Chapter 148: Bringing the Children Home

His heart, once there, now couldn't be felt beating at all.

Joseba's heart had been shattered by a single powerful kick!!

With his heart destroyed, death was inevitable, regardless of his will to live.

"Joseba, dead?"

Emiro struggled to stand, looking incredulously at Joseba's body lying in the distance.

"Of course, he's dead. Leaving him alive would be pointless."

Li Yuan replied nonchalantly.

He had used the internal destruction technique of Ryuo in that kick. If it hadn't killed him, it would have been embarrassing.

"Thank you for avenging me. I swear to follow you loyally!"

Emiro, understanding the situation, immediately pledged his loyalty, seeing Li Yuan's power.

"Now that you've chosen to follow me, you're one of my people, and naturally, I'll stand up for you."

Li Yuan nodded, satisfied.

"Sir, my mother and sister are at home, both seriously ill..."

Emiro quickly added.

"That's a small matter. I'll take you and them along. We have an excellent doctor on board; their illnesses won't be a problem."

Li Yuan waved his hand dismissively.

"Thank you for your kindness!"

Emiro expressed his gratitude.

"Let's go find your mother and sister."

Li Yuan instructed.

Having gained a promising new follower, Li Yuan was in good spirits.

While Emiro himself didn't show any standout traits, the Paramecia-type Steel Fruit he consumed had significant potential.

With proper development, reaching Rear Admiral level wouldn't be an issue. With effort and talent, even Vice Admiral level could be possible.

After settling Emiro's situation, Li Yuan didn't take him along but left him on Benatseraf Island to wait for other members of the Infinity Pirates to retrieve him.

Meanwhile, Li Yuan, Shakky, and Lazuli continued to Amazon Lily.

With previous experience, they docked near an island close to Amazon Lily and let their crew sail back.

Li Yuan carried Shakky and Lazuli, riding the Red Phosphorus Python, into Amazon Lily.

"Hmm? The Red Phosphorus Python? Could it be Shakky's return?"

On the shore, Gloriosa, the captain of the Kuja Pirates, watched in surprise.

(Gloriosa, also known as Granny Nyon, was a former member of the Rocks Pirates.)

The Red Phosphorus Python only followed commands from her, Cecilia, and Shakky; no one else could control it.

"Captain, it's likely Shakky has returned to see her children."

Cecilia, vice-captain of the Kuja Pirates, remarked.

After the dissolution of the Rocks Pirates, Gloriosa returned to Amazon Lily.

She resumed her role as captain of the Kuja Pirates, a position Cecilia had temporarily held during her absence.

"Children? Shakky has children? Why wasn't I informed?"

Gloriosa looked at Cecilia, surprised.

"Uh, Shakky told me not to tell you."

"And the great pirate Li Yuan also warned me not to let news of his children here spread."

Cecilia admitted sheepishly.

"What? Li Yuan? Those are his and Shakky's children?"

Gloriosa exclaimed.

A great pirate's children, fostered on Amazon Lily, and she, the island's queen, was unaware—unacceptable!

"What's the matter, Gloriosa? Is there a problem with my and Shakky's children?"

Upon spotting Gloriosa, Li Yuan, carrying Shakky and Lazuli, flew over using Moonwalk.

"Hahaha, Li Yuan, long time no see. No problem at all. Let's visit your children."

Gloriosa laughed awkwardly.

Though both were part of the Rocks Pirates, Gloriosa wasn't familiar with Li Yuan but was close to Shakky, whom she had watched grow up and helped train.

Once Shakky joined Li Yuan, she distanced herself.

Even something as significant as having children was kept secret from her.

"Let's go."

Li Yuan nodded and headed to where Yadina lived.

Upon arrival, he saw Yadina hanging clothes, with Esdeath and the others playing happily.

"Yadina, I'm back."

Li Yuan called softly, and Yadina, startled, dropped her clothes.

"Li Yuan!!!"

She turned, ran over, and threw herself into his arms, eyes welling up.

"This time, I'm taking you with me."

"We won't be apart anymore."

Li Yuan apologized, holding Yadina.

Over the years, he realized he hadn't treated Yadina well, leaving her to raise their children alone on Amazon Lily, failing in his duties as a husband.

"Yes, let's go together!!"

Yadina replied contentedly, relieved that she wouldn't have to be separated from Li Yuan anymore.

"Esdeath, Gai Nie, I'm your mom."

"Akame, Wei Zhuang, I'm your mom."

Lazuli and Shakky introduced themselves to their children.

Though unfamiliar, the children found them vaguely familiar due to photos at home.

To them, Yadina felt more like their mother, having raised them.

"Esdeath, Gai Nie, Akame, Wei Zhuang, they really are your mothers."

