Chapter 717: Isn't it enough to just have legs?
"Hehehehe."
A light chuckle filled with pleasure echoed in the Study Room, which spanned over three hundred square meters.
Through the 'Star Fate' World surveillance function, Im watched as Garp, Shiki, Kaido, and sixteen other Admirals, all stripped to their bare, sweat-drenched chests, struggled to run laps around the Stadium in the hazy Purple Light.
Among them, Borsalino's Gaze was already starting to blur.
His Body was also swaying precariously. His current movements were less like running and more like shuffling forward.
Fortunately, he was also a Powerhouse who had cultivated Haki, and his Willpower was quite Toughness.
Clearly.
With all Supernatural Abilities, including Haki, prohibited.
Ten times the Gravity was also a considerably heavy and extreme Environment for these 'Highest Combat Power' individuals.
One must know.
When a certain Saiyan was on a Planet with ten times Gravity for the first time, he couldn't even walk normally, couldn't even catch an ordinary Monkey, and soon after collapsed on the ground from exhaustion.
Gravity Training and Weight Training, while seemingly similar, are not the same Matter.
The former uses a Gravity Field to exert a comprehensive influence on the Body, both internally and externally, including the Brain, internal organs, Blood, Bones, Heart, and even the surrounding Air.
The latter, at most, involves lifting Iron or wearing some Load Equipment.
In terms of Training Efficiency, the two are simply incomparable.
As for whether Gravity Training is Scientific or Reasonable, in this World, it is both Scientific and Reasonable, and it has also received Vegapunk's approval.
However, the person who came up with the idea of using Issho's Gravity-Gravity Fruit to create the 'Gravity Field Device'.
Naturally, it was the 'well-informed' Im.
When Issho proactively applied to challenge the 'Summit War' before, he thought of the Utilization Value of the opponent's Ability in Martial Arts Cultivation.
At the time, his idea was to have Issho find a place near the Three Military Branches Headquarters to perform an Awakening once, so that the Officers of the Three Forces could go there anytime to enjoy Gravity Training.
He didn't expect that after Vegapunk reviewed the Plan sent over, he would find it too crude.
Firstly.
The Gravity-Gravity Fruit is a Paramecia System, not a Logia System. It does not possess the permanently sustained effect of the latter's Awakening and still relies on the Ability User's Consciousness being clear (excluding normal sleep).
So, if something unexpected happens to Issho in the Future, wouldn't they be unable to have a 'Gravity Training Ground' until a new Gravity-Gravity Fruit Awakened User appears?
Secondly.
Regardless of whether it can exist permanently, there is a very serious Problem.
That is, it cannot be manually Controlled to turn on and off, nor can the Gravity multiple be adjusted at any Time. If someone collapses from exhaustion inside, it would be too dangerous.
It is very unfavorable for the popularization of Combat Power at all levels of the Social Stratum, and over Time, it will definitely become exclusive to the middle and Higher-ups Combat Power.
And these Problems.
Vegapunk can completely improve them through Technology, making the 'Gravity Field' a user-friendly and relatively Safety Training Facility.
This is the 'Adjustable Gravity Training System' currently installed in the Stadium.
It forms a Gravity Field through four 'Searchlight's that can project 'Gravity Ray's, and a dedicated Remote Control can be used to adjust the Gravity Field's Range, multiple, and switch.
This way.
Even the bottom-level Soldiers can use it in the Future.
It is believed that before long, Training Content like 2000 Push-ups, 200 Laps of Long-distance Running, and 100 round trips of High-altitude rope climbing will completely disappear.
They will be replaced by Physical Ability Training or Combat Practice inside individual 'Gravity Room's.
Furthermore.
It can not only be mass-produced but also used in any Location at any Time, such as being taken inside a Warship or to Other Worlds.
This Convenience completely surpasses the method of having Issho perform Awakening in a fixed Zone.
Regarding this.
Im didn't feel particularly Anger.
After all, he wasn't some Professional Researcher. It's definitely a good thing that Vegapunk could refine his ideas.
Moreover, this also allowed him to experience the Feeling of 'Gravity Training' on the Ark.
This was a Cultivation method highly favored by 'a certain two Saiyan', and Im had long wanted to try it.
It is said that in a super-Gravity Environment, the potential of the Human Body can be squeezed out to the maximum extent.
On the other side.
The Assessment Zone specifically prepared for Officers below Admiral.
At this Time, it was already surrounded by men and women wearing Three-Color Justice Coats, with vastly different Body Sizes and various Races, but all exuding a Strong Aura.
And in the center of the Court.
The fifty Treadmills of different models that Borsalino and the others had seen earlier were already in operation.
On each one, there was a person with a minimum Military Rank of Major running at full Speed. Besides Humans, there were also figures from the Fish-Man Tribe, Mink Tribe, Longleg Tribe, and Snake-Neck Tribe.
According to the Assessment Requirement.
For those below Commodore, they must run one hundred kilometers within one hour to pass. For those at Commodore and above, they must run three hundred kilometers within one hour to pass.
Afterward, if they wish to continue running, they will be given an additional hour.
The number of kilometers they can run within this extra hour will directly affect their final Results.
This tests their Speed and Stamina.
After running, they can rest for a maximum of ten minutes, after which they will proceed to the Combat Assessment.
First, they will fight an Opponent of the same Military Rank. The winner passes, the loser can fight again, and if they lose again, they fail and may be Facing Demotion.
The winner will be given one day to rest and can then choose whether to challenge a higher Military Rank. If they win, their Military Rank will be Promotion, and they can challenge their way up to the rank of Admiral.
Generally speaking, if there is no War.
Then this 'Military Combat Power Assessment', held every three years, is the main channel for most people to raise their Military Rank.
Of course.
Even with War, it is still a precious Opportunity, as this Assessment is much Safety compared to gaining merit by killing enemies on the Battlefield.
However, what many people didn't expect was.
What they thought would be the easiest first Assessment Item actually saw a large number of people who failed to run one hundred kilometers within one hour.
