Chapter 87: Arranging for the Children and Women

Rocks had grown old. Although his powerful Armament Haki helped maintain his physical condition, it couldn't change the fact that he was human. Without any means of prolonging life, a peak human could only last until around seventy or eighty years old.

Whether for his ambition to dominate the world or for a longer lifespan, Rocks would challenge the World Government and the Celestial Dragons.

During this period, the Rocks Pirates had been expanding wildly, as Rocks aimed to strengthen the crew and accumulate more power in preparation for the upcoming challenges against the Celestial Dragons and the World Government.

**Rocks Pirates Officer Meeting:**

All officers of the Rocks Pirates were present except for Li Yuan. Since Li Yuan was absent, Mari, acting as his representative on Hive Island, was summoned.

However, Mari didn't dare to sit in Li Yuan's seat. Instead, he stood behind it, much like Kaido stood behind Charlotte Linlin, playing the role of a subordinate.

"Today's meeting is to announce that there will no longer be any restrictions on the expansion of your subordinate fleets. You can expand as much as your abilities allow."

"You can also relocate from Hive Island to other areas to establish bases."

"However, when I issue orders, you must arrive at the fastest speed possible."

"Failure to arrive during a major battle will be considered betrayal!"

During the meeting, Rocks spoke most of the time, leaving little room for others to interject. However, as Rocks spoke, the smiles on the faces of the many officers grew brighter.

Previously, Rocks had intentionally placed restrictions on their subordinates' personnel and territory development, but now that restriction was lifted. For those ambitious officers, this was a great opportunity!

Even if they couldn't plunder the islands and territories already occupied by the Rocks Pirates, the New World was vast, with many areas untouched by Rocks' crew.

Those areas were ripe for the taking by these ambitious officers.

"Li Yuan has been away for almost half a year, right? Tell him that it's time to come back now that he's had his fun."

Rocks glanced at Mari and said.

"Yes, yes, yes!!!"

Mari felt the weight of Rocks' terrifying gaze and nearly lost his breath, quickly lowering his head in response. He was just a small pawn attending such an important meeting, terrified that one of those monsters might accidentally crush him.

"Oh? I understand. Tell Rocks I'll be returning shortly."

Li Yuan, who had just finished training on Gravity Island, replied after receiving Mari's call.

"Looks like Rocks can't wait any longer!"

"Then let's go. My time on Gravity Island for rapid improvement has passed; I can only accumulate slowly from here on."

After hanging up the phone, Li Yuan said.

"Li Yuan, are we leaving?"

Razili, holding Esdeath, came out and asked.

"Eee, eee!!!"

Esdeath excitedly waved her little hands at the sight of Li Yuan, wanting a hug, which was incredibly adorable.

"Yes, we are indeed leaving to return to Hive Island."

"Before that, let's drop off Esdeath and the others at Amazon Lily."

Li Yuan said as he took Esdeath into his arms.

Esdeath grabbed Li Yuan's outstretched finger, trying to taste it, but he gently refused, reminding her that it wasn't a good habit.

"I've already contacted Amazon Lily; we can head there now."

At that moment, Xia Qi also emerged, holding Akihito.

Compared to Esdeath's lively nature, Akihito was much quieter, though she was vigorously sucking on her pacifier.

"Then let's set off! First, to Amazon Lily, then back to Hive!"

With their next journey decided, Li Yuan took the rare opportunity to relax for a few days, enjoying the sea breeze with Esdeath and Akihito while frequently playing with his two adorable daughters.

He also took the time to reflect on his gains over the past few days. First and foremost was his understanding of sword intent. After sparring with Red Count, his progress had been remarkable, far exceeding what he could achieve alone.

If he had tried to comprehend it alone, it would have taken him at least six months to reach this level, and he could easily have hit a bottleneck.

"No wonder the original story's Mihawk is so eager to spar with other great swordsmen and hopes someone will challenge his position as the world's strongest swordsman."

"That's because he knows that only by fighting equally strong or even stronger swordsmen can he advance his swordsmanship more rapidly, even breaking through his current bottleneck to reach a higher level of swordsmanship."

Li Yuan couldn't help but feel this way.

Now, Li Yuan felt the same; he craved battles with other great swordsmen.

"The effect of gravity on Haki body refinement is indeed significant. My physical condition improved markedly during just two months of training on Gravity Island."

"If I could access a stronger gravity environment for a longer period, my physique and Haki would steadily and rapidly improve."

As he felt the growth of his physique, Li Yuan reflected.

It had only been a year since his Armament Haki awakened, and he was already close to the advanced level.

Even among the current officers of the Rocks Pirates, their Armament Haki levels were only at the advanced stage.

In the Rocks Pirates, only Rocks had reached the top level of Armament Haki, and it was the highest tier.

"In the future, once I have my own territory, I'll ask Shiki to move Gravity Island into my domain."

Li Yuan had already decided that once he established a stable territory, he would ask Shiki for this favor.

As for whether Shiki would swallow his Gravity Island, he didn't worry at all. By that time, his strength would have caught up with Shiki's.

As long as Shiki dared to swallow his island, he would dare to destroy the other islands Shiki occupied. They could mutually harm each other if needed.

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