Chapter 242: Chapter 240: Shichibukai Clone Project!
Rifan could see that the three Hancock sisters had a favourable impression and gratitude towards him at the moment.
Therefore, he dared to utter words to the three sisters that might strain their friendship.
"What? You want our Kuja Pirates to merge into your Black Pearl Pirates?!"
As expected, after hearing Rifan's words, Marigold stood up excitedly. Due to her sudden motion, her body tensed unconsciously. In an instant, apart from her abdominal muscles, her previously hidden muscles swelled and took on a hideous appearance. From a distance, Marigold at this moment resembled a muscular man except for her belly fat. Nevertheless, even so, Marigold maintained her sense of beauty and exuded a healthy, athletic charm.
'Did I separate too much fat?' Rifan glanced at the excited Marigold in front of him, pondering to himself. Fortunately, Marigold still looked very attractive at the moment, so Rifan merely grumbled inwardly without dwelling too much on Marigold's newfound muscles.
"Rifan, you should understand that our Kuja Pirates have a nation backing us. If we become a subordinate pirate group under your Black Pearl Pirates, wouldn't this effectively make the country of women your subordinates too?"
"Rifan, we're thankful for your help in breaking our curse, but please understand that this is where our agreement ends," Sandersonia stated solemnly and earnestly.
Hancock pursed her lips, appearing somewhat conflicted. Logically, she should have rejected Rifan immediately, just like Marigold and Sandersonia did. However, inexplicably, she hesitated to oppose Rifan's wishes!
"Although I'm proposing that the Kuja Pirates become a subsidiary pirate group under the Black Pearl Pirates, but in the final analysis, it's just becoming a family," Rifan explained with a slight smile.
"Family?" Hancock blinked and gazed at Rifan with curiosity.
"That's correct! If you, Hancock, are willing to bear my name and become the captain of this affiliated pirate group, then you, along with the Kuja female warriors behind you, will become my family and friends. I won't treat you as a mere subordinate. Our relationship could be likened to your relationship with the World Government now.
Although you are known as the Seven Warlords of the Sea, you are not truly their subordinates, correct?" Rifan said, maintaining a smile on his face.
"World Government..." Sandersonia furrowed her brow. "Rifan, are you suggesting that you intend to replace the World Government and seek mutual benefits with us?"
"That's right; that's the truth," Rifan nodded affirmatively. "Sandersonia, Marigold, and Hancock, the seas are constantly changing. The Marine and the World Government's Seven Warlords of the Sea system cannot last indefinitely. Eventually, the Marine and the World Government are simply leveraging the power of the Seven Warlords of the Sea. When they no longer require it, they can abolish the system altogether. Let me reveal something to you. While negotiating with the World Government's Five Elders, they offered me two Shichibukai to challenge. One of them is the 'Knight of the Sea' Jinbei, who has a close association with the Whitebeard Pirates. As for the other, it's none other than your Hancock. They claimed that your Kujas are less compliant than other Shichibukai. Hancock, Sandersonia, Marigold, the Five Elders can say that for now. Perhaps one day, they could say the same about other individuals."
Upon hearing this, the three sisters immediately frowned. Out of gratitude toward Rifan, they didn't doubt his words. After all, they knew that, among the Shichibukai, Hancock was probably the most rebellious.
"Elder sister..." Marigold turned her head to look at Hancock, wearing a concerned expression.
"Additionally, I can also share some confidential information with you. However, please keep it strictly confidential, and do not divulge it to outsiders. Furthermore, do not attribute this information to me, not even to my fellow villager, Leigh."
At this point, Rifan's expression became particularly grave. What he was about to disclose involved spoilers and could potentially land him in trouble if leaked. However, to secure Hancock's cooperation, Rifan was willing to take the risk.
"Rifan, what are you trying to say?" Hancock inquired, her expression becoming equally serious.
"Vegapunk, the world's foremost scientist working for the Marine and the World Government, is developing a weapon called the Pacifist. The first version is currently in mass production. Its design draws inspiration from the Tyrant Kuma, combined with the power of Kizaru's Sparkling Fruit. The cost of each of these weapons, known as Pacifists, is equivalent to that of a Marine warship. While Pacifists are formidable, they pose no real threat to individuals of our power. However, the Second Generation Pacifists, if my sources are accurate, are even incorporating artificial human technology. I believe you can understand the implications. Vegapunk utilized the blood factors of the current Shichibukai, among other elements, to create clones of you. If Vegapunk's research succeeds, the current independent Shichibukai will become obsolete."
Upon Rifan's revelation, the three sisters wore expressions of incredulity.
"Rifan, are you serious?" Hancock inquired with a hint of disbelief.
