Chapter 58: Warning the Five elders!

The next day, when Toki opened her eyes, she found herself alone in the bed. Edie had already left, likely returning to the laboratory. She sighed deeply, her mind swirling with conflicted emotions. Last night, she hadn't put up much resistance, mentally preparing herself long before. She had even comforted her daughter, Hiyori, waiting for her to fall asleep before making her way to Edie's room.

Slowly, Toki rose from the bed, slipping into the bathroom to wash up. As she rinsed her body, her thoughts wandered back to the previous night, and her face flushed with embarrassment. How could I have acted that way? she chastised herself, feeling a mixture of shame and disbelief. Her belly still tingled with the memories, stirring emotions she hadn't expected.

After freshening up, Toki dressed and made the bed. She sat at Edie's desk, the silence of the room weighing on her as she hesitated, her hands hovering over a pen. She wanted to write a letter—to Momonosuke, her son. Perhaps, if she served Edie well, her family could return to their homeland sooner. Yet, as she thought about it, doubt crept in. She shook her head. Could Momonosuke even come back? If Edie didn't care for the child, what future would await him?

She sighed, her eyes falling on the sea-stone shackle still clasped around her wrist. Shame and anger rose within her. Even after last night... he still made me wear this, she thought bitterly. Was he really so afraid she would escape to the future? The gesture made her feel both small and insignificant. Yet she realized she had no intention of running—not anymore. If she wanted to flee, she wouldn't have gone to him last night.

With a heavy heart, she picked up the pen but couldn't find the right words. She began scribbling a few lines, then paused, her mind clouded with indecision. Frustrated, she crumpled the letter and threw it into the trash. What could she possibly say? That her only hope for their family's survival rested in offering herself up in exchange for their safety?

Just as she was about to leave the room, she was met by Shen Hou waiting outside. "Lord Heavenly Mother," he greeted her respectfully.

Toki was taken aback. "What... did you call me?" she asked, her voice uncertain.

"Lord Heavenly Mother," he repeated, bowing his head slightly.

The title shocked her, though it also stirred a strange sense of pride. She knew that Edie was referred to as "Heavenly Father" by his followers, but to be called "Heavenly Mother" meant something more. It was an acknowledgment of her place beside him, not just as a plaything but something higher, more respected. A faint smile tugged at her lips, an odd mixture of joy and discomfort blooming inside her.

Shen Hou then presented her with a key. "Lord Heavenly Father instructed me to give you this if you wish to go out."

Toki glanced down, realizing it was the key to her shackle. Her mouth fell slightly open in surprise. He knew I might try to leave, she thought, feeling both relieved and frustrated. Edie had anticipated her thoughts, and though it angered her, she couldn't help but feel a sense of release as she removed the shackles. Her powers returned immediately, but even with them restored, the thought of escaping to the future no longer held the same appeal.

"What would it matter if I ran?" she whispered to herself, her mind drifting back to Hiyori and Momonosuke.

"Where is Hiyori?" Toki asked, shifting her focus.

"Your Highness is in the kitchen with Miss Hancock. She is learning to cook," Shen Hou replied.

Toki considered her next move. "Since you call me Heavenly Mother... will you obey my orders?"

"As long as they do not conflict with the interests of Lord Heavenly Father," Shen Hou responded firmly.

"I'd like to go for a walk," Toki said, testing her newfound freedom.

"You may go at any time, but please be cautious. This is a pirate island, after all. If you need protection, you can call on Weiyang. He's familiar with the area," Shen Hou assured her.

Hearing this, Toki's spirits lifted. It was as if the fog in her mind cleared, and she realized that Edie, despite everything, had granted her a measure of kindness. She could take Hiyori outside, away from the cold confines of the research institute.

"I'd like to take Hiyori out for a walk," she said, her voice bright with anticipation.

"You can do so whenever you wish," Shen Hou confirmed.

Filled with excitement, Toki rushed downstairs, eager to see her daughter. After two years in the research institute, the prospect of stepping outside, of feeling the sun on her skin and seeing the blue sea and sky once more, filled her with hope.

Underground in the depths of the institute, within Cloning Laboratory No. 1, a series of 90 cloning pods slowly opened. One by one, 18 female and 72 male androids emerged from their capsules, their movements methodical and synchronized. Each android, their bodies perfectly engineered, was greeted with a set of identical clothes neatly laid out before them.

Once dressed, they knelt in unison, bowing on one knee.

"Lord Heavenly Father," they intoned in perfect harmony.

Edie stood before them, his expression calm and measured as he surveyed his new creations. "From now on, I will divide you into three groups," he declared, his voice steady. "Those of you whose numbers end in 6 and 7, 18 in total, will be placed under Boa Hancock's command. You will be responsible for the daily upkeep of the institute."

These 18 androids, all female and appearing as young girls around nine years old, were clearly not designed for combat. They would serve in roles that supported the functioning of the facility—handling chores, cleaning, and other essential tasks. Their youthful appearances concealed their artificial origins, but their primary purpose was not battle.

"As for the remaining 72 male clones," Edie continued, "you will be split into two groups of 36. Wuma will command one group, and Weiyang will command the other."

The male clones, efficient and combat-ready, were assigned simple, utilitarian names—Horse 1, Horse 2, Sheep A, Sheep B. Their identities were stripped down to function and purpose, each one engineered for specific roles within Edie's growing army of clones.

"Yes, Lord Heavenly Father," they all responded in unison, their voices emotionless as they accepted their orders.

"Chenlong, take them to their posts," Edie ordered, signaling the end of the briefing.

