Bringing Tashigi Through

After hanging up the phone, Zhou Qi pondered for a moment before looking outside.

He was contemplating a question: should he bring people from the One Piece World back with him?

Traveling between worlds was, naturally, the biggest secret imaginable, and he shouldn't let anyone know about it.

But that was only because he feared someone might try to steal it or dissect him.

However, his Space Gate was a superpower controlled by his will, not some ring or cauldron. How could anyone steal it?

Even if it were exposed on Earth, he'd probably just be recruited and well-cared for, with people afraid of anything happening to him.

Besides, this wasn't an exposure to Earthlings, but to people from the One Piece World.

Logically, that shouldn't be a problem either.

Firstly, the One Piece World had Devil Fruits with countless strange abilities. Even a Devil Fruit that could traverse worlds would likely be easily accepted.

Secondly, he knew Koshiro and Tashigi reasonably well. They weren't people who would betray trust, and as long as they made a promise, they wouldn't reveal it to those behind them.

People in the One Piece World generally adhered to a code of honor. The only one who seemed to go back on his word was Blackbeard, right?

His only concern was: what if Koshiro and Tashigi learned about the strength of Huaxia on the other side and worried about the One Piece World being invaded?

But after thinking about it, he felt it was unlikely. After all, did the One Piece World have any sense of national or ethnic identity?

No, it didn't!

Wano Country was still occupied by Kaido!

Moreover, the more he understood China, the less he should worry. We were famously known for loving peace.

As for the alien problem, Earthlings feared aliens because they had been constantly exposed to movies and novels about fighting them. Where would the people in the One Piece World get such ideas?

At least we look the same as the people in the One Piece World. If you're going to be afraid, you should be afraid of those who don't look human!

Besides, there were actual aliens in the One Piece World, and they had wings!

In conclusion, bringing people from the One Piece World, especially those without ambition, back to Earth wasn't a significant problem.

"Damn it, I'm supposed to be someone who creates a cross-multiverse super corporation! How can I be so timid!" Zhou Qi slammed the table and decided to go for it!

At this moment, he also realized that even if he was just doing business, it would be difficult to hide the existence of this gate.

"Perhaps above the super corporation, I need to create an even higher-level force to protect myself!"

Drawing and writing on paper, Zhou Qi vaguely formed an idea in his mind.

"My only concern is, what if they see the One Piece manga or anime? How would I explain that..." Zhou Qi thought, then felt it wasn't that big of a deal.

After all, One Piece wasn't that popular anymore. Unless you specifically searched for it on certain websites, you wouldn't see it much on the streets.

Even if he encountered cosplayers, young ladies nowadays preferred cosplaying characters from Genshin Impact or Mrs. Yor.

Even if someone cosplayed a One Piece character, it would usually be Nami or Robin. Did Koshiro and Tashigi know these two?

Probably not!

"Qi-kun, are you troubled by something?" Tashigi seemed to sense Zhou Qi's worries and asked from the side.

"It's nothing!" Zhou Qi shook his head. "Speaking of which, do you want to come to my country with me to take a look?"

"Huh? Can I?" Tashigi's eyes lit up. Why wouldn't she want to? She wanted to see the Ten Great Famous Swords!

"However, I don't want the Marines to know about my country's situation. Can you keep it a secret for me?" Zhou Qi asked.

"Of course!" Tashigi nodded. "Every country has its own traditions, and I will respect them!"

Right, this was a world with multiple countries. This should be basic diplomatic etiquette, right?

And when it came to keeping secrets, people in the One Piece World were quite good at it.

Garp kept Ace's secret for 17 years, and Franky and his fellow disciples guarded Pluton for decades.

"Alright then, we'll go pay our respects to Master first, and then I'll take you to visit my country!" Zhou Qi said. "And you can protect me along the way!"

He had made up his mind. Even if Tashigi leaked the secret, so what? It would just add authenticity to his story.

Besides, as long as he didn't say anything, how would Tashigi know he had traveled through worlds? It was broad daylight, and there were no stars to use as reference.

As for why he absolutely had to bring Tashigi along?

If he went to an unfamiliar place alone, what if he got kidnapped? East Guangdong was quite close to Cambodia. He had to bring a bodyguard!

And having another person, especially a foreigner, could add a layer of mystery to his background.

He informed Koshiro, who easily agreed, as Zhou Qi needed to attend to matters concerning the pharmaceutical factory.

Koshiro merely cautioned Zhou Qi not to get too engrossed in these mundane affairs, as it would hinder his cultivation. Zhou Qi, of course, nodded in agreement.

A Space Gate opened directly in front of Tannis's house. Arriving directly in his living room every time felt rather impolite.

