A few days later, the Shadow arrived at Visalia.
Visalia floats above a certain sea area of the Grand Line, and like other Sky Islands, it is composed of special clouds.
The island is covered with meteorological laboratories and observation equipment, where scientists focus on studying weather phenomena and can even artificially control the climate (such as creating rainfall, controlling lightning, etc.).
Nami was sent here by the Revolutionary Army member Kuma, where she systematically studied meteorology, greatly enhancing the power of her Clima-Tact and mastering more complex weather tactics.
Cheng Xiaoyu stepped onto the land of Visalia, the air filled with a faint smell of ozone.
This floating island was full of instruments shimmering with strange lights, and researchers bustled back and forth, busy without stop.
He searched through the crowd and finally locked onto a figure with long orange hair.
Nami was standing in front of a complex meteorological instrument, concentrating on recording data.
Cheng Xiaoyu approached silently and suddenly spoke, "Long time no see, little thief cat."
Nami jumped in surprise, and when she turned to see Cheng Xiaoyu, a hint of surprise and panic flashed in her eyes: "You... why are you here?"
Cheng Xiaoyu revealed a playful smile: "I came to find you. I have a proposal."
Nami looked at him warily, "What proposal?"
"I want a child," Cheng Xiaoyu said bluntly.
Nami's eyes widened, and for a moment, she didn't know how to react.
She opened her mouth, but in the end, she only managed to blurt out: "Are you drunk? If you want a child, you should go to an orphanage, right?"
Cheng Xiaoyu shook his head, "I'm perfectly sober. I hope you can be the mother of this child."
The expression on Nami's face changed from surprise to anger, "Are you kidding me? How can you just make such a request to a woman? I refuse!"
Cheng Xiaoyu was not angry at her refusal; instead, he showed a mysterious smile.
"I'm serious."
Nami took a deep breath, trying to calm her emotions: "Are you crazy? Why should I help you have a child?"
Cheng Xiaoyu said unhurriedly, "I know this request is sudden, but I have my reasons."
"I promise, I will be responsible for raising the child after birth, and you will not need to bear any responsibility."
Nami sneered, "Do you think that will convince me? Impossible!"
"Five hundred million Berries."
"What?"
"I am willing to give you five hundred million Berries as compensation."
"Moreover," Cheng Xiaoyu continued, "I promise that no third person will know about this. Your reputation will not be affected in any way."
Nami bit her lip, struggling internally.
She did have some good feelings for Cheng Xiaoyu, but this request was too sudden.
"I... I need time to think about it," Nami finally said.
Cheng Xiaoyu nodded, "Understood, sorry to bother you."
Just as Cheng Xiaoyu was about to leave, Nami called out to him.
Nami was silent for a long time, and finally sighed: "Alright, I agree. But you must keep your promise."
The moment Nami said this, she herself was stunned.
She had been firmly refusing just now, so why did she suddenly agree?
She looked up at Cheng Xiaoyu, his deep eyes seemed to be able to suck away one's soul.
He stood there, surrounded by an indescribable aura, like an emperor in the dark night, mysterious and powerful.
"Are you sure?" Cheng Xiaoyu took a step forward, closing in on Nami.
The air suddenly became thin, and Nami felt it hard to breathe.
She instinctively retreated but was blocked by the laboratory table.
Cheng Xiaoyu's aura enveloped her, like an invisible net, leaving her nowhere to escape.
"I... I..." Nami stammered, unable to form a complete sentence.
She could clearly feel the domineering aura emanating from Cheng Xiaoyu, like a predator in the dark, full of dangerous allure.
Cheng Xiaoyu reached out and stroked her face, the warmth of his fingertips made Nami tremble.
"Tell me, why did you change your mind?"
Nami bit her lip, her cheeks flushed.
She knew she wasn't doing it for the five hundred million Berries, but because the man in front of her had an irresistible charm.
Whenever Cheng Xiaoyu got close, her rationality seemed to be swallowed by the Shadow, completely gone.
