Chapter 143: Cloning the Three Admirals!

Edie robbed Kizaru of one year of his life, his devilish precision extracting it as casually as if plucking a leaf from a branch. After a tense discussion, he let the Marine Admiral go.

"Is it really okay to let him walk away like this?" Kaido growled, his eyes blazing with bloodlust. He had wanted to kill Kizaru on the spot. "By sparing him, you risk making the Marines our enemies."

"The true enemy isn't the Marines," Edie said, shaking his head. "They're merely tools. The real enemy is the Celestial Dragons."

Kaido bristled, but remained silent, his towering figure seething with suppressed frustration. Edie, meanwhile, analyzed the situation with cold calculation. The Five Elders' ignorance about the mermaid, Usagi, being Poseidon—the Ancient Weapon capable of commanding the Sea Kings—revealed Akainu's silence about their earlier clash. This oversight meant they were still in the shadows.

Edie turned to Kaido. "Prepare sufficient resources. The final battle looms. I'll see Vegapunk."

Without waiting for a response, Edie ascended skyward, vanishing into the horizon in moments. Kaido watched him disappear, the searing heat of his frustration mingling with the oppressive wind.

King approached, his tone unbothered. "Boss Kaido, should we just raid a coke manufacturing plant? It's a critical resource for Pluton now."

"No," Kaido replied, his lips curving into a feral grin. "We'll buy it. Even pirates must adapt to the modern times." His laughter rumbled as he transformed into his dragon form, flames licking the air as he lifted the mighty Pluton battleship back to their base.

Meanwhile, Edie flew toward Egghead Island, alone in his calculated solitude. The island's lack of magnetism made it difficult to locate, but Edie's memory of its rough coordinates served him well. His mind churned as he reviewed his next steps.

"The blood and soul materials of the three Admirals are assembled," he muttered, clutching three vials of crimson liquid—Akainu, Kizaru, and Aokiji. "The decisive battle is coming. Let's see what perfection looks like."

[Simulation Begins]

First Year

Edie abandoned his visit to Vegapunk, returning directly to the Hive Research Institute. Immersed in creating a clone embodying the abilities of the three Admirals, he faced an unprecedented challenge: merging three distinct bloodline factors.

Outside his walls, the world changed in silence. The World Government orchestrated a secret World Summit, summoning kings from 170 nations. In the shadows, assassins moved swiftly, slaughtering most monarchs and enslaving others. The Five Elders began laying the groundwork for a new Void Century.

Edie, detached from the chaos, ignored the ominous developments, focused solely on his experiments.

Second Year

The World Government struck Wanokuni in a surprise attack. The battle was swift and brutal; King, battered and broken, escaped to Edie's research institute. His voice trembled as he delivered the grim news: Kaido had fallen in a titanic clash with the Five Elders.

Yamato grieved silently, her resilience faltering for only a moment. Yet, even as the shadow of loss loomed, Edie's cold eyes never left his work. His focus was unyielding, his heart impervious to the devastation outside.

Third Year

The purge intensified. Twelve nations, including Alabasta and Dressrosa, were consumed in flames, their histories erased in a maelstrom of destruction. Morgans' News Bird organization, now under the World Government's control, broadcasted nothing but silence.

Amidst the inferno consuming the world, Edie achieved a breakthrough. After tens of thousands of grueling trials, he successfully created embryos infused with the bloodline factors of the Admirals. The lifeless, fragile forms floated in cloning chambers, their potential radiating ominously.

Fourth Year

The flames of war spread relentlessly. Nineteen more nations fell, their peoples either massacred or enslaved. The Five Elders' purge operations marched on, leaving no room for resistance.

The World Government's hunt for Edie intensified, but his Hive Research Institute remained concealed, cloaked in layers of security and misdirection. He worked tirelessly, a god in his domain, crafting life from the remnants of death.

Fifth Year

Fusion No. 1 emerged from the cloning chamber. A being of unimaginable power, it wielded the abilities of the Lava-Lava Fruit, Ice-Ice Fruit, and Light-Light Fruit. Its energy levels reached an astounding 380 billion.

Edie observed his creation with a critical eye. It stood before him, the perfect amalgamation of elemental chaos, yet something was missing—a spark of perfection. Without hesitation, he ordered it to self-destruct. Fusion No. 1 obeyed, crumpling into ash as Edie turned away, unfazed.

Meanwhile, the outside world continued to burn. The Spade Pirates, led by Ace and Sabo, briefly rose to prominence, slaying a Shichibukai and earning the ire of the World Government. After rejecting an invitation to join their ranks, the Spade Pirates were annihilated by the Knights of God, their legacy reduced to whispers.

Sixth Year

Fusion No. 2 was born, surpassing its predecessor with an energy level of 420 billion. Yet, to Edie, it was still inadequate. His relentless pursuit of perfection left no room for mediocrity.

