Chapter 175: [175] : The Legacy of Life! A Child for Rowen? Perona Joins!

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“Moria-sama…” Seeing Moria’s soul fluctuate with emotion, Perona bit her lip.

Among known Devil Fruits dealing with souls, Perona’s Hollow-Hollow Fruit was prominent.

The ghosts created by the Hollow-Hollow Fruit were completely immune to physical attacks, and even elemental attacks couldn’t harm them.

Only powerful Haki could dispel them. The user could even project their own soul, much like a Revive-Revive Fruit user—Both fruits enhanced the user’s soul.

Though the Hollow-Hollow Fruit couldn’t infuse soul energy into attacks like the Revive-Revive Fruit, nor grant absolute control over souls like the Soul-Soul Fruit—it could still perceive the general meaning and emotion of soul fluctuations.

Perona could sense the life and excitement radiating from Moria’s soul.

Having been raised by Moria since childhood, Perona had witnessed his decline after his crushing defeat by Kaido. Though Moria’s body was alive then, his soul seemed to have already died.

But now, though his body was dead, his soul seemed to be truly alive again—

—Only by experiencing death could one understand it, and grasp the true meaning of life.

Moria now understood how foolish his previous mindset had been—the idea that because living things are eventually lost, only death is eternal. Without Sky Sovereign Rowen, he would have died without ever understanding life and death.

After all, without Rowen’s Devil Fruit ability, death simply meant entering the underworld, never to return to the mortal world…

And Between life and death—there were great revelations. Moria felt his very soul had grown stronger.

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“Once I defeat Big Mom and obtain the Soul-Soul Fruit, I can use other soul energies to strengthen the souls of my Soul Legion,” Rowen mused.

“Perona.” Moria’s soul floated over to Perona’s side, radiating spiritual fluctuations.

“Moria-sama…” Perona whispered, her eyes reddening.

For Perona, who had been raised by Moria since childhood, he was more than just a captain; he was like a father.

Though Moria had always sheltered Perona, lost in his own painful memories and decline—he had never truly shown the paternal warmth Kuma showed Bonney.

But now, Moria looked upon this little girl he had raised as his own daughter.

’The continuation of life…’

Moria thought of this phrase he had once scoffed at. But now, Moria cherished the continuation of life above all else.

“Don’t be sad, Perona. I have been reborn! Kishishishi!” Moria’s soul pulsed.

Only Rowen could accurately interpret these soul fluctuations—

—Perona and Brook could only sense the general meaning and emotion. Rowen translated Moria’s exact words for Perona, omitting the signature laugh.

“Reborn… Congratulations, Moria-sama,”

Perona replied. Her hatred towards Rowen for killing Moria completely vanished, replaced even with a sense of gratitude. ’Sky Sovereign Rowen gave Moria-sama a new life.’

“Oh! Oh! If Moria-sama could be put inside Kumae, and become Kumae to stay with me, THAT WOULD BE PERFECT!” Perona blinked her large, doll-like eyes, exclaiming with delight.

“GACK!” Moria’s soul instantly froze.

Perona loved gloomy environments and had a fondness for zombies, especially cute animal-shaped ones.

Kumae, a cute little teddy bear zombie, was Perona’s favorite. With Moria’s death and the release of the Shadow-Shadow Fruit’s power, Kumae had reverted to an ordinary teddy bear.

Become a little teddy bear…

What kind of sick joke was this??

Moria’s soul fluctuated violently.

“N-No?” Perona blinked her large, doll-like eyes, looking at Moria’s soul with a pitiful expression.

“…Of course, it’s no problem! Kishishishi!” Moria instantly abandoned his principles.

Seeing Perona now, Moria truly felt as if she were his own daughter. And having experienced death, Moria’s affection for Perona now came from the very depths of his soul.

“THAT’S GREAT!” Perona cheered happily.

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“Moria sees her as his own daughter. This is the legacy of life,” Kuma commented.

Seeing them reminded Kuma of Bonney, whom he also regarded as his own daughter.

In Bonney, Kuma also saw the continuation of his beloved Ginny’s life—and though Bonney wasn’t his biological daughter, she was the continuation of his soul and consciousness.

Life eventually ends, but such legacies never break.

Just like the legend of Nika.

A smile, more natural than before, appeared on Kuma’s face, usually stiff from his cyborg modifications.

Seeing this tender moment between souls, Nami, Vivi, and Robin’s eyes all shone.

Kuma was undoubtedly a great father. And Moria, after experiencing life and death, also showed the warmth of a father.

Then… what would Rowen be like as a father??

Nami, Vivi, and Robin’s gazes all subconsciously shifted to Rowen.

Not just Nami and Vivi—even the most mature Robin felt her cheeks flush.

But thinking of that warm, familial image in their minds, Nami, Vivi, and Robin’s eyes all filled with a sense of longing.

Rowen, of course, couldn’t miss the emotional fluctuations of the three women. He could even analyze the meaning behind those emotions.

Before an Ultimate Human, anyone without sufficiently strong Haki couldn’t hide their thoughts and feelings from his enhanced intellect.

