Hancock was genuinely upset.
First, because she hadn't managed to catch up with Cyrus after all this time, which made her deeply anxious, and second, because of the gnawing uncertainty about the future.
After all, during her first meeting with Cyrus, she had actively attacked him because of Rayleigh.
In the past, Hancock wouldn't have given such a trivial matter a second thought, but now, it weighed heavily on her mind.
She didn't know how Cyrus would treat her.
So, when she heard Enel's complaining tone about Cyrus as he disembarked, the Empress immediately flared up.
Enel and Hancock locked eyes, and he could see the sheer anger in her gaze intensifying.
He pursed his lips and turned away.
'No point arguing with a woman.'
If this were back on Sky Island, Enel would have attacked already, but after being beaten in the clouds, he learned that there's always someone stronger.
Although his arrogant personality hadn't changed much in such a short time, he'd retained the habit of thinking before acting.
He couldn't predict what this woman's relationship with Cyrus would be in the future, and if they ended up getting close and he provoked her now, he'd likely face severe repercussions later.
As for Cyrus himself, Enel truly couldn't defeat him.
Originally, he thought that once he grew stronger, he could at least exchange a few blows with the President.
But after his battle with Hawkeye and witnessing the broadcasted events at Mary Geoise, he abandoned that foolish thought entirely.
If he could see the gap between them, he might still have the drive to catch up.
But now, he couldn't even perceive the gap—how could he even think of bridging it?
After turning these thoughts over in his mind, Enel simply ignored Hancock and looked up at the group waiting on the shore of Punk Hazard.
The person at the front was floating casually in mid-air.
"Caesar Clown?" Enel walked straight up to the scientist, looking up at him as he hovered above the ground, and spoke first.
"I am God Enel. Originally, I was supposed to escort those items and people back, but I received orders to go to Dressrosa first. However, the people behind me will transport the items back for you. You will return with the ship."
Enel's tone was purely commanding.
'God?' Caesar stared wide-eyed at Enel, dumbfounded by his self-proclaimed title.
Even Cyrus didn't call himself a god—at most, he was given the title 'Sun God' by people on the sea.
And here you are, a mere subordinate of his, calling yourself a god?
"You're the user of the Rumble-Rumble Fruit, right? Can you give me some of your blood?"
Though inwardly exasperated, Caesar paid no mind to Enel's tone and immediately focused on his scientific curiosity.
Enel instinctively took a step back, because right now, Caesar's eyes were like two glowing yellow lightbulbs, practically shining with intensity.
"What do you want to do?" Enel looked at Caesar with a guarded expression.
"Just a little, only a little. Whatever catches your eye here, feel free to take it in trade," Caesar offered, waving his hand as he spoke.
Hearing this, Enel instinctively glanced around his surroundings.
Due to the previous gas leak, the island had become completely desolate.
Although Caesar had later repaired some sections, the shoreline clearly hadn't received much attention, and all that met the eye now was barren wasteland.
"I must go to Dressrosa to find Lord Cyrus. Bring out the Log Pose!"
While these two were conversing, Hancock was clearly growing impatient.
If it weren't for needing the Log Pose to Dressrosa, she would have changed course midway and abandoned this stop entirely.
Upon hearing this, Caesar's gaze shifted to Hancock.
He swallowed hard, his eyes lighting up again. "Warlord Boa Hancock, user of the Love-Love Fruit—could you give me a bit of your blood too? You can ask for absolutely anything in return."
Caesar had no interest in the Pirate Empress's beauty, he only wanted to obtain blood samples from these two exceedingly rare Devil Fruit users before him.
His current technology could replicate the substances of Zoan Devil Fruits, though these Lineage Factors would mutate, making the Artificial Devil Fruits unpredictable.
This meant those who consumed them wouldn't necessarily know what ability they'd obtain, but he didn't want to let these two Logia and Paramecia subjects slip away.
Actually, he was far more interested in Cyrus's ability.
The Flame-Flame Fruit had appeared before, but it had never demonstrated power on Cyrus's world-breaking level.
When a user developed their ability sufficiently, the substance granting the power might also undergo physical changes within the blood.
But he didn't dare ask Cyrus for a sample of his blood.
"You scoundrel, did you not hear my words?"
Hearing his request, Hancock frowned, suddenly releasing her Conqueror's Haki.
The immense pressure made Caesar's already pale face turn even whiter.
"Ahem, yes, yes! I'll have someone bring it right away," Caesar stammered.
Seeing Hancock's genuine anger, he immediately relented.
The overwhelming pressure of the Haki vanished, and Caesar looked at Hancock with lingering fear.
'This woman—she'd resort to violence at the slightest disagreement, Aren't we supposed to be allies now?'
Caesar quickly sent someone to fetch the Log Pose, then turned his attention back to Enel.
This time, before Caesar could even speak, faint traces of electricity began crackling dangerously around Enel's body.
Judging by this defensive posture, if Caesar dared to ask again, Enel wouldn't hesitate to attack.
It seemed he wouldn't be getting what he wanted!
'What a pity—the Logia-type Rumble-Rumble Fruit and the Paramecia-type Love-Love Fruit are clearly powerful abilities.'
As Caesar watched Hancock turn to return to the Perfume Yuda, he felt deep regret.
He knew that when he'd parted ways with Vegapunk, that guy seemed to have already mastered the means to replicate Paramecia abilities, and he wondered if the technology had matured by now.
But Vegapunk had infinite World Government resources, meaning he had no need to worry about test subjects or equipment.
'Perhaps I could propose this to Cyrus too. If we truly master this technology, it could bring substantial profits,' Caesar pondered to himself.
Enel glanced back at Hancock returning to her ship, then looked at the vessel he'd arrived on.
Crocodile had sent five ships this time, but according to what Crocodile had said earlier, all these ships were needed to transport the children away from this island.
'Ride on that woman's ship?'
The thought crossed Enel's mind, but he immediately shook his head.
That woman wasn't easy to deal with!
"If you can give me a bit of your dna sample, I can have someone escort you there."
Caesar was very clever.
He had naturally noticed the tense atmosphere between Enel and Hancock when they disembarked earlier.
Seeing Enel's current stranded state, he immediately discerned the lightning-user's thoughts and made a direct, transactional proposal.
Enel glared at Caesar with clear displeasure.
After a long moment, Enel abruptly reached up and plucked a few strands of blonde hair from his head.
"Take it or leave it."
"I'll take it, of course!"
Like a magician, Caesar produced a sterile container from his person, carefully accepting the few golden curls Enel handed over and sealing them inside.
"I'll make arrangements right away. But are you heading to Dressrosa for some particular mission this time?" Caesar asked cheerfully while storing the hair securely.
Though he hadn't obtained blood samples, the hair might still yield valuable discoveries, as this was, after all, DNA from a Logia user.
"No idea. That Crocodile guy notified me halfway through the journey," Enel frowned, his tone dripping with exasperation.
Who knew what they wanted him for?
As long as he didn't get beaten up by Cyrus, anything else was negotiable.