Chapter 286: Preparations are Underway
Louis stood tall on the golden beach, his broad wings slightly spread behind him. His golden hair and white feathers fluttered gently in the sea breeze.
His voice carried against the wind to Shirahoshi's ear, "In that case, can you ask them to guide people to that area of the sea?"
Shirahoshi paused at his words, thinking hard. After a long moment, she shook her head. "The Sea Kings can't communicate with other people... they can't lead the way."
"If we want to find that specific lantern fish, it has to be me or my sister... someone who can understand sea creatures."
"Is that so?" Louis mused. He knew the Sea Kings wouldn't obey human orders, nor would they necessarily be willing to guide humans. To find the Pure Gold, they needed Shirahoshi.
After a moment, he looked up. "Alright, then you will go with Yelena and Uta. Bring back the Pure Gold as soon as you can. I'll have a ship prepared. Natural Water will go with you as well."
"I... I can go with them? Outside?" Shirahoshi hesitated, her voice losing its confidence.
"Yes. We're counting on you, Shirahoshi." Louis explained that for this mission, she was essential.
Hearing this, Shirahoshi's spirits lifted, her eyes curving into crescents. "I understand! I won't let you down, Lord Louis!"
"Shirahoshi, do you need any time to prepare?"
"I'm ready, Lord Louis!"
"In that case, let's go." