"Life energy has reached the threshold. Breaking the limit… Congratulations, you've obtained 1 new IBM.
You may now summon: 28."
"Life energy has reached the threshold. Breaking the limit… Congratulations, you've obtained 1 new IBM.
You may now summon: 29."
"Life energy has reached the threshold. Breaking the limit… Congratulations, you've obtained 1 new IBM.
You may now summon: 30."
…
"Life energy has reached the threshold. Breaking the limit… Congratulations, you've obtained 1 new IBM.
You may now summon: 39."
After devouring all the ministers of the Big Mom Pirates, a massive, searing energy flooded into Whiteflame's body—instantly granting him 12 new IBMs.
These ministers weren't weak by any means—each of them was powerful enough to command their own territories. But unfortunately for them, they had encountered Whiteflame—a monster that transcended all expectations.
They didn't even have the chance to struggle.
Now, as he felt his power surge yet again, Whiteflame clenched his fist tightly.
Armament Haki and Observation Haki swelled with force, and his growing strength condensed at his fingertips, pulsing with destructive might.
At this level… facing his enemies again would be nothing more than routine cleanup.
"Whiteflame… if you do this, Big Mom will stop at nothing for revenge!"
Shanks stood behind him, gazing down at the battlefield—at the corpses of the Big Mom Pirates' ministers, now reduced to bleached white bones.
"Then let her come."
"I'll be waiting."
Whiteflame's eyes flashed with razor-sharp intent.
"Heh… At your current strength, even Big Mom might find herself overwhelmed."
Shanks smiled faintly.
"I had actually thought about recruiting you—bringing you into my crew… but clearly, that's not going to happen now."
"So, tell me—what's your next move?"
"You've just provoked the world's top three powers: Big Mom, Kaido, and the Marines.
Your path ahead won't be easy."
Originally, Shanks had come with the intention of sheltering Whiteflame for the sake of his old comrade Bai Luos, to give the boy a peaceful life away from bloodshed.
But now, Whiteflame no longer needed anyone's protection. His power far exceeded even Shanks' expectations.
Still, Shanks couldn't help but worry.
Once Kaido, Big Mom, and the World Government learned about what had happened here, their response would be… catastrophic.
If two Emperors and the world's largest military power were to join forces… the resulting chaos would shake the world to its core.
"I don't mind telling you."
"I have a plan. One that will overturn this entire world."
Whiteflame spoke calmly—but his words made even Shanks' expression shift.
"Overturn the world? What kind of plan is that?"
Shanks narrowed his eyes.
"In the near future… a top-level war will erupt."
"A war so massive, the world will tremble, and an entire era will come to an end."
"I plan to watch that war unfold… and while I'm there—change this rotten world myself."
For the first time, flames of excitement flickered in Whiteflame's eyes.
The war he referred to was none other than the legendary battle that would soon erupt between the Whitebeard Pirates and the Navy Headquarters at Marineford, triggered by the capture of Ace.
It was that battle that ignited the chaos of the post-Great Pirate Era—pushing an already lawless world into outright madness.
"A top-tier war… in the future?"
Shanks raised an eyebrow.
"You can't see it yet. But when the time comes… you'll understand."
"But for now—it's time for you to fulfill your end of our agreement."
Whiteflame glanced toward Shanks.
In exchange for sparing Wind Calamity's life, Whiteflame had considered the past: how Shanks had stood up for him, avenged his parents, and even knelt at their grave.
But Shanks had pushed further—he'd asked Whiteflame to spare not only Wind Calamity, but also the thousands of Marines aboard the fleet Kizaru had brought with him.
This peacekeeper attitude of Shanks was truly exhausting.
Whiteflame had originally intended to refuse. Sparing one person was already a stretch.
But those Navy warships had been dispatched to kill him. There was no way he could let them live.
Still… Shanks had pleaded.
And in the end, Whiteflame had agreed—on one condition.
"What do you want me to do?"
Shanks asked solemnly.
"You're a Yonko. You know more than I do. Tell me…"
"Where is the Silent Fruit?"
"The Silent Fruit?"
"Your condition… is just the whereabouts of a Devil Fruit?"
Shanks blinked in surprise, then burst out laughing.
"Hahaha! I thought you were going to ask me to kill someone!"
"I don't need anyone to kill for me."
"You just need to tell me where the Silent Fruit is."
Whiteflame's voice remained cold and indifferent.
"I'm not sure what you want with that fruit… but alright.
I might not know everything, but I do have some notes on Devil Fruits."
Shanks motioned to his crew, and someone brought over a Devil Fruit Encyclopedia.
He flipped it open.
Inside were detailed illustrations of dozens of Devil Fruits, each with descriptions of their abilities and possible locations. Several had red marks indicating rumored discovery sites.
"Devil Fruits are extremely rare—even for a Yonko like me, obtaining one is no easy task."
"These red markers are all based on rumors. When we get close to one of those locations, we usually investigate…"
"But of course, rumors are unreliable. There's no guarantee a fruit will actually be there."
As he spoke, Shanks continued flipping through the encyclopedia.
Just as he said, Devil Fruits weren't easy to acquire.
Even Luffy had sailed for years and never found a second fruit. Only the World Government, with its global network, could easily gather information and purchase fruits from the black market.
And besides—the Red-Haired Pirates had no Devil Fruit users among them.
To them, Devil Fruits weren't necessities.
They simply didn't care enough to actively seek them out.
"…Found it!"
Sky Island!
"This fruit—green in color, shaped like an egg—is the Silent Fruit you're looking for."
"And you're in luck."
Shanks pointed to the page.
"According to this note in red—it's rumored to be located on…"
Sky Island!
A single word was written on the page—Sky Island.
The fruit's appearance and powers were clearly illustrated, and the information accompanying it confirmed its identity.
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