What's the Situation?
Such a simple Matter, isn't it enough to just have legs?
This caused the Instructors from the Military and Political Department, who were responsible for Surveillance and scoring, to call out the words 'Failed' with surprised Mindsets every Time.
Among them were Chinjao, Zeff, Jinbe, Gyomei Himejima, and others.
"It seems that decades of ease have also brought a group of unmotivated guys into the Military. This major Assessment has filtered them all out..."
Chinjao looked coldly at the Officers of the Three Forces who were walking off the Treadmills, panting heavily: "If they can't even guarantee basic Physical Ability, what kind of Warriors are they?"
"Indeed."
Zeff, Jinbe, and others nodded in agreement. Only Gyomei Himejima's Gaze was quite complex.
Although his current Physique had been Enhanced by the 'Cell Enhancement Serum'.
He could also easily complete running one hundred kilometers in an hour.
But mentally, he was still shocked by the terrifying Physique of the Sea Star People.
Because even the Officers who failed, if placed in the former Demon Slayer World, would be enough to be called Superhumans.
Give them a Nichirin Blade and they could kill Demons all over the mountains and fields.
"Look!"
"That person is clearly just a Colonel, but he has met the Condition for the Flag Officers Assessment, and he's still running!"
"So fast! It seems he only took thirty minutes to run one hundred kilometers, and by fifty minutes, he had already run over three hundred kilometers..."
Chinjao, Jinbe, and the others' Gazes also followed the discussions.
They saw a young man with large white Wings on his back and a white headscarf tied around his head.
"Looks like a Sky Islanders."
'Red-Leg' Zeff flipped through a few pages of the List in his hand.
"He is Colonel Enel from the Air Force Headquarters. Hmm... He's actually a Logia System Rumble-Rumble Fruit User?"
(End of this chapter)
Chapter 718: Enel's Advance!
"Hoo—hoo—hoo—"
Enel paid no mind to the various exclamations and discussions around him, because the rapidly jumping numbers on the Display Screen in front of him drew his entire Line of Sight.
At the same time, he was sprinting on the Treadmill at an incredibly fast Speed.
Driven by his Legs, which had become Afterimages below, his two long Earlobes bounced up and down like a hopping Dancer.
Run!
Run again!
Keep running!
This was Enel's only Thought right now, because he was determined to use this 'Combat Strength Assessment' to raise his Military Rank as much as possible.
He had had enough of his current rank of Colonel.
The sight of Borsalino, Kaido, and the others slowly leaving him behind had truly stimulated his self-esteem.
What shame!
Given his own Strength, he should clearly be one of them, not lumped together with these useless Officers.
Furthermore, he was a 'Shichibukai' directly under Lord Imu, a true 'Apostle of God'.
Even in the Military, he should be a High and Mighty Existence!
"The timed 120 centimeters is about to end. Please slow down over the next five minutes to avoid injury."
"The timed 120 centimeters is about to end. Please slow down over the next five minutes to avoid injury."
"The timed 120 centimeters is about to end. Please slow down over the next five minutes to avoid injury."
Suddenly, in front of the sweating Enel, the Monitor issued continuous prompts. This made him slow down his Speed while staring at the number representing kilometers.
[606km]
This was already twice the passing requirement for Flag Officers. Clearly, the Physical Training he underwent on Noah's Ark before was not in vain.
"Excellent. Achieving this Speed without using any Technique or Ability has already reached the level of most Rear Admirals."
Chinjao walked over, looked at Enel, and smiled.
"Next, you can rest for ten minutes, then head to Training Ground Number Eight for the Combat Assessment."
"Okay."
Enel nodded calmly. His Observation Haki could perceive the opponent's powerful Aura, so his Attitude was much more restrained.
If it were someone much weaker than himself, he wouldn't have bothered to acknowledge them and would have just turned around and left.
This wasn't Contempt, but disregard.
A moment later.
Enel, who had put on his Blue Justice Coat again, flapping the large Influence on his back, slowly landed from the air at one end of 'Training Ground Number Eight'.
It was actually just a flat Open Ground roughly the size of a Soccer field, where the Army Soldiers conducted their daily Physical Training.
There were a full fifty such large Training Grounds within the Army Headquarters!
Opposite.
His Opponent was a Fish-man Colonel from Marine Headquarters.
Outside the field, naturally, a large number of spectators were gathered. Some of them were Officers who would also undergo Combat Assessment here later, and some were those who had already finished.
Not far away.
An Instructor from the Military and Political Department shouted loudly: "Combat Assessment! You may use your respective Weapon and Ability, but you must not harm the opponent's life, otherwise it will be counted as an Assessment failure!"
He had already said this sentence many times today, and would certainly have to say it many more times.
There was nothing he could do, this was his job.
"Combat Start!"
The Instructor with the Lieutenant Colonel Military Rank suddenly swung down his raised Arm.
[Crack!]
The next second, a dazzling Electric Flash made everyone's Eyes shut tightly, and at the same time, a huge Thunderclap sounded in their ears.
When they opened their Eyes again, they immediately saw that the Fish-man Colonel had rolled his Byakugan and fainted on the ground, with wisps of black Smoke still rising from his Body.
"Don't just stand there, hurry up and Report the Result."
Enel sat cross-legged in Mid-air, impatiently picking his ears and urging them.
"Uh... Assessment over! Colonel Enel of Air Force Headquarters wins!" The Lieutenant Colonel Instructor serving as Referee quickly shouted, then asked: "Would you like to challenge for the rank of Commodore tomorrow?"
"Of course~"
Enel glanced at him. After speaking, his entire being instantly turned into a Lightning Flash and disappeared into thin air.
[Whoosh!!]
Immediately, the entire field became noisy, with discussions rising and falling. The Officers from Army Headquarters and Marine Headquarters were all shocked by the Ability Enel displayed.
"That seemed like a Logia System, right?"
"Lightning! It must be the Rumble-Rumble Fruit from the Logia System! Ahhhh, his Luck is too good! Why wasn't it me!"
