As Luffy and Kizaru made their way deeper into the Punk Hazard facility, Luffy's curiosity got the better of him.
"Where are we headed first? Straight to Dr. Vegapunk?"
Kizaru, hands in his pockets, maintained his usual nonchalant air, but his tone carried a rare edge of seriousness.
"No. First, we have to deal with a traitor."
Luffy perked up, intrigued. "Oh? You already figured out who leaked the secret?"
Kizaru nodded. "His name is Caesar Clown—formerly Caesar Courant. He used to work with Dr. Vegapunk in the illegal MADS research team before both were recruited by the government. Caesar is a brilliant scientist, second only to Vegapunk himself. But unlike Vegapunk, his methods are reckless and unethical."
Kizaru's expression darkened. "After you told me about the artificial Devil Fruits, I ordered my subordinates to investigate everyone here. They caught Caesar destroying incriminating evidence. I had them detain him, and Dr. Vegapunk is analyzing what he tried to destroy."
Luffy smirked. "Let's check him out, then. He's one of the reasons I got tangled with Kaido."
Under the guidance of Marine personnel, they soon reached the facility where Caesar was being held. To Luffy's surprise, Vegapunk himself was there, locked in an intense argument with the captive.
Caesar, handcuffed with seastone and flanked by two Marine officers, was being escorted to his lab to identify his misdeeds.
"You fool!" Vegapunk shouted, his massive head throbbing with visible veins. "I've told you countless times—the conditions for artificial Devil Fruits are not yet mature! Your shortcuts are dangerous and irresponsible!"
But Caesar sneered, undeterred by his mentor's anger. "Hah! That's just your incompetence, Vegapunk! Can't you see I've succeeded? Not only did I create artificial Devil Fruits, but I also made them mass-producible! I'm the true genius here, not some overrated lapdog of the government!"
Vegapunk's face contorted with fury, his normally composed demeanor shattered. Caesar, emboldened by his own words, laughed mockingly.
"You're finished, Vegapunk! I've surpassed you! The Five Elders will see my brilliance and reward me!" Caesar began to struggle against his escorts, his insults growing louder.
"Let me go, you bastards! When I'm recognized for my genius, I'll destroy all of you! Do you hear me?!"
At that moment, Luffy stepped into the room, his expression one of amused disbelief. Ignoring Kizaru, he marched straight toward Caesar and pointed a finger at him.
"Oi, since when do prisoners get to run their mouths like this? Why hasn't anyone shut him up yet? Give him a couple of slaps to teach him some manners."
The room fell silent as everyone turned to Luffy, then to Kizaru, who raised an eyebrow. After a moment, Kizaru smirked and nodded.
The two Marine officers, clearly fed up with Caesar's tirade, wasted no time. They stepped forward, each delivering a resounding slap. The sound echoed through the room, leaving Caesar stunned and speechless.
By the time the officers were done, Caesar's cheeks were swollen, and blood trickled from the corners of his mouth.
"You... you dare..." Caesar stammered, his bravado reduced to a pitiful whimper.
Ignoring Caesar's sputtering, Luffy turned to Vegapunk with a smile and extended his hand.
"Nice to meet you, Dr. Vegapunk. I'm Monkey D. Luffy."
Vegapunk hesitated, his sharp eyes narrowing at the mention of the name "Monkey." But after a moment, he shook Luffy's hand. "Monkey... D... Luffy. Yes, I've heard of you."
Before the conversation could continue, Caesar found his voice again, though it came out as a desperate yell.
"You... you'll regret this, Monkey D. Luffy! When I tell the Five Elders about this, you're dead! Do you hear me? Dead!"
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