Chapter 6: So I Am This Strong!

Holy Land, Mary Geoise, Pangea Castle, Room of Flowers.

Im leaned back on a comfortable sofa, intently watching the high-definition footage projected by the Den Den Mushi. It was the scene of Sengoku, Garp, and Shiki locked in a fierce battle outside Marineford.

The omnipresent shockwaves, the surging pillars of water rising one after another, the constant explosions of ice and wreckage of warships, combined with the impossibly fast speed and combat skills of the three, accompanied by bursts of dazzling golden light—it felt like watching a top-tier blockbuster film.

Before he transmigrated, he wouldn't have been able to follow the movements of these people at all. But things were different now; having fully adapted to his own strength, his dynamic vision could easily capture the details of the battle.

Im picked up the red wine glass on the coffee table, swirled the bright red liquid inside, and chuckled softly.

"This way, Marineford can avoid being mostly destroyed. It’s just a bit of hard work for that kid, Kuzan."

The fact that 'Golden Lion' Shiki would attack Marine Headquarters was, naturally, something he had leaked to the Five Elders in advance, who then relayed it to Fleet Admiral Kong. As for the idea of having Kuzan create a vast ice field outside the harbor, it was said to have been Sengoku's idea.

The current Kuzan, while stronger than the average Vice Admiral, had not yet reached the Admiral level and could not freeze the sea with a single "Ice Age."

Therefore, from noon until evening, he had been kept busy. After all, since he had to prepare a battlefield for three big shots, he had to put a lot of effort into the thickness and area of the ice.

For Im, watching the fierce battle between three of the world's top combatants helped him understand more profoundly just how large the gap was between these people and himself.

Memories are just memories; after all, he was a transmigrator, and some things were better seen with his own eyes.

It must be said that the battle between these three made his sense of security rise with every passing second. Coupled with the fact that he had that national treasure in his hands, only one thought remained in his mind.

So, I am this strong!

"Looking at it this way, I have quite a few trump cards and resources on my side. Now it just depends on how I operate." Im sipped his red wine, enjoying the sweet and silky taste on his taste buds, his eyes thoughtful.

"There are twenty-four years left until the final battle of the original story. But now that I am here, many things cannot remain the same. Since that's the case, after Roger is executed, let's start from next year."

It is now the end of December 1497. Next year, 1498, the new Reverie will be held!

Three days later, the World Economic Journal released an extra edition, the content of which once again shocked the entire world.

The headline on the front page was in bold black letters: "Shocking! Golden Lion Shiki Arrested and Imprisoned!"

This time, the content detailed how Shiki, attempting to attack Marine Headquarters single-handedly due to Roger's arrest, was defeated by the combined efforts of the well-prepared Admiral Sengoku and the Marine Hero Garp. He had already been locked away in the world's greatest prison, Impel Down.

In addition, there were extremely clear photographs printed on it, showing Shiki covered in wounds, lying before Sengoku and Garp—a record of the Marines' finest hour.

A few days ago, the Pirate King Roger had just been captured and was about to be publicly executed. Now, even the Admiral of the Golden Lion Pirate Fleet, who had dominated the 'New World' for over a decade, had been dealt with by the Marines.

Kingdoms and factions from all sides were deeply intimidated by the formidable strength displayed by the Marines. At the same time, the majesty of the World Government further took root in people's hearts, and the pirates causing trouble in the four seas subconsciously reined themselves in.

In Impel Down, within the Level 6 Infinite Hell, the nearly five-meter-tall Magellan stood in the gloomy corridor, eyeing the new tenant in the iron cell. Around him stood several chief wardens who had come specifically for this occasion; they were all there for the man inside.

"So this is 'Golden Lion' Shiki? Aside from having a lot of hair, he doesn't look like much. To think he even specifically requested that we put an extra pair of handcuffs on him." Shiryu puffed on a cigar with an evil grin, though in his heart, he was thinking about finding an opportunity to stab him and see—the feeling of stabbing these big shots must be more interesting.

Magellan, the Vice Warden, looked at Shiki, who was lying flat on the cold floor with his hands and feet shackled, and spoke.

"The Warden said this is to prevent him from cutting off his own feet and using the power of the Fuwa Fuwa no Mi to escape. From now on, all ability-user prisoners on this sixth level will be shackled."

"What? Cut off his own feet?!"

The chief wardens, including Shiryu, were all stunned for a moment, immediately imagining: if such a thing really happened, could they stop this man inside?

According to the files, besides being an awakened user of the Fuwa Fuwa no Mi, this Shiki was also a master swordsman-level dual-wielding swordsman, combined with top-tier Haki. Thinking of this, they all felt a chill.

"Alright, disperse now that you've seen him," Magellan ordered in a deep voice.

"Yes!"

"Understood."

The chief wardens responded quickly and returned to their respective levels. Shiryu took a deep look at Magellan's back as he left. Magellan himself remained where he was. After about twenty minutes, he saw the Warden personally leading a few people over.

"Magellan, open the cell door. These are personnel sent by the World Government; they need to have contact with Shiki."

Magellan took a look. There were five people in total. Three of them were wearing standard black suits and leather boots, all exuding a capable aura, while the other two were carrying small white cases, appearing not to be combat personnel.

"Understood."

The Warden had given the order, so of course, he had to listen. The keys to the 'Infinite Hell' cells were on him.

Of course, the Warden had them too, but could he let the boss do such things himself?

Soon, Magellan opened the cell door. The two people carrying cases and one of the men in black went inside, while the remaining two black-suited personnel stood guard at the door, in a posture that allowed no one to enter.

"This is?" Magellan looked at the Warden in confusion, but the latter just shook his head.

"Don't ask too many questions. It has nothing to do with us. I heard they will come often in the future. You just need to be responsible for bringing them here, then opening and locking the door."

Magellan nodded silently.

The people inside were quick; they came out in less than five minutes and then left quickly with the Warden without saying a word.

Magellan glanced at them, then walked to the cell door and looked inside, finding that Shiki, who was still unconscious, had not changed at all.

In the Room of Flowers, Im received a call from the Five Elders via Den Den Mushi.

"Im-sama, Shiki's blood has successfully arrived at Punk Hazard."

"Hmm. Have Dr. Vegapunk try to replicate the Fuwa Fuwa no Mi. This ability is of great use to our World Government; its priority is higher than the research on Kaido's genes and abilities. Also, keep a close eye on Shiki. Do not let him die, and do not let him become disabled. He is still useful!"

"As you command!"

[Click]

Putting the receiver back on the Den Den Mushi's head, Im gazed at the lunar environment and the scattered galaxy outside the window.

He was thinking about Vegapunk.

According to the original story, he had clearly perfectly replicated Kaido's Azure Dragon fruit, yet he claimed to the World Government that it was a failure. Was it that the latter truly thought it was a failure, or did he lie knowing it was a success?

"It seems this doctor isn't an honest man either..."

And 'Golden Lion' Shiki—he had originally wanted to have Vice Admiral Tsuru go over to "wash his heart," and then have someone brainwash him into becoming a loyal hound of the World Government, but he thought of an even better idea and held back.

It was just that his idea would need to wait a few more years; a key item had to be found first.

No rush. Take it slow.

Im's gaze looked faintly at the bright, clear moon above the firmament.