"Hey, this person has basically secured the Vice Admiral Rank. How enviable..."
However, their words also sparked conversation among many Air Force Officers.
They vividly recounted how Enel had previously challenged multiple Vice Admirals and Rear Admirals in succession, and then fought with Admiral 'Kizaru'.
Although Enel's Personality wasn't very likable.
But in the Army, as long as you are Strong enough.
You could gain the Respect, and even worship, of most people.
From this point on.
Enel, the Rumble-Rumble Fruit User, officially made his debut among the Three Forces, gaining the attention and recognition of many Officers, who looked forward to his performance on the Otherworld Battlefield in the future.
In any case, it was certainly a happy Matter for their side to have such a figure emerge!
The second day, nine o'clock in the morning.
Enel arrived at 'Training Ground Number Eight' as scheduled.
However, this time there were several times more spectators standing outside the field than yesterday, forming a dense and spectacular crowd.
Because they were uniformly wearing Coat of Justice of various colors.
Further behind them was a group of Warriors of the Giant Tribe.
"Hmph."
Seeing himself being watched like a Monkey, Enel pouted unhappily, then turned his Gaze towards his first Opponent of the day.
A Commodore from Army Headquarters.
Looking at the opponent's obviously strangely proportioned long legs, one could tell at a glance that he was definitely from the Longleg Tribe.
When the Instructor not far away shouted "Combat Start".
The Commodore, with a solemn Expression, immediately strode forward with his long legs and charged towards Enel at full Speed.
Enel tentatively sent out a bolt of Lightning.
As expected, the opponent dodged it using his Observation Haki and agility.
Then he continued to approach rapidly in a Z-shaped pattern.
"Red Leg: Cheek Meat!"
Brigadier General Kalman leaped into the air over twenty meters high.
He unleashed a fierce side kick towards Enel who was floating there.
Looking closely.
His Legs and feet were already stained with a pitch-black color that gleamed with a metallic sheen.
This was Partial Hardening from Armament Haki.
And the Kicking Technique originating from 'Red Leg' wrapped his legs in a layer of visible Qi Energy.
That was Strength capable of easily sweeping away Bullets and kicking apart Steel!
"Too slow~"
Over a dozen ways to defeat the opponent flashed through Enel's mind.
In the end, he chose to instantly appear behind the opponent.
With a blow that even if the opponent's Observation Color perceived it, his Body was unable to react to the fierce Electric Shock that finished him off.
"Ahhhhhh————"
Brigadier General Kalman's Haki was simply unable to resist the Electric Flash that enveloped his entire Body.
The entire person let out a piercing Scream before falling straight down.
"Who's the next Rear Admiral? Hurry up and come up, don't keep the Vice Admiral behind you waiting impatiently, Yehahaha~~"
Enel, like an Angel, was flashing with streaks of darting Electric Serpents all over his Body.
Looking down from above, he surveyed the Officers of the Three Forces across the entire field and let out arrogant laughter.
He wanted to be promoted to Admiral in one go; that was the Position he should be in!
(End of Chapter)
Chapter 719: The Appearance of the Star Pressure Palace!
While Enel was working hard for his Military Rank.
Garp, Kaido, and the others, who had a good night's sleep after completing the Physical Fitness Assessment, also woke up from their respective Rooms.
As they walked into the shower rooms and let the Warm Water wash over their Bodies, many were surprised to find a feeling of comfort mixed with their fatigue all over their Bodies.
The higher one's Martial Arts level, the clearer the changes in their Body.
Especially Garp, with his current Life Return, he could keenly sense that his Physique had improved slightly.
Although it wasn't very obvious.
But yesterday, they had only stayed in that 'Gravity Training Hall' for less than five hours.
Such Efficiency! In the past, who knows how many days it would have taken, or how many mountains they would have had to flatten?
This made Garp overjoyed.
Without another word, he quickly wiped the water off his Body, then put on his somewhat messy Clothing, and ran all the way to the 'Gravity Training Ground'.
Following suit, Bullet, Kaido, Sakazuki, Shiki, King, and others also ran out one after another.
However, Borsalino, Kuzan, Crocodile, Aramaki, Issho, Jozu, Cracker, and others remained in their Rooms.
Some were because their Bodies hadn't recovered yet.
High-intensity Training for nearly five hours under ten times Gravity was no joke.
And some simply didn't like this method of Cultivation.
It was too bitter.
Especially Kuzan, in his opinion, Cultivating Natural Energy was more to his liking.
Although the improvement in Physical Ability was not as effective as Gravity Training, the improvement in his Ice-Ice Fruit Ability was very obvious.
Moreover, Natural Energy could also improve one's Physique during the absorption process.
This also made Borsalino, after hearing about it, develop a strong interest in Natural Energy. Unfortunately, there was no Light Attribute Blood of Super Dangerous Species available at the moment.
So, he could only wait until the Biochemical Research Institute developed a 'Natural Energy Absorption Physique Enhancement Serum' without Attribute restrictions someday.
However, Crocodile and the others also knew that if they didn't want to fall behind in Strength, they had to force themselves to accept Gravity Training before finding a more suitable Cultivation method for themselves.
Currently, only Kuzan had the Qualification to choose to give up.
"Lord Imu, according to your instructions, the Academy of Science has renovated the three floors inside this Palace into 'Gravity Training Rooms'. Would you like to give it a Name?"
Stussy stood by the Palace door, speaking softly and Respectfully to Im in front of her.
However, her beautiful azure eyes paid no attention to Esdeath and Historia behind Im, let alone Mikasa, Levi, Akame, Kurome, and the others further behind.
She had always considered herself Lord Imu's Secretary-General, not the Secretary-General of Esdeath and the others.
Therefore, in front of them, besides maintaining basic politeness and Respect for the Heavenly Empress's Identity, she would not put herself in a lower Position, and her Gaze held a relatively equal Attitude.
"Let's call it the 'Star Pressure Palace'."
Im casually said a Name, then stepped inside. At a glance, he saw the sixteen white Searchlights hanging around the Power Ceiling.
