The air around shattered into fractals of golden light.
FWOOSH.
Riser appeared atop the rocky plateau, his aura shimmering softly around his body. The island's cloaking field vibrated as it recognized his presence, deactivating for a few seconds to let him pass.
The heat was dense, enveloping.
The smell of sulfur and freshly torn earth mingled with the subtle arcane perfume that permeated the air.
His golden eyes scanned the landscape.
Black staircases spiraled down around the plateau. Towers rose like the columns of sleeping titans, and at the center, the palace: a structure of enchanted basalt and golden crystal, its towers seeming to touch the sky.
'Merlin exceeded my expectations.'
The stone steps gleamed with living runic inscriptions. Each letter pulsed in harmony with the energy core beneath the island.
He descended.
The weight of his presence made the runes glow brighter with each step. Doors opened on their own. Statues of magical beasts bowed in silent respect.
In the grand hall, natural light filtered through enchanted crystals hanging from the ceiling like frozen stars. Broad pillars supported the vaulted roof, adorned with hand-carved details: flames, wings, the Phoenix symbol.
At the elevated throne, no one.
But before him, Merlin appeared.
Her lilac robes swirled around her body like a dance.
She bowed slightly, her eyes gleaming with pride.
"Welcome to your base, Riser-sama."
He walked to the center of the hall. The sound of his steps was muffled, as if the floor itself absorbed the impact.
"The entire place pulses with stable mana. The protection circles activate automatically. The cloaking field works even against Observation Haki. The portal is anchored to Amazon Lily and can be redirected to two additional points. And…"
She extended her hand. A projection appeared.
The image of the creature in the volcano materialized—golden eyes, magma scales, seismic breath.
"…your containment weapon responds only to your presence."
Riser observed in silence.
Then, he gave a faint smile.
"It's perfect."
Merlin straightened.
"I'll proceed with installing the library and command halls. Would you like me to bring the first inhabitants to begin occupation?"
"Not yet. I want this base to remain secret for a while longer."
He looked around. The living structure seemed to breathe with him. Energy flowed through the walls like magical blood, nourishing the palace.
"You've given life to an invisible empire."
Merlin crossed her arms.
"I merely turned your vision into matter. This is the first step toward something far greater."
Riser moved to the throne and sat with ease.
The backrest was made of enchanted scales and mana-forged metal. The sides pulsed with controlled heat. It was comfortable. Stable. Majestic.
"This… is what I deserve."
His field of vision expanded automatically with his presence. Magical screens displayed every sector of the island: thermal fields forming, magical forges activating, underground corridors growing under the system's direct command.
"I want this place to be more than a hideout."
She nodded.
"It will be a command center, a fortress-city, a symbol. We just need time."
"We'll have it."
He looked at the Phoenix symbol projected on the ceiling. The light reflected in his eyes like reborn embers.
'Here… I can rule the world without haste.'
The seconds passed in silence, filled only by the echo of the pulsing energy around them.
"Merlin."
"Yes?"
"Add an advanced training wing for the vampires. Robin, Nojiko, Alvida, and Kaya will need it."
She snapped her fingers. A new line of runes began to be written in the air.
"Prepared. The wing will be completed in three days."
"Good."
Riser leaned back in the throne.
For the first time since arriving in this world, he felt truly at home.
The island wasn't just safe.
It was his.
Loyal.
Immutable.
And now…
He would begin to expand.
---
Amazon Lily
The sound of turning pages was soft.
The afternoon light streamed through stained-glass windows, tinting the floor red and gold.
The newspaper lay open across the arm of the throne.
The headline took up nearly half the front page:
"Ace to be executed in two days – Marines confirm date for public event in Marineford."
Riser's hands rested on Hancock's hips.
She sat sideways on his lap, her head leaning against his shoulder.
Riser's expression was neutral.
The tip of his finger traced the page's details as if analyzing a war map.
"So that's it…"
He spoke not with doubt.
It was the cold realization of someone watching the game's pieces move as expected.
"The world will be forced to watch. And the foolish Marines think they control the board."
Hancock slid a finger across his chest.
"Will you stop it, Riser-sama?"
"I'll use it."
He folded the newspaper and tossed it aside.
His golden eyes turned to the Phoenix flag carved high on the throne room's wall.
"On the day of the war…"
His hand settled on Hancock's thigh.
"…I plan to kill an admiral…"
His eyes flashed red for an instant.
The Sharingan spun and vanished soon after.
"…Blackbeard…"
His voice dropped lower.
Grave. Unmoving.
"…and Whitebeard."
Hancock's breathing quickened, but she didn't speak.
Her hand tightened on his arm.
"That will be the day…"
Riser's hand moved to her chin, forcing her gaze to meet his.
"…we become Yonkou."
His lips curved into a subtle smile.
The throne's heat, Hancock's floral perfume, the blood pulsing in the air—all converged in that moment.
"And we'll abandon the Shichibukai titles."
Hancock tilted her head back, her eyes brimming with pride.
"Yes. For you… for your empire. I will follow."
Her short dress slipped further up her thighs.
Neither noticed.
"The world's eyes will be on Marineford. And when they look… they'll see something they won't understand until it's too late."
She shifted in his lap.
Her legs adjusted around his waist.
Her hands touched his face with reverence.
"You'll be more than Yonkou. You'll be the beginning and the end."
Riser didn't respond immediately.
His mind already saw the war's map—the fleets gathering, chaos spreading, the world breathing fear.
"Merlin will coordinate the base from afar. Robin will feed us information. Alvida will clear the left flank. I'll step in when the chaos peaks."
He turned his face to the side.
On the floor, the torn newspaper.
"Ace is the spark. But the fire will be mine."
Hancock leaned in again.
Her lips brushed his neck.
"Let me stand by your side when the blood begins to fall."
"You will."
She closed her eyes.
A faint smile formed on her lips.
"We'll rewrite the world, Riser-sama."
"No. We'll destroy what they call the world… and build something new from the ashes."
The distant sound of bells echoed through the city.
The sunset bathed Amazon Lily's towers in shades of bronze.
Night would fall soon.
And with it, the silence before the war.
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