The Strongest Lunarian in One Piece

"The World's Strongest Creature?"

In the lavish hall, El was reviewing Sally's report while glancing at the newspaper's second page. His brow furrowed slightly as his gaze settled on the bold black headline featuring him.

Beside the headline was a photograph taken six months earlier during Totto Land's fifth-anniversary celebration, showing El appearing dignified and commanding.

"Yes, although there's competition between Totto Land Daily and the World Economy News Paper, the latter doesn't want to completely antagonize the Fallen Angel Pirate Crew. To boost their sales, they've coined this sensational title, proclaiming you as the 'World's Strongest Creature'…"

Sally's eyes shone with admiration as she beamed.

"And frankly, apart from the ignorant masses, I doubt anyone would disagree with this claim!"

In this vast sea, who else but El deserved such a title?

"Hmph, clever fools…"

El snorted softly, dismissing the headline with indifference.

"The situation on Fusang Island will be left to Kouzaburou and the others. We'll head back for now,"

he added, setting the newspaper aside with a smile.

"Otherwise, those little ones might turn the place upside down."

"Those mischievous brats,"

Sally responded with an amused shrug, though her expression showed a hint of exasperation,

"they're like birds just released from their cages—absolutely uncontrollable."

She then continued in a more serious tone:

"But El-sama, CP's intelligence network is formidable. The World Government has likely caught wind of the little ones' existence. It wouldn't be surprising if they place hefty bounties on their heads or even resort to assassination attempts."

"No matter. I've anticipated this."

El nodded calmly.

Just then, a graceful figure hurried into the room. Dressed in a sleek black secretary's outfit that emphasized her alluring curves, the woman exuded both elegance and professionalism. This was Baka—known as "Black Mamba"—a high-ranking secretary in the Intelligence Division.

Over the past five years, the former celebrated dancer of the West Blue had undergone a remarkable transformation. Her strength now rivaled that of a standard Navy Vice Admiral, and her extensive experience in intelligence work had molded her into a capable and reliable aide.

"El-sama, Sally-sama,"

Baka greeted formally, her serious demeanor hinting at the importance of her report.

"I've just received intelligence from CP. The World Government has officially placed bounties on the royal children."

"Oh? What are the specifics?"

Sally raised an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued.

El's expression remained neutral, but his sharp intuition told him that the news would be alarming.

"Each of the royal children has been given a bounty of two billion berries,"

Baka stated solemnly.

"What!?"

Sally's eyes widened, and she gasped audibly.

"A group of four- and five-year-olds… Even if they are the offspring of El-sama, members of the Lunarian race, and royals of Totto Land—this level of bounty is outrageous!"

Two billion berries per child was a staggering figure, underscoring both the World Government's alarm at their potential threat and its desire to retaliate against Totto Land for placing bounties on the Celestial Dragons.

"Two billion berries?"

A deep laugh emanated from behind them as Linlin, Helen, Lillian, and Gerd entered the room, having overheard Baka's report.

"My, my, those World Government fools are quite generous, aren't they?"

Linlin teased, her tone a mix of amusement and incredulity.

"If I recall correctly, Totto Land's bounty on the Celestial Dragons is three billion berries, isn't it?"

"It seems they've realized these little ones' extraordinary potential,"

Gerd remarked.

"They must view them as existential threats."

"Those bastards think our children are like some twisted version of the Celestial Dragons?"

Lillian's fury was palpable as she clenched her fists. The idea that her precious son could be placed on the same pedestal as the despised Celestial Dragons only fueled her anger.

"Our children are nothing like those useless parasites!"

Baka, ever cautious, voiced her concerns:

"El-sama, knowing the World Government's methods, I fear that the children might become prime targets. Should we send them to Elbaf for safety?"

"That won't be necessary. There's no safer place than within Totto Land itself,"

El replied confidently, his tone steady.

His gaze darkened as he chuckled coldly:

"Still… only two billion berries? How arrogant of them. It's clear they want to show the world they're taking this seriously, yet they're careful not to draw comparisons to the Celestial Dragons. They're trying to tread a fine line."

…

Meanwhile, atop the Red Line, in the Chamber of Authority at the Holy Land of Mary Geoise:

"Careless!"

"No matter how much we calculated, we didn't account for this…"

"So the Lunarian race is truly on the verge of a resurgence?"

"With the Fallen Angel El's protection, erasing these brats won't be easy."

The Five Elders sat in their respective seats, their expressions grim as they examined photographs of the Kukulkan family—Thod, Sif, Dal, and the others—delivered by CP.

Although the Elders were aware El had multiple children, they had not imagined he would discreetly father so many Lunarian children, each with astonishing potential.

Their immediate response was to issue two-billion-berry bounties on the Kukulkan offspring. Their reasoning was obvious: if these children were killed because of the bounties, it would deal a severe blow to El. Financially, it was a trivial expense for the World Government.

Initially, they had considered three-billion-berry bounties, but that figure coincided with Totto Land's bounty on the Celestial Dragons. Equating Lunarian children with the descendants of the "creators" was unthinkable. Fearing it might grant the Kukulkan family an "alternate world nobles" status, they settled on two billion berries as a more "acceptable" figure.

"The issue now,"

Saint Saturn said, his cold eyes filled with murderous intent,

"is that CP's investigation indicates these Lunarian children possess extraordinary potential… They cannot be left unchecked."

"Indeed,"

Saint Mars agreed gravely.

"Considering the Lunarian race's innate gifts combined with El's monstrous bloodline, these brats are unlikely to be anything less than extraordinary. Moreover, over the years, the Fallen Angel Pirate Crew has extorted a significant number of Devil Fruits from the World Government and looted many from prisoners in Impel Down…"

Saint Saturn folded his arms, his tone wary:

"Though we have no proof of them deliberately hunting Devil Fruit powers across the seas, we can't afford to let our guard down. Their Devil Fruit collection might already rival that of the World Government. If we let these children grow…"

Saint Valkyrie, seated in the center, interlaced his fingers, his gaze dark as he studied the photographs:

"While not every one of them may inherit El's monstrous talents, it's not impossible for one or two to reach the level of an Admiral. Who knows? These Lunarian children might one day become a twisted counterpart of the Holy Knights."

A major concern was El's youth, as well as that of most of the Fallen Angel Pirate Crew's key members. They had both the time and resources to nurture these Lunarian children. Decades from now, when the children matured, not only would the crew's strength remain intact, it could expand even further.

This possibility alone demanded heightened vigilance.

"Indeed, they pose a significant threat."

A flash of light gleamed as the blade of the First Generation Kitetsu slid back into its sheath. Saint Nasujuro, exuding murderous intent, declared:

"These brats must not be allowed to live."

Yet eliminating the Kukulkan children was no simple task. Even CP agents had only recently uncovered the children's presence on Whole Cake Island. El, that cunning fox, had always kept them hidden on the floating, heavily fortified Homie Sky Island—its location nearly impossible to pinpoint.

Several CP operatives had attempted to infiltrate Totto Land and approach the island whenever it appeared, but they were invariably discovered and apprehended before getting close.

"First, increase CP's infiltration efforts,"

Saint Saturn ordered, leaning on his cane. His voice was icy.

"Also, it's time for CP0's newly trained ability users to prove their worth. And let's hope those massive bounties bring about some unexpected results."