"Lord Imu, according to the explanation given by Dean Vegapunk, a normal 'Adjustable Gravity Training System' can provide up to ten times the Gravity of the World."
"But this system can provide up to forty times Gravity, but Dean Vegapunk solemnly warned that after ten times, it is best to try level by level, otherwise there is a risk of Life-threatening danger."
While listening to Stussy's explanation, Im walked alone into the red lines drawn on the Ground.
"Turn on ten times first and see."
He was very curious about what kind of Gravity Garp and the others experienced.
It could actually make people like Garp, Bullet, and Kaido, after doing a mere two thousand Push-ups and two hundred Laps, be so fatigued that they knelt on the Ground for a long time, unable to Stand Up.
Others, such as Borsalino, Crocodile, and the like, simply collapsed onto the Ground and fell asleep not long after, eventually needing people to come and send them back to their respective Rooms.
"Yes."
Stussy took out the Remote Control she had prepared, while Esdeath, Historia, and the others watched curiously.
[Buzz----]
Soon, the four Searchlights above projected a Purple Light Halo that filled the Zone within the red lines.
At the same time.
The Gold-Edged White Robe Im was wearing instantly pressed down, clinging tightly to his Body Surface, and he himself felt a weight enveloping his entire Body, but it wasn't as uncomfortable as he had imagined.
It felt somewhat like lifting a thirty-kilogram Barbell in a gym before he transmigrated.
"So that's how it is. The most uncomfortable part is the internal pressure."
Overall, this ten times Pressure didn't have much impact on Im. He thought for a moment and instructed Stussy again: "Turn it up to fifteen times."
"Yes!"
Although Stussy was a little worried, she quickly picked up the Remote Control and operated it.
Soon.
Two more Searchlights emitted great Radiance. The color of the Purple Light in the Zone became slightly richer, but the Gravity Inside the Court reached an extremely terrifying level.
Esdeath subconsciously took a step back.
Because the keen Sixth Sense originating from her Animal System Fruit Ability was warning her that it was very dangerous inside!
And Im also slightly furrowed his brows.
Although it was only a five times increase, he clearly felt his Body become unusually heavy, and his Breathing was also significantly affected. He felt that with another one or two times increase, his upper Body would bend down.
"Enough."
After hearing this, Stussy directly turned off all the Searchlights. The Light Inside the Court immediately became bright white, and everyone's mood relaxed.
Just now, Mikasa, Akame, and the others felt as if a heavy stone was pressing on their chests just by looking at the purple Light and shadow.
At this moment, Im's cold Gaze looked outside the Court.
"Esdeath, Historia, enter in your Strongest Form. I want to see how many times Gravity you can withstand."
The two Women exchanged glances. Without any unnecessary words, they began to unleash the Strength hidden within their respective Bodies.
"Hup!"
The two shouted in unison, their Bodies rapidly expanding, reaching over two and a half meters tall in an instant. But the subsequent changes were different.
Esdeath's already azure eyes turned into Vertical Pupils, and Ice Crystal-like tentacles began to grow on her head.
Crystal clear, white-with-blue Hair also appeared on the skin of her neck.
And the most obvious was the pale blue long Tail that grew behind her, resembling a Dragon Tail.
This was her Animal System Dragon-Dragon Fruit Mythical Beast Type Qilin Form Human-Beast Form.
The faint White Mist lingering around her Body, combined with her beautiful face full of pride, made her look like a Spirit Goddess from a Snow Mountain.
Historia's Body, on the other hand, was nearly three meters tall.
First, dense, pale golden Hair grew.
Then, a large amount of waxy white viscous Substance overflowed, forming a shell-like skirt that covered the Hair.
Finally, the surface of the shell-like skirt grew crystal clear, transparent Crystal like Diamond.
Making her whole person sparkle and look incredibly luxurious.
This was the Half-Giant Form after fusing with the Power of the Nine Titans.
Although it sacrificed a huge Body Size and Strength, it was more excellent in terms of Agility and Speed.
The two took a deep breath.
Under the gaze of Mikasa, Akame, Levi, Kurome, and the others behind them, they simultaneously stepped their long legs into the red lines.
"Start with ten times Gravity first."
Im stood with his hands behind his back, calmly watching his two Women.
"Yes."
Stussy nodded.
But strangely, she also followed Esdeath and the others inside before taking out the Remote Control to operate it.
The next moment.
A buzzing sound appeared again, and four purple Light rays projected down, re-dyeing the Zone a hazy purple.
# Chapter 720: The Power of the Star Map!
Ten times the Gravity pressed down equally on the four individuals Inside the Court.
The next second.
Esdeath's legs bent, causing her Expression to change drastically, but immediately her Gaze turned sharp, and gritting her teeth, she forcefully withstood the Pressure, her Body slowly rising amidst trembling.
Even using Haki, she could only barely stand in place, but moving became somewhat difficult.
Historia here first suddenly half-knelt on the ground. Only after she released her Armament Haki did she struggle to stand up, though her upper body was still somewhat bent downwards.
What surprised Im was.
Aside from her legs trembling slightly, Stussy's entire Figure stood straight there, and even the Smile on her face remained, without the slightest loss of composure.
He seemed to have underestimated the Strength of his Secretary-General.
Thinking about it, it made sense.
Her Haki and Martial Arts were among the Luminaries of CP9, coupled with her Mini-Mini Fruit Ability and the recently acquired 'Imperial Arm: Blood Collection', her overall Strength could be considered that of an Expert even within CP0.
Even the current Esdeath would find it unlikely to defeat Stussy.
"Adjust it to five times."
"Yes."
As Stussy's trembling small hand pressed the Remote Control a few times, the two Searchlights above instantly turned off, also making the surrounding Purple Light lighter.
"Hoo—"
Esdeath and Historia only felt their Bodies lighten. Although still somewhat heavy, with the Support of Haki Strength, basic movement was not an issue.
"From now on, you will Train/Exercise under five times Gravity. Try not to use Haki."
