"There's no use getting angry now. Let's first reassure the member nations," said Saint Peter, the God of Agriculture.
"The CP0 infiltration plan is almost complete. We need to quickly stir up chaos among the New World pirates and let them destroy each other! This world doesn't need so many pirates. It's best if most of the Rocks remnants perish."
"Let's get started. We can't delay any longer. If those member nations cause trouble, our share of the Heavenly Tribute will be reduced again," said Saint Nasujuro, the God of Finance, reluctantly.
Their seemingly foolproof plan had failed, and they hadn't captured a great pirate to appease the member nations. Now they had to compensate for the loss in other ways.
Roger Pirates:
"Wow, Li Yuan and the Golden Lion are really something, taking down seven member nations at once. Aren't they afraid of the World Government retaliating?" Roger, drunk at a banquet, read the newspaper.
"Both the World Government and the Navy are licking their wounds now. After losing a top-tier force, they can't re-enter the New World anytime soon," analyzed Rayleigh.
"If the Navy targets a pirate crew, other crews will likely band together against them. So, the Navy can't intervene in the New World now. Even if member nations fall, they sent top-tier forces and still got beaten back, losing a top-tier force in the process."
"Indeed, the New World is a chaotic dance of demons, much more interesting than when Rocks ruled," Roger laughed, taking another swig.
Back when Rocks was alive, the Roger Pirates had to leave the New World. Now, with Rocks dead, they roamed freely, unchallenged, as the top pirate crew in the New World!
"Yes, the New World is truly great now," Rayleigh agreed, feeling nostalgic.
With so many powerful pirate crews, even the Navy dared not enter the New World lightly. Rocks, who once forced them out, was gone. Garp, who chased them across the world, no longer dared to pursue them into the New World. They now enjoyed the freedom of the seas, a delightful feeling.
Whitebeard Pirates:
"Damn it, the Golden Lion and those seven pirate crews attacked the member nations without inviting us. They're clearly looking down on the Whitebeard Pirates!" Unlike other pirates' joy, Vista and others in the Whitebeard Pirates were unhappy.
So many great pirates united but didn't invite them, which felt like an insult. Moreover, those were World Government member nations. Capturing one would have brought them immense treasure!
"Yes, they clearly underestimate us. We must make them pay for looking down on the Whitebeard Pirates!" Marco declared, eager to prove their might to other crews.
"Gurararara, kids, haven't I told you? Once we've secured our territory, we'll capture more," Whitebeard laughed, though concern was evident in his eyes.
Future battles were inevitable. He hoped his children would survive them with minimal losses.
"Got it, Pops! We'll show those pirates that the Whitebeard Pirates are the strongest!" Jozu exclaimed excitedly.
Infinity Pirates:
Upon returning, Li Yuan found that the Hasmu Kingdom's unrest had been quelled, and the Infinity Pirates had taken control.
Lazuli had sent administrators to govern Hasmu Kingdom, integrating it into the Infinity Pirates' domain.
Li Yuan first visited a room where Lazuli was treating two twelve-year-old children.
"How are they?" Li Yuan asked, gently wiping sweat from Lazuli's forehead after she finished treating them.
"Their condition is cured. A couple of days' rest, and they'll be fully recovered," Lazuli blushed at Li Yuan's gentle gesture, glancing at the sleeping Kobe and Kaya with relief.
She'd have been embarrassed if the children had seen them.
"Thank you, Lazuli. I'll reward you tonight," Li Yuan whispered, pulling Lazuli into his arms.
"Stop, there are people outside," Lazuli blushed, stopping Li Yuan from going further.
"Alright, let them in," Li Yuan agreed, remembering they weren't in their bedroom.
"Kobe, Kaya!!" Howard, the children's father, rushed in, followed by Ashura Doji and others.
"Kobe and Kaya are cured. Two days of rest will see them fully recover," Li Yuan informed.
"Thank you, Captain!!" Howard hesitated but then called Li Yuan "Captain," signifying his willingness to join the Infinity Pirates.
"Howard, your strength is impressive. As Captain of the Infinity Pirates, I welcome you aboard!"
"Your children will also enjoy the Infinity Pirates' exclusive medicinal baths."
"The baths will enhance their physique from a young age, boosting their future potential," Li Yuan assured, patting Howard's shoulder.
Howard's strength was just a notch below Ashura Doji's.
The Impact Fruit held great potential, and Howard, still in his prime, could grow stronger.
Howard's addition marked a significant boost in the Infinity Pirates' strength.
"Thank you, Captain!!" Howard was grateful, knowing that the baths, usually reserved for captains and officers, would benefit his children greatly.
As a responsible father, he wanted his children to have strong potential.
