Unseen by anyone, a faint shimmer of light flickered in the corner of the corridor.
Liam Ross stood there, perfectly still, hidden by the ability that cloaked him from sight.
Every word of the two men's conversation reached his ears clear, sharp, and complete.
A faint smile tugged at his lips.
So that's what this is about.
No wonder he'd been shadowed these past few days. It wasn't paranoia after all Aokiji had personally brought a team to investigate whether the infamous "Emperor Tian" was hiding aboard the patrol fleet.
Liam chuckled quietly. He had been a little too flashy during his stay in the small kingdom of Lyria. After the chaos he caused there, it was inevitable that someone from the Navy's higher ranks would take notice.
As one of the investigators headed toward the restroom, Liam moved before him, slipping back into the narrow stall area. Moments later, the man entered, calling out softly as he checked each cubicle.
"Anyone in there?"
Suddenly, a flush echoed from the last stall. The man turned toward the sound.
Before he could take a step, the locked door clicked open.
Liam stepped out, feigning the act of pulling up his pants, his expression calm and natural.
The two locked eyes for a brief moment.
The investigator's pupils tightened with unease, guilt flickering across his face.
Liam, on the other hand, offered a polite smile.
"What a coincidence," he said casually. "You here for the same reason?"
Caught off guard, the man forced a nervous laugh. "Uh… yeah. Must've eaten something bad. Stomach's been a mess."
Liam didn't reply. He brushed past him with a faint grin. The encounter passed without incident on the surface, at least.
Outside, the day unfolded peacefully, as if nothing had happened.
The patrol fleet soon docked at the port of the Soria Kingdom. The crew was granted brief shore leave, and Liam joined his colleagues for a stroll through the city. He kept his manner relaxed, but inwardly he stayed alert someone was still watching.
To avoid drawing suspicion, he gave up his plan to sneak into the kingdom for another system sign-in and followed the group into a small seaside tavern.
The familiar chime rang in his mind.
[Ding! Detection complete. Special sign-in location found. Reward bonus: +5%.]
Without a flicker of emotion, Liam murmured in his heart:
Sign in.
[Congratulations, Host. You have obtained: Intermediate Experience Card ×1.]
"Not bad," he thought. The card was immediately applied to his swordsmanship.
Swordsmanship: 510/1000 (Excellence)
His plan was clear push his swordsmanship to the next tier, the level of a true swordmaster. Once he reached that stage, even a Vice Admiral would think twice before attacking recklessly.
He let his thoughts settle, eyes drifting toward Jerry, the colleague who'd been tailing him since the mission began. The other man from the investigation team wasn't here probably lurking outside somewhere, hidden in the shadows.
Meanwhile, aboard the main battleship anchored offshore, the atmosphere was tense. In the captain's quarters, faint light spilled through the door cracks.
Aokiji sat across from three unit leaders, while beside him, Akainu reclined on the sofa, arms folded, gaze as sharp as a drawn blade.
Aokiji spoke in his usual calm tone. "After days of careful investigation, we've narrowed down the suspects. Only three individuals aboard this fleet fit the possible profile of Emperor Tian."
He pointed to the table. Three photographs lay side by side each marked with a detailed record beneath.
"Major Kaki of the First Fleet. Lieutenant Raleigh Kim of the Second. And lastly, Sergeant Liam Ross of the Third."
Akainu's eyes narrowed, his presence heavy as magma. "Kuzan," he said, voice deep and deliberate, "what's your move?"
Aokiji's gaze hardened. "We strike first."
Akainu's expression didn't change, but something cold flickered behind his eyes.
The next morning dawned quietly.
Liam's consciousness split as he sent his shadow double out to explore, searching for hidden sign-in points across the seas.
After an hour, the clone reported success from within a royal palace.
[Congratulations, Host. You have obtained: Lucky Scratch Card ×1.]
"Lucky Scratch Card?" Liam murmured in surprise. It was the first time he'd seen such a reward.
System Explanation: The Lucky Scratch Card grants random rewards wealth, power, or items entirely determined by chance.
He chuckled. "Just like those old scratch tickets back on Earth."
Taking out the shimmering red card, Liam crouched on a sun-warmed rock and began scratching the surface slowly.
After several seconds, the voice echoed again:
[Ding! Congratulations, Host. You have obtained: Friendship-Hatred Card (Special Item).]
"Friendship… or hatred?" Liam frowned. "System, explain."
System: Once used, the card randomly binds to any being in this world, forming either a bond of friendship or hatred.
He stared at the card, expression blank. "So basically a gamble with fate."
A double-edged sword. For now, he decided to store it away. The last thing he needed was another enemy he didn't plan for.
"Liam, what're you spacing out for? The captain wants you on deck!"
The shout from a crewmate snapped him out of thought. He dismissed his clone and started walking toward the bow of the ship.
Then he noticed it Jerry and his companion were gone. The shadows that had followed him for days had vanished.
"Either they've ruled me out," he thought grimly, "or they're setting a trap."
He didn't get the chance to decide which.
A blur of movement sliced through the air beside him.
Danger.
His Observation Haki flared instinctively. He twisted to the side just as a pitch-black fist, hard as molten iron, tore past his cheek and slammed into the hull.
The explosion of wood and metal echoed like thunder. Splinters flew everywhere.
Liam landed lightly, heart pounding, mind racing. Someone had attacked him on a Navy warship.
"Emperor Tian," a furious voice roared, "you filthy rat! I've finally found you!"
Liam froze. That voice…
He turned.
Akainu stood before the gaping hole in the hull, his crimson cloak whipping in the wind, eyes blazing like magma.
Akainu? Here?
Liam's mind spun. Was this a coincidence or a setup? Had Aokiji tipped him off? Or was this all just a test to force a confession?
He couldn't afford to slip. Not even once.
He straightened, forcing a look of shock and confusion onto his face. "Vice Admiral Sakazuki, sir there must be some mistake! I'm Sergeant Liam Ross, Third Fleet. I don't know who this Emperor Tian is!"
Akainu sneered, his tone dripping with mockery. "Really? Then explain this how did a mere sergeant manage to dodge an ambush from a Vice Admiral?"
Liam hesitated, feigning panic. "I… I don't know, sir. Maybe luck?"
The molten man's gaze darkened, and the air itself seemed to burn.
The test had begun.
And Liam knew one wrong word here could expose everything.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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