Meanwhile, inside Punk Hazard's laboratory, Caesar Clown worked meticulously on a new type of neurotoxin.
Outside, a striking woman with long green hair sipped red tea, her posture calm yet vigilant.
Her name was Monet, Caesar's secretary.
Whenever Caesar conducted experiments, she guarded the lab's entrance, ensuring no one disturbed him.
Unbeknownst to many, Monet had another identity: a spy.
She had been placed by Donquixote Doflamingo to monitor Caesar.
Caesar suspected this, but Monet's respectful demeanor kept him indifferent.
"Master! This is bad! Something's happened!" one of Caesar's subordinates suddenly shouted from outside.
Monet's brows furrowed.
She set her teacup down and opened the door.
The subordinates greeted her with visible anxiety.
"Miss Monet…"
"Master is experimenting. No one may enter," Monet said sharply, cutting them off.
They hesitated, then spoke, urgency in their voices.
"Miss Monet… it's serious. The Phoenix Pirates, led by Captain Marco, have landed on Punk Hazard. They've captured dozens of our people and are advancing toward the laboratory."
"Phoenix Pirates?" Monet's voice betrayed a flicker of panic.
The Phoenix Pirates had become a force to be reckoned with.
After inheriting Whitebeard's legacy, Marco had quickly restored the crew to Four Emperors status.
They had defeated the Wang Zhi Pirates on Beehive Island and expanded their territory.
Marco's bounty now exceeded three billion Berries, and even Big Mom had fallen to him.
Monet's gaze hardened.
"How did Marco appear here? Did you see him clearly? What about their numbers?"
The subordinates confirmed with certainty.
"It's definitely the Phoenix Pirates. We saw Captain Marco, First Division acting commander Sak, Second Division Commander Fire Fist Ace, Captain Karma of an affiliated crew, and the Heart Pirates' Captain Trafalgar Law. There are probably over a thousand of them."
Monet's composure faltered slightly.
This situation was beyond her control.
A Four Emperors force on Punk Hazard could not have come for a casual visit—they were here for Caesar.
Monet did not know how the information had leaked, but she was certain Caesar was the target.
"I understand," she said decisively.
"Seal all laboratory doors. Guard the main entrance. Do not let them enter under any circumstances."
Although she knew the laboratory doors and her subordinates could only delay the Phoenix Pirates briefly, even a little extra time might allow Caesar to transfer sensitive materials and report to the Young Master.
"Yes, Miss Monet!"
Once her subordinates left, Monet closed the door, then produced a transponder snail.
She quickly dialed.
The call connected.
A playful voice responded.
"Oh, Monet! Is this about that guy, Caesar?"
"No, it's not Caesar," Monet replied urgently.
"It's the Phoenix Pirates. Captain Marco, along with Sak, Fire Fist Ace, and Trafalgar Law, has just arrived on Punk Hazard."
On the other end, Doflamingo's calm demeanor vanished.
He knew Marco's recent actions and understood the danger of being targeted by a Four Emperors crew.
Hearing Law's name confirmed his suspicion: Law and Marco must have struck some deal.
Otherwise, Marco would have had no reason to come—he had always kept his distance.
Suddenly appearing on Punk Hazard, the Phoenix Pirates' goal was almost certainly Caesar, though Doflamingo did not yet know why.
"Are you sure it's Marco and his crew?" he demanded.
Monet confirmed solemnly.
"Yes, Captain Marco himself. Should we retreat?"
Doflamingo's veins throbbed with tension.
Marco's strength had already defeated Big Mom; in a direct fight, Doflamingo would stand little chance.
Yet he could not appeal to Kaido for help—if Kaido discovered Caesar's location, he would likely seize him, leaving Doflamingo powerless.
Doflamingo relied on his position as a Shichibukai and his underworld dealings with the Beasts Pirates to survive in the New World.
With Vergo gone to Kaido's crew, he had no Marine ally capable of helping him.
Attempting to alert the Marines would risk Caesar being captured directly, exposing his illegal experiments.
For a moment, Doflamingo realized he had few viable options.
Law's possible conspiracy against him troubled him, though the full picture remained unclear.
"I need to act," he muttered, tension etched on his face.
"Prepare for evacuation. I'm heading to Punk Hazard immediately. If it fails, we retreat to Dressrosa."
"Understood, Young Master," Monet replied respectfully.
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