"Meeting participants: Eleven."
Shirogai scanned all the figures on the platforms with a slight smile. "New member, Vochi…"
The platform glowed, displaying the title: Vochi.
Shirogai's gaze lingered on a tall figure shrouded in shadows. As the master of this soul realm, he could see the true appearances of all members through the mist and darkness.
Vochi, Katakuri, one of Big Mom's Three Sweet Commanders, a vice-emperor level powerhouse of the crew.
Katakuri quietly assessed the other figures, his eyes narrowing.
"I can't see their appearances… I don't know where this man found these people."
His eyes flickered to the stone platforms beneath them. Recognition sparked within him.
"What audacity…"
The massive stone platforms, inscribed with texts, were identical to the poneglyphs Big Mom had collected.
"To casually use poneglyphs as platforms…" Katakuri thought, astonished.
"Perhaps this adult doesn't care for the past at all. He plans to trample historical truths to forge a future of his own making."
What ambition!
Shirogai turned his attention to another newly joined member.
"Verglas…"
The platform glimmered, displaying the title Verglas.
Verglas Iceburg, mayor of Water 7 and founder of Galley-La Company.
"This place is remarkable."
Iceburg silently observed the unfolding scene, amidst catastrophic natural disasters all around.
Towering waves crashed against fragile buildings, devastating the low-lying city.
As the waters receded, Iceburg saw the island transformed into a snow-covered wasteland.
"It mirrors what Water 7 recently endured."
He contemplated the purpose behind these hyper-realistic recreations. Shirogai was using these disasters as the backdrop for Garuda's gathering—there had to be deeper meaning.
Shirogai's gaze then shifted to the last new member: a female figure.
"Fox…"
Another blank platform lit up, displaying the title Fox.
Fox Kalifa, a member of CP-9, the World Government's spy-assassin organization.
"By what method…?" Kalifa wondered, staring at Shirogai on the central red platform. Admiration shone in her eyes, impossible to conceal.
"Blue Oni, a CP-0 agent, went berserk in their own headquarters. He killed a fellow agent, then two CP-0 members attempted to subdue him, failing completely. Ultimately, they had no choice but to kill him. Parts of Gui's body were even taken over by the CP-0 Poison Eye, forming a being neither human nor beast…"
Kalifa recalled the scene with a mixture of astonishment and schadenfreude.
"You CP-9 members couldn't even handle a small Pirate Crew. There was a monster among them, but that doesn't make you strong."
Poof!
"What! You…"
CP-0 members, lecturing CP-9 arrogantly, were impaled by the claw of the suddenly erupting Blue Oni.
Too many CP-0 had perished or been injured, and replacements from CP-9 were needed. Yet they acted with pride, blind to reality.
"It is an honor to serve CP-0 and the Celestial Dragons directly," they had said. Kalifa, free from the World Government's brainwashing, felt disgust rise at their words.
…
"Already, three new members have joined?"
Crocodile, coldly scanned the shadows. "Null, did you choose them carefully? Don't tell me you pulled weaklings from somewhere."
"Heh heh, Earth , rest assured," Shirogai said with a smile.
"All Vespera members are valuable. Even if their combat power is limited, they excel in other fields. We do not invite burdens."
Katakuri observed Earth carefully. There was a familiar tone in his arrogance—it marked him as a pirate.
"I've already begun the task you assigned…"
Earth narrowed his eyes. "You know, my domain is unique. Completion will take time."
This referred to the blood-red envelope Shirogai had handed during the last meeting, regarding the establishment of an assassination and spy service.
"No hurry," Shirogai said, smiling. "Coordinate with them casually. I will come to select suitable personnel myself."
"Hmph, are you planning a head-on breach?"
Earth smirked. "If we do, it will undoubtedly make headlines—a truly earth-shattering event."
Shirogai smiled calmly. "A head-on breach is too crude. Perhaps they will invite me when the time comes."
Earth laughed. "Invite you? How absurd! The World Government does not invite pirates to their prisons. That is imprisonment, not an invitation."
Shirogai then addressed an inconspicuous member on the side. "Sky Horse, how goes your task?"
Gan Fall, the Sky Horse, hesitated.
"Speak freely. No one will leak your words," Shirogai reassured him.
"My lord, the task is nearly complete," Gan Fall bowed. "Your vision is realized. A second-generation artificial island cloud machine has been created. Recently, artificial Sky Islands have been produced over Tide's territory. Thanks to the addition of Heavenly Ape, we achieved results quickly."
Shirogai raised an eyebrow. "That's faster than expected."
According to his plan, the machine would need more time. Yet it was completed ahead of schedule.
"Artificial island cloud?"
Vespera's members silently echoed the phrase, curiosity piqued.
What was Shirogai planning with this remarkable feat?