"Yes, currently, only Zoan Devil Fruits can be created this way."
Hearing the question, Caesar thought Cyrus also wanted to acquire this technology, so he eagerly began to explain.
"Lineage Factor is something I... we previously found within the human body. Every person's Lineage Factor is unique. Among them, after a user eats a Zoan Devil Fruit, their Lineage Factor will physically change because of the fruit's influence."
At this point, Caesar paused to check Cyrus's expression, but seeing that the man had no intention of interrupting, he continued his lecture.
"This is a mysterious substance that is only born within the body of someone who has eaten a Zoan Devil Fruit. However, it cannot be created entirely from scratch."
"Wait, aren't you collaborating with Doflamingo to create artificial Devil Fruits? Are these all extracted from actual Devil Fruit Users?" Cyrus asked.
"That is the unknown substance. It's just that after being extracted, it can be artificially replicated, but the process requires a large number of test subjects."
When Caesar heard Cyrus ask about this, he answered honestly, knowing he couldn't hide anything from this monster.
"So those demi-humans are the result of this experiment?"
"Yes!"
Hearing Caesar's confirmation, Cyrus squinted as he sized up the floating gas man, causing Caesar to instantly tense up.
"Stop this research. I will send people to take those children away later."
"Yes!" Caesar breathed a massive sigh of relief upon hearing this.
Being smart, he understood that by giving this order, his life was safe—at least for now.
As for what happened later, it would probably depend entirely on this man's mood.
"Besides your connection with Doflamingo, you're also in contact with Big Mom?" Cyrus asked, setting the Devil Fruit down.
He wasn't very interested in this fruit himself, but it could definitely be used as a high-tier prize for a future Hunter Exam.
At the very least, he wouldn't leave it here for Momonosuke to eat it in a few years, as who knew what this island would become by the time Kozuki Toki's prophecy came to pass.
Thinking of this, Cyrus turned back to look at Caesar.
Sensing the heavy gaze, Caesar took a deep breath and forced a smile.
"You're right. Besides collaborating with Doflamingo, Big Mom's son, Katakuri, has also contacted me. Big Mom wants some giant family members, so she asked me to conduct some gigantification experiments."
That certainly sounded like Charlotte Linlin, the woman had a massive obsession with giants. Cyrus stroked his chin in thought and nodded lightly.
"I will be staying here for a while. Before that, stop the experiments. If Doflamingo or Big Mom's people ask, just tell them I'm here." Cyrus waved his hand dismissively.
"Understood, Cyrus-sama." Caesar immediately nodded.
Watching Caesar and his group of subordinates leave, Cyrus's gaze fell back on the Devil Fruit resting on the table.
What Caesar did was indeed heinous, but this guy—along with Vegapunk, Vinsmoke Judge, and even Stussy—were all exceedingly rare talents.
The world was simply like that. the intellect of these people was completely out of sync with the era they lived in.
'If used well, they could be of great use in the future,' Cyrus thought. 'Even if they aren't useful now, they will be eventually.'
Setting the matter aside, Cyrus called up his status panel.
The gains from this battle were not small, and the biggest gain naturally was another breakthrough in his constitution.
[Constitution: 201 (Undergoing continuous transformation due to certain influences)]
[Flame (Black Blade): ... (89%)]
His constitution had broken through, and the refinement progress of Flame into a Black Blade had also suddenly jumped by more than 20%.
'It is probably because after I swung that massive slash, I used Haki to solidify the blade just as it was about to dissipate.'
However, the blade had completely turned a dark red, and even without imbuing it with Armament Haki, the steel remained this color.
He raised his hand and drew the sword at his side.
On the blade's surface, a dark red luster rhythmically flickered between light and dark, showing that the sword had indeed undergone a tremendous change.
Although there were many Good Grade and Great Grade swords in the world, this one was, after all, one he had personally refined into a Black Blade.
'It will certainly be much more comfortable to use than a Black Blade refined by someone else.' Cyrus could sense that the sword could now withstand his power far better and could even amplify a portion of his physical strength, realizing this was probably what swordsmen meant by a weapon's true compatibility.
After sheathing the sword, Cyrus placed it on the table in front of him, a hint of contemplation flashing in his eyes.
The way things had unfolded at the Sabaody Archipelago had actually exceeded his own expectations.
The sheer killing intent had arisen after his clash with Kizaru and Akainu, and once it emerged, it grew stronger and stronger until it became irrepressible.
To some extent, he had been controlled by that killing intent at the time.
With a sharp blade in hand, a murderous heart naturally arises on its own.
However, as for the final result, Cyrus did not regret what he had done.
Besides, it wasn't without its gains, as at the very least, he had figured out a part of Imu's mysterious power.
'Imu's ability couldn't effectively counter pure Haki and physical strength, but its suppression of Devil Fruit abilities was immense.' Cyrus believed that when Imu blocked his ability-based attacks, the cost to the ruler must have been considerable as well.
Moreover, who knew what other trump cards a centuries-old monster like Imu still held in reserve.
Cyrus quietly contemplated the gains and losses of this incident.
This event was undeniably a good thing for the Hunter Guild, as the organization had now entered the sights of almost everyone in this world, meaning its development might be much smoother from now on.
He just didn't know about that fellow Crocodile...
Thinking of this, Cyrus took out a fresh Den Den Mushi and contacted the Warlord.
"President!" Crocodile answered quickly, speaking first.
"How's the situation?"
"We're being monitored, but they haven't taken any action against us," Crocodile replied.
"Is that so? Send a group of people to Punk Hazard to pick some things up."
"Huh? That World Government research facility?" Crocodile's tone was surprised.
"You know about it too?"
"Yes, I've heard some news about it before. President, are you at Punk Hazard now?"
"That's right. I'll be staying here for a while."
"The World Government is probably searching frantically for your whereabouts right now," Crocodile reminded him.
"You think I care about that?" Cyrus asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Alright, I'll arrange for people to go. However, the route to Fish-Man Island is currently blocked. Because of what you did to the Red Line, the debris that flew out has piled up on the seabed," Crocodile explained.
"Hmm? In that case, doesn't one have to go through Mary Geoise to get to the New World?" Cyrus was stunned, his tone strange.
"Well, that slash of yours created a brand new passage right through the Red Line," Crocodile said in a peculiar tone.