Chapter 172: Connecting the Nine Realms (Part 2)

"This Ace really can't stay out of trouble. I've been here long enough; should I return now or stay until I've reached the level of a Yonko before going back?"

As Daniel read the newspaper articles about Ace causing chaos in the New World, he began to ponder. The world of pirates was never short on news: pirates defeating naval forces, seizing islands, the navy capturing pirates, Supernovas challenging the Yonko, and more. However, these events had little to do with Daniel, who stayed within the Alabasta Kingdom. Though curious about the New World, he was unlike Luffy and wouldn't recklessly venture there without sufficient strength.

"Reaching Yonko-level strength would take too long. Instead of staying here, I might as well explore other worlds."

While the power level in the One Piece world was high, the vast universe contained realms with even higher power levels. Achieving Yonko strength here might be easier to surpass in another world.

"Should I take Robin back with me?" With his decision to return made, Daniel began preparing to bring back some unique items from this world, such as Sea Kings' meat. This highly nutritious meat could enhance physical strength significantly, even surpassing the dragon meat from the Harry Potter world. Consuming it regularly would greatly improve one's physique.

Take the Celestial Dragons, for example. Despite their weaknesses, their physical strength was evident, as shown when one survived a furious punch from Luffy. Even Nami, without martial skills, had an impressive physical foundation. After Law's heart-switching operation with Sanji, Sanji could use Nami's body for some martial arts, although it left Nami sore afterward, highlighting her physical capabilities.

For national athletes, regularly consuming such meat would make breaking Olympic records easy.

"You're leaving this world? What do you mean?" In the underground base in Rainbase, Robin looked puzzled by Daniel's sudden announcement. Even in the Marvel world, not everyone would understand such a statement immediately.

"It's simple." Daniel explained using the magic of Kamar-Taj to illustrate the concept of the multiverse and the infinite cosmos.

"So, you're not from this world?" Despite being one of the few in this world with advanced knowledge, Robin still struggled to grasp everything Daniel said, ultimately understanding that he wasn't from this world.

"That's correct. Are you interested in seeing it?"

"What about here?" Robin was curious about the other world but worried about what would happen if she and Daniel left Rainbase.

"Others can manage for now. We won't be gone forever. But before that, you need to learn about my world's norms. Red Queen." At Daniel's command, a small girl in a red dress appeared beside them.

"Show her the basics of Earth and things to be cautious about."

"Understood, sir. Miss Robin, this way, please."

"So this is another world?" On Earth, at Daniel's private base, Robin, having removed her Ant-Man suit, looked around with curiosity. Despite Red Queen's virtual briefing, the real thing was quite different.

"This is my private planet. It's a bit barren." Daniel took her to the top floor and introduced the planet through the window.

"Why become a mere Shichibukai with your abilities?"

"Just to see the scenery of different worlds. We'll discuss this later. In my world, identity is crucial, so you'll need to adopt one." Bringing Robin suddenly without a trace would likely cause Fury to become paranoid. Therefore, Daniel planned to give her a Chinese identity and arrange for her to fly to New York. SHIELD's influence in China was minimal, making it hard to verify her identity, and the Chinese authorities wouldn't pay much attention to a citizen abroad.

After explaining his plans, Daniel opened a portal back to his villa and had Red Queen create a legitimate new identity for Robin. For ordinary people, this would be difficult, but for Daniel, it was simple.

"Take this chance to explore a bit." Handing Robin her identification, a black card, and a specially made phone, Daniel suggested.

"You're treating me so well. Are you interested in me?" Robin teased, smiling as she took the items. Compared to her time in the One Piece world, she seemed unusually relaxed and even flirted with Daniel.

Ahem.

Robin's words left Daniel momentarily speechless. Denying it would be insincere, but he genuinely pitied her. In the One Piece world, Robin never had a peaceful night's sleep. Constantly living on the run had made her hyper-vigilant, always sleeping with a weapon nearby.

"Are you leaving now, or staying a few days?" Daniel quickly changed the subject, trying to deflect from Robin's teasing.

"Now, as you suggested, it's a good chance to rest."

"Alright, I'll send you over. Remember, this world has many cameras, so avoid using your abilities publicly." After opening a golden portal, Daniel reminded her.

"Don't worry, I'll be careful." Robin touched Daniel's cheek with a playful smile before stepping through the portal.

"Sigh, in bringing her over, I forgot about Ada. This might be tricky. Oh well, I'll take it one step at a time."

After Robin left, Daniel realized a significant oversight. However, he decided to address it later. While monogamy was a virtue, Daniel found himself desiring both women, a common dream for many men.

