"Ugh... These ferocious beasts are really troublesome."
Wright frowned as he carefully landed on the edge of the central island, making sure to avoid triggering the surveillance system. He advanced on foot toward the palace at the island's core.
Even though he was using "Disguise" to conceal his presence as much as possible, many of the beasts on the island were completely mindless. Once they went on a rampage, they attacked anything in their path indiscriminately.
As a result, Wright had no choice but to take down some of the beasts along the way. Now, standing before him was a barrier of "Daft Green"—a poisonous tree species specifically planted to keep the beasts from entering.
"This tree looks familiar… Isn't it poisonous?"
Noticing an unusual scent in the air, Wright ignited a small cluster of Holy Light on his fingertips and placed it near his nose.
"As expected. If inhaled excessively, the poison acts fast."
The Daft Green encircled Shiki's palace in a ring-like formation, with only a single entrance located along the river, where ships could pass through. Normally, anyone attempting to enter would be poisoned the moment they came into contact with the trees.
But Wright was an exception.
Using "Lightspeed" to execute a series of rapid dashes, he maneuvered carefully and reached the palace's outer perimeter.
If he caught Shiki's attention now, Wright wasn't afraid of a confrontation. However, while there were still three years left before Shiki's plan would unfold, there was no way of knowing if he had already stockpiled enough Evolution Serum.
Approaching the outer wall, Wright located a patrolling guard and immediately used "Disguise" to assume his appearance, strolling casually toward the rear of the palace.
"This palace is pretty damn big. Shiki has been living like a tyrant here for over a decade. Most people would have long lost their ambition."
As he moved, Wright continuously altered his appearance to match those he encountered. With his Observation Haki fully unleashed, he had already pinpointed his target's location.
"That Dr. Indigo is with Shiki. Once he returns to the research lab, I can make my move."
Reaching the lab's perimeter, Wright concealed himself in a hidden corner, monitoring his two primary targets—Shiki and Indigo.
He paid little attention to Shiki himself—after all, the man was a legendary pirate. A top-tier fighter like him might have a natural instinct for being watched.
Indigo, on the other hand, was a different story. Wright observed him without restraint as the scientist reported to Shiki. From Indigo's thought patterns, he could tell...
Shiki's condition was in a rather peculiar state.
Indigo was a brilliant scientist. Ever since Shiki returned from the Battle of Edd War, he had thoroughly examined his physical condition.
"The ship's helm embedded in his head cannot be removed—it would be fatal." This was Shiki's greatest limitation. It affected not just his body, but even his mind, occasionally causing erratic episodes.
Indigo had been helping Shiki maintain his authority, using a ridiculous "sense of humor" to mask his outbursts and prevent them from damaging his dignity.
More importantly, the revenge plan was entirely executed by Indigo himself, making him Shiki's most indispensable aide.
"Finally, he's here."
After waiting an entire night, Indigo finally returned to his laboratory.
Plop, plop, plop...
The bizarre sound of approaching footsteps made Wright's veins bulge in irritation.
"How the hell has Shiki put up with this guy for over a decade?"
Indigo, full of pride, was accompanied by Scarlet—a highly intelligent, evolution-enhanced gorilla native to Merveille.
Originally possessing remarkable intelligence, Scarlet underwent a hyper-evolution in cognitive ability, attaining human-like intellect. He had become a capable assistant…
And, unexpectedly, even developed a human-like sense of aesthetics—so much so that he turned out to be a notorious womanizer. Indigo had not anticipated that outcome at all.
Nevertheless, Scarlet was still a formidable beast. He possessed immense combat strength and, after evolving, could even summon packs of creatures to aid him.
His only downside was his eccentric personality. But at least he could serve as a distraction, shielding Shiki from unwanted attention…
Thinking this, Indigo—who had recently been praised by Shiki—opened the door to his laboratory, eager to admire his latest achievements.
The research was nearing completion. The success rate of beast enhancement had significantly increased. At this pace, within six months, the SIQ drug would be perfected and mass-produced…
"Oh? It's not finished yet? Well, that's a relief."
Hearing this calm remark, Indigo barely had time to register what was happening before a crisp sword hum echoed through the room.
Pain exploded throughout his body.
Then, nothing.
Emerging from the shadows, Wright glanced down at Indigo's collapsed form.
"The research isn't complete yet? Good… That means I can destroy this place outright."
—
At the heart of the palace, Shiki lounged on his massive throne, reading the latest newspaper.
"Former Warlord of the Sea, Crocodile, stripped of his title for the crime of 'attempted coup d'état.'"
Shiki furrowed his brow. "That damn Sand Croc… He was one of the top rookies back in the day. His plan was nearly flawless."
"And yet, it was crushed so effortlessly? Was this the wisdom of Alabasta's king? Or did the Marines anticipate everything in advance?"
"That Vice Admiral Wright… He's an interesting one."
Shiki had not been completely cut off from the world over the past decade.
The floating archipelago of Merveille lacked the means to be entirely self-sufficient—especially when it came to the essential resources needed for Indigo's experiments.
While Shiki rarely left the island himself, he frequently sent subordinates to procure or plunder supplies, occasionally even escorting them back and forth personally.
As a result, he had kept a steady eye on world affairs.
The newspaper in his hands was two days old. Not long after Wright had departed from Marine Headquarters, the World Government had officially announced Crocodile's punishment.
Just as Sengoku had predicted, with the Marines' growing strength, the Five Elders were dissatisfied that the Warlord system had already developed another vacancy so soon. However, they chose not to rush in filling the position, unwilling to provoke Alabasta's political pressure.
After all, finding a suitable candidate was easier said than done.
"Gyahahahaha…"
As a master strategist, Shiki quickly discerned Wright's role in the Crocodile incident.
"Reports about this brat have been popping up everywhere these past few years... 'The pinnacle of modern healing abilities'..."
Shiki absentmindedly touched the ship's helm embedded in his head, his eyes narrowing slightly.
"I wonder... can wounds like this be healed?"
But in the next instant, he burst into laughter.
"Jihahahaha! I'm the Golden Lion!"
"A mere ship's helm? At most, it just made me bald!"
Boom—
A distant explosion echoed through the air, making Shiki pause.
"What was that?"
"Master Shiki!"
A panicked crew member responsible for surveillance rushed in.
"Master Shiki! Dr. Indigo's research lab has just suffered a massive explosion!"
"And... and the chamber where we were cultivating 'IQ'!"
"What did you say?!"
Shiki's expression twisted with fury. "Didn't Indigo return already? Even if he caused the explosion, what the hell happened to the cultivation chamber?!"
"T-this... Master Shiki, we can't reach Dr. Indigo through any communications!"
"!!"
Shiki slowly rose to his feet, an overwhelming pressure radiating from him, making those below his throne struggle to lift their heads.
"Indigo wouldn't betray me..."
"Which means something happened to him!"
"I..."
"'Golden Lion' Shiki!"
Shiki snapped his head up. That voice—it came from outside the palace!
"Come out and face me!"
"Jihahahaha..."
A long silence followed before Shiki, his anger boiling over, let out a low chuckle.
"Looks like a rat has snuck into my palace... And Indigo… has already been taken care of?"
"Then let's see who exactly..."
"Has the guts to challenge me!"
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