For the past two days, Liam Ross had been staying within the Navy Headquarters, barely stepping beyond its gates.
After all, he had just become Admiral Kuzan's (Aokiji's) personal aide, and for now, no tasks had been assigned to him.
This kind of leisurely life suited him perfectly.
He found it oddly satisfying almost addictive to do nothing for once.
Sinking his mind into the system's interface, he opened his skill panel.
Swordsmanship: 960/1000 (Excellent)
The numbers were close just a few more points, and he would reach the Master Swordsman level. That meant his swordsmanship would soon step into the realm of the elites.
"If I can just draw a mid-level experience card today, I can push it over the edge," Liam murmured with a hopeful smile.
Meanwhile, inside the Navy Headquarters…
Marshal Kong convened an emergency meeting with the upper ranks.
The grand hall was filled with officers clad in justice-marked coats rear admirals and vice admirals seated on both sides. Closest to the marshal sat Fleet Admiral Sengoku, the ever-unpromoted Hero Garp, and the wise strategist Tsuru. Beside them were the three rising stars of the Navy: Akainu, Aokiji, and Kizaru.
"Ahem…"
Marshal Kong cleared his throat, his deep voice filling the chamber. "The reason I've called everyone here is to prepare for the upcoming Hunting Operation. Sengoku, since you're the strategist and commander of this mission, you'll lead the briefing."
Sengoku nodded slightly, rising to his feet. Adjusting his small round glasses, his sharp gaze swept across the gathered officers.
"What I'm about to say concerns the operation's confidential battle plan. No one is to leak this information. Understood?"
"Yes, sir!!"
The unified response echoed through the hall.
The meeting stretched on for nearly two hours. When it finally ended, the gravity of the operation showed plainly on everyone's faces.
That same afternoon, Aokiji summoned Liam.
"The Headquarters is launching a capture mission against Shiki the Golden Lion," Aokiji said in his usual calm tone. "Pass down the orders prepare for battle."
Liam froze for a moment.
Was this for real? Were they truly going after Shiki? Or was this some kind of test to gauge his reaction?
He couldn't tell.
Still, he didn't question the order. He simply nodded, saluted, and carried it out.
As the sun set behind the mountains, Liam used his clone to perform the system's nightly special check-in.
"Please, let it be a mid-level experience card…"
"Congratulations, host! You have obtained a Basic Fruit Development Card!"
Liam exhaled a soft sigh. "Figures…"
Still, he applied the card to his clone's Earth-Earth Fruit, which he'd been developing steadily. Through daily training, he had already achieved eighty percent elementalization without external aid.
Later that night, he slipped away to a secluded hill behind the base to practice the Six Powers techniques. After an hour and a half of intense training, each skill gained two experience points.
The next day, under the leadership of Vice Admiral Garp and Admiral Aokiji, a fully armed force boarded a top-class battleship and departed from the harbor.
Minutes later, two more elite warships quietly left the port, sailing toward the West Sea.
Out on the open ocean, the massive warship cut through the waves.
Liam stood silently behind Aokiji, listening as he and Garp discussed their target.
"According to intel, Shiki is currently on an island called Vermeyo," Aokiji reported.
"The navigator's already marked its location."
"Good. As long as he's out there, he'll never stop causing chaos. This time, we're taking him back to Impel Down dead or alive."
"And if he resists?" Garp asked quietly.
Aokiji fell silent for a long moment. They both knew the answer. If Shiki chose to fight to the death, the result would be inevitable.
Listening from behind, Liam couldn't help muttering in his heart, So it's not a test? They're really going after Shiki?
"Liam," Aokiji suddenly said, his tone gentle but serious. "Your strength is still developing. If a battle breaks out, your priority is to stay alive. Don't take unnecessary risks."
"Yes, sir," Liam answered quickly.
"By the way," Garp suddenly appeared beside him like a ghost, grinning ear to ear. "Kuzan tells me your hometown makes some of the best cakes and donuts around. That true?"
"Uh…" Liam hesitated.
He remembered the last time in the mess hall he'd brought a few donuts to enjoy later, but Aokiji had asked about them, and he'd reluctantly shared.
Apparently, Aokiji hadn't kept that secret.
"Well," Liam said awkwardly, "I didn't bring much this time, but I can get you some later."
Garp's eyes lit up. "Go on then! I'll hold you to it!"
With a faint smile, Liam went below deck, checked that no one was around, and pulled two servings of cake donuts from his system inventory. He handed them to Garp and Aokiji.
Garp took a bite, his eyes widening in delight. "Sweet and cold! These are better than any donuts I've ever had!"
"If you like them that much, I'll bring more next time," Liam said politely.
Before long, under the navigator's guidance, the warship reached Vermeyo Island.
Surrounded by sea on all sides, the island looked… ordinary.
Liam frowned. Wasn't this island supposed to float in the sky?
Could it be that Shiki hadn't yet discovered the mysterious IQ plant?
"Fire!"
At Aokiji's command, the ship's cannons roared. Thunderous blasts filled the air as black cannonballs rained upon the island.
On the other side, deep within his base, Shiki the Golden Lion and his subordinate Dr. Indigo were busy with their research when the explosions shattered the silence.
"What's going on?" Shiki barked.
"Boss Shiki! There's a Navy fleet attacking the island!"
"The Navy?" Shiki's expression darkened. Sengoku and Garp again? Already?
He smirked. "I was planning to settle scores later, but if they've come to me first better still."
"Gyahahahaha!"
With a wild laugh, Shiki used his Float-Float Fruit powers, rising into the sky before soaring straight toward the Navy warship.
Meanwhile, back on the sea…
The two warships that had secretly departed from Headquarters were now nearing Gang City, the territory of Capone Bege.
Upon hearing this, Bege immediately informed Liam's clone.
"Boss Ross," he reported urgently, "our scouts say two Navy warships are approaching."
"What?" Liam's clone frowned. "Are they from a local branch or from Headquarters?"
"I'll have my men confirm it right away."
Minutes later, a subordinate rushed in, panting. "Boss, it's definitely from Headquarters. One vice admiral, two rear admirals aboard."
"Did you see who the vice admiral was?"
The man shook his head.
Liam's expression darkened. A troubling thought crossed his mind.
Could this be Sengoku's plan all along?
A diversion strike Shiki to draw me away, while secretly targeting Gang City to test whether I'm aligned with the Emperor faction?
But then again… why bother with such an elaborate setup? If Sengoku wanted to test him, a fake mission would've been enough. Why risk splitting the Navy's top power in two?
The more Liam thought about it, the more confusing it became.
Was Sengoku's move a test… or something else entirely?
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Already captivated by Liam Ross's rise through the seas? Share what thrilled you your words and reviews keep his legend alive! Every 300 Power Stones will unlock a bonus chapter, pushing Liam's journey toward domination even faster!
Liam Ross's adventure has only just begun, and his reign across the seas is far from over. Stay aboard with World Shaker of the New World, and sail beyond the horizon together!
[email protected]/_sey
Change @ to a