After Stussy brought out several conversion devices along with their instructions, everyone finally understood how the mechanism worked.
At the same time, they all felt deep admiration for the scientist they had never even met. To invent something this unbelievable—he truly deserved the title of the world's greatest scientist.
Once the flame source had been stored away, Stussy looked toward Leno with visible anxiety and asked in a hesitant voice:
"Leno-sama, about the deal you mentioned..."
She simply couldn't help being nervous. After all, Leno had clearly stated that it concerned Vegapunk's life.
If it were only about herself, she wouldn't care.
But Vegapunk was different. He was the most important person in her life.
Seeing the anxious look on her face, Leno shook his head with a faint laugh.
People always lose their composure when it comes to the things they care about most.
He walked back under the sun umbrella, took a sip of an ice-cold drink, and only then slowly spoke a name.
"York~"
"How could it be her?!"
Stussy cried out in shock, her voice even changing pitch.
She and Vegapunk had discussed the possibility of a traitor before. But York had never been high on their list of suspects.
After all, she was merely responsible for eating, sleeping, and bodily functions.
What could anyone possibly suspect about someone like that?
"But why? She's just a clone..."
"Because she wants to become a Celestial Dragon~ After all, desire... has no limit."
Even Leno himself didn't quite understand it. The idea that one's own clone could betray its creator sounded almost surreal.
But it had nothing to do with him personally. He only needed to tell them the truth.
After hearing his explanation, Stussy fell into a brief daze before quickly regaining her composure.
"Thank you for informing me, Leno-sama. I won't trouble you any longer."
She was clearly in a hurry. Now that she had the answer she wanted, she turned around and prepared to leave.
But after only a few steps, Leno's amused voice sounded from behind her.
"I have another deal here. Interested?"
Stussy's graceful figure froze instantly when she heard him.
Her first instinct was to refuse.
If possible, she truly didn't want to have any further dealings with this man.
This terrifying individual was completely beyond her control. Every time she negotiated with him, she ended up at a disadvantage. Who knew when she might end up being thoroughly devoured by him.
Just as she was hesitating, Leno's voice—like the whisper of a devil—reached her ears again.
"This concerns Vegapunk's life too. Are you sure you don't want to hear it?"
"..."
After taking several deep breaths, Stussy finally turned around again as if resigning herself to fate. She looked at Leno with a resentful gaze.
This bastard really knew exactly how to manipulate her.
"Please speak, Leno-sama. What do you want from me this time?"
"Hahaha..." Seeing her forced smile, Leno replied in a righteous tone.
"Don't say it like that. This is a fair trade—both sides getting what they need."
"...Yes, Leno-sama. You're absolutely right."
Stussy bit her lip lightly, looking at him with complicated emotions.
Fair my A$$.
How was this any different from a threat?
Every sentence he said involved someone's life or death. What kind of fairness was that?
Seeing her clearly frustrated expression, Leno stopped teasing her and got straight to the point.
"The new generation of Seraphim—Vegapunk has already begun cultivating them, hasn't he?"
"Nani?! How... how do you know that?!"
Stussy suddenly raised her head, staring at Leno in shock.
This man even knew about something that confidential?
It was unbelievable.
After a long moment, she finally calmed down.
Of course. He even knew the secrets about Vegapunk's clones. Compared to that, this information was only secondary.
After mentally preparing herself, she silently made a decision.
From now on, no matter what shocking revelations she heard from this man, she would no longer be surprised.
Leno waved his hand, signaling her not to interrupt, then continued.
"I want to reserve the snake girl among them. In exchange, I will personally intervene once for Vegapunk."
"You should understand the value of me taking action once. It means that under any circumstances, I can guarantee his life."
Glancing at Stussy, whose expression kept changing, he smiled.
"So? Isn't this a very profitable deal?"
"All it costs is one Seraphim. Such a small price."
As he spoke, he raised one finger and waved it gently in front of his eyes, his tone filled with temptation.
"This... this matter..."
Stussy looked conflicted, her words hesitant.
From her perspective, the deal was indeed worthwhile.
But things weren't that simple.
The Seraphim project was officially registered with the World Government. If one suddenly disappeared, the Five Elders would demand an explanation.
When that time came, the favor Leno promised might be used immediately—and it could trigger a chain of further troubles.
Leno knew she couldn't decide something like this on her own, so he gently reassured her.
"There's no rush. After you return, you and Vegapunk can discuss it carefully."
"...I understand."
Stussy nodded lightly. After giving Leno one last complicated look, she prepared to leave.
"Leno-sama, then I'll be going."
"Mm. Go ahead."
Leno nodded with a smile, watching her departing figure with confident eyes.
What a joke.
Even if they refused the deal, he would never allow Hancock's clone to fall into someone else's hands.
Only after Stussy's figure completely disappeared did Nami suddenly rush to Leno's side, grabbing his arm and demanding answers.
"You big idiot! Explain yourself! What Seraphim? What snake girl?"
The others also turned their gazes toward him.
Their captain clearly still had many secrets he hadn't told them.
Since there had been outsiders present earlier, no one had felt comfortable asking.
Facing the many curious stares, Leno sighed helplessly.
"It's not as mysterious as you think. The so-called Seraphim are just a group of clones."
"The reason I want to reserve the snake girl is because she's Hancock's clone. I don't want her wandering around out there."
"Nani?! Hancock's..."
Everyone looked toward Hancock in shock, disbelief written across their faces.
Hancock herself looked confused. She hadn't expected the gossip to suddenly involve her.
She looked toward Leno for help, her expression pitiful.
"Leno-sama... when did I get a clone?"
"Ah..."
Leno sighed softly, then pulled her gently into his arms with a look of sympathy.
"When you were serving as a Warlord of the Sea, the World Government secretly collected your blood samples. That's how the clone was created."
"And actually, it's not just you. The other Warlords also have clones."
"?!!"
...
...
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