"However, the location will be on the second floor. This first floor is for the 'Giant God Soldier', 'Kuja Guards', and Doflamingo to use. The third floor belongs to me alone. Except for Stussy, no one is allowed to enter without permission."
After speaking, Im didn't pay attention to Esdeath and Historia's somewhat strange Expressions and looked at Stussy, whose eyes held tenderness.
"Have the Personnel from the Academy of Science use Kizaru's Ability to build me a few devices that can emit Light Beams, and then install them in the Gravity Training Ground on the third floor."
He remembered that Vegeta trained by dodging Laser attacks in a Gravity Environment.
This indicated that doing so was definitely helpful for increasing Strength.
"Huh?"
However, Im's words caused Stussy and the other three women's faces to lose color. They found it hard to imagine how they could, in such a heavy Environment, dodge the Light Ability of that Admiral Kizaru.
Not to mention, Lord Imu's Gravity multiplier is definitely ten times or more!
"Hmm, simple Gravity is a bit boring. Let me know when it's ready." After speaking, Im turned around and instantly disappeared from the spot, returning to his Study Room.
His Body leaned back in the chair, and he slowly closed his eyes.
He needed to think about a few Matters.
First was the planning of his upcoming Time. Currently, there was nothing like the 'Time Chamber', so his Time each day was twenty-four hours, just like everyone else.
Because there were quite a few Matters to attend to, he adjusted his Cultivation Matters to one item per day.
That is to say.
Aside from the Government Report which required daily attention, for Medical Arts, Swordsmanship, Martial Arts, Op-Op Fruit Ability, and the newly appeared Alchemy, he dedicated one day's Time to each.
For example.
Most of yesterday's Time was spent Researching the unique Medical Arts from the Imperial Arms World, then tomorrow he would Train/Exercise the various Abilities of the Op-Op Fruit.
In Im's view, this approach was far better than dividing them into a few hours and filling them into the twenty-four hours of the day to be done sequentially. It allowed his Attention to be highly focused on a certain Matter.
Therefore, he required all Universities, Academies, and Schools under the World Government to conduct classes this way.
Don't just learn Biology for an hour, then immediately go learn Physics, and then have a Mathematics class, constantly interrupting a student's interest in a certain subject that had just arisen not long ago.
If things continued like this, it would be a miracle if they could like Learning.
On the contrary, this Learning Pace of one subject per day made it easier for students to find what they liked, where their Talent lay, and fully experience the Joy of absorbing and mastering Knowledge.
Anyway, this was what Im believed, so the entire World had to operate according to his ideas!
Then there was...
A strong Sense of Danger arose in Im's Heart!
The source of this Sense of Danger was naturally that 'Truth', or rather, 'Truth''s statement made him think deeply with fear.
Think about it.
What did 'Truth' say at that time?
It said that the reason it didn't directly enter the 'Star Gate' was because it had to obey the 'Principle of Equivalent Exchange', and therefore needed the consent of him, the owner, and pay a Price that both parties considered equivalent.
But the problem was, Im didn't think that the Gods and Demons of the future would also need to obey the 'Principle of Equivalent Exchange'.
What if they just barged in then?
Indeed, his previous Decision not to be the first to enter the Star Gate was correct.
Now it seemed that when Exploring the New World, it would be best not to even stay in this Titan World, but to be directly on the Sea Star Mainland, and then, after confirming that the opponent wasn't a Gods and Demons he couldn't resist, proceed with the Operation.
Im thought secretly in his Heart. Immediately, he muttered to himself, "Is there a better Method?"
Star Map!
He suddenly opened his eyes. As a Transmigrator, when faced with uncertainty, he should naturally first see if his 'Golden Finger' could solve it.
[Do you want to view the Settings Page?]
This was the response given by the 'Star Map'. Im naturally had no hesitation.
"Yes!"
The next moment, a Virtual Screen with a dynamic Milky Way as the background appeared before his eyes. Within it were options for whether various settings related to the Star Map were enabled.
Soon, among these complex options, he found the Function he needed at the moment.
[High-Dimensional, High-Rule, High-Energy Existence passing through the Star Gate requires Host review and consent. (On/Off)]
He saw that it was currently still in the 'Off' state. After Im looked at its detailed Explanation, he directly turned it On without hesitation.
This way.
In the future, no matter what Rank of Gods and Demons Big Shot, they wouldn't be able to trespass through the Star Gate. This way, the World Government would at most need to Sacrifice the Personnel who had already entered.
However, this option clearly pointed out that it targeted 'High-Dimensional, High-Rule, High-Energy' Existences, so Otherworld Creatures that didn't meet this Condition could still freely barge in.
This would require the Combat Power below to be responsible for Interception.
Despite this, it still gave Im a sufficient Sense of Safety. In the following Time, he began to check the Explanations of these setting options one by one.
"Huh?"
Im saw two settings related to 'Star Fate' inside.
[Do you want to designate a Planet covered by 'Star Fate' to merge with another Planet covered by 'Star Fate'? (Yes/No)]
[Do you want to designate a Planet covered by 'Star Fate' to become a Satellite of another Planet covered by 'Star Fate'? (Yes/No)]
After he finished reading the detailed Explanations of these two options, an expression of astonishment immediately appeared on his face: "It can do this?"
The meaning of the first one.
Simply put, it was to relatively smoothly merge one Planet with another Planet, then the Volume of the latter would naturally increase.
The Continents of the former would appear in a certain Sea Area he designated, while the Ocean would merge with the Ocean of the latter, and then, amidst the fierce slaughter between the Marine Creatures of both sides, form a new Ecology chain.
And the Function of the second one was also incredibly powerful.
It actually said it could make a Planet appear from its Star Sector in the Star Sector where another Planet was located, and then become a Satellite orbiting and rotating around the latter.
What astonished Im was, how would the Gravity and Tracks involved be handled?
But this 'Star Map' didn't Explain the principles behind it, as if saying it could do it meant it definitely could.