He wasn't worried about Robin adapting to modern society. Besides her recent education from Red Queen, her survival experience on the run in the pirate world was more than enough to thrive here.

Although Aokiji had protected Robin, he couldn't always be there. Her survival was largely due to her own capabilities.

"Perfect timing. I was looking for you. Let's have a fight." At Tony Stark's seaside mansion, Stark excitedly greeted Daniel upon his arrival.

"Have you finally finished your anti-sorcerer armor?" As Iron Man, Stark's greatest passion was developing various anti-series armors, like the anti-Hulk armor and anti-sorcerer armor.

Banner had often expressed displeasure with Stark's anti-Hulk armor, but Daniel wasn't concerned. In his view, Stark's anti-series armors were generally ineffective. The so-called anti-Hulk armor would be torn apart by Hulk in a real fight.

Hulk's strength, in the pirate world, would be at least Yonko level. His combat and destructive power aside, his physical resilience was undoubtedly on par with the Yonko, similar to Big Mom.

Compared to a certain hero in a black bat suit, Stark was much better. Stark's anti-series armors targeted various threats without inadvertently benefiting villains. Stark's armors, at least, didn't fall into the wrong hands.

"Yes, it's this one. Let's test it out." Stark pointed to a gold and red suit of armor, preparing to wear it.

"No need to test. You can't beat me." Daniel said, his right hand enveloped in translucent Haki, and punched the armor's chest.

Boom.

The mansion shook for a while before settling. The chest of the anti-sorcerer armor was dented but not shattered.

"What?" Stark's eyes widened at the dent. He knew the armor's chest was made of extremely durable materials, designed to withstand a direct hit from his micro-missiles without such damage.

"Your body is too weak. The armor might be strong, but can your body inside withstand such attacks?"

"Are all sorcerers like this now?" Stark muttered, holding the damaged armor.

"Don't equate movie sorcerers with reality." Daniel shook his head slightly. If Stark saw the battle-ready sorcerers of Kamar-Taj, he'd be even more shocked. Unlike traditional sorcerers, Kamar-Taj sorcerers often engaged in physical combat.

"I'll definitely develop a true anti-sorcerer armor." Despite the setback, Stark quickly recovered his resolve.

"Let's not dwell on that. I've brought something to enhance physical strength." Daniel's main purpose was to deliver Sea Kings' meat to Stark.

"Don't spread this around. I don't have much." Though Daniel had plenty of Sea Kings' meat, he wanted to ensure Stark wouldn't waste or give it away.

"Really taking a trip, huh?" Daniel smiled, shaking his head slightly at a photo from Robin showing her at the Great Wall. Instead of flying to the US, Robin had decided to tour China first.

"Ada seems busy lately too."

As Daniel mused, Red Queen sent him a video.

"Is it starting?" Seeing Dr. Selvig running naked from the police, Daniel knew the event was imminent.

Ever since Thor had returned to Asgard with Loki, Daniel had Red Queen monitor Thor's girlfriend, Jane, and Dr. Selvig. Jane was connected to the Reality Stone, while Selvig seemed to have discovered the Nine Realms' alignment.

Without knowing the exact timing, Daniel had to monitor them for relevant information. Selvig's words to the police indicated the Nine Realms' alignment was near.

Though unethical, this monitoring was necessary to prevent future problems.

"Couldn't Selvig just talk normally? Running around naked is indecent." With this thought, Daniel opened a portal to England.

"Jane, it's here." At an abandoned building, Jane's assistant, Darcy, arrived with another assistant carrying a detection device.

"Room." After Jane's group entered the building, Daniel expanded his Ope Ope no Mi abilities to cover the entire structure.

"Here?" While Jane's group conducted their gravity and spatial anomaly tests, Daniel found a node and stepped inside.

His true purpose was to acquire the Aether, or Reality Stone, before Jane. With three Infinity Stones, he'd be significantly more powerful.

"This place... impossible?" Daniel found himself in a cold, mountainous region, surrounded by towering blue figures. Realizing he was in Jotunheim, the land of the Frost Giants, Daniel immediately opened a golden portal to avoid

 confrontation.

"Jane, where are you?" Returning through the portal, Daniel heard Darcy calling for Jane.

"Is this her fate? Time for Plan B." Failing to get the Reality Stone first, Daniel was frustrated, knowing he couldn't obtain it soon.

Frustrated, he called a familiar number.

"It's rare to hear from you. What's up?"

"Prepare for battle."

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