"Lord Lelouch, it's you! Master said that if I saw you, I should just invite you in!" Abbu happened to be at the door and saw Zhou Qi at a glance.

Seeing Tashigi's strange look, Zhou Qi quickly said, "My name is Zhou Qi. Lelouch is just a fake name I made up, so please don't call me that anymore."

"Ah, okay..." Abbu complied readily.

"How is your fundraising going?" Zhou Qi asked.

"It arrived three days ago!" Abbu said. "A total of 368 kilograms. This is already nearly 80% of our merchant guild's liquid assets. If we pull out any more, it'll cripple us!"

"Abbu, what nonsense are you spouting!" Tannis's voice cut off Abbu's attempt to gain sympathy. He then turned to Zhou Qi, "Sir, the money is in the warehouse out back. I'll take you to get it!"

Zhou Qi smiled. So this is what it feels like to be in a position of power, to have people try to curry favor with such petty schemes.

He suddenly realized that often, it wasn't that superiors were so clever they could see through everything. It was that these tactics were so clumsy, they could be easily seen through.

But seeing through it didn't mean exposing it. After all, it felt good, didn't it?

He had only asked for 300 kilograms of gold, but Tannis had delivered 368 kilograms. He figured Zhou Qi's previous words might have had some wiggle room, or perhaps Tannis had intentionally sent extra to please him.

Regardless of the reason, Zhou Qi accepted it all. After all, he wouldn't treat Tannis unfairly.

"Come with me!" Zhou Qi said, carrying the room, and opened a Space Gate.

On the other side of the gate was his bathroom.

Tashigi curiously followed Zhou Qi in and looked around.

"This is... a bathroom?" While bathing facilities weren't exactly rare, the advanced bath heater was a bit surprising.

The smooth floor gave her a sense of familiarity. She remembered when they had walked on air to Shimotsuki Village; wasn't that the same kind of floor they had stepped on?

There were plenty of luxurious houses in the One Piece World, some even more opulent than Zhou Qi's apartment. Tashigi wasn't easily surprised. However, the skyscrapers reflected in the window did shock her.

"Yeah, I always go through here!" Zhou Qi sprayed some disinfectant on himself and then offered it to Tashigi.

"What is this? It smells awful!" Tashigi recoiled slightly.

"Disinfectant. To prevent any viruses from Loguetown from being brought back, and to prevent me from bringing any viruses or bacteria to Loguetown..." Zhou Qi explained.

"Viruses?" Tashigi blinked. "What are those?"

"They're things that cause plagues, microorganisms invisible to the naked eye!" Zhou Qi said. "I can show you sometime if you have the chance!"

"Okay!" Tashigi no longer resisted. She mimicked Zhou Qi, spraying herself and her sword. Then, she followed Zhou Qi out of the bathroom.

Outside was Zhou Qi's living room.

"You can look around, but don't go outside. I have some things to arrange!" Zhou Qi thought for a moment, then pulled a book from the bookshelf and handed it to her. "If you get bored, you can read a novel..."

"A Certain Magical Index?"

This was a Japanese novel Zhou Qi had bought when he was learning Japanese. It would be perfect for Tashigi to pass the time.

Tashigi took the book. She was a very obedient girl, and as instructed, she sat down and opened the novel.

Meanwhile, Zhou Qi contacted Zhou Yibing.

"Where are you? Send me your location!"

"What's up?"

[Location.jpg]

"I'm going to buy a factory today, but it's just the two of us, and it doesn't feel like we have enough presence. I thought I'd bring you along. If sister-in-law is coming too, then her too!"

"Call her sister-in-law. I'm older, you know!"

"Fine, then sister-in-law!"

"But didn't you want to buy one back home? Why is it East Guangdong now?"

"Plans change!" Zhou Qi said. "Hurry up!"

Zhou Yibing, who was at work, hesitated for a moment before suddenly realizing.

Why am I hesitating? I was just worried about getting my organs harvested or getting roped into a pyramid scheme. But now I'm going to buy a factory, and I'll be involved in the whole process. What could possibly go wrong?

Worst case scenario, I'll just keep my girlfriend on voice chat the whole time, and if anything happens, she can call the police.

It's worth taking a risk for a brother.

"Sister-in-law doesn't need to come. She's busy with work, so I'll go with you..." Zhou Yibing replied. "Are you driving?"

"No car, but I'm going to buy one now. I don't have a driver's license, but you do, right!!"

"..." So I'm the chauffeur?

"Okay, I have one!"

"Then there's no problem. Let me check the map... hmm, there's a BYD store right next to you. Wait for me there. You can help me look around too! I'll be there in fifty minutes!"

"Alright!"