Chapter 132: Pursuing the Yellow Dragon Model of the Fish-Fish Fruit

In the Smile Factory, Vergo approached Caesar.

Seeing Vergo arrive, Caesar couldn't help but laugh. "Vergo, that body-enhancing potion you brought last time was incredible. Did you bring more this time? Hurry up and hand it over—I'm on the verge of a breakthrough in my research!"

Vergo replied coolly, "Last time, I gave you plenty of body-enhancing potions. Are you able to produce them yourself now?"

Caesar's face soured. "What are you saying, Vergo?"

"That body-enhancing potion is the ultimate formula in the world. Its composition is highly complex. Even if you know the ingredients, without understanding the precise temperatures and order in which they're added, it's nearly impossible to replicate it. And you only gave me a single bottle."

"Do you even realize how difficult this is?"

"So, you still haven't managed to reproduce it?" Vergo cut him off.

Caesar snorted. "No one could replicate that body-enhancing potion so easily. But if you bring me another hundred or so bottles, I might have a chance. You know..."

"Enough. I'm not here to discuss body-enhancing potions. I want the Yellow Dragon data for the Fish-Fish Fruit."

Caesar was startled. "What do you need that for? You don't seriously intend to give this information to that Chiba, do you? This data is invaluable, and even I am working tirelessly to study it. There's no way I'd hand it over unless you're ready to kill me."

Caesar's eyes narrowed. The Yellow Dragon model of the Fish-Fish Fruit was his lifeline, and asking him to give it up was like asking for his life.

"Relax. I don't need the real data. Just modify the main parameters so the error margin is within 0.5%. That way, if Chiba receives it, there's no real risk. Dover gets what he wants, and you'll have plenty of body-enhancing potions to continue your research."

Hearing this, Caesar's eyes lit up with excitement. He laughed. "Well, why didn't you say so sooner? If that's the case, I'm happy to help."

At that moment, Leo was hidden nearby, listening to the conversation between Vergo and Caesar. He held his breath as he and Cyrus concealed themselves among some discarded puppets in the corner, remaining motionless.

Fortunately, Vergo's Armament Haki was strong, but his Observation Haki was weaker, so he didn't notice the two of them. They only dared to breathe once Caesar turned around and left.

Almost instantly, however, Vergo's gaze shifted in their direction.

In a flash, Vergo appeared in front of the pile of puppets.

He examined the ragged toys, scanning the area carefully. This part of the factory was closed off, with no visible exit. "Did I imagine it?"

Vergo turned and left. Above him, a tiny hole concealed Leo, who had squeezed himself in, holding his breath as the oppressive presence moved away. Once he felt safe, he carefully crawled out and quickly found Cyrus, reporting everything he'd overheard.

Cyrus said, "Caesar must be going to retrieve the Yellow Dragon data for the Fish-Fish Fruit. This is a rare chance for us—we can't let it slip by."

"I'll go with you," Cyrus said determinedly.

"No, you're too big. If you get spotted, the whole mission could be compromised. We don't want Chiba or Rebecca left in the dark if things go wrong. Stay here and wait for my signal," Leo replied with a serious expression.

"But you can't do this alone. That guy isn't weak; you won't stand a chance against him," Cyrus argued.

"Don't underestimate us Tontattas. Just wait for my signal." With that, Leo disappeared in a flash, stealthily trailing Caesar as he made his way deeper into the factory.

Caesar muttered to himself as he walked. "That Monkey D. Chiba… his research talent is leagues above mine. How does he do it? Creating things like the body-enhancing potion and the Foundation Establishment Pill, and now even perfecting Devil Fruit technology…"

"I've been researching for so long, and all I've managed to produce are these half-baked Zoan-type Devil Fruits—mere genetic modifications that are nowhere near as advanced as the synthetic fruits made by Vegapunk, and certainly can't compare to the Logia-type artificial Devil Fruits Chiba is producing."

"Damn it, these geniuses—one after another. I'd do anything to get my hands on Chiba's technical data. And Doflamingo, that useless fool, hasn't managed to extract any of Chiba's research for me. Now he expects me to trade the Yellow Dragon data? What a waste."

"But, if we can use this fake data to exchange for some of Chiba's techniques, that would still be worthwhile."

"Maybe I can glean some inspiration from Chiba's work and develop my own breakthrough. Then, I, Caesar, will once again be recognized as the world's greatest scientist. Hahaha!"

Caesar's loud laughter echoed down the corridor, and Leo, following closely behind, cursed under his breath. Damn Caesar, you're just a delusional fool. Let's see how long you last.

Caesar continued through several secure doors, glancing behind him now and then with a smirk on his face.

Passing through multiple reinforced gates, he finally arrived at the deepest chamber within the Smile Factory—a closed room. Caesar abruptly stopped and turned around.

"Little mouse, you've been following me for quite a while. Why don't you come out now?"

Leo's heart skipped a beat. He noticed me? Impossible!

Caesar chuckled. "This place is full of traps. I knew you were tailing me from the start. What exactly do you want, little mouse?"

He turned to look in Leo's direction. Leo quickly dashed to the side, but Caesar followed him with a wicked grin.

[•———•——•———•]

𝙥𝗮𝙩𝙧𝙚𝙤𝙣(.)𝙘𝙤𝙢/𝙂𝙤𝙙𝙊𝙛𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙚𝙧

✨ • 𝗘𝘅𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀: 𝙂𝙚𝙩 𝟲𝟬+ 𝙖𝙙𝙫𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙙 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙖𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙤𝙛 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙚𝙡𝙨𝙚.