"Wait!" Nami suddenly remembered something, "You don't mean you want many children, do you?"
"Of course, one by one!"
In the days that followed... ah ah ah ah ah oh oh oh drag drag drag stammer stammer...
...
Cheng Xiaoyu's third target—the whereabouts of former Navy Vice Admiral Tōtō—remained a mystery.
"That woman..." Cheng Xiaoyu narrowed his eyes, a cold sneer curling at the corner of his mouth.
Since he couldn't find her, he would make her appear voluntarily.
A few days later, a mysterious wealthy man appeared in the most bustling flower district of the New World.
He wore an exquisite kimono, a white fox mask on his face, and his demeanor was elegant and mysterious.
This place was a vibrant hub of entertainment, a paradise for the powerful to seek pleasure.
"Esteemed guest, it seems this is your first time here?" A richly dressed madam came forward, smiling warmly.
Cheng Xiaoyu casually threw out a stack of banknotes: "I want the best geisha."
The madam's eyes lit up, and she quickly said, "Please wait, I will arrange it right away."
Soon, several exquisitely dressed geisha entered one after another, but Cheng Xiaoyu rejected them all.
He raised his wine glass, a hint of disdain flashing in his eyes: "Is that all?"
"Please don't rush, esteemed guest," the madam wiped cold sweat, "We still have..."
"One hundred million," Cheng Xiaoyu suddenly spoke.
The entire room instantly fell silent.
"As long as someone can satisfy me, this money is hers," he leaned lazily in his chair.
"Of course, the requirements are simple—able to sing and dance, and preferably proficient in swordsmanship."
This news spread like wildfire throughout the entire circle.
Many people could sing and dance, but not many were also proficient in swordsmanship.
Three days later, a woman in a light purple kimono appeared at their door.
Her face was delicate, her demeanor elegant, but there was a hint of sharpness in her eyes.
"I heard there's a lord here looking for a geisha?" she asked softly.
Cheng Xiaoyu looked up, the corners of his mouth slightly upturned.
The person who came was exactly who he was waiting for—the former Navy Vice Admiral Tōtō.
"You are very special," Cheng Xiaoyu said casually, "Why don't you show off your talents first?"
Tōtō elegantly took out a shamisen, her slender fingers gently plucking the strings.
As the melodious music began, her figure danced with it, like a peach blossom blooming under the Moonlight.
Suddenly, her movements changed, the hem of her kimono flared, and a sharp kick went straight for Cheng Xiaoyu's face.
Just as Tōtō's leg was about to hit Cheng Xiaoyu's face, Cheng Xiaoyu's figure seemed to merge into the night, his elementalization allowing him to easily avoid the blow.
Then, his hand like a ghost clutched Tōtō's ankle, and with a turn, he pulled her into his arms.
"We're old acquaintances, so meeting like this isn't very nice, is it?" Cheng Xiaoyu's voice carried a hint of playfulness.
Tōtō, trapped in his arms, paused slightly. This voice and the ability to elementalize...
"You are..." she frowned, a hint of doubt flashing in her eyes.
Cheng Xiaoyu slowly removed his mask, and under the Moonlight, his handsome face gradually became visible.
"Cheng Xiaoyu?!" Tōtō's pupils suddenly constricted, and she instinctively tried to break free, but found herself restrained by an invisible force, unable to move.
"Long time no see," Cheng Xiaoyu's lips curved into a smile, "You've really made me search for you since you resigned from the Marine."
Tōtō stared at him coldly: "Did you set up this trap just to find me?"
"Otherwise?" Cheng Xiaoyu released his restraint on her, but still maintained an ambiguous distance, "Do you think I would be interested in other women?"
"Tell me, what do you want with me?" Tōtō took a step back, looking at him warily.
Although she was no longer a Marine, she still maintained the vigilance of a Navy Vice Admiral.
Cheng Xiaoyu looked directly into her eyes and uttered four words faintly:
"Have a child."