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One week later.
The massive Germa warship surged forward, bypassing the Red Line and entering the East Blue without passing through the first half of the Grand Line. Ichiji had no intention of recklessly confronting Shiki the Golden Lion based solely on his limited knowledge of the man. Instead, he meticulously analyzed intelligence provided by Spandam to prepare for this encounter.
If all went according to plan, Shiki's Flying Pirates were now but a shadow of their former selves—a mere handful remained.
The truth about the legendary "Edd War" was not as straightforward as history portrayed it. While Gol D. Roger was hailed as the victor, the real winner was none other than Marine Headquarters. A sudden storm during the battle devastated Shiki's once-mighty fleet—a force so formidable that even the Marines feared its power. Shiki himself suffered grievous injuries when a ship's helm impaled his head, while his second-in-command, "Blood Axe," died instantly after being pierced through the heart by an anchor. His third-in-command, "Griffin," lost a leg to a shark attack, surviving only barely but with drastically reduced strength.
After Roger turned himself in, Shiki launched a solo assault on Marineford, only to be subdued by Sengoku and Garp working together. Imprisoned in Impel Down, Shiki's empire crumbled as many pirates who had joined him out of fear or coercion quickly abandoned the Flying Pirates. Without Shiki at the helm, the weakened crew became easy prey for rival pirate factions like Kaido's Beast Pirates and Big Mom's Yonko crew. Even Shiki's first mate, "Wind Ghost," fell to Kaido during one such skirmish.
Some of Shiki's former subordinates defected to Big Mom or Kaido, further eroding what little remained of his influence. In hindsight, Shiki proved to be a flawed captain. Rather than seeking vengeance for his fallen comrades upon escaping prison, he instead devoted decades to a grand yet misguided scheme: destroying the East Blue by creating monstrous beasts akin to sea kings. But progress on this ambitious project faltered, leaving him with precious little time—now well into his seventies—to see it come to fruition.
"This time, I initially planned to leave Law and Cavendish behind," Ichiji said, his crimson hair fluttering in the wind as he adjusted his sunglasses. He surveyed the group standing ready before him, his voice steady and resolute. "But perhaps it would do you good to witness a true clash between powerful opponents."
He paused, his tone growing more serious. "However, let me make one thing clear: Shiki's islands are teeming with creatures mutated by his experimental drugs. Once the fight begins, there won't be anyone available to protect you. Stay vigilant."
According to the intelligence gathered, Shiki's forces were indeed sparse—just a few stragglers remained, possibly including two or three surviving captains. Though these individuals weren't among his top-ranking officers, they were undoubtedly skilled fighters capable of using Haki. While Akainu and Bern might struggle to defeat them outright, they could at least hold their ground long enough to prevent immediate annihilation.
The Germa warship raced across the waves, sending up towering splashes of water as it carved twin white trails through the ocean. In Ichiji's palm rested a small slip of paper—a life card he had secretly planted on Shiki's floating island cluster six months prior, anticipating the possibility that Shiki might use his Devil Fruit powers to relocate the islands.
Ichiji suppressed a flicker of excitement as he mentally prepared himself for the upcoming confrontation. Facing Shiki—a man who once stood atop the pirate world alongside legends like Roger—was exhilarating. His blood boiled with anticipation, every nerve tingling with the thrill of battle.
"It's certainly something to look forward to..."
High above, two enormous black shadows circled the sky, emitting sharp cries. These were massive black eagles captured from the Beast Islands in the New World. Using Trafalgar Law's Ope Ope no Mi abilities, Ichiji had transferred the consciousness of Germa soldiers into the birds, transforming them into airborne mounts.
Vistonio Sea – The Most Dangerous Waters of the East Blue
This region was infamous for its treacherous waters. Not only did jagged reefs and hidden rocks pose constant threats, but deadly whirlpools and serpentine currents also lurked just beneath the surface, capable of sinking ships in an instant. Both pirates and Marines avoided this area whenever possible.
Yet, Shiki chose this perilous locale precisely because of its isolation. Hidden deep within the East Blue—the weakest of the Four Seas—it offered a perfect hiding spot. With bounties rarely exceeding 20 or 30 million Beri, the East Blue paled in comparison to the dangers of the New World. Even the Marine branches stationed here and the Cipher Pol agents tasked with monitoring the region lacked significant resources or expertise. What seemed like a minor hazard in the broader context of the Grand Line became an ideal sanctuary for someone like Shiki.
From afar, the sight of Shiki's floating islands was breathtaking. Suspended high in the air, they formed a surreal panorama, crowned by rainbows that shimmered like ethereal halos. The scene was both majestic and awe-inspiring, evoking feelings of wonder and disbelief.
"Wow..."
"They're actually floating islands!"
"Geez... What an incredible ability..."
Cavendish, Bepo, and the others stared wide-eyed at the spectacle, struggling to comprehend how such a feat was possible. Even Akainu and Bern couldn't help but feel a sense of awe.
The Float-Float Fruit truly was an extraordinary power. Had circumstances been different, Ichiji might have considered keeping it for himself. However, until he fully understood Marshall D. Teach's body structure, consuming or stealing another Devil Fruit was too risky.
"The warship will remain here," Ichiji announced with a confident smile. "We can't approach any closer. Burner and Akainu, you've already been equipped with Germa's gravity-defying shoes. As for Cavendish and Law—be careful. Although we have the two eagles, always keep parachutes handy. If Shiki loses consciousness or dies, his Devil Fruit powers will vanish, causing the islands to plummet back to the sea."