"Wow! The princes and princesses are amazing..."

  On the deserted isnd, Abel-’s eyes widened in awe.

  He was drawn in by the tinuous thunderous sounds and the incredible dispys of strength. As he watched his distant cousins train their Devil Fruit abilities, he could barely believe his eyes.

  “So, you have to work hard too, Abel…”

  Afar pced a firm hand on his son’s head, speaking sternly.

  “As a member of the Lunarian race, you ot fall behind.”

  “Yes, Father! I’ll work hard!”

  The three-year-old ched his tiny fists and nodded early.

  “All right, don’t be too hard on him,” El said with a warm smile, pig up his young nephew. “I see Abel’s potential. I believe he’ll grow to be a brave and powerful warrior!”

  “You’re too kind,” Afar chuckled. “If this kid achieves even a tenth of what your children do, I’ll be satisfied.”

  He spoke with a wry smile, fully aware of the immealent El’s children possessed. Their natural gifts, bined with extraordinary Devil Fruit abilities, were terrifying. Eae of them seemed destined freatness.

  Although they shared the same Lunarian lineage, Afar had to admit that El’s genes were overwhelmingly dominant. And it wasn’t just El—his partners were remarkable in their ht.

  Linlin was a natural-born monster, and others like Helen and Gerd hailed from the Giant Tribe. Lillian was from the Three-Eye Tribe, and even Sally, the Shapeshifting Witch, possessed formidable strength.

  “They may have high starting points, but that doesn’t guarantee anything,” El said calmly, cradling Abel. “In the end, how far they go depends on how much effort they put in.”

  He then g Afar with a knowing look.

  “By the way, I heard that Abyss is pregnant again?”

  Abyss was Afar’s wife, a woman who had endured a harrowing past. Kid the age of eight, she had been sold into svery and lived as a possession of the Celestial Dragons until the age of thirteen, when she was rescued and brought to Totto Land.

  At een, she became a a local hospital, where she met Afar. The two fell in love and married a year ter. Three years ago, their first child, Abel, was born.

  Retly, El had heard from Gerd that Abyss was expeg again.

  “Yes, she’s three months along,” Afar said with a rare smile. “The doctors say it’s a girl this time.”

  He then chuckled, his expression turning pyful.

  “But no matter what, I ’t keep up with you. Dr. Kureha told me Linlin is expeg triplets again!”

  “Ha! gratutions are in order for both of us,” El ughed heartily.

  Over the past five years, Linlin had followed El’s rigorous training regimen on the Red Line, showing signifit improvement in her abilities. But the moment she caught a break, she insisted on having more children.

  Given the ret breakthrough by the research team, El hadn’t bothered with any precautions. He hadn’t expected Linlin to ceive triplets all at once. Had it not been for her unique stitution and Dr. Kureha’s reassurances, El might have suspected Linlin of secretly takiility treatments.

  “Speaking of breakthroughs, I’ve got news for you…”

  While holding Abel-, El turo Afar with a smile.

  “The research team, led by Dr. Vegapunk and Dr. Ryan, made incredible progress two years ago when they discovered the ‘Lineage Factor,’ a blueprint of life itself. After two years of focused development, the application of Lineage Factor teology has matured. They ow modify the Lineage Factors of a fetus while it’s still in the womb.”

  El’s eyes glimmered with pride as he spoke.

  The advas of the stific team, especially in uanding and utilizing Lineage Factors, had exceeded his expectations. It wasn’t just their brilliance—El had spared no expense, funneling astronomical amounts of resources into their research. The sheer amount of funding poured into the project was akin to setting money on fire, but it aying off handsomely.

  Over the years, the annual funding requested by the research team had nearly driven Totto Land’s three top overseers—who acted as cellors uhe title of Chief of Staff—mad with frustration.

  Aside from the Wover, which ruled the seas, only Totto Land currently had the financial resources to support such research projects at any cost.

  The returns, however, had been signifit.

  Some specialized teological products or iions with limited impact were ercialized through paterusted eo the Hell Trading pany. These ventures had earotto Land a siderable profit over time, though only about a third of what had been ied.

  This discrepancy arose because many teologies remairictly fidential, includieology and Lineage Faodification, both of which were absolutely forbidden to be shared or leaked.

  “Lineage Faodification?”

  Afar’s pupils shrank in shock.

  “They’ve achieved that level already?”

  Years ago, during a casual versation, El had mentioned Lineage Factor teology to him. He had described how it could grant unborn children incredible enhas, such as steel-like exoskeletons, the ability to turn invisible like a chameleon, and even the power to trol poterical currents.

  At the time, Afar could barely believe such cims. Now, it had all bee a reality far soohan he had anticipated.

  “Exactly. I’ve already instructed them to prepare. The Lineage Faodification procedures are scheduled for three days from now,” El said with a smile.

  “Not just for Linliher. Tsuru, Lily, Sally, Baka, Lillian, and Gerd are all pregnant as well!”

  With the Lineage Factor teology now mature, El no longer insisted on traception for Sally, Lillian, or the others. Even Baka, the graceful dancer, had her wish fulfilled when he granted her the opportunity to bear a child.

  Unfortunately, Nef, Stussy, Tethys, Toki, and Furiko—who had bee forward in time—would not return to the present for another four years. As for Tsuru and Lily, the unioween El and the Giant Tribe maiden had been a natural progression, unsurprising to anyone.

  “You should bring Abyss over for the procedure too,” El said.

  As a fellow Lunarian, Afar had devoted himself tirelessly to Totto Land’s cause over the years. El had no iion of withholding su opportunity from him.

  “All right, we’ll e wheime is right,” Afar agreed readily.

  If El was willing to subject his own offspring to Lineage Faodification, it was clear that the teology was either highly advanced or posed minimal risk at this stage.

  Over the years, El’s achievements had proven one undeniable truth: in this harsh world, power was the ultimate currency. Why else would the Wover harbor endless io annihite the Fallen Angel Pirates but never dare make a reckless move?

  As a father, Afar naturally wanted his children to be stronger as well. Even if they couldn’t match the monstrous talents of his cousin’s offspring, he still hoped they would surpass his own achievements.