"Vegapunk is planning to create clones of us?"
"How can something like that be possible!?"
After a few moments, Hancock finally regained her composure and addressed Rifan with skepticism.
"If it were someone else, perhaps it wouldn't be feasible," Rifan responded thoughtfully. "But Vegapunk possesses a mind that's centuries ahead of the rest of the world. There's almost nothing he can't envision or accomplish. When you became a Shichibukai, you likely contributed your blood to the Marine or the World Government, or perhaps even underwent some form of medical examination," Rifan continued, his curiosity piqued.
This was one of the reasons he had decided to share the information about the second batch of Pacifists with Hancock. By learning how the Marine and the World Government had obtained the bloodline factors of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, Rifan could better prepare for when they eventually requested his blood.
Hancock pursed her lips, deep in thought. Soon, her eyes brightened as if she had come to a realization.
"Considering your expression, I assume you've figured it out," Rifan said. "Hancock, please share your thoughts with me."
"Yes," Hancock replied, her voice filled with a newfound determination. "When I first became a Shichibukai, I visited a place and left a sample of my blood. But, can such a small amount of blood really enable Vegapunk to create a clone?"
Hancock lowered her head, as if still struggling to accept the idea that clones of herself might exist in the world.
"Indeed," Rifan nodded in agreement. He stood up, walked over to Hancock, and placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Sometimes, a tiny drop of blood can reveal a great deal. While this world is still dominated by Devil Fruits and Haki, we must not underestimate the power of technology. Let me offer you a simple example. Hancock, think back a few years. Could the Marines navigate the Calm Belt with their warships? Thanks to the seastone-inspired warships designed by Vegapunk, the current Marines can sail through the Calm Belt with ease. The Calm Belt, which once served as a natural barrier to protect Amazon Lily, no longer poses a significant obstacle."
After Rifan finished speaking, the three sisters wanted to refute, but they found themselves unable to refute his statement. Regardless of their reluctance, the fact remained that Marine warships could now traverse the Calm Belt.
"Hancock, I don't expect you to agree with me immediately," Rifan continued. "However, I hope you'll prepare in advance. If the time comes when the Marines and the World Government no longer require the Shichibukai, having a plan in place will be crucial. If you find yourself in need of allies at that point, consider the proposal I've made today. And, if possible, I'd like to prevent any harm from coming to Leigh's pirate group or to you."
Rifan glanced at the three sisters with a serious expression. Hancock felt a sense of unexpected happiness upon hearing Rifan's words. However, her brows soon furrowed as she bit her thumb, deep in thought.
"Rifan, I'm puzzled. If what you're saying is true, why did you become a Shichibukai in the first place?" Hancock asked. "Aren't you concerned that Vegapunk might use your blood to create clones of you? Your Haki and Devil Fruit abilities are incredibly unique. If the Marines truly plan to utilize the Shichibukai's blood factors for creating clones, they would need to obtain your blood."
At this moment, Hancock suddenly grasped the significance of the Five Elders' desire for Rifan to become a Shichibukai. If Rifan were to become a Shichibukai, it would not only provide an advantage to the Marines in the Whitebeard Pirates' war, but it would also grant the World Government an opportunity to create powerful clones.
Hancock couldn't help but wonder if she would have made the same decision as the Five Elders if she were in their position.
"I sought to become a Shichibukai because I wanted to leverage the convenience it provides to enhance my power," Rifan explained. "That includes forming bonds with your Kuja Pirates, participating in the upcoming Whitebeard Pirates' battle, and gaining knowledge about this world power and you, Hancock. And now that I know the World Government intends to use our bloodline factors to create clones, I won't willingly offer them my blood. If they insist, I'll simply provide them with some other form of blood substitute. By the time they realize the deception, I believe I'll have significantly increased my strength. At that point, whether they choose to strip me of my Shichibukai title or take other actions won't matter to me."
Hancock nodded in understanding. Indeed, with Rifan and the Black Pearl Pirates' rapid growth, they might soon become one of the dominant forces in the sea. In such a scenario, the Shichibukai title would no longer be necessary to gain advantages.
One pirate group with three Conqueror's Haki users, along with Rifan and Mikita's extraordinary Conqueror's Haki, made for a formidable team. Hancock even believed that the future Black Pearl Pirates could rival the Four Emperors.
'If the Whitebeard Pirates were to engage in a war with the Marine Headquarters and fall,' Hancock pondered, 'this man might become the new Four Emperors.'
'Working with Marines didn't seem much different from cooperating with the Four Emperors.' Hancock gazed at Rifan's sincere expression, finding herself increasingly inclined to cooperate with him. After all, the man before her was much more appealing than the World Government.
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