Fortunately, his face hadn't been caught clearly on camera. Otherwise, hiding within the Navy would've been impossible.
After all, the clone looked exactly like him.
That, Liam Ross realized, was one of the biggest drawbacks so far. He briefly considered giving his clone the voice-changing mask, but then dismissed the thought. That mask belonged to his alter ego, Emperor Tian.
And there was no way the clone's strength could live up to that identity.
So, the idea was scrapped.
But then another name flashed in his mind Monkey D. Lofe.
That alias he had once used for fun might just be the perfect cover for his clone.
He started mapping things out.
His main body would remain a Marine, quietly climbing the ranks. His clone, on the other hand, could become a pirate, stirring up chaos across the seas.
One light, one shadow.
One stays still, one moves freely.
Liam chuckled to himself. "Not bad."
As for why the two of them looked so alike? He already had the perfect excuse there were plenty of coincidences in this vast world. Similar faces weren't anything strange. Even if the Marines grew suspicious, he wasn't worried.
Who would ever suspect that he had eaten the Clone-Clone Fruit?
With that plan in mind, Liam began to remotely guide his clone toward the infamous City of Gangs.
Meanwhile, in the South Blue, the inspection fleet led by Vice Admiral Onigumo arrived at the wrecked Marine branch.
The base was a disaster buildings half-collapsed, smoke still curling from smoldering ruins.
Liam, standing on deck, observed the scene in silence and offered a brief moment of respect for the fallen.
Then came the familiar chime in his mind:
Ding... Detected special sign-in location. Rewards increased by 5%.
Proceed with sign-in?
Without hesitation, he muttered, "Sign in."
Congratulations. Sign-in successful. You've obtained a Basic Devil Fruit Development Card.
A grin tugged at his lips. "Not bad."
He immediately applied the reward to the Clone-Clone Fruit, feeling a noticeable surge in connection and power through his clone.
"Wait," he murmured, a new thought flashing through his mind. "If I can control the clone... can I also use it to sign in?"
It was a simple, but potentially game-changing question.
After a moment's pause, the system responded coldly:
"Of course. Whether the main body or the clone, both can sign in. Additionally, clones can trigger sign-in missions."
Liam's heart leapt with quiet excitement.
"Perfect. Now that's what I call efficiency."
The idea of lounging safely at Marine Headquarters while his clone gathered rewards across the seas fit his lazy but strategic nature perfectly.
As for Catarina Devon, word soon spread of her rampage. After destroying half the Marine base, she was defeated by Vice Admiral Onigumo and forced to retreat with her surviving crew.
When Fleet Admiral Kong heard of the incident, he flew into a rage, slamming his desk and demanding her capture at any cost.
After a heated discussion, the World Government issued a 60 million berry bounty for Catarina Devon. Overnight, her name spread across the seas "The Most Dangerous Woman in the South Blue."
That night, under the light of a sinking sun, Liam guided his clone into the royal capital of a West Blue kingdom.
The clone slipped past the palace guards like a shadow.
Ding... Detected special sign-in location. Rewards increased by 10%. Proceed with sign-in?
"Sign in," Liam ordered swiftly. The clone's stealth wasn't perfect if anyone in the palace had Observation Haki, discovery would mean disaster.
Congratulations. Sign-in successful. You've obtained: Basic Disguise Technique. Fuse now?
Liam couldn't help but laugh. "Well, talk about timing! Just when I was thinking about this problem..."
It was like finding a pillow right when you felt sleepy. The system really was his personal guardian angel.
He immediately fused the skill.
A rush of knowledge filled his mind. The Basic Disguise Technique could alter facial features through subtle manipulation of skin and muscle structure. Limited, but useful enough.
Perfect for fieldwork.
After sneaking out of the palace, the clone found a quiet stream and leaned over the reflective surface.
"Let's see what you've got."
Five minutes later, a new face stared back from the water broad nose, round cheeks, and a completely different aura. Only a faint resemblance to Liam remained, noticeable only to the sharpest eye.
"Flawless."
Satisfied, Liam guided his clone back into the night, disappearing into the sleeping kingdom.
By dawn, the clone had reached the City of Gangs.
First order of business another sign-in.
Sign-in successful. Reward: Intermediate Experience Card.
He used it to enhance his swordsmanship. After all, the Monkey D. Lofe persona was meant to be a swordsman from the start, a mysterious figure who once challenged even Red-Haired Shanks.
If he wanted the disguise to be convincing, his blade had to back it up.
Inside the grand stone castle at the city's heart, mafia boss Capone Bege studied his new ally curiously.
The young man before him looked calm, almost too calm for someone so young.
Liam's clone met his gaze evenly. "I'm here under orders from Lord Emperor Tian," he said smoothly. "You may call me Monkey D. Lofe a swordsman."
Bege's eyes flicked down toward his waist. No sword.
A swordsman without a weapon?
"Actually," Liam's clone continued casually, "do you have a weapon suitable for me? My last blade broke during a duel with one of the Pirate King's former crew."
Bege froze. The room went still.
Did he just say... one of Roger's men?
Sweat gathered at Bege's temples as the name Rayleigh flickered in his mind.
Could this young man possibly have fought him?
No. Impossible. But the confidence in his tone made even Bege hesitate.
"I... I have some weapons in storage," he managed, straightening up quickly. "You can choose one that suits you."
"Appreciate it."
From the armory, the clone selected a blade that was just shy of a Grade Sword, its edge gleaming with latent sharpness.
He named it Falling Petal.
(No, it wasn't a metaphor for anything suggestive.)
That night, chaos erupted.
A frantic subordinate burst into the hall. "Boss! It's bad! The Jork and Tuttle families have launched a counterattack with help from the Eight Treasures Fleet!"
Bege's expression darkened. "The Eight Treasures Fleet, huh?" he growled. "Tell everyone fight back with full force. Not one inch of our territory is to be lost!"
"Yes, sir!"
The man ran off, leaving silence behind.
Bege turned to Liam's clone, his tone deadly serious. "The strongest among the Eight Treasures Fleet are yours to handle."
Liam smiled faintly. "Consider it done."
The two left the castle side by side, stepping into a battlefield lit by gunfire and flame.
The moment they arrived, a booming voice shook the night.
"Eight-Impact Fist!"
A tremendous shockwave split the air, shaking the ground beneath their feet.
Liam's clone narrowed his eyes, gripping his sword tightly.
"Looks like it's time to see how strong the 'swordsman from nowhere' really is."
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