"So when I've stayed in this 'Titan World' for a full three years Time, I can choose whether to merge it into a part of the World, or make it the World's ninth Satellite?"
Im hadn't expected that his seemingly 'ordinary' 'Golden Finger' actually possessed such terrifying Divine Ability!
"That's not right, back when I first transmigrated, I seem to have seen this Settings Page as well, but it didn't seem to have these options inside."
Im thought for a moment and seemed to have found the key. Back then, he hadn't activated the 'Star Fate' Function yet.
Then these options that came with 'Star Fate' definitely weren't there either.
"I've been in this 'Titan World' for almost two years now, so how should I make the Choice then?"
To be honest.
He was now really looking forward to witnessing the Great Power displayed by the 'Star Map'. This was something that would truly decide the Fate of two Planets.
(End of this chapter)
Chapter 721: The Flevance Kingdom Incident!
July 1st was an unremarkable day in the world.
However, due to the upcoming 'World Government Royal Conference' scheduled for September 15th.
The seas had become exceptionally lively these past few months.
Numerous ships belonging to the member kings from the Four Blues, who held seats at the 'World Conference', continuously entered the 'first half of the Grand Line' via 'Reverse Mountain', escorted by fleets of Navy warships.
However.
After successfully descending 'Reverse Mountain', they still had to undergo inspection by the 'Navy G-0 Branch'.
This caused the main harbor of the island once known as 'Thriller Bark' to be currently filled with docked ships of all sizes.
Among them were luxurious royal vessels, merchant ships laden with cargo, civilian cruise liners under the 'Flamingo Company', and even adventurer groups formed by some of the 'Top 100 Powerhouses'.
These 'Top 100 Powerhouses', unwilling to be employed by various royal families, nobles, merchant guilds, or companies, directly relied on their own strength and reputation to gather followers and take on jobs similar to 'Bounty Hunters'.
Eliminating pirates, fighting bandits, searching for treasure, escorting goods, serving as bodyguards, and so on.
Basically, they would accept any job as long as it wasn't illegal.
As for illegal matters, they would decide whether to take them on secretly based on the potential profits.
However, despite the large number of ships and the diverse identities of the people aboard, everything was orderly arranged into four long queues under the coordination and maintenance of the Navy personnel.
A single glance gave the impression of countless masts like a forest and ships stretching as far as the eye could see.
It couldn't be helped.
After years of various live broadcasts, most people in the world had thoroughly witnessed the terrifying combat power and military strength possessed by the World Government.
Even other worlds, gathering all their strength, could not resist the iron heel of the World Government's conquest.
What did these mere individuals amount to in comparison?
This was the real reason why, despite the World Government repeatedly encroaching on the interests of various royal families and nobles over the years, no fool had ever stood up to oppose them.
Rebellion offered absolutely no glimmer of hope, so they could only endure.
"Caw—Caw—Caw—"
As the crews of the various ships, bored and waiting miserably in line, were chatting and boasting amongst themselves, a series of familiar bird calls echoed from overhead.
"News Coo?"
"Look! The News Coo is here!"
A young nobleman, dressed in rather luxurious and brightly colored attire, saw people on the surrounding ships shouting and starting to prepare coins. Smugly, he took a Den Den Mushi from his pocket.
"Hmph, this Baron is already accustomed to watching the news directly via Visual Den Den Mushi. Forget the newspaper; its contents hardly qualify as news..."
After speaking, he directly controlled the Den Den Mushi to project a virtual light screen in mid-air, then tuned it to the official channel exclusive to the 'World News' program.
This attracted the attention of many people.
After all, the price of a 'Visual Den Den Mushi' was indeed much higher than an ordinary Den Den Mushi capable only of calls.
Previously, whenever they wanted to watch various live broadcasts, they had to specifically go to the squares or parks designated by the 'Government Compound', because those places had large-screen Visual Den Den Mushi available for the public to watch for free.
Just as expected.
The 'World News' program channel was already displaying the latest official announcement.
[Notice Regarding the Flevance Kingdom Royal Family of the North Blue Concealing the Inheritable Toxicity of Amber Lead Mineral]
(Recent research by the two major departments, the Medical Academy and the Biochemical Research Institute, has discovered that the Amber Lead mineral, primarily sourced from the Flevance Kingdom in the North, causes toxins to slowly accumulate within the human body, leading to symptoms resembling heavy metal poisoning. This occurs whether one inhales dust generated during mining or touches products manufactured after processing.)
(Once this Amber Lead toxin accumulates to a certain level in the body, it causes large white patches to form on the skin's surface, while simultaneously damaging the hematopoietic system, digestive system, nervous system, and cardiovascular system...)
(Furthermore, the Amber Lead toxin can be genetically transmitted to the next generation via the Lineage Factor, resulting in the severe consequence of progressively shorter lifespans for the descendants of those afflicted.)
(However, we urge the general public to note that Amber Lead toxin is not contagious. There is no need for panic. If anyone experiences discomfort, please proceed to the nearest World Hospital for examination.)
(In light of the heinous criminal actions of the Flevance Kingdom's royal family in the North Blue, the World Government has decided to revoke their royal and noble statuses. The police are strictly ordered to immediately carry out arrests and transport them to Enies Lobby to face trial by the Supreme Court.)
(To facilitate the treatment and management of the citizens of the Flevance Kingdom, the World Government has decided to temporarily seal off entry and exit of personnel and dispatch medical teams into the region.)
As more and more people saw this notice.
Unconsciously, the originally noisy environment quieted down, leaving only the sound of waves continuously slapping against the hulls of the ships.
Among them, the young nobleman who had just been smugly showing off his Visual Den Den Mushi now had a deathly pale face as he looked down at a pure white ring on his right hand and a pure white necklace around his neck.
"Ahhhhh!"
The next second, he let out a terrified scream, frantically ripping the necklace off and throwing it overboard.
Then he hurriedly tried to remove the ring from his finger, only to find he seemed to have gained some weight recently, making it impossible to loosen no matter how hard he pulled.
"Damn it, damn it, come off!"
