NOVEL NEXT Chapter 300: Chapter 300: Roger, I Will Care for Your Wife and Child
"You must be aware of Roger's situation. His last words have thrown the world into chaos."
"The Navy and World Government are hunting down everyone associated with Roger. As his wife, carrying his child, you'll inevitably be pursued by them!"
"If I could find you here, the Navy and World Government surely can too."
"So, for your safety and the safety of your child, come with me. I'll ensure you deliver your baby safely and find you a stable job so you can raise the child."
Li Yuan's Observation Haki allowed no one to lie to him, so he confirmed that the child Rouge carried was indeed Roger's.
"Are you really Roger's friend?" Rouge realized she couldn't hide the truth from Li Yuan, who seemed so sure.
Moreover, as a vulnerable pregnant woman, she had no power to refuse. If Li Yuan had found her, he wouldn't leave her be. For her and her child's sake, she had no choice but to follow him.
"Yes, we're friends. Otherwise, I wouldn't be here. I came because I heard the Navy and World Government were searching for you. If I hadn't, this island and the surrounding ones would soon be surrounded by them," Li Yuan assured.
In truth, his relationship with Roger wasn't deep—more like drinking buddies who had fought together. But even such a friendship justified his actions.
"Give me a moment to gather my things, and I'll go with you," Rouge said, accepting her situation wisely.
"Are you planning to adopt Roger's child?" Shakky asked curiously.
"Yes, the child carries Roger's bloodline and likely has great potential. When he grows up, he could become a strong officer in our Infinite Pirates," Li Yuan nodded.
Without his intervention, Rouge would likely perish. By taking her in, Ace would naturally join the Infinite Pirates instead of becoming Whitebeard's son.
With Rouge's guidance, Ace's psychological issues could be properly addressed.
Li Yuan mused about telling Roger at his grave: "I will care for your wife and child."
"That makes sense," Shakky agreed. Roger's child would undoubtedly have significant talent.
"I'm ready!" Rouge returned with two small bags after a few minutes.
"Give them to me, and let's go," Li Yuan said, storing Rouge's bags in his Castle Bracelet and leading her off the island.
After using his sound wave hypnosis to put Rouge to sleep, Li Yuan returned to the Infinite Sea through Shakky's Mirror World.
"Yadina, this is Roger's wife, carrying his child. Find her a place to live in Wano Country and ensure her protection," Li Yuan instructed Yadina upon returning.
"Roger's wife and child?" Yadina was surprised that Li Yuan had brought them back so soon after Roger's death.
Knowing Li Yuan's lack of interest in romantic exploits, she was reassured that he had no ulterior motives.
Had Li Yuan used mind-reading, he would have assured Yadina that he wasn't a villain but a virtuous man with a sense of purity, uninterested in married women.
Once Soros had recovered and acclimated to his new body, he began working in the lab Li Yuan had prepared for him, equipped with all the necessary facilities.
At the lab's center was a nutrient chamber containing the cloned Stussy, a result of Vegapunk's research.
"Captain, I've examined this clone. She hasn't awakened and holds no memories, only some pre-installed knowledge."
"This clone can develop human emotions, making her essentially human in that regard," Soros reported excitedly.
"If she's activated now, can you ensure she won't betray me or the Infinite Pirates?" Li Yuan asked.
"Captain, with human emotions, she can be nurtured to be loyal to us, provided she's treated well. The chance of betrayal is minimal," Soros assured.
As a human, betrayal was always a possibility, but Soros believed in nurturing loyalty.
"Will she retain memories from before awakening?" Li Yuan inquired, concerned about the clone's potential knowledge of Vegapunk's fate.
"Captain, don't worry. Before awakening, she has no memories, like an unborn child," Soros explained.
"Then let's activate her and wake her up," Li Yuan decided.
"Shakky, she's in your hands for nurturing," Li Yuan entrusted Stussy to Shakky, knowing her expertise in intelligence work.
"Don't worry, my husband. I'll take good care of her," Shakky promised with a smile.
After Soros activated the nutrient chamber, Stussy opened her eyes, filled with human-like confusion.
Li Yuan and the others watched silently. After a few minutes, Stussy seemed to sort through her thoughts, her eyes clearing.
"Am I the clone Stussy?" she asked curiously.
"Stussy was the name of your sample. To distinguish between you and the original, you'll be called Stussia," Li Yuan said.
"Stussia, I'm Stussia, not Stussy. My name is Stussia," she murmured.
"Stussia, welcome to life. I'm your sister, Shakky, pleased to meet you," Shakky introduced herself, leading Stussia out of the chamber.
"Sister Shakky," Stussia said, feeling a natural affinity for those she first saw upon waking.
"Come, I'll show you the outside world," Shakky smiled, taking Stussia to explore.
"Soros, here are Vegapunk's past experiments and the Life Design blueprint. Study them, and I'll assign you tasks later," Li Yuan handed Soros the gathered materials.
"Yes, Captain!" Soros was captivated by the documents, especially the Life Design, marveling at its innovative concepts.
Leaving Soros's lab, Li Yuan visited Yumaz's lab.
However, Yumaz was absent when Li Yuan arrived. After a while, Yumaz entered excitedly.
"Captain, I've succeeded!" Yumaz exclaimed, rushing to Li Yuan, who had to hold him back to avoid being overwhelmed.
"Explain from there!" Li Yuan said, suppressing the urge to reprimand Yumaz.
"Captain, I've finally fused the mineral capable of crafting a Supreme Grade Sword into the Seven-Star Sword after six months of continuous work," Yumaz reported, handing the sheathed sword to Li Yuan.
"Oh? The fusion was successful?" Li Yuan unsheathed the Seven-Star Sword, revealing its blood-red glow and intense aura.
"Clang!" Li Yuan tapped the blade, producing a deep, clear resonance, as if the sword sang with joy.
"The original green glow is now blood-red, the entire sword a dark red. The blade is wider by a finger, the length increased by twenty centimeters, and the weight by one hundred fifty pounds. The edge is sharper, the blade harder, and the flow of Haki smoother!"
"The Seven-Star Sword is now the strongest among the Supreme Grade Swords!" Li Yuan appraised, satisfied with the enhancements.
Originally on par with a Supreme Grade Sword, the Seven-Star Sword now surpassed all others in its class but hadn't transcended the category entirely.
"Captain, as the world's greatest swordsman, your sword must be the strongest!" Yumaz praised.
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