### **Chapter: The Price of Resurrection**
Ryuma's genetic data had been preserved—meaning, **theoretically**, unlimited cloned bodies could be produced given sufficient resources.
In the cloning lab, **one perfect Ryuma replica** already stood ready. Each clone cost **100 million berries**—equivalent to a Pacifista. The advantages were obvious, but so were the limitations:
- **Pacifistas** could be mass-produced
- **Ryuma** could only exist **one at a time**
For the strong, **the body matters**. Give Whitebeard a normal human frame, and he couldn't showcase **even 10%** of his power.
Ryuma's clone represented the **pinnacle** of Lineage Factor engineering—though still inferior to the **Vinsmoke family's** genetically-enhanced forms.
This explained why Ryuma could utilize **90%** of his clone's potential, with training potentially pushing it to **100%**.
His stats:
- **Total Potential:** 350 GB
- **Swordsmanship:** 101 GB *(Beyond human limits)*
- **Observation Haki:** 95 GB *(Enhanced by Ezekiel)*
- **Armament Haki:** 90 GB
Yet **critical limitations** existed:
1. **No Devil Fruit power**—For a being with **101 GB in one skill**, only a **100+ GB Fruit** could meaningfully boost him further.
2. **AI Constraints**—Ryuma's **swordsmanship would forever cap at 101 GB** without Ezekiel forcibly upgrading it via the **Smartphone-Smartphone Fruit**.
3. **Clone Limitations**—No matter how perfected, it would **never be his original body**.
*This was the price of converting a soul into AI consciousness.*
Still—**defying heaven itself** was worth it.
Ryuma's **Raiu** had been retrieved by Sea Kings. Comparable to **Shusui**, this **Wano heritage blade** perfectly suited the **Dragon-Slayer**. As for Shiryu? *Probably dead by now.*
....
**Virtual Space – Alabasta Palace Replica**
Ryuma's soul materialized in the garden, where Ezekiel and Fujitora awaited.
**"His soul isn't implanted yet. This is the only way to meet him,"** Ezekiel explained.
Ryuma grabbed a **virtual sword** from the wall—one of many legendary blades Ezekiel had recreated.
**"No soul in this one,"** Ryuma remarked, testing its weight.
Ezekiel sipped wine (virtual, but the drunkenness felt real). He wasn't much of a drinker, but in this pirate world, **a boss who didn't drink was suspect**. Especially since Roger's resurrection—that drunkard kept dragging everyone into parties…
...
**Sparring Session**
Fujitora vs. Ryuma:
- **One** – The peerless swordsman
- **The Other** – A blind samurai blending Devil Fruit power with blade work
They focused **only on swordplay**.
Ezekiel mused: *"Thankfully, this world lacks truly great weapons."* The elite few—like Whitebeard's **Bisento**, Shanks' **Gryphon**, or Mihawk's **Yoru**—were nearly impossible to obtain.
*Roger uses a sword.
Ryuma uses a sword.
Tashigi uses a sword.
Fujitora uses a sword.*
*And soon—Zoro will wield **three** as the world's greatest.*
At this thought, Ezekiel's glass slipped from his hand. He dozed off on the sofa.
Ryuma's blade halted **a hair's breadth** from Fujitora's forehead. Both then sheathed their swords and turned to the sleeping king.
Under a great tree, they drank.
**"I respect your skill,"** Ryuma said, downing his cup.
The **biggest perk** of this virtual world? **Unlimited alcohol**. One could toggle drunkenness on/off at will.
**"He's only 18,"** Ryuma sighed, glancing at Ezekiel.
Fujitora smiled wryly at the sky. *"To achieve so much at 18... I'm inadequate."*
With resurrection mastered, Alabasta had leaped forward. No wonder their king—bearing such pressure—collapsed here to sleep.
Then Fujitora had **another thought**.
*In Alabasta, 18 meant adulthood. Shouldn't the king... consider a queen?*
Images flashed:
- **Hancock**
- **Nami**
- **Robin**
*"All good choices..."*
He abruptly stopped.
**"Ryuma-san... do you have a wife?"** Fujitora blurted.
*Why ask?* Because Fujitora—a **lifelong bachelor**—realized he had **no right** to judge marital matters!
**"A faithful companion?"** Ryuma's tone deepened.
Fujitora leaned in. *This legendary ladies' man must have wisdom!*
**"A sword is enough. Why need a wife?"**
Ryuma **caressed Raiu's blade** like a lover, shocking Fujitora.
*"This man... is married to his sword?!"*
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