The young man was sweating profusely in his anxiety, terrified that wearing the ring for even one more second would cause him to contract the serious illness that could be passed down to his children.
At the same time.
On other ships, royals or nobles who possessed jewelry, or even tableware, made from Amber Lead, more or less, were also anxiously ordering their servants to throw these items into the sea.
Simultaneously, they continuously cursed the entire family and ancestors of the Flevance royal line.
And such scenes were unfolding in numerous kingdoms across the world; after all, the Flevance Kingdom had been selling Amber Lead for over a hundred years.
Nearly all nobles, wealthy merchants, and even World Government officials possessed large quantities of Amber Lead items.
For a moment.
A sense of chaotic uproar, as if the 'world was in turmoil', seemed to spread across the entire planet.
North Blue.
Within the royal palace of the Flevance Kingdom, the heart of the entire incident.
The current king sat slumped on the pure white throne, his face filled with despair, utterly silent, while the queen clung to his legs, tears streaming down her deathly pale face.
The two of them had been sitting numbly in this excessively white hall for the entire night.
Yet, they had no thought of packing treasures and fleeing the country with their people.
Because just last night, several men in black claiming to be from CIPHER POL-No. 4 had come to them, informing the King and Queen in advance of the World Government's decision to reveal the truth about the Amber Lead Syndrome and hold them accountable.
They were stunned on the spot.
However, the reasons for their shock differed slightly.
The Queen, who had married into the kingdom from another land, had no prior knowledge of the Amber Lead Syndrome, so she was shocked that Amber Lead could actually poison people.
But she immediately recalled the rule prohibiting any Amber Lead items within the palace.
This filled her with a sense of foreboding.
Meanwhile, the King, whose family had passed down the truth of the Amber Lead Syndrome for generations, couldn't understand why the World Government was doing this. Hadn't the two sides been cooperating on this matter for over a hundred years?
Think of how much money the successive generations of the Flevance royal family had paid to the World Government by selling Amber Lead, and that didn't even include the Heavenly Tribute submitted year after year!
This enraged the King to the extreme at that moment.
According to their family's historical records, over a hundred years ago, when the World Government's investigation team discovered the problem with Amber Lead, their ancestors assumed it would surely become a prohibited mineral and had considered halting its extraction.
Unexpectedly, the investigation team simply returned silently, and shortly after, they received orders from the World Government to continue mining but not to reveal the truth.
Therefore, the blame for this Amber Lead Syndrome.
In this King's view, the World Government was the main culprit, while their royal family could only be considered accomplices!
But now the World Government was actually planning to pin all the blame on them, washing themselves clean of any involvement?
How shameless!
However, the men in black merely listened silently to his furious cursing for a few minutes. Then, when he was gasping for breath, they expressionlessly stated that he had two choices.
One, their assassins were right outside and would slaughter the entire Flevance royal family tonight. It would be publicly announced as suicide out of guilt, and the blame would still be placed squarely on them.
Two, he and the Queen would willingly cooperate with the World Government, accept the trial, and publicly confess their guilt.
In that case, the World Government would spare their children and one adult royal relative—specifically, the King's younger brother, his two princes, and three princesses—and promised to provide them with relatively affluent living conditions.
After hearing this, the King and Queen were dumbfounded.
You call that a choice?
Yes.
It wasn't a choice. With ashen faces, they could only accept the reality, using their own lives to secure a chance of survival for their children.
As for whether they believed the World Government.
Again.
Did they have a choice?
They could only pray that the World Government would keep its promise and treat their children well. Besides, think of how much money the Flevance royal family had earned for the World Government branches everywhere over the past century!
Considering all that money, surely the World Government wouldn't be too ruthless.
And that very night, certain nobles and military officers in the country who knew, to varying degrees, the true history of the Amber Lead Syndrome, all died tragically in their homes under the cover of darkness.
Perhaps some among them were innocent.
But Cipher Pol chose the path of 'better to kill the innocent than let the guilty escape,' eliminating anyone under suspicion—this too was an order from above.
Inside the city.
This prosperous kingdom, filled everywhere with white houses, white bridges, white fountains, white statues, and even white roads.
Now also began to be permeated by an atmosphere of panic.
Previously, the men and women here all wore nearly identical serene smiles, their every action and gesture perfectly embodying the essence of gentlemen and ladies.
They possessed more aristocratic flair than the nobles of many other kingdoms.
Now, however, they cast aside all the Amber Lead jewelry that had once made them proud and smug. With ferocious expressions, they urged their servants to load their treasures onto carriages, then desperately fled towards the city outskirts.
"Brother, what's wrong with them?"
In front of the iron gates of an entirely white hospital, a small, brown-haired girl looked quizzically at the convoys rushing down the street and the panicked crowds.
"Lami, don't go out, it's dangerous!"
A little boy wearing a spotted white hat and a small yellow suit nervously grabbed the girl's arm, pulling her back into the courtyard.
"Well done, Law! Keep a close eye on your sister. Something unbelievably terrible is happening in this country right now. You absolutely must not go outside!"
Just then, a man in a white coat and glasses ran over quickly, his expression grave. While speaking, he swiftly closed the two large iron gates and immediately locked them.
Following behind him was a woman, also in a white coat, with the same hair color as the girl but styled in braids.
"Mama!"
Little Lami ran over and hugged the woman's right leg, looking up fearfully. "Those uncles and aunties outside have become so strange. What's wrong with them?"
"It's alright, it's alright..."
The woman crouched down and gently pulled her into an embrace, her eyes full of worry.
They were the most renowned physician couple in the country's largest hospital, so naturally, they had seen the World Government's public announcement regarding the Amber Lead Syndrome at the earliest opportunity.
Although they hadn't yet shown any symptoms of Amber Lead Syndrome, they knew in their hearts it was only a matter of time.
Over the years, the hospital had treated many patients with 'White Patch Disease,' but to date, there hadn't been a single successful cure, leading it to be regarded as an untreatable terminal illness.
Previously, some hospital directors and physicians had sensed the problem lay with Amber Lead.