Yadina assured the hesitant children.

"Mom!!" × 4

With Yadina's confirmation, Esdeath and the others accepted Shakky and Lazuli as their mothers.

The unfamiliarity would take time to overcome.

"Ah!!"

Despite the unfamiliarity, Shakky and Lazuli were happy.

They knew they owed their children and planned to make up for the lost maternal love.

"Faraday, come here. This is your dad."

Yadina called to Faraday.

"Dad!!"

Faraday approached and called out sweetly.

"Ah, Faraday is so well-behaved."

Li Yuan lifted Faraday, doting on him.

Seeing the reunion, Gloriosa and Cecilia left the family in peace.

Li Yuan, relaxed, spent three days on Amazon Lily with his children and wives.

"Gloriosa, I'm taking the children. Here's my Den Den Mushi. If Amazon Lily faces a major disaster, I'll help."

Li Yuan handed Gloriosa a Den Den Mushi.

Amazon Lily had helped him, and he intended to reciprocate.

Shakky was from Amazon Lily, making their connection close.

"Hahaha, Li Yuan, you're too kind."

"Shakky, visit Amazon Lily often. It's your home."

With Li Yuan's promise, Gloriosa was pleased and reminded Shakky to maintain ties.

Li Yuan, the most promising of the former Rocks Pirates, was seen as highly potential by Gloriosa.

"Shakky, let's go."

After Gloriosa and Cecilia left, Li Yuan said.

"Yes!"

Shakky replied, activating a large mirror in the room.

They could now travel through the mirror world to other places.

Shakky had installed several such mirrors on Amazon Lily, although sealed to prevent unauthorized access.

Only Shakky could open them for mirror world travel.

"Huh? How did Mom get into the mirror?"

Akame asked curiously after Shakky entered the mirror.

"Akame can go into the mirror too."

Li Yuan smiled.

"Really? Akame wants to try!!"

Excited, Akame touched the mirror, finding her hand could pass through, and ran inside.

"Wow, you can really go through the mirror. I want to try too."

Esdeath, seeing this, eagerly followed.

"Mom, this place is amazing!"

Akame exclaimed, seeing the myriad mirrors, each showing different views.

"Mom made this mirror space. It's magical."

"But it's our secret base, so don't tell anyone else."

"Otherwise, if someone takes it, Akame can't come here anymore."

Shakky gently instructed.

The fewer people knew about the mirror space, the better. Even within the Infinity Pirates, only a few knew of its existence.

Many suspected its existence but knew little about it.

"Okay, Akame will keep it secret."

Akame nodded obediently.

Soon, they traveled through the mirror to the Shogun's residence in Wano.

"Wow, this place is huge!!"

Esdeath exclaimed, running around the residence.

"This is our home, of course it's big. We'll live here now."

Li Yuan said, patting Esdeath's head.

"Our new home? Great!!"

Esdeath said excitedly.

Watching his five children play happily in the residence, Li Yuan smiled.

With Wano fully under his control and no external threats, it was safe.

He felt at ease letting his children grow up here.

As they grew older, they would join the Infinity Sword School with other children to learn and play.

After spending more time in Wano with his family, Li Yuan prepared to end his leisurely life.

He hadn't forgotten that the remnants of the Rocks Pirates were seizing territory in the New World.

The Navy had returned to the New World, watching the chaos to exploit pirate conflicts.

Though Li Yuan had claimed Wano and its surrounding seas, it wasn't enough.

The harsh environment, limited resources, and small population were inadequate for rapid development.

Expansion was necessary to acquire more islands, resources, and people.

Standing before a large sea map were Li Yuan, Shakky, Lazuli, and Yadina.

"Nearby, there are three non-World Government nations and one, the Baikal Kingdom, which is a member."

"I suggest we target the non-member nations first and leave Baikal for now."

Lazuli proposed.

Lazuli, now the top ship doctor of the Infinity Pirates, also managed their territories' internal affairs.

She was akin to a chancellor, aiding the king in managing domestic matters.

"Yes, Lazuli is right. Attacking Baikal would provoke the Navy."

"Our crew is vulnerable. Two Admirals would overwhelm us."

"Crucially, no one has attacked World Government nations yet."

"We shouldn't be the first. If others start, we can consider Baikal."

Shakky agreed.

With Li Yuan investing in Shakky's intelligence network, she was well-informed, aware of many secrets.

Yadina, though silent, wanted to help Li Yuan but lacked expertise.

She aimed to manage civil affairs and finances, still learning.

"Okay, as Lazuli suggested, we'll start with the Belloso Kingdom, then Prees, and finally Jeremy."

"We'll refrain from invading Baikal but send spies to gather intelligence."

Li Yuan agreed with Lazuli's plan.

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