In terms of physique, Caesar and Yamato's heights didn't quite match.
Fortunately, as his physical strength grew, Caesar naturally mastered the Six Powers he had previously learned, finding it far easier than Haki, which was significantly more challenging.
As a result, Caesar also received the achievement reward for mastering the Six Powers—Life Return!
This ability was quite intriguing. Its principle involved focusing one's attention and channeling consciousness into specific body parts, thereby achieving free control over bodily organs.
While it didn't enhance combat power as much as Haki, its practicality was by no means inferior.
First was rapid absorption, the most frequently seen and practical ability in the original work, often appearing after Luffy's meals to aid digestion.
At its core, it enhanced digestive capabilities, quickly replenishing energy for the body's cells. This process didn't produce any side effects; on the contrary, it could convert food into life force.
Caesar had already confirmed this. The nutrients absorbed through Life Return produced effects identical to his previous experiences of absorbing life force, though the results were less pronounced.
In other words, this was a skill that allowed even ordinary people to replenish their life force to some extent!
Next was complete control over the body, as if every cell could be manipulated with ease, allowing for free alteration of physical features.
Kaku of CP9 used this ability to control his hair in combat. Similarly, nails could be manipulated, and if one didn't mind the gross factor, even hair from other parts of the body could be utilized.
Rob Lucci, also of CP9, used this technique to alter his overall body shape, shrinking his Beast Form height to that of an ordinary person, thereby increasing his speed and conserving stamina.
When this ability manifested in Caesar, who already possessed the immense stamina of a Zoan user and could absorb life force, the synergy was taken to the extreme!
Caesar stood at 190 cm tall, which naturally paled in comparison to those freaks who were three, four, five, or even six meters tall. However, he was still a few centimeters taller than Zoro and Sanji.
Normally, the limit for body alteration through Life Return was around 30 cm. But with the boost from life force, Caesar could more than double that figure, bringing his height to roughly the same as Yamato's.
However, Caesar had no interest in altering his overall physique. After all, Life Return wasn't limited to full-body changes; individual parts could also be adjusted.
So, in his view, 190 cm was just right—strong and upright, yet perfectly proportioned.
Caesar's ultimate goal was to become the sole emperor of the seas, and an emperor naturally needed to carry himself with the appropriate demeanor.
People should admire his vigor, nobility, elegance, and charisma, not some muscle-bound fool, skr~
In short, there was no need to worry about the harmony between Caesar and Yamato's lifestyles.
The core ability of the Vampire Fruit was the control over blood and life force. Even without Life Return, he could manipulate life force to directly stimulate or inhibit cell division and growth, thereby achieving changes in body size.
It's worth noting that while the Light Vampire Fruit was a branch of the Human-Human Fruit, it was an upgrade from the Bat Fruit, so its original abilities weren't erased.
For example, in his transformed state, his eyes could see the life force within people's bodies like thermal imaging, and he also possessed hypnotic abilities.
(Bat vision isn't poor; large bats generally have good eyesight, and some species can even detect red and ultraviolet light. Even small bats with degraded vision possess basic light-sensing abilities, allowing them to distinguish the shapes of objects. No offense intended.)
Their sense of smell is even more acute. Not only can their ears hear ultra-high-frequency sounds, but their throats can also emit ultrasound, enabling them to precisely locate their surroundings based on echoes.
Their canine teeth transform into sharp fangs, which carry paralysis toxins, also granting Caesar a certain level of poison resistance.
Caesar estimates that Magellan's Venom-Venom Fruit would definitely be too much to handle, but Reiju's level might be worth challenging...
In addition to bat abilities, Caesar also possesses the power to create darkness.
Unlike the Dark-Dark Fruit, what Caesar creates is a dark environment, not a black hole.
This is purely an auxiliary ability, combined with the Blood Mist that blocks Observation Haki, specifically designed to create a home-field advantage.
Overall, the fruit's abilities don't show significant differences from before the upgrade. If it's just about enhancing power and changing appearances, it can't really be called an upgraded version.
However, the Light-Light Fruit has two advantages. First, it doesn't possess self-awareness. As long as one continues to develop their abilities and physique, it will naturally awaken at a certain stage.
As previously mentioned, Devil Fruits have their own will and can even choose their hosts intentionally, influencing the host's will upon awakening.
