Edie leaned back on the sofa, closing his eyes in an attempt to relax. The weight of his recent decisions pressed heavily on his mind. He had just dispatched Chenlong to the Magnetic Drum Kingdom to escort ten clones, including 66 and 77, to study medicine. At the same time, he sent Wuma and Weiyang to Whole Cake Island on a mission to collect the blood of Charlotte Linlin. Wuma, a clone of Whitebeard, and Weiyang, a clone of Sengoku, were among his most formidable assets. Their combined strength made the success of the mission almost certain.
However, the situation on Beehive Island was becoming precarious. With only Shenhou left to guard the island, and Zishu still stationed in Wanokuni overseeing Caesar's work, Edie couldn't help but feel the strain. "The high-end combat power under my command is still not enough," he mused. "When will I finally gather all twelve Earthly Branches?"
His thoughts drifted as the interface of the system appeared in his mind.
[Scientific Research Simulation System]
Number of simulations remaining: 1
Research reputation: 33%
Once again, a simulation count had been accumulated, but this time, Edie wasn't planning to use it for cloning more Earthly Branches. He needed to focus on enhancing his own strength. Although he possessed an impressive arsenal of Devil Fruit abilities—Tremor Fruit, Azure Dragon Fruit, Phoenix Fruit, Yamata-no-Orochi Fruit, Pteranodon Fruit, Time Fruit, Clone-Clone Fruit, Diamond Fruit, Island Fruit, Buddha Fruit, and the Ripe-Ripe Fruit—he knew it wasn't enough. He had both offensive and defensive capabilities, and even the ability to regenerate with the Phoenix Fruit or resurrect with Yamata-no-Orochi's eight lives. In the face of fatal danger, he could even use the Time Fruit to escape into the future. Despite this, Edie recognized that something crucial was missing.
Without mastering Haki, he could never truly stand at the pinnacle of this world.
Edie wasn't interested in traditional training methods. He knew he wasn't like Monkey D. Luffy, who thrived on fighting opponents to grow stronger. As a scientist, Edie's curiosity led him to question the very nature of Haki. He didn't just want to use it; he wanted to understand it at a fundamental level. Just as scientists understand the calorific value of coal or the ignition properties of gasoline, Edie wanted to unravel the mysteries of Haki.
He already knew how to use Observation and Armament Haki, but that wasn't mastery in his eyes. Simply knowing how to wield it was not enough. Ancient people could use fire without understanding ignition, but Edie sought the truth behind the flames. He wanted to know the precise nature of Haki, not just its practical applications.
"Does learning all three types of Advanced Haki mean you've mastered it?" Edie pondered. He didn't think so. The knowledge that Haki is "a Conqueror's will that only one in millions can awaken," or that Armament Haki can enhance defense like an invisible armor, or that Observation Haki can detect others' auras—none of this was enough for Edie.
He sought answers to the deeper questions: Why can only certain people awaken Conqueror's Haki? Why does Observation Haki allow one to hear others' breath? How does Armament Haki enable the capture of a Logia user's true form?
Everything circled back to the same fundamental question: What is Haki energy?
"What is it?" Edie murmured to himself, lost in thought. Perhaps no one in this world truly understood Haki, and perhaps he was the only one even asking these questions. But he was willing to be the first to look up at the stars and seek the answers.
"A bit sleepy... I've been so tired lately," Edie murmured, feeling the exhaustion finally catch up to him. He closed his eyes and quickly drifted off to sleep, leaning back on the sofa.
He didn't know how much time had passed when he felt something warm and heavy on his thigh. Slowly, he opened his eyes to find Hancock sitting next to him, her head resting on his leg, smiling softly in her sleep.
Is this girl... having a sweet dream? Edie wondered, watching Hancock's serene expression. She had changed so much over the past two years. At fourteen, she was no longer the cute child he first met; she was growing into a stunning young woman, her beauty hinting at the future Pirate Empress she would become. Already, she stood at 1.7 meters tall, a testament to the transformation that would one day make her the world's most beautiful woman.
As if sensing his gaze, Hancock's long eyelashes fluttered, and she slowly woke from her dream. She blinked, her eyes gradually clearing as she realized where she was.
"Master Edie, you're awake," she said, sitting up and offering a shy smile. "I'm sorry if I disturbed your rest."
Edie chuckled, lifting the blanket that had been draped over him. "What sweet dream were you having just now? And did you cover me with this?"
Hancock avoided the question about her dream, standing up and moving behind the sofa. She placed her delicate hands on either side of Edie's head, her fingers gently massaging his temples. "Master Edie, you've been too tired lately. I often see you coming out of the underground laboratory late at night. Let me help you relax."