"Hahaha, to celebrate capturing Hasmu Kingdom and Howard's joining, let's have a banquet!" Li Yuan laughed.
"Hahaha, welcome to the Infinity Pirates, Howard. Let's spar sometime," Ashura Doji said, drinking with Howard.
"Sure, I'm not satisfied with my last defeat," Howard replied, quickly bonding with the crew.
Li Yuan drank heavily and returned to his room slightly tipsy.
Once inside, the sight before him cleared his mind completely.
Lazuli, with her short golden hair, looked both elegant and charming, her cheeks flushed adorably.
Her blue blouse couldn't contain her ample chest, the zipper barely holding, almost exposing her figure.
Li Yuan was captivated by her long, flawless legs, eager to...
Seeing Li Yuan staring, Lazuli felt pleased, having carefully chosen her outfit.
"Husband..." Lazuli called softly, breaking the silence.
She only used "husband" in private, a term reserved for their intimate moments.
"My dear..." Li Yuan snapped back to reality, always amazed by Lazuli's beauty despite their long marriage.
"It's late..." Lazuli led Li Yuan to the bed, deftly undoing his clothes.
The next morning, Li Yuan awoke to find Lazuli still asleep beside him, smiling at her.
Though Lazuli appeared gentle, she had been intense last night, demanding satisfaction five times before resting.
It was past nine, and she showed no signs of waking.
Li Yuan kissed her cheek, then quietly got up to wash and eat breakfast.
"Daddy, why are you up so late? Mommy says lazy people who sleep in don't get to eat good food," his four-year-old daughter Akame said, blinking her big eyes.
"Hahaha, Akame, Mommy's right, but that's for kids like you."
"Daddy's not a kid, so it doesn't apply to grown-ups. You'll understand when you're older," Li Yuan laughed, lifting Akame onto his lap.
"Have you had breakfast, Akame?" he asked.
"I have, but I want more," Akame said, eyeing the food, drooling.
She'd been drawn by the smell of food.
"Here, eat as much as you want," Li Yuan handed her a pastry.
"Mmm!!!" Akame grabbed it eagerly, stuffing her mouth adorably.
"Don't rush, there's plenty," Li Yuan said, pouring her a drink to avoid choking.
Though quiet and ladylike, Akame was a foodie, always eager to eat.
Most kids would be chubby from such eating, but Akame inherited Li Yuan's metabolism, quickly converting food into energy.
It's a form of Life Return, but only for digestion.
So, no matter how much she ate, she stayed slim, with just a hint of baby fat.
All Li Yuan's children shared this robust constitution.
"Let's see what Devil Fruits we have!" Li Yuan eagerly examined the Devil Fruits from Hasmu Kingdom, comparing them to the guide.
"Paramecia-Type Banana Fruit!"
"Paramecia-Type Plasma Fruit!"
"Paramecia-Type Button Fruit!"
"Zoan-Type Mouse-Mouse Fruit - Sick Mouse Form!"
"Zoan-Type Sheep-Sheep Fruit - Goat Form!"
"Zoan-Type Horse-Horse Fruit - Red Horse Form!"
"Paramecia-Type Plasma Fruit, this one's quite promising. I'll hold onto it."
While not overjoyed, Li Yuan was satisfied.
The Infinity Pirates had few talented members, but Li Yuan matched those with potential to suitable Devil Fruits.
His issue now was possessing potent Devil Fruits without suitable users.
"In a few years, once Barrett and Ashura Doji mature, the Infinity Pirates can expand again."
"In ten years, when Esdeath and the others grow, the Infinity Pirates will reach unprecedented heights!"
Li Yuan looked forward to his children's growth, confident in their education.
He'd ensure they wouldn't stray like Garp's did.
After breakfast, Li Yuan summoned all captains and officers to Onigashima, their training ground.
"Let's see your progress!" Li Yuan faced Ashura Doji, Barrett, and others.
He held these evaluations every six months to spur their growth.
"Captain, let me go first!" Howard volunteered, eager to test Li Yuan's strength.
"Come, attack with all your might!" Li Yuan smiled calmly.
"Explosive Impact Fist!!"
Howard charged, propelled by impact force, punching a massive white shockwave at Li Yuan.
"Bang!!!"
Li Yuan caught Howard's fist, letting the shockwave hit him.
"What!!!"
Howard was shocked, his fist caught, Li Yuan unmoved.
His impact could make Ashura Doji cough blood, yet Li Yuan seemed unscathed.
"Your impact's too dispersed, not concentrated!"
"Your techniques are weak, failing to maximize the Impact Fruit's power."
"Your body's too weak to endure stronger recoil."
Li Yuan kicked Howard, sending him flying, pointing out his flaws for improvement.
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