For Zoan-type users, this influence is even more dangerous. If not careful, the demonic will residing in the fruit can take over the body, turning the user into a mindless beast, much like the Jailer Beasts of Impel Down.
The upgraded fruit, however, doesn't carry this risk, and its power is fully integrated with Caesar. Even if he dies, it won't separate from him.
In other words, Caesar is now less of a Vampire ability user and more of a Vampire himself!
The second advantage is that since the fruit lacks a demonic will, it won't cause conflicts with other demonic consciousnesses, allowing Caesar to consume another Devil Fruit.
However, this ability has limitations. Due to conflicts in Lineage Factors, the second fruit can't be of the same type and must be chosen between Paramecia and Logia types.
Similarly, if the second fruit is also a Light-Light Fruit, he could consume a third fruit. But even if all are Light-Light Fruits, he can only consume up to three.
Three fruits, three types of abilities...
Honestly, Caesar doesn't hold much expectation for this.
For him, Devil Fruits aren't expensive.
Just 100 million Berries...
Not just him, even a small-town wealthy person like Kaya could easily afford it.
Taking the original story as a reference, a light sailboat of the Merry's specifications, depending on the materials used, generally costs between 20 to 30 million Berries. And the Merry was initially just a hobby project of the butler, Merry!
The seas are full of wealthy people, but Devil Fruits are genuinely scarce!
Not only are they scarce, but every time one appears, it sparks a scramble among various factions, truly a case of too many wolves and too few sheep.
Doflamingo, the biggest broker in the underworld, has a bunch of misfit abilities under his command.
Kaidou, as one of the Four Emperors, can't even muster ten Zoan-type users among his subordinates.
Moreover, the World Government is also reclaiming those powerful Devil Fruits, and the Navy is like wild dogs, not picky at all.
In this world, aside from a few lucky individuals, most Devil Fruit users are key figures within various factions.
After so many years since the rise of the Pirate King, there are only a little over a hundred Devil Fruit users in total. When you consider the vastness of the seas, this number is practically legendary.
Want to buy one?
You'd need the right connections for that…
Those who have attended auctions know that when an extremely rare item appears and is heavily promoted before the auction, it's likely reserved for specific individuals.
As for everyone else, they're just there to set the atmosphere.
People of status attend auctions to network, exchange resources, and collaborate. That's the usual goal for wealthy merchants.
If someone were to openly bid for a Devil Fruit, pirates would immediately catch wind of it and come chasing.
Take Ulti's father, for example. Once one of the Three Disasters and a future Warlord of the Sea defeated by Ace, Hanafusa is now roaming the world with a sword, helping Kaidou collect Zoan-type Devil Fruits.
It's fortunate that the Vampire Fruit exists in this world and that Redfield is still locked up in Impel Down, allowing Caesar to snatch it.
But finding other Devil Fruits? That's a matter of luck.
Fortunately, Caesar no longer needs to worry about safety and can openly throw money around.
While Mythical Zoan types of the Logia category are hard to come by, he should be able to gather a few ordinary Devil Fruits.
As for choosing a second Devil Fruit, Caesar hasn't set his sights on anything yet.
Among the Logia types, he favors the Glint-Glint Fruit and the Rumble-Rumble Fruit, but both are already claimed, with one belonging to a Marine Admiral.
The most suitable for him would be the Dark-Dark Fruit. If he could obtain it, he'd never lack Devil Fruits again, allowing him to rapidly expand his influence.
If he could even upgrade to a second masterpiece, he'd be free to choose a third Devil Fruit.
Of course, this is just an ideal scenario.
The Collection System's abilities aren't particularly strong. Due to storage limitations, the infinite replication feature is largely watered down, with its main value lying in resource and achievement rewards.
In the past, Caesar's achievement rewards were mostly talents and skills, rarely special items—quite stingy.
When he collected Nico Robin, he wondered if collecting a Devil Fruit user would yield any rewards.
But it didn't…
This woman, the Flower-Flower Fruit user who could influence the world's fate, didn't even cause a ripple in the system.
And the first Devil Fruit he collected, despite being a Mythical Zoan, didn't grant him any additional rewards or even unlock related achievements.
So, it seems the masterpiece upgrade used on the Vampire Fruit might be the only one.
