"Emperor Leno… why would he appear near the Pleasure District?"
With short golden curls and a pink-white dress—
Stussy murmured to herself.
A trace of seriousness appeared on her beautiful face.
If not for the informants she had stationed in nearby waters—
She, the Queen of the Pleasure District—
Might not have known until he showed up at her door.
"Could he be here for me?"
Back when Leno was still in the Marines—
They had seen each other from afar.
But in just a short time—
Everything had changed drastically.
As she thought—
Her gaze fell on an invitation on the table.
A Tea Party invitation—
From Big Mom, Charlotte Linlin.
"That woman… Whitebeard's barely dead, and she's already expanding her territory."
"A tea party… or a show of dominance?"
A meaningful smile curled on Stussy's lips.
"But those territories she seized…"
"Originally belonged to Whitebeard."
"Do you think Leno… that newly crowned Emperor… will just let that go?"
It was common knowledge—
That the remnants of the Whitebeard Pirates had joined Leno.
Logically—
Those territories should now belong to him.
Yet—
The other Emperors clearly didn't take him seriously.
Conflict—
Was inevitable.
"But that's for later…"
Stussy stood up.
Smoothed her dress.
Her face returned—
To that charming, professional smile.
"For now…"
"I need to properly receive this 'distinguished guest.'"
A new Emperor—
With real combat achievements—
Someone who even dared confront the Marines—
Was not someone she could afford to offend.
She swayed gracefully out of the room—
And gave orders to her subordinates.
"Prepare to welcome Emperor Leno."
"Yes, Lady Stussy!"
The entire Pleasure District sprang into motion.
Ready to receive—
A dangerous guest.
…
Meanwhile—
On a nearby island not far from the Pleasure District—
Admiral Kizaru, Borsalino—
Stood lazily in front of a cultivation tank.
Hands in his pockets.
Head tilted.
Inside the tank—
A muscular body floated in nutrient fluid.
It looked exactly like Garp—
Only younger.
Full of vitality.
"So this is Garp's clone…"
Kizaru muttered casually.
"Looks convincing enough…"
"Vegapunk…"
"Can this thing really fix Garp?"
Standing beside him—
Was Dr. Vegapunk.
Or rather—
A projection of him.
Clearly—
He wasn't physically present at this temporary lab.
Looking at the data—
Vegapunk spoke confidently:
"It's viable."
"This clone was cultivated using Garp's lineage factor."
"It is perfectly compatible."
"And its body is even more capable of enduring combat."
"He'll just need time to adapt."
"Replacing the damaged parts of Garp's body—"
"With the help of the Op-Op Fruit…"
"Simple."
Kizaru scratched his chin.
"Sounds troublesome…"
"But better than watching him lie in bed waiting to die."
Vegapunk wasn't finished.
A manic gleam appeared in his eyes.
"The only uncertainty…"
"Is Leno's ability!"
"That power—"
"Absolutely does NOT belong to a Devil Fruit!"
Now—
He desperately wanted to study Leno.
"The Chop-Chop Fruit shouldn't be this powerful!"
"And his second fruit—the Munch-Munch Fruit…"
"Is also highly abnormal!"
A mad scientist—
Had to be mad.
Vegapunk's obsession burned.
"Borsalino!"
"Bring Leno to me!"
Kizaru's mouth twitched.
You think too highly of me…
"He's an Emperor now."
"This old man can't capture him."
His gaze returned to the clone in the tank.
But deep down—
He felt uneasy.
Leno—
Was growing too fast.
Too fast to comprehend.
Even if Garp recovered—
Would he really be able to take revenge?
And now Vegapunk wanted him—
To capture that monster?
Old friend… are you trying to get me killed?
…
At the Pleasure District port—
Leno's ship slowly docked.
As an Emperor—
His pirate flag immediately drew attention.
"Whose flag is that?"
"No idea… but that lineup—it's not some nobody."
"Not my problem, I'm here for my girl."
"Your girl? The one I watched you not afford last night?"
"Bastard! You wanna die?!"
Voices buzzed.
Curiosity.
Fear.
Respect.
Then—
Leno stepped onto the dock.
Some sharp-eyed visitors froze.
"E-Emperor Leno!! That's his flag!!"
"What?! No wonder it looks so imposing!"
"Run! My wife's about to give birth!"
"Even an Emperor comes here now?! This place is thriving!"
"Shh—look at the women around him… he's definitely not here for fun."
Leno walked forward slowly.
Still looking relaxed.
Behind him—
A group of women followed.
No one dared provoke him.
Especially since Stussy had already cleared the area.
She had no intention—
Of letting idiots ruin things.
Waiting at the dock—
Stussy's face lit up with a perfect smile.
She stepped forward gracefully—
Waist swaying.
But when she saw Boa Hancock—
Her pupils shrank slightly.
Even the Pirate Empress joined him?
Still—
Her expression didn't change.
She bowed elegantly.
"Welcome, Lord Leno, to my humble Pleasure District."
"I am Stussy, the one in charge here."
Her gaze briefly swept over the women behind him—
And she was secretly shocked.
"All women…?"
"Can this guy even handle that…"
Leno glanced at her.
He recognized her.
CP0 agent.
Queen of the Pleasure District.
Connected to Vegapunk.
"Stussy?"
His tone was calm.
"You're putting on quite a show."
"Trying to curry favor?"
"Of course not."
Her smile didn't waver.
"It is only proper to welcome an Emperor."
But inwardly—
She cursed.
If this bastard wasn't so ruthless…
Would I need to bow like this?
Leno's reputation was simple:
No sentiment.
No mercy.
Even the Marines weren't spared.
Another Emperor—
She wouldn't be this cautious.
But Leno?
She genuinely feared—
He might destroy everything.
Leno smirked slightly.
"You're right."
"Find somewhere quiet."
"Prepare some food."
"Of course!"
Stussy quickly replied:
"Everything has already been arranged."
"Please, follow me~"
She personally led the way.
Perfectly respectful.
Leno watched her—
Then thought of Miss Buckingham Stussy's future (Buckin).
The difference—
Was staggering.
In this world—
Slowing aging was practically a necessity.
Of course—
That was for later.
Right now—
They still had youth.
And Naejin.
But more importantly—
Vegapunk's laboratory.
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