In the sewers.
A portal opened in the air, and Reddy's group walked out from it.
Reddy, along with Terry and Haya, used the Door-Door Fruit ability to escape Borsalino, then picked up the other clones and returned here.
"Brother Terry is back!"
The children, who had been panicked by the sudden appearance of the portal in the air, saw Reddy bringing Terry and the others out and immediately cheered, rushing forward.
Reddy smiled, carrying the still-unconscious Haya to the side.
Soon, Terry calmed the other children and walked up to Reddy to thank him. "Thank you, Dr. Reddy. You didn't just save me and Haya, you saved all of them."
He had already learned from the other children that after he was kidnapped, the local gangs had raided the sewers and taken them away.
If Reddy hadn't intervened in time, they would have been sold to Sabaody Archipelago long ago.
"What are your plans next?"
Reddy waved off Terry's thanks and asked about their future plans.
If Terry and the others didn't want to leave Water 7, he could give Terry a genetic enhancement serum to increase his strength.
But if they chose to follow him, he wouldn't refuse.
Everyone had their own choices.
Reddy wasn't interested in making decisions for others.
Terry hesitated.
At that moment, Haya groaned in pain and slowly woke up. The first thing he saw was Reddy, and his eyes lit up with joy as he immediately tried to greet him.
However, after Blueno's interrogation, he was still very weak. He groaned again and slumped weakly in Reddy's arms.
"I have a special serum here that can make you stronger than before."
Reddy took out a test tube from his pocket. The pale blue liquid inside made Terry momentarily forget everything else, his eyes fixed on the serum.
After this incident, he had never wanted power more than he did now.
When facing Blueno earlier, he had been like a baby, easily knocked out and taken away.
Reddy didn't rush him, letting Terry make his own choice.
"Will this let Brother Terry become strong enough to defeat everyone?"
Haya, lying in Reddy's arms, stared at the liquid in the test tube and asked curiously.
Terry froze.
Reddy also paused. This kid really dared to dream big.
"Then this thing is useless."
Haya, seeing their reactions, sighed in disappointment. "Water 7 is getting more and more dangerous. If this thing can't make Brother Terry strong enough to defeat everyone, it's meaningless."
Reddy laughed. "If we're just talking about Water 7, this serum is enough to make anyone an invincible powerhouse."
The existence of Galley-La Company had given Iceburg unprecedented support in Water 7, along with tacit approval from various factions.
Unless under special circumstances, no faction was willing to cause trouble in Water 7.
This genetic enhancement serum was a byproduct of Reddy's research, incorporating gene fragments from multiple Sea Kings. While it might be lacking in other areas, in terms of physical strength, it undoubtedly reached the ceiling of Lv12.
Terry was tempted.
Haya, now excited, asked, "I heard from that guy that you're super strong. Can you take us with you?"
Terry froze again.
Reddy shrugged. "Taking you away from here isn't hard, but can you accept starting a new life from nothing?"
"Of course!"
Haya had regained some strength. He jumped out of Reddy's arms and ran to Terry's side, proudly patting his arm. "Don't underestimate us. With Brother Terry here, we're not afraid of anything."
Terry nodded vigorously, his heart surging with excitement.
Earlier on the beach, he had witnessed Reddy's battle with Borsalino and had been completely awed by Reddy's strength.
Originally, he had wanted to ask Reddy to take in all the orphans, but the words stuck in his throat, feeling too presumptuous.
After all, why would someone take in a group of orphans with little value?
So he had settled for asking for the genetic enhancement serum to make himself stronger.
But he hadn't expected Haya, young but sharp-minded and socially fearless, to say outright what he hadn't dared to.
Even more surprising was that Reddy showed no sign of refusal.
As for starting a new life from nothing… what did they even have now?
Nothing!
Haya continued gesturing boastfully. "Let me tell you, even though we're all young, we're hard workers. And I've secretly learned carpentry from the shipyard. If you ever need woodwork, just come to me. I'll make sure you're satisfied."
"I swear…"
Terry said solemnly, "We won't be a burden to you. Never!"
Reddy smiled and pointed at the other orphans.
Terry instantly understood and quickly gathered everyone to briefly explain his decision.
"Dr. Reddy, will we get to eat every day?"
"Didn't you eat the food Dr. Reddy brought us before?"
"Oh, right. I forgot. Sorry, Dr. Reddy."
"Does this mean we won't be bullied by those bad guys anymore?"
"Dr. Reddy is super strong!"
"..."
The children chattered noisily, throwing out questions one after another.
Whenever someone raised a doubt, someone else would immediately step forward to defend Reddy with facts.
These children's demands were simple: they wanted to eat their fill, not be bullied by bad guys anymore, and that was it.
As for starting a new life from nothing, none of them cared.
In their eyes, following Reddy couldn't possibly be worse than their current situation.
At the very least, Dr. Reddy would bring them food.
Reddy stood up and clapped his hands, cutting off the children's debate. "If you're all willing to come with me, then follow me now."
"Awesome!"
The children cheered, filled with hope for a better future as they waited for Reddy to lead them out of this damned sewer.
Reddy snapped his fingers.
A portal opened in the air.
Just as he was about to lead the orphans through the Door-Door Fruit ability to leave, a gaunt woman holding a baby suddenly rushed over and knelt before Reddy, begging, "Please take me and my child with you. I can do anything."
Once the first person came forward, more and more people followed.
They were all targets kidnapped by the local gangs, rescued by the clones.
Out of fear of the gangs, they hadn't dared to leave, staying near Terry's group's camp.
The children's cheers had alerted them.
Hearing that Reddy was taking the children away from Water 7, they clung to this lifeline, rushing over to beg Reddy to take them along.
"My place isn't some paradise."
Reddy didn't hide the fact that he couldn't provide a luxurious life for everyone yet. Everything would have to be built from scratch by their own hands.
Everyone nodded vigorously. No one cared about that.
Staying in Water 7, without any skills, they would either starve to death or be kidnapped and sold by the gangs. Their options were few.
Joining Reddy was undoubtedly the best choice, at least offering a chance at a future.
Since everyone had made their choice, Reddy didn't refuse. He led the way through the door.
...
Late at night.
The island near the waters of Water 7 suddenly rose into the air.
By the time Borsalino rushed to the beach after hearing the news, the island was already gone.
Borsalino gazed at the dark night sky, scratching his head and muttering, "Dr. Reddy, it seems you've made up your mind to break completely with the World Government."