"Why is it that others can just sign in, clock in, and get stronger, while I'm stuck like this…"
A soft sigh echoed in the quiet tatami room. Caesar absentmindedly stroked Yamato's long, powerful leg draped over his stomach while gently playing with the pair of "big thunder" he couldn't get enough of.
The girl in his arms slept soundly, a sweet smile on her face.
"Caesar~"
"Hmm?"
"I like you~"
The girl murmured unconsciously, giggling softly as she nuzzled against Caesar's shoulder.
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Then Caesar's face got a little poke from the demon horn...
"I'm really afraid that one day you'll headbutt me and poke my eyeball out..."
Looking at the delicate sleeping face, a hint of tenderness flashed in Caesar's eyes.
Meat delivered to his mouth, Caesar naturally had no reason not to eat it.
It had been a full day since the previous kissing scene, and in that day, everything that should and shouldn't have happened had already happened.
What surprised Caesar was that this usually carefree girl was unexpectedly shy in this aspect. That subtle contrast drove Caesar nearly insane, almost making him use the backup hidden energy he had plundered from the Oniwabanshu.
How should I put it...
Very smooth!
These big horns that like to poke people also have endless wonderful uses during certain specific times!
Glancing at the bright sky outside the window, Caesar gently patted Yamato.
"Time to get up, General."
Caesar teased, "It's time to handle political affairs."
"Mmm... Good morning, Caesar."
Yamato yawned and opened her eyes, seeing their naked bodies, she suddenly chuckled and burrowed into the blanket.
"Huh? What are you doing?"
"Maria said couples greet each other like this in the morning."
"Don't listen to that woman's nonsense, you idiot..."
Caesar pulled Yamato out of the blanket by her horns: "Hurry up and wash up, we're going to be busy these days!"
The troubles of Wano Country are not just about the people going hungry. That fool Kurozumi Orochi knows nothing but exploitation. To transform Wano Country, we must first rebuild the already paralyzed order.
After washing up, the two left the room, and Caesar called over Maria, Queen, and the others.
"Yo, you two look great."
Seeing them, Maria gave a meaningful smile, while Yamato chuckled and lowered her head, looking adorably shy.
"So, General, what's the matter you called us for?"
"There are some things to arrange."
Caesar looked at Ulti and Page One, the siblings: "Wano Country has been suffering from famine for a long time, breeding many ronin and criminals. I need you to maintain order in various regions during this time."
"Maintaining order, again with the order..."
Ulti pouted: "We're pirates, not marines, you jerk!"
"To what extent should we go?"
Page One was a bit smarter than Ulti: "Should we consider the people's reactions?"
"Oh? Didn't expect you to have a talent for this!"
Caesar looked at Page One in surprise: "Don't think too much about it. In troubled times, use harsh laws. Just kill all those causing trouble, but don't harm the people. Prioritize their safety."
"Prioritize safety?"
Ulti seemed to hear something incomprehensible: "You really are a marine, aren't you? Right! You know the Six Powers! Who's-Who used to be a CP agent!"
"It's different."
Caesar smiled slightly: "He knows the Six Powers because he's a dog of the Celestial Dragons. I know the Six Powers because I have money!"
"Tch! What's so great about that..."
"What? You want to go restore the land with Queen?"
"I deeply apologize for accidentally offending Lord Caesar!" Ulti shouted in humiliation.
"Your jokes seem to be full of disdain for me, huh!"
Queen's face darkened as he pointed at Caesar: "The land restoration work will take at most another month. Don't think about ordering me around anymore, you brat!"
Caesar nodded, "Alright, but before that, could you trouble yourself to research a drug that accelerates crop growth?"
"Huh?"
Queen's face darkened even more, "Didn't I already tell you? I'm only responsible for land restoration work, damn it!"
"My apologies then…"
Caesar sighed lightly, then continued in a wistful tone, "Indeed, I might be asking too much. After all, not every scientist is Vegapunk. For a genius like him, such a task would probably be a trivial matter, wouldn't it?"
"Heh heh heh…"
A visible vein popped out on Queen's forehead, "You just wait, you bastard!"
With that, his massive, mountain-like body abruptly stood up and he stormed out of the castle, heading straight for the laboratory on Oni Island…