Surprised by her gesture, Edie smiled. "When did you learn to give massages?"
"Hmph, I'm not like that white-haired idiot who only knows how to eat," Hancock grumbled, taking the opportunity to insult Yamato, who had once declared her intention to marry Edie. Hancock never missed a chance to remind herself that Yamato was nothing but an idiot.
Edie couldn't help but smile at her jealousy, though her newfound maturity caught him off guard. He leaned back, feeling something soft against the back of his head. Ah, Hancock has really grown up, he thought, a sigh escaping him.
"Master Edie, are you comfortable?" she asked, her voice gentle.
"Very comfortable. Keep going," Edie replied, closing his eyes and enjoying the rare moment of rest.
Three days later, in the waters of Totto Land, the scene was anything but restful.
Totto Land, a sea dotted with dozens of small islands surrounding the central Cake Island, was known as the Kingdom of Tottoland. This was the domain of "BIG MOM," Charlotte Linlin, one of the three Pirate Emperors of the current era. At this moment, a grand celebration was taking place at the top of Cake Castle, marking the birth of Linlin's 51st child and 41st son, Charlotte Nugg.
Under the warm light of the full moon, the nuns sang joyously in front of a massive cake, their voices carrying the festive atmosphere across the island. The flowers and decorations around the chiffon cake seemed to come alive, joining in the celebration of the new addition to the Charlotte family. The tables, covered in pristine white cloth, were filled with guests who cheered and offered their blessings to the Queen's child.
"Mama~mama," Charlotte Linlin laughed, her figure slim and radiant as she held her newborn baby. She smiled, her voice booming with satisfaction. "Welcome to my banquet, my child's full moon celebration and tea party happening together—it's a perfect day!"
"Linlin, congratulations! You're one step closer to your dream," one of the guests remarked, though their smile was strained. None dared refuse an invitation from the Pirate Emperor, Charlotte Linlin. To do so was to invite death, as had happened to a small country's king who once dared to defy her. His head had become the centerpiece of the banquet, a grim reminder to all.
"Mama~Mama," Linlin chuckled, clearly pleased. "Now, let's cut the cake! It's the old folks' favorite—chiffon cake!"
She turned to take a knife from a nearby maid, her anticipation palpable as she prepared to cut into the cake that had been meticulously crafted over the past week. Linlin's love for sweets was legendary, and an unsatisfactory cake could send her into a destructive frenzy.
Just as she was about to make the first cut, two black shadows descended from the sky with a thunderous crash.
Boom!
The impact shook the entire banquet hall, sending the massive chiffon cake teetering off its stand. With a sickening thud, the cake, covered in white cream, toppled to the ground.
"Oh no... This is bad!" Charlotte Perospero, the eldest son of the Charlotte family, paled as he watched the cake ruin. "The cake is spoiled!"
Panic rippled through the hall as guests began to realize the gravity of the situation. The members of the Charlotte family, their faces twisted in anger, quickly activated their Observation Haki, locking onto the two uninvited guests.
Charlotte Linlin stood frozen, her knife still in hand, as a murderous aura filled her eyes. "You... Damn you!" she growled, her voice trembling with fury as her Conqueror's Haki exploded outward.
Boom!
The force of her Haki distorted the very air, creating a hurricane-like effect centered on her. Tables and chairs were upended, food spilled to the floor, and the guests scrambled to escape the wave of power. Even Linlin's family members struggled to withstand the onslaught, raising their arms defensively.
Despite the chaos, the two intruders remained unfazed. They folded their black wings behind them and one spoke calmly, "We are the Earthly Branches, here to convey the will of Heavenly Father."
But Charlotte Linlin was beyond reason, her mind fixated on one thought: kill them!
"Earthly Branches? So, they're the Hive's subordinates..." Charlotte Katakuri, the second son, realized with a start.
"Die! You bastards!" Linlin roared, her hand igniting with flames as she slashed at the intruders with her sword.
Wuma, one of the Earthly Branches, grinned. "Troublesome woman... doesn't understand human language."
With a casual motion, he raised his hand and caught the flaming sword.
Boom!
The resulting explosion engulfed the area in flames, but Wuma and the other Earthly Branch emerged unscathed. They introduced themselves with calm, unwavering voices:
"I am Wuma."
"And I am Weiyang."
"We are here to convey the words of Heavenly Father... Charlotte Linlin, the Three Emperors are missing you!"
The members of the Charlotte family were stunned. Wuma had caught Linlin's flaming sword with his bare hand.