experiments."
"For example, the experimental project that Vegapunk is currently undertaking."
Caesar was very excited.
The dangerous and incredibly anticipated experiment, the created devils, though he saw them as mere cyborg experiments, the advanced technology made his mouth water.
Now, he was eager to participate in more advanced experiments and access more advanced technology.
For example, the artificial devil experiment that could instantly kill an Admiral.
It was also because of this that Caesar discovered that the existence of Devil Fruits was a result of devils cultivated through a technical process unknown to him.
They possessed special abilities, which were stolen and infused into fruits, thus creating Devil Fruits.
This process was called sealing.
Those who ate Devil Fruits would gain the devil's abilities.
But at the same time, due to the devil's unwillingness, those who ate Devil Fruits were cursed by the devil.
These were the devils of the past.
The artificial Devil Fruit experiments that Vegapunk is currently involved in are artificial Devil Fruits that people can eat without being cursed by the devil.
It was a colossal project.
Both he and Vegapunk were latecomers.
What they did not expect was that the World Government was hiding such a massive experimental team.
Originally, they had refused the World Government's invitation.
However, after being forced to come here, they were deeply attracted by the experiments and the technology here, and were unwilling to leave.
"Caesar, I will report your request."
"Now, I only want my results."
Dax looked down at Caesar, his expression cold, and said in a deep voice.
Caesar did not feel displeased by Dax's reaction.
After all, this was Dax's attitude; otherwise, he would not have been knocked unconscious and brought here.
Caesar chuckled a mischievous laugh, floated away, and led Dax to another laboratory.
Here, there were containers one after another.
Inside the containers were cyborgs cultivated and possessing certain abilities.
However, because Caesar's direction was zoan-type, the forms of these cyborgs all possessed animal characteristics.
"These are the most perfected cyborgs cultivated so far, a total of one thousand people."
"After their abilities are unsealed, it is estimated that eighty percent of these people will successfully evolve towards devils."
Caesar looked at these cyborgs, his eyes shining with excitement.
These thousand people were also users of artificial Devil Fruits whose abilities Caesar had personally improved.
They were also test subjects who could release devils first after undergoing combat.
Dax revealed a hint of a satisfied smile upon hearing this.
"Caesar, your progress is still too slow."
"And this success rate is still too low."
"I want one hundred percent release."
"I want an army of devils."
"Do you understand?"
Dax said to Caesar in a dark tone, his face grim.
Caesar chuckled mischievously and said nonchalantly, "Technically, I need more technical support."
"Also, I need the blood of Blackbeard Teach. His blood is somewhat special."
"If we can bring Blackbeard Teach here, I might be able to create more powerful devils."
"As long as you give me enough technology and resources, I can build as many such devil armies as you want."
"Jiehaha!"
Caesar laughed excitedly, his body expanding and growing larger as he laughed, emitting an imposing aura.
Dax frowned at the gas filling the air.
As the air environment in the laboratory changed, switches were opened one after another.
The gas filling the air was quickly expelled.
"Contain your abilities. If you blow this place up, you will die a horrible death," Dax coldly threatened Caesar and said in a deep voice.
Caesar chuckled mischievously and did not pay much attention.
"Activate them. I need this devil legion now to let those lowly slaves who dare to defy the King's will feel the King's wrath."
Dax's gaze fixed on the test subjects before him, and he immediately gave the order.
Caesar was slightly stunned upon hearing this, and then burst into excited laughter.
"Wahahaha!"
"Dax, you finally gave me an order that makes me happy."
"I also want to see how these created devils commit monstrous crimes on the sea and make the world tremble in fear."
Caesar floated away and entered a room, inputting a password. As a red button rose from a hidden compartment, Caesar impatiently pressed it.
*Pfft!*
In the laboratory, streams of gas were released from the apparatus.
The nutrient solution in the experimental pods quickly receded, disappearing completely.
The outer covers of the experimental pods retracted, exposing the thousand-plus test subjects to the air.
Concurrently.
Green gas was continuously released, filling the entire laboratory.
In addition, there were large amounts of electricity flashing within the experiments.
Caesar laughed excitedly as he witnessed the scene before him.
"It has begun, it has begun."
"Descend, my created devil legions."
Dax stood quietly to the side, with his arms crossed, his gaze fixed intently on the large screen.
Once this devil army was successfully created, he would be its commander.