As Chenlong led the clones out of the lab, Edie found himself alone in the now empty Cloning Laboratory. The 90 pods, once filled with potential soldiers, now stood vacant. The current batch of clones was complete, but Edie was not in any rush to start a new round of cloning.

He had far more valuable material in his possession—Rob Lucci's bloodline factor. This genius of a warrior could be cloned later, serving as the prototype for a mass-produced battalion of "Bee Soldiers." A hundred Rob Luccis would provide the combat power he desired. However, he was cautious about overextending his resources; integrating the Lunarian bloodline factor was an option, but the cost was far too high for large-scale production.

"First, I'll focus on improving my own Haki and see how far my strength can reach," Edie mused, his thoughts shifting from his clones to his personal growth.

Just as he contemplated the next phase of his plans, Shenhou entered the lab, bringing news of Toki's movements. "Weiyang has been dispatched to follow Lady Toki and Lady Hiyori to ensure their safety while on the island," Shenhou reported.

"I see," Edie responded with a nod, content with how things were unfolding. Toki had made her choice, and Edie, in turn, had been generous enough to let her roam freely. After all, they had been bound as husband and wife for a night, and in his own way, Edie felt some degree of responsibility for her well-being.

If Toki wished to send a letter to her son, Momonosuke, he would allow it. To him, it was a small gesture of kindness, a fleeting indulgence in their brief connection. But if Toki was still struggling to accept her circumstances, he was prepared to offer her the status and treatment she deserved. At the very least, he wouldn't keep her confined within the institute forever.

And if she ever decided to flee into the future with her daughter? So be it. As Edie had always believed, it was just a woman. Her departure wouldn't impact him in the slightest. He had far more important matters to attend to.

"How did the interrogation with those agents go?" Edie reflected on yesterday's events as he spoke.

Shenhou responded swiftly, "The interrogations have been completed. They are CP7 agents—17 of them in total. All have been arrested, but their mission appears to be purely for intelligence gathering. Their superiors didn't disclose the specifics of what information they were seeking."

"Cannon fodder, sent to test the waters," Edie mused, understanding the World Government's strategy. If they dared to trespass on his territory, even the World Government would have to pay a steep price.

"They've crossed the line," he thought grimly. "The Five Elders, born from corruption, need a clear warning to prevent further transgressions."

Without hesitation, Edie issued his command. "Have Chenlong send the heads of those 17 agents to Mariejois." His voice was cold, decisive. He envisioned the infamous Red Line where two massive ports flanked the holy land, Mariejois, connected by a cave-like channel that linked the New World to the Grand Line's Sea of Paradise. It was a key route under strict World Government control, and Edie intended to send a bloody message through it.

"Yes, Lord Heavenly Father," Shenhou acknowledged, swiftly departing to relay the orders.

Left alone in the laboratory, Edie contemplated his next move. He picked up a transponder snail and dialed a familiar number—the number of Charlotte Linlin, the fearsome Yonko Big Mom. Through her, he had once obtained the contact information of Morgans, the president of the World Economic News Agency, and now it was time to use it.

As the call connected, Morgans' unmistakably energetic voice filled the air. "Hey, this is Big News Morgans! Who's calling? Do you have some major scoop for me?"

"It's Edie."

Morgans, far away on his island, felt a chill run down his spine. His eyes widened, and his tone shifted immediately to one of excitement and deference. "The great scientist, Mr. Edie! What an honor to receive your call!" Despite his outward enthusiasm, Morgans was well aware of Edie's fearsome reputation. This was the man who commanded the respect—and funding—of pirate emperors like Whitebeard and Kaido. News of Edie's rising influence in the New World had reached Morgans, but even he had to admit his intel was falling behind the full scope of Edie's operations.

Without wasting time, Edie got straight to the point. "The World Government sent agents to infiltrate my territory. I've dealt with them, and their heads are on their way back to Red Harbor."

Morgans gulped. He knew the implications of such a direct confrontation with the World Government. This was no idle threat; Edie had already made his move. "What do you want me to do?" Morgans asked cautiously, fully aware of the dangerous ground he was treading.

"Get me in touch with the Five Elders," Edie's voice was icy, "and warn them. If they reach out again, I'll cut off their hand."

The menace in Edie's words was clear. Though he was not yet strong enough to overthrow the World Government, Edie's defenses were formidable, and he had no fear. Even if the ancient weapon [Uranus] were unleashed, he had contingencies. In the worst case, he could escape into the future and plot his revenge. And if it came to it, he would make sure the World Nobles paid dearly, even if he had to sacrifice some of his Earthly Branches to reach Mariejois and slaughter the Celestial Dragons.

Morgans, typically unflappable, was left speechless for a moment. The sheer audacity of Edie's words was staggering. This was no ordinary scientist; this was a man who was unafraid to provoke the most powerful force in the world.

"Mr. Edie… you're going to extreme lengths," Morgans began cautiously, trying to temper the conversation.

"Hm?" Edie's subtle hum carried a clear warning.

Realizing it was futile to argue, Morgans quickly changed his tune, grinning nervously. "I understand! I'll relay your message. It looks like we're in for some interesting times. But I doubt the Five Elders will take this lying down."

"Heh..." Edie smirked, ending the call without a second thought.

As the line went dead, Edie felt no doubt or hesitation. His position was clear, and he would not be crossed lightly. The World Government, the Five Elders—none of them could move against him without suffering the consequences. And in the unlikely event that they tried, Edie was prepared to make the ultimate counterstrike.