After working so hard for so long, it was time to relax a bit.
And along the way, he could also see just how much the Straw Hat crew would grow over the next two years…
If he crushed them too early, wouldn't that be boring?
Besides, he couldn't just idle away those two years either.
If that "other world" really existed, it would make for a perfect vacation spot.
That night
Amazon Lily held a lively banquet.
After all, what's the pirate world without a feast?
During the celebration—
Hancock leaned against Leno, tilting up her breathtakingly beautiful face.
Her eyes were filled with curiosity as she asked softly:
"Lord Leno… may I ask… what kind of deal did you make with Vice Admiral Tsuru?"
She wanted to know everything about him.
After all—
Both her body and heart already belonged to Leno~
It wasn't just her.
The others were equally curious.
Leno had no intention of hiding anything.
There was no need.
Besides, he would be taking them there sooner or later anyway.
Looking at their faces, his gaze finally settled on Hancock.
He asked directly:
"Hancock, does the Navy… have your lineage factor?"
"Lineage factor?" Hancock blinked in confusion.
After thinking for a moment, she nodded.
"Yes. The Navy does have a sample of my lineage factor."
"Not just mine—every one of the Seven Warlords has theirs taken as well."
She looked at Leno, puzzled.
"Why do you ask? Does this have something to do with your deal with Tsuru?"
She didn't believe cloning technology could truly replicate a Warlord.
And the others thought the same.
If lineage factors were that easy to clone—
This wouldn't be the pirate world anymore.
It would be a world of clones.
You'd just mass-produce top-tier fighters and steamroll everything.
As for how samples were obtained—
Battles involved blood, didn't they?
So most strong individuals didn't really care if their lineage factor leaked.
Leno spoke calmly.
But what he said was anything but ordinary.
"It's nothing much."
"The Navy—or rather, the World Government—is using the Warlords' lineage factors to create a new type of Pacifista."
He paused briefly before continuing.
"And if I'm not mistaken… Vegapunk can even replicate Devil Fruit abilities."
That revelation hit like a bomb.
Cloning Warlords alone was already shocking.
But cloning Devil Fruit abilities too?
That was on an entirely different level.
Everyone's expressions changed instantly.
"Creating Pacifistas is one thing…" Domino frowned.
"But cloning Devil Fruit abilities too?"
"Vegapunk… truly deserves his title as the greatest mind in the world."
Perona's mouth dropped open.
"S-so amazing… but also terrifying!"
Bonney's face darkened the moment Pacifistas were mentioned.
Little Elicia couldn't even imagine a cloned version of herself.
Hancock went from confusion—
To shock—
To outright anger.
She was the most beautiful woman in the world.
And someone dared to clone her without permission?!
Unforgivable!
Robin quickly grasped Leno's intention.
"You didn't bring this up for no reason, did you?"
Leno nodded.
"I got Vegapunk's current laboratory location from Tsuru."
"After some time, I plan to pay it a 'visit.'"
A faint smile curved his lips.
"And if those new Pacifistas are already completed…"
"I'll just take them."
No guilt whatsoever.
After all—
Since he'd already "claimed" Hancock…
He naturally had to make sure the Seraphim version of her belonged to him too.
He had no interest in getting NTR'd.
"Exactly!" Hancock gritted her teeth in agreement.
Just the thought of another "her" obeying the World Government made her sick.
"My clone must never serve those disgusting men or the World Government!"
Even if—
Even if it had to serve someone—
It could only be Lord Leno.
(That last part she muttered quietly in her heart.)
Elicia suddenly pushed up her glasses, eyes lighting up.
"Ah! I get it now!"
"No wonder you insisted we capture Kujaku!"
"It's to make sure Tsuru doesn't set traps or interfere, right?"
Leno ruffled her hair with a smile.
"Smart."
"With Kujaku in hand, Tsuru has no choice but to cooperate."
A cold glint flashed in his eyes.
"Unless she wants to watch her only granddaughter die in my hands."
Kalifa, however, looked puzzled.
"Captain, even if they're Warlord clones… are they really worth all this effort?"
No matter how strong—
They couldn't compare to Leno.
To her, the Warlords weren't impressive anymore.
After all, they were all defeated by him.
Naturally, she had begun to look down on that title.
Hancock shot her an annoyed glare—
But Kalifa ignored her, still focused on Leno.
Leno chuckled.
"They're worth it. Very much so."
Not just for personal reasons—
They would also make excellent combat assets.
"Because what's being cloned isn't just the Warlords' abilities and appearances…"
"But also the lineage factor of the Lunarian race."
"WHAT?!" Robin was the first to cry out.
"Lunarians?!"
Bonney looked at her curiously.
"You know about them?"
Robin shook her head.
"No… but I've heard the name."
Everyone rolled their eyes.
Leno explained calmly:
"The Lunarians… the so-called 'race of gods.'"
"With their lineage factor, each unit would possess strength comparable to a Marine Admiral candidate…"
"Or even… a Yonko Commander."
Silence.
Then shock.
"Yonko Commander level?!"
Now they understood.
Why Leno cared so much.
If they could obtain them—
The Leno Pirates' strength would skyrocket.
They lacked manpower—
And artificial soldiers came with guaranteed loyalty.
Leno smiled faintly at their reactions.
Truthfully—
He wasn't 100% sure Vegapunk had completed them yet.
But based on the timeline—
The World Government deployed them two years later.
Which meant—
They were already close to completion.
Whether he could successfully take them was another matter.
But it was worth trying.
And while he was at it—
He could take a little trip.
Relax a bit.
Maybe visit… the Pleasure District.
(Yes. Mainly for Stussy.)
Meanwhile—
Back at Marine Headquarters—
Sengoku and Akainu had just returned.
And immediately broke into a fierce argument.
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