Taking out Tashigi

After hanging up, Zhou Qi pondered for a while, then looked outside.

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

Traveling between worlds was naturally a secret of the utmost importance. Logically, no one should be allowed to know about it.

But that was because he feared someone might try to seize it by force, or perhaps dissect him.

Yet his Space Gate was a superpower controlled by thought, not some physical object like a ring or a treasured cauldron. How could anyone steal it?

Even if it were exposed on Earth, he would probably just be recruited and treated to the finest food and drink, with everyone terrified that something might happen to him.

Besides, he would not be exposing it to Earthlings, but to people from the One Piece World.

Logically speaking, that should not be a problem either.

First, the One Piece World had Devil Fruits and countless strange abilities. Even a Devil Fruit capable of traveling between worlds would probably be easy for people to accept.

Second, he knew Koshiro and Tashigi reasonably well. Neither of them was the sort to betray another's trust. As long as they made an agreement, they would not expose it to those behind them.

People in the One Piece World also seemed quite committed to a chivalrous spirit. As far as he knew, Blackbeard was the only one who went back on his word?

His only concern was whether Koshiro and Tashigi would worry about the One Piece World being invaded if they learned how powerful China was.

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

Probably not!

Wano Country was still occupied by Kaido!

Besides, the more they learned about China, the less they should worry. After all, China was famous for loving peace.

As for aliens, Earthlings feared aliens because they had spent years being influenced by movies and novels about fighting extraterrestrials. Where would One Piece have that sort of thing?

At the very least, they looked exactly like people from the One Piece World. Even if they were afraid, they should be afraid of those who did not look human!

And there really were aliens over in One Piece, complete with wings!

All in all, bringing people from the One Piece World to Earth—especially people without ambition—was not that much of a problem.

"Damn it, I'm going to build a super corporation spanning multiple universes. How can I be this timid?" Zhou Qi slammed the table. He was doing it!

At that moment, he also realized that even if he was merely doing business, hiding the existence of this gate would be difficult.

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

As he scribbled on a sheet of paper, a vague idea began to take shape in Zhou Qi's mind.

"The only concern is how to explain it if they see the One Piece manga or anime..." Zhou Qi thought about it, then decided it was actually fine.

After all, One Piece was no longer that popular. Unless someone searched for it on a specific website, it was rarely seen out on the streets.

Even if they encountered cosplay groups, young women nowadays preferred cosplaying characters from Genshin Impact or Yor Forger.

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

Probably not!

"Qi-kun, is something troubling you?" Tashigi seemed to have noticed Zhou Qi's worries and asked from beside him.

"It's nothing." Zhou Qi shook his head. "Come to think of it, do you want to visit my country with me?"

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

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

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

Right, this was a world with many countries. That was probably basic diplomatic etiquette?

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

Garp had kept Ace's secret for seventeen years, while Franky and his fellow apprentices had guarded Pluton for decades.

"Then it's settled. We'll say goodbye to Master first, and then I'll take you around our country!" Zhou Qi said. "You can protect me along the way too!"

He had thought it through. So what if Tashigi leaked the secret? It would just make his story sound more believable.

Besides, if he did not say anything, how could Tashigi possibly know he had traveled to another world? It was broad daylight, and there were no stars to use as reference points.

As for why he had to bring Tashigi?

He was unfamiliar with the place. What if he got kidnapped after going over there? Dongguan was quite close to Cambodia, so he needed a bodyguard, didn't he?

And having another person with him—an outsider, at that—could add another layer of mystery to his background.

After he told Koshiro about it, Koshiro readily allowed it, since Zhou Qi needed to handle matters concerning the pharmaceutical factory.

Koshiro only reminded Zhou Qi not to become too engrossed in worldly affairs, as they would hinder his training. Naturally, Zhou Qi nodded in agreement.

A Space Gate opened outside Tannis's home. Going straight into his living room every time always felt rather impolite.