The Five Elders continued their purge, razing nations to the ground. The world screamed in agony, but Edie's ears were deaf to its cries. His lab thrived amidst the carnage, a sanctuary of twisted creation.

Eighth Year

The year 1520 brought the return of Imu from beyond the folds of time. The ancient ruler's reappearance marked the culmination of the Five Elders' purge. Imu wielded the national treasure, a weapon of unspeakable power, to annihilate all resistance.

The Straw Hat Pirates, fledgling adventurers, crossed paths with Imu and the Five Elders in Logue Town. Their journey ended in merciless slaughter, their dreams extinguished before they could take root.

Garp, consumed by grief and rage, launched a desperate assault on Mariejois. His valor proved futile; he fell quickly, his legacy absorbed into the blood-soaked earth. Monkey D. Dragon's revolutionary army rose in rebellion, fueled by the Five Elders' atrocities, only to be obliterated by the same national treasure.

The fire of rebellion was extinguished, and the world fell into a suffocating silence. Yet Edie thrived, his Hive Research Institute untouched, a bastion of innovation amid the wreckage of civilization.

Tenth Year

Fusion No. 3 was born, the zenith of Edie's creations. Its energy levels defied comprehension, surpassing all known limits. This being was perfection incarnate, a testament to Edie's brilliance and determination.

Outside, the world had been silenced, its history rewritten in blood and ash. Yet, within the walls of the Hive, Edie stood triumphant, his masterpiece complete.

[Simulation Ends]

Compared to the triumphant success of fusing the three bloodline factors, Edie found himself unsettled by the grim future revealed in the simulation.

The sheer power of the World Government, which had ruled unchallenged for 800 years, was staggering. If it decided on total extinction, no force in the world could oppose it. The Marines, once regarded as protectors of justice, were reduced to nothing more than obedient guard dogs. The Revolutionary Army, despite its rhetoric of liberation, was exposed as powerless—a mere collection of insignificant pawns.

Ace's fate was even more tragic. Strangled to death the moment he surfaced in the Grand Line, he was robbed of any chance to carve his own legacy. Meanwhile, Sabo, without the amnesia incident that altered his original trajectory, never joined the Revolutionary Army. The absence of the Celestial Dragon's visit to Goa Kingdom in this timeline—a likely consequence of their demise in Mariejois—allowed Sabo to join Ace at sea. Yet, the brothers met the same grim fate, dying together in an unremarkable tragedy.

As for Monkey D. Luffy, his so-called "destiny" was ruthlessly crushed. The revelation of the true nature of his Devil Fruit led the Five Elders to act decisively, snuffing out his life before he could even dream of adventure. Unlike the original timeline, where his growth was allowed and even seemingly tolerated, the Five Elders in this simulated future showed no mercy.

"What would the future look like without my intervention?" Edie mused darkly. His eyes narrowed as he reflected on the systematic erasure of history and potential.

Still, Edie knew better than to trust the simulation blindly. "After all," he muttered to himself, "the simulation reflects a version of me detached from the world—a version consumed by research alone. That's far from who I truly am."

His focus sharpened. He was no passive observer in this timeline. He had no intention of standing idly by while the world descended into chaos. "The final war with the World Government will end in my victory."

The simulation left some gaps, however. Edie had seen no mention of the other Yonko or Vegapunk. He dismissed it with a shrug. "Not important," he muttered. His attention shifted to the final prompt flashing before him:

[Additional Reward]: Fusion No. 3.

[Do you want to receive it?]

Edie's hand hovered over the confirmation. In a flash of white light, a figure materialized mid-air. A young man, appearing no older than 20, plummeted towards the sea.

Without the Lunarian blood factor, Fusion No. 3 lacked wings to fly. Yet, as he hit the water, his body exuded intense cold, freezing the ocean solid beneath him. Kneeling on one knee, the clone raised his head, saluting Edie with absolute reverence.

"Lord Heavenly Father!"

Edie descended slowly, observing his creation with cold precision. "You are the eleventh compatriot," he declared. "Your code name is [Yin]."

[Yin] resembled a younger version of Akainu, bearing a striking 60-70% similarity. "Show me your Haki," Edie ordered, his voice sharp and commanding.

Without hesitation, Yin unleashed a surge of Haki. The numbers on Edie's monitoring device climbed rapidly, settling at an astonishing 450 billion—a level that surpassed even Usagi's formidable 420 billion.

Satisfied, Edie nodded. "Follow me. We have someone to meet."

Yin stepped into the air, using Moonwalk to keep up with Edie. He lacked the ability to fly but refrained from transforming into light to avoid outpacing his creator. Together, they traveled toward Egghead Island.

Naval Headquarters: A Brewing Storm

At Naval Headquarters, tension was palpable. Kizaru had returned from a harrowing mission and sat wearily in the conference room. His usual carefree demeanor was replaced with uncharacteristic seriousness.

"Kaido wanted me dead," Kizaru admitted, lighting a cigar as he spoke. "If it wasn't for Edie, I wouldn't be here right now. That guy's plans are... something else."