But every time they submitted a report upwards, it was like a stone sinking into the ocean. After some time, they would be transferred away from the hospital for various reasons, never to return.
This led many clever directors and physicians to choose silence.
Although they didn't know why the royal family ignored the Amber Lead Syndrome, or even deliberately concealed it, keeping quiet ensured peace, so they let it be.
The man walked over and hugged Law, who, despite being only six, managed to feign calmness. Then he looked at his wife and offered comfort.
"Don't worry. Didn't the official announcement say they'll send a team from the Medical Academy? They must have a solution. You know, the current dean of the Medical Academy is none other than Doctor Kureha from the Drum Kingdom!"
But despite saying this, he didn't hold much hope in his heart.
As an excellent doctor himself, he knew very well that with the current level of medical science in the world, there was simply no way to cure heavy metal poisoning like Amber Lead, which could affect a person's Lineage Factor.
Elsewhere.
At several major transportation routes leading from the Flevance Kingdom to neighboring countries, crowds of people and carriages were now packed together. The atmosphere was extremely tense and chaotic.
"Get out of the way! Let us out!"
"Yeah! Who are you people? Scram! I want to leave this place!"
"I'm begging you, please let my family go! How about I give you a million Berries?"
But no matter how these people cursed or even pleaded, the police officers clad in extremely smart, strict, and detailed waist-cinched green uniforms remained unmoved.
They all watched them expressionlessly, showing no intention of opening the barricades for them.
"Hey, Tanjiro, isn't this getting bad? What if they try to rush through later? Are we supposed to take action then? We have to, right? But how? We can't possibly draw our swords, can we? They're civilians..."
Zenitsu Agatsuma, now eighteen and recently transferred from the Swordmaster Hall to the Public Security Division, having become a lowly Third-Level Police Officer.
Looking at the crowd before him—some fierce, some angry, some weeping—he instantly showed a frightened expression, hiding behind Tanjiro and rambling incoherently.
"Idiot Zenitsu! We just need to follow orders! Why are you thinking so much?"
Inosuke Hashibira, still wearing his boar's head mask but no longer bare-chested, now dressed in a police uniform, saw Zenitsu's cowardly state and scolded him displeasedly.
Zenitsu Agatsuma shouted, "But the mission orders say if rioters try to force their way through, we're authorized to use force for arrest! Can you really draw your sword against them? They aren't demons, they're people!"
"Tch, you should just go back to Wano Country and sleep." Inosuke Hashibira turned his head away disdainfully.
Beside them, Tanjiro also seemed unsure what to do, merely looking with pity at the crowd on the other side of the barricade.
"Keeping them here is to help treat the Amber Lead toxin in their bodies. If someone really tries to break through later, let's try our best not to hurt them. Just knock them unconscious."
"Because right now... they're just scared."
Meanwhile, before the utterly luxurious main hall of the Flevance Royal Palace.
With a muffled 'thump,' the Royal Army soldiers guarding the area felt as though, in the blink of an eye, a tall and imposing figure had appeared in the open space.
This person was nearly seven meters tall, with an extremely broad and muscular upper body.
He wore a trapezoidal white hat with brown spots on its surface and rimless white spectacles.
A black and green police officer's uniform, paired with a dark green trench coat that billowed in the swirling air currents, gave him an indescribably intense and oppressive aura.
"I am Bartholomew Kuma, Director of the Public Security Division under the World Government's Police Affairs Department. Here is my officer's identification."
He first took out a small black identification booklet from his right breast pocket, opened it, and showed it to the Royal Army commander in front of him, who hadn't yet reacted.
After confirming the commander's eyes had registered the contents of the ID, he put it away, took out a document, and said, "I have come to arrest the King and Queen of the Flevance Kingdom. This is the arrest warrant. Please step aside."
"We need to request instructions first."
The Royal Army commander said, frowning as he gripped the hilt of the sword at his waist.
"Unnecessary. The arrest warrant is here. No one is permitted to obstruct law enforcement, or they will be charged with obstruction of official duties. This is the final warning. Step aside."
Bartholomew Kuma spoke calmly, but his gaze wasn't on these 'little people'; it was fixed on the two presences inside the main hall.
When he learned the 'truth' that the Flevance royal family, for their own selfish desires, had concealed the Amber Lead Syndrome for over a century, causing the deaths of countless citizens, uncontrollable anger surged within him.
This was also the reason he had decided to come personally.
"No! I must report to the King first! Only with his permission can I let you enter!"
The Royal Army commander refused coldly, even drawing the long sword from his waist and aiming the blade at Kuma. "Please wait here for a moment."
"In that case, the charge of obstruction of official duties stands. Someone from Enies Lobby will come for you."
As soon as his voice fell, Bartholomew Kuma acted, slapping the commander with unbelievably fast hand speed, causing the man to vanish instantly from the spot.
This scene terrified the other Royal Army soldiers, who could only watch in horror as Kuma ascended the steps, one by one.
At a location by the sea.
A World Government ship, flying a flag with a five-ringed cross emblem, was docked by the shore.
This brought an instant smile to the face of Duke Cruz, who was accompanied by his elder brother's two sons and three daughters.
"As expected of the World Government! They truly keep their promises!"
This younger brother of the Flevance King assumed the ship was there to pick them up.
He excitedly looked at the few men in black who had escorted him all the way here, praising them repeatedly.
"Please relay to the esteemed figures in the World Government that we now only seek a modest, comfortable life and will absolutely never appear before the world again. Please assure them they have nothing to worry about!"
But just as he finished speaking, he saw one of the men in black—one with long pink hair and handsome features—shake his head and smile.
"That won't be necessary."
"Hmm?"
Duke Cruz looked at the man in confusion, only to see with horror that the man's right arm was transforming into a purplish-white gas, which then surged towards him and the children.
"Because the higher-ups have their own way of ensuring complete peace of mind."
The next moment.
Under the broad daylight, screams rose and fell, only to be forcefully drowned out by the crashing sound of the waves...
End of Chapter