Here is the revised and upgraded version with Aike renamed to Argus, Chinese cultural references localized (e.g., "Laozi" becomes "Yours Truly"), and overall narrative polish to enhance clarity, emotional flow, and consistency with One Piece's worldbuilding, tone, and character voices:
⸻
"Huh?!!"
"You… want to have kids?! Yourself?!"
Edward Newgate's voice thundered across Sphinx Island, loud enough to send birds flapping into the sky and leaves rustling in protest. He gawked at Argus like the younger man had just sprouted an extra head.
That suggestion… it wasn't just unexpected—it was unthinkable.
To any pirate worth their salt, the dream had always been clear: sail the seas, gather worthy crewmates, and take on the Grand Line together. That was the normal way—the right way.
For Newgate, it went deeper. His voyage was about family. Not romance. Not children. Not legacy through blood, but through bond. That was the dream that had carried him through blood-soaked decks and howling storms. Surely there was nothing wrong with that, right?
But Argus's words—cool, calm, and cutting—were cracking the foundation of that dream like cannonballs through rotted hull.
Arms crossed, Argus sighed. He looked like a disappointed teacher staring down a lazy student.
"Knew it. You've never really thought this through, have you, brother?"
Newgate blinked, caught off-guard.
"Tell me—what's a real family? Real sons. Real daughters. That's the blood of the Edward line. That's legacy. That's something no enemy can fake or steal. But you? You adopted a bunch of strays and called them sons. They're still orphans, just with better food."
Newgate's mouth opened—then closed again. Nothing came out.
It sounded wrong. It felt wrong.
But when you broke it down, when you really thought about it… the logic held. Like steel chains wrapped around the ribs.
Painfully solid.
He scratched his head, face twisting in frustration.
"I mean… there's nothing wrong with what you're saying…" he muttered.
Then he scowled, as if chewing on sea king meat that had gone bad.
"But dammit—Yours Truly's never had a thing for women! What's so great about 'em anyway?!"
Argus blinked. Then slowly nodded.
"Ah. I see."
"So my legendary brother… just doesn't swing that way, huh?"
It was surprising for half a heartbeat. Then again, this was the world of pirates—monsters, warlords, maniacs. Romance wasn't a priority for most of them. Carnage and conquest usually came first.
Argus shrugged like he was discussing cargo.
"No problem. You bring in the treasure, I'll chase the women. I'll handle the baby-making. Division of labor."
Whitebeard didn't hesitate for a second.
"Gurararara! That works for me!"
He slapped Argus on the back hard enough to rattle his spine.
"You handle the children, I'll handle the gold! The Edward legacy starts now! Real blood! Real family!"
Argus's lips curled into a quiet smile.
It worked.
⸻
[System Activation: "Many Children Bring Prosperity"]
This was Argus's cheat. His golden finger. The transmigrator's advantage.
The rules were simple: take wives, make children, grow stronger. The more offspring he fathered, the more rewards the system granted. It was a self-perpetuating cycle. A literal bloodline power engine.
The problem?
He'd had no starting capital. No strength. No name. No woman in her right mind would've spared him a glance, let alone marry him. The system had been a dormant husk for years.
Until now.
With Whitebeard—future Strongest Man Alive—behind him? Everything had changed.
And really, it wasn't a ridiculous idea. Not when you looked at the facts.
Blackbeard? Spent decades lying low. Decades pretending loyalty. And when the time came, he betrayed them all.
Squard? A so-called "loyal son" who nearly ran Whitebeard through because of one whisper from the Navy.
Even among Whitebeard's own division captains, there were plenty with suspect loyalty.
Compare that to the Charlotte Family. Big Mom was psychotic, sure. She killed her own kids when they got in the way. But despite the insanity, they were loyal. Blood was blood. And blood ran deeper than promises.
"Outsiders are outsiders," Argus thought. "Adopted sons are fine… until they're not."
⸻
Meanwhile, Whitebeard had gone dead quiet.
He rubbed his chin like a man contemplating the weight of the world.
"Damn. DAMN! When you put it like that… Argus is right!"
He slapped his own forehead.
"Sure, I'm not into women—but if he's handling that part, then I've got nothing to worry about! My family, my legacy—it'll be real this time!"
"What the hell was I even thinking before? Betting everything on loyalty from a pack of strays? Foolish!"
Argus watched him with amusement.
"Brother? You look like you're about to solve the meaning of life. What's going through that giant head of yours?"
Newgate snapped back, trying to play it cool.
"Ah?! Nothing! Nothing!" He threw back his head and roared with laughter.
"Gurararara! I'm agreeing with you! You're right—we sail now! First priority: find you a woman! If she's no good, toss her and get another! Easy!"
He said it with the casual ruthlessness of a man who crushed skulls for a living.
But that was Whitebeard.
He wasn't cruel—just blunt. Completely disinterested in romance, and emotionally efficient to a fault. Anyone who knew him knew: he never allowed women on his main ship. Even during the Marineford War, he sent female medical staff away before the battle began.
Not out of hate. Just indifference.
Argus blinked.
"We're leaving now? Just like that?"
"Of course!" Whitebeard barked. "Raising kids takes money! First, we get rich. Then, I grab you two wives—bam! We're in business!"
He turned and stomped toward the harbor, dragging Argus along like a cannonball on a chain.
Argus followed, half-laughing, half-shaking his head.
"And so begins the legacy of the Edward family…"
⸻
Let me know if you'd like the next scene, a flowchart of the system mechanics, or a character file for Argus.