Aokiji raised an eyebrow. "And you're sure he let you go for free?"

"Not free," Kizaru muttered, taking a drag. "He wanted me to deliver a message... indirectly."

Sengoku slammed his palm onto the table. "Enough!" His sharp voice cut through the room. "We have orders to follow, no matter what. The World Summit will be held in one month. All nations under the World Government's banner must attend or they will face dire consequences. Our job is to escort the kings and ensure their safety."

The Vice Admirals exchanged uneasy glances. Even they felt the shifting tides. Garp, leaning against the wall with a casual grin, broke the silence.

"Typical Five Elders," he said, his voice tinged with sarcasm. "Trying to control everything as usual."

"Vice Admiral Garp!" Momonga interjected, his voice strained. "Be careful with your words!"

"Relax," Garp replied with a chuckle, "it's not like they're listening right now."

The room fell into a tense silence. Even Sengoku seemed weary, his usual commanding presence subdued. As he dismissed the meeting, he muttered under his breath to Zephyr, who waited outside his office.

"Do you really think this summit is about peace?" Zephyr asked once they were alone. His voice was low, almost conspiratorial.

Sengoku sighed, pouring himself a drink. "No. It's a show. A charade to mask their intentions. If the Five Elders truly aim to recreate the Void Century by erasing dissent... we may have no choice but to rebel."

Zephyr clenched his fists. "Count me in. But be careful, Sengoku. They won't hesitate to purge even us."

Sengoku's heart trembled, and he said: "No way?"

No matter how crazy the Five Elders are, they won't purge the Marines, right? 

Zephyr was noncommittal.

There has been an unusual atmosphere within the Marines recently, and it is impossible for the Five Elders not to know about it no matter how much information is withheld. 

Two days after the live broadcast ends.

Egghead Island: A Meeting of Minds

Meanwhile, Vegapunk paced his laboratory on Egghead Island, his elongated head bobbing with each step. The atmosphere in the research facility was tense. His staff moved quietly, aware of the looming threat from the higher-ups.

Vegapunk muttered to himself, "The Five Elders must have found something... but what? Have they finally decided I'm disposable?"

Lost in thought, he returned to his quarters, only to jump back in shock when he saw someone sitting on his couch.

"Dr. Edie!" Vegapunk exclaimed, clutching his chest. "You scared me!"

Edie chuckled, sipping coffee from a mug he had helped himself to. "Relax, old friend. I walked in normally. It's not my fault you didn't notice."

Vegapunk hurriedly brewed another cup, his hands trembling slightly. "To what do I owe the honor, Dr. Edie?"

"You've been meddling, haven't you?" Edie asked, his tone light but his eyes sharp. "The Five Elders don't like it when someone disrupts their plans."

Edie crossed his legs in a leisurely manner, stared at Vegapunk, whom He had been friends with for a long time, and said with a smile: "Have you studied the history of the Void Century, and the Five Elders found out about it? 

"As expected of You, You actually know that I have studied the Void Century... However, that is not the case. I am very careful about this matter and the Five Elders will not discover it for the time being." Vegapunk calmly replied 

Like an old naughty boy, Vegapunk ran to a water dispenser, and when he pressed the button, coffee came out.

He held two cups of hot coffee, sat across from Edie, and pushed one of them in front of Edie.

"This is the punk coffee I developed, please use it."

Vegapunk's eyes flashed and he said wisely: "I think you must like drinking coffee."

Edie does like coffee.

He picked up the coffee cup and took a sip. It tasted pretty good.

"A genius can even predict his own death date, although I'm not as good at predicting things as you are, Dr. Edie."

Vegapunk sat down, his face a mixture of resignation and defiance. "I had no choice. The research they commissioned—something called the 'Mother Flame'—it's more dangerous than anything I've ever created. I sabotaged it in secret, but they've grown suspicious and impatient."

"The Mother Flame?" Edie's interest was piqued. "Tell me more."

Vegapunk explained, his words spilling out in a hurried stream. The Mother Flame was a energy source that fueled a devastating weapon capable of reshaping the seas and lands. Its activation two years ago had caused a catastrophic event near Water 7, something Vegapunk had never intended originally.

"I thought I could control it and tone it down," Vegapunk admitted. "But the Five Elders' plans are far beyond anything I imagined. They don't care about the consequences. They'd drown the world if it meant consolidating their power."

Edie leaned back, processing the information. "And now they want you dead."

Vegapunk nodded, his voice tinged with desperation. "I can't fight them. But you... you can. Please, Edie, save me."

Edie smirked. "You've got some nerve, old man. But fine. I'll keep you alive—for now."

Meanwhile, Edie's mind raced with plans. The Mother Flame, the World Summit, the Five Elders' ambitions—everything was converging.

The final war was no longer a distant possibility. It was imminent, and Edie was determined to emerge victorious.