Super-strong Observation Haki combined with the Awakened Human-Human Fruit’s ability essentially granted a form of mind-reading.

’Having children…’ Rowen smiled.

In both his past and present lives, Rowen had never even been married, let alone had children.

But seeing Kuma’s devotion to Bonney, and Moria’s to Perona… Rowen also felt a longing for a life with children.

But now was not the time to consider such things.

Rowen’s eyes shone with unprecedented determination.

Until he completely overthrew the World Government, became the King who stood above all—even what he possessed now could be mere illusions.

Only with absolute power could he protect everything he held dear.

This was a truth Rowen had understood long ago. An ironclad rule of this sea.

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“Rowen-sama… Could I ask you to take care of Perona? I will fight for you with all my might,” Moria’s soul pulsed.

His soul reborn, Moria was no longer the broken, walking corpse who had lost to Kaido. He felt as if he had returned to the spirited era when he dared to contend with Kaido himself.

But for his daughter, Perona—Moria was ready to completely submit to the man before him.

As a Hollow-Hollow Fruit user, Perona wasn’t weak.

However, Moria… having experienced the cruelty of the New World, knew well that with Perona’s strength, she couldn’t survive long on the seas alone.

And after his death, Perona, who had previously been sheltered by his Warlord title, would likely be targeted by many.

But if she boarded Rowen’s ship—it would be entirely different.

On these seas now, no one would risk challenging this man. The World Government’s order forbidding engagement with Rowen was the best proof. Even the Four Emperors wouldn’t rashly start a war with him.

Under Rowen’s protection, Perona would be absolutely safe.

Besides, Rowen had helped him achieve a new life, freeing him from his walking corpse-like existence.

Submitting to Rowen wasn’t shameful.

It might even be Moria’s honor!

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“Moria-sama…” Perona blinked her large, doll-like eyes.

Join the Straw Hats?

Perona looked towards Rowen, this incredibly scary man.

But at this moment, Perona didn’t find him scary. In fact, the smile on his face felt warm.

’Ruthless as the King of Hell towards his enemies, but warm as the sun towards his comrades?’ Perona pressed her lips together.

Moria had clearly joined Sky Sovereign Rowen’s side.

And only with Rowen’s power could Moria return to this world.

Perona wasn’t stupid—in fact, she was quite clever. From their earlier conversation, Perona knew Rowen’s next target was the Emperor Big Mom’s Soul-Soul Fruit.

With the Soul-Soul Fruit, Moria could achieve a form of rebirth. And he could be placed inside her beloved Kumae, becoming an animal zombie to accompany her.

So, from any angle, boarding Rowen’s ship was the best choice for her now.

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“No need for such formality,” Rowen replied with a powerful smile.

“Hm?” Moria’s soul trembled.

“Taking care of my subordinate’s daughter—do I need your request for that?” Rowen laughed heartily.

“Daughter…” Perona whispered, cupping her cheeks, her eyes closing into smiling crescents.

Though she had always regarded Moria as a father figure, and after his death, the warmth from his reborn soul made her feel he truly saw her as a daughter—truly hearing the word now, Perona felt light-headed, happy from the bottom of her soul.

“Rowen-sama…” Moria was truly moved.

How could he deserve this?? He was just a loser… crushed by Kaido!

This man before him was a true Emperor—yet he had brought his soul back from the underworld, gave him a new life… And truly treated him as a subordinate.

Rowen didn’t need to go through all this trouble; he could have used countless means to forcibly control his soul.

Was this… Sky Sovereign Rowen’s magnanimity?

WHAT A CHARISMATIC MAN!

Moria’s soul pulsed with true, deep submission.

“Shishishi! A new comrade?” Luffy grinned.

“Comrade?” Perona blinked her large, doll-like eyes.

“That’s right. Go get ready to set sail, Perona,” Rowen gestured towards the Going Merry and smiled.

“I-I need to prepare!” Perona’s mind was still reeling. Was she… truly being accepted as a member of this crew?

But at Moria’s urging, Perona quickly went to pack her belongings.

Though Thriller Bark had been shattered in the battle, the gloomy castle hadn’t completely collapsed; she could still find some of her things.

At the very least, Kumae had to be brought along.

Perona, using her Hollow-Hollow Fruit ability, flew off to find her luggage.

Moria’s soul watched Perona go, a joyful smile in his spiritual presence.

Joining an Emperor-level crew, he no longer needed to worry about Perona’s safety.

In fact, Perona herself was now destined to become a major figure on these seas, feared by countless powerhouses.

Because Sky Sovereign Rowen was too strong—

—With him around, the commanders of this crew were undoubtedly major figures on the sea.

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“Well then. Before we leave, there’s one last thing,” Rowen said, turning to Kuma.

“Regarding… your resurrection, after you ’die’.”

Rowen smiled at Kuma.

Kuma’s entire being trembled.

Having witnessed Moria’s soul being revived—Kuma understood even more deeply how powerful the World’s Strongest Devil Fruit User was.

His soul could also be resurrected?

In the future, could he witness Nika’s descent with his own eyes?

Could he even… see Bonney grow up?

Kuma felt his very soul tremble!

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