"I am indeed a clone created by Dr. Vegapunk, based on Stussy's body."
There was a strange emotion in Stussy's eyes. "Do you know what it feels like, Lord Ian, to come into this world unprepared?"
"It's not like being a newborn baby. I was born with the cognitive abilities of an adult, but without the corresponding knowledge."
"After initially understanding this world, I began to think, why am I here? Am I really human?"
"Oh?"
Ian prompted her to continue.
Indeed, the issue of cloning does pose an ethical dilemma.
"There's already a Stussy in this world. I'm just her replica. This world never needed me."
There was a hint of melancholy and confusion in Stussy's eyes. "No one expected my birth. I was simply created by Dr. Vegapunk for his experiment. This world doesn't have a place for me."
"Can you understand that feeling, Lord Ian? Not knowing why you're here, or where you should go?"
"Why was I brought into this world? I never agreed to it, nor did I ever ask for it. Why did they make such a decision without consulting me? If I never existed from the start, would I be suffering like this? That's what I thought."
"I don't know," Ian replied.
But I know you and Mewtwo probably have a lot in common.
Too bad you're not in the same universe.
Otherwise, you might've been able to become the Legendary Beast Woman and sweep the Eight Masters along with Mewtwo.
Ian simply gestured for Stussy to continue.
Stussy sighed. "Then the doctor apologized to me, crying like a child. He said he never thought I would feel this way. He just thought, since I was here, I was a real life, a real human. He said I was free, that I could do whatever I wanted."
"But," she continued, "what's there to do? How can I even know what to do when I don't even know why I'm alive?"
"At that time, Buckingham Stussy made a request to the doctor. So, the doctor came up with a plan. He allowed me to take on the identity of Stussy. Since I couldn't find the meaning of life, I would just live on with this identity for now."
"Just right, after the Rocks Pirates disbanded, Buckingham Stussy was constantly harassed by the Navy because of her original identity. She also wanted to use this opportunity to escape the Navy's pursuit."
"So, I became Stussy, replacing everything about her."
"Replacing everything about her?"
Ian's lips twitched. "So, you also replaced her in being hunted by the Navy?"
Stussy suddenly smiled. "Yeah, actually, I'm quite happy. This is the first time someone has come after me specifically."
It's hard to say.
"For the first time, I had enemies and friends. My life became vibrant because of that. Happy, sad, angry—various emotions belonging to humans—I began to feel them. But the doctor told me that all of this came because of the Stussy identity. I shouldn't indulge in it; I should find what I truly want to do."
"What is it that I truly want to do? While I was thinking about this, the World Government appeared."
Ian raised an eyebrow. "Did they invite you to join CP0?"
Stussy nodded gently. "Because Ochoku and Linlin are my friends, and I'm familiar with Whitebeard and Kaido. But I'm weak, always being chased by the Navy. They thought I was a good fit."
"It was the first time someone said they needed my help. I was actually quite tempted."
Are you Baby-5?
"So, I went to ask the doctor."
"What did Vegapunk say?"
Ian asked, "He told you to refuse?"
"No."
Stussy shook her head. "The doctor asked me to join CP0 and act as his informant."
"Ah?"
Ian froze.
"The doctor said, this is not a request for Stussy, but for me."
A bright smile appeared on Stussy's face. "It's something only I can do!"
Ian's expression was odd.
To be honest, isn't this really just at KFC Stussy?
"Now this is the second time."
Ian said matter-of-factly, "I'm not asking for Stussy, but I'm asking you to do something for me."
"I've also given you a purpose to live."
Stussy was momentarily stunned, and her charming smile vanished in an instant.
Really can't read the room, can you, Lord Ian?
She could only nod, "Understood, Lord Ian. I will carry out what you've asked of me as soon as possible."
Ian nodded in satisfaction.
"This is our first meeting. In order to avoid raising suspicion from the government, I will take my leave now."
Stussy stood up and excused herself.
She honestly didn't want to stay with the monster Ian for too long.
Ian waved his hand.
Stussy respectfully bowed slightly towards Ian in farewell, then pushed the door open and left.
"Ugh!"
She jumped in surprise as soon as she opened the door.
On the other side of the thick door, two girls—one white, one black—were staring at her intently.
Yamato and Hancock!
"What did you do with Ian?"
Yamato scanned Stussy from top to bottom.
Though she usually seemed absent-minded and a bit silly, her possessiveness was not any less than Hancock's.
"Just turn into stone already!"
Hancock's expression grew colder.
"Lord Ian!"
Stussy was so frightened that her body was covered in a cold sweat. She instinctively took a step back and looked to Ian for help.
She didn't want to be turned into an ice block, nor did she want to be turned into stone.
"Don't make things difficult for her," Ian casually said. "She's our friend."
"Friend?"
Yamato was still somewhat suspicious.
"Understood, Ian!" Hancock's voice was as sweet as ever, but her gaze toward Stussy was filled with indifference.
These two women were terrifying!
From now on, Stussy decided not to use any tricks she used on other men against Ian.
Not daring to meet their chilling gazes, Stussy lowered her head and swiftly ran off.
"Ian, who exactly is that person?"
Yamato walked boldly into Ian's office and asked directly.
"Just a poor soul," Ian replied.
The significance that Stussy supposedly had, given to her by Vegapunk, was nothing but borrowed.
She was still not a fully functioning human; she was simply living for others.
At least, though, that was far better than living without knowing the reason for her existence.
"She's also a very useful person," Ian added with a smile.
CP0 was a direct intelligence agency under the World Nobles. A mole embedded within it could be incredibly useful.
In fact, why not let Stussy rise through the ranks?
In the original story, Stussy's position in CP0 wasn't very high, since it only took Rob Lucci two years to surpass her.
But what if Stussy had a chance to prove herself and earn some merit? Would things turn out differently?
After returning to Hive Island, Ian didn't really have time to relax.
It hadn't been long since they took control of the Hive Island seas, and during this time, Ian had been away for quite a while, with many matters still needing his attention.
Of course, the most important matter was the arrangement of the giants.
It was indeed difficult to accommodate the three hundred giants. There was simply no place on Hive Island where they could stay.
So, they had no choice but to temporarily house them on the ship and then quickly build a row of enormous houses along the coast.
The more troublesome issue, however, was the food.
Hive Island had no agriculture, and nearly all food had to be supplied from outside. Just fishing wasn't enough to supply the entire island.
And the giants, with their immense appetites, were naturally exaggerated in how much they could eat. After just a few days, the food reserves on Hive Island were already running low.
Therefore, Ian didn't dare let them stay for long. He quickly dispersed the giant army, splitting them into groups of ten, sending them to the various islands in the surrounding sea of Hive Island.
This would lighten the burden and also enhance control over the surrounding sea.
Ian left thirty giants, led by Solem and Himir, on Hive Island.
This number was just right, allowing the Golden Dragon ship to carry them. Any more, and the ship wouldn't be able to accommodate them.
Of course, the giants Ian left behind were the elite warriors. Since they were to sail with him, only the best were chosen—no room for dead weight on his ship.
**********
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