"Lord Lelouch, it's you! The master said that if we saw you, we should invite you in immediately!" Abbu happened to be at the entrance and spotted Zhou Qi at once.

Seeing Tashigi's strange expression, Zhou Qi hurriedly said, "My name is Zhou Qi. Lelouch was just a fake name I came up with. Don't call me that anymore."

"Ah, all right..." Abbu readily complied.

"How has your fundraising gone?" Zhou Qi asked.

"It arrived three days ago!" Abbu said. "A total of 368 kilograms. This is already nearly eighty percent of our chamber of commerce's liquid capital. If we draw out any more, it will seriously damage us!"

"Abbu, what nonsense are you talking about!" Tannis's voice cut off Abbu's miserable act at just the right moment. Then he looked at Zhou Qi. "My lord, the money is in the warehouse behind us. I'll take you to get it!"

Zhou Qi smiled. So this was what it felt like to be in a superior position? People even used such little tricks to claim credit in front of him.

He suddenly realized that many times, it was not that superiors were clever enough to see through everything. It was simply that such tactics were crude to begin with and easy to see through.

But one could see through them without exposing them. After all, it felt good inside, didn't it?

He had only asked for three hundred kilograms of gold, yet Tannis had sent 368 kilograms. Perhaps there had been some leeway in what he said earlier, or perhaps Tannis had deliberately sent extra to please him.

But regardless of which it was, Zhou Qi accepted it all. After all, he would not mistreat Tannis.

"Come with me!" Carrying the gold, Zhou Qi 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?" Bathing facilities were not particularly rare, though the bathroom heater was somewhat more advanced.

The smooth floor gave her a familiar feeling. Thinking back, when they had arrived at Shimotsuki Village earlier, they had walked through the air. Had they not been stepping on this very kind of floor?

There were many luxurious homes in the One Piece World, including ones far more extravagant than Zhou Qi's apartment. Tashigi was not surprised by that. What shocked her were the towering buildings reflected outside the window.

"Yes, I go through here every time!" Zhou Qi took out disinfectant and sprayed himself, then handed it to Tashigi.

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

"Disinfectant. It prevents any viruses from Loguetown from being brought back here, and it also keeps me from bringing viruses or bacteria to Loguetown..." Zhou Qi explained.

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

"They are things that cause plagues, microscopic organisms invisible to the naked eye!" Zhou Qi said. "I can show you someday if I get the chance!"

"All right!" Tashigi no longer resisted. Following Zhou Qi's example, she sprayed herself and her sword, then followed him out of the bathroom.

Outside was Zhou Qi's living room.

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

"A Certain Magical Index?"

This was a Japanese-language novel Zhou Qi had bought while learning japanese language, perfect for helping Tashigi pass the time.

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

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 feels like there's not much presence with just two people. Come with me, and bring your wife too if she wants!"

"Call her sister-in-law. I'm obviously older than you, okay?"

"All right, then I'll call her sister-in-law!"

"But weren't you going back home to buy one? Why has it turned into Dongguan?"

"Plans can't keep up with changes!" Zhou Qi said. "Hurry up!"

Zhou Yibing, who was at work, hesitated for a moment before suddenly coming to his senses.

What the hell am I hesitating for? I was only worried about getting my kidneys harvested or being dragged into a pyramid scheme, but now we're buying a factory. I'll be involved in the whole process. What could possibly happen?

At worst, he could stay on a voice call with his girlfriend the entire time. If anything happened, he could have her call the police.

Taking a risk once for his brother was worth it.

"No need to bring your sister-in-law. She has work and is busy. I'll go with you..." Zhou Yibing responded. "Are you driving?"

"I don't have a car, but I'm buying one now. I don't have a driver's license, though. You have one, right!!"

"..." So he was just a driver?

"All right, I do!"

"Then there's no problem. Let me check the map... Hmm, there's a BYD store right next to you. Wait for me there, and help me pick one out while you're at it! I'll be there in fifty minutes!"

"All right!"