"Huh?!!"
"Have them ourselves?"
Newgate's voice instantly rose by eighty percent, his face filled with disbelief as he stared at Ike. He had never imagined that Ike would say sothing like this.
On this sea, no matter who set sail, the goal was always to find companions.
To find like-minded partners, to share adventures together.
And!
Newgate's purpose for going out to sea was to find family, to build a family. There was nothing wrong with that idea.
But…
Listening to Ike's words, Newgate suddenly felt sothing was off, as if his entire understanding had been overturned.
"Just as I thought." Ike shook his head helplessly. "Big brother, I knew you hadn't thought this through. Look—am I right? Our own sons, our own daughters—that's the Edward Family's bloodline! That's our real family! If you take in orphans like us… aren't they still just orphans?"
"This…"
Newgate wanted to argue, but hearing his younger brother's reasoning, he opened his mouth and found himself unable to say anything. The main issue was—everything Ike said made perfect sense. It was logical and convincing. At that mont, it felt like a completely new line of thinking had opened up in his mind.
"Big brother," Ike continued, "do you think there's sothing wrong with what I said?"
"No… not exactly…"
"It's just…"
Newgate smacked his lips, his face filled with extre disgust. The expression was the epito of a pirate-style breakdown face as he complained, "I just really have no interest in those won. What kind of people are they even?!"
"Alright." Ike nodded silently. "I understand, big brother."
Ike got it—his brother simply wasn't interested in won.
Then again, considering this was the world of great pirates, most pirates didn't seem particularly interested in won anyway. Their way of thinking was quite different from ordinary people.
"Big brother."
"How about this?"
"You focus on earning money and supporting the family, and I'll handle marrying and having children?"
"No problem!"
The mont Ike finished speaking, Newgate agreed without hesitation, as if he had been waiting for exactly this proposal.
"Gurararara~~~"
Newgate slapped Ike on the shoulder, brimming with excitent. "Ike! The Edward Family is in your hands now! Family! A household! I'm leaving all of that to you. Don't worry—I'll take care of making money. That won't be a problem at all!"
Ike shook his head helplessly, but a gleam flashed in his eyes.
Success!!!
[Many Children, Many Blessings]
That was the system Ike had obtained as a transmigrator. As the na suggested, as long as he married wives and had descendants, he would receive rewards.
The problem was—
With Sphinx Island's conditions, and his own situation of having nothing to his na, things were difficult. As for his talent… for so reason, he clearly hadn't inherited his brother's monstrous aptitude. He was only slightly stronger than an average person.
Which made things extrely awkward.
No strength.
No money.
No status.
Under those circumstances, what woman would willingly follow him?
Although the system had been activated long ago, he had been stuck in this awkward situation. Fortunately, his brother had returned, and he had managed to slightly influence his brother's thinking.
Of course!
It wasn't really influencing—what Ike said was completely correct.
Adopted sons.
A constructed family.
Could those things truly be trusted?
Look at Blackbeard, Teach—decades of patience ending in betrayal.
Look at Squard—one stab, a so-called filial son turning traitor.
Look at the many captains who had been doubted—ti and ti again, it was clear that these people were fundantally unreliable.
Now look at the Big Mom Pirates.
Charlotte Linlin—that madwoman—was completely unhinged, constantly stirring chaos, even killing so of her own children.
And yet?
The entire Charlotte Family remained absolutely loyal to her. Even if fear was part of it, loyalty still existed.
So—
Ike's thinking wasn't wrong.
Your own children—those were your true family.
Outsiders would always be outsiders.
Adopted sons would always be adopted sons.
They could never compare to one's own bloodline.
"Hmm…"
Newgate looked at his younger brother, rubbing his chin as he began to think.
"Damn… damn…"
"Co to think of it, what Ike said actually makes perfect sense. Sure, I'm not interested in won, but there are plenty of good won out there on this sea. If I grab so for my little brother… wouldn't that beco our family's bloodline?"
"Damn it!"
"What the hell was I thinking before?"
"How could outsiders compare to family?"
"Idiot!"
"I was such a damn idiot before!"
Ike had no idea about the storm of thoughts raging inside his brother. Looking at him, he asked curiously, "Big brother, what are you thinking about?"
"Huh?"
"Gurararara~~~"
Newgate snapped out of it and burst into laughter, quickly changing the subject. "Nothing, nothing! Ike! I think your idea is excellent. Perfect! Let's set sail right away. We'll find you a woman first—if that one doesn't work, we'll just replace her. Won are easy to swap anyway."
From his words, it was clear that Newgate didn't care about won at all. It was consistent with his nature—he didn't allow won to serve as core crew mbers, and even during decisive battles, he would send female dics away. That was simply who he was.
"We're setting sail already?" Ike was taken aback. His brother's efficiency was shockingly high.
"Of course." Newgate nodded. "Raising children costs money. First, we go make so money. Then we get you a couple of won, and after that…"
Muttering to himself, Newgate led Ike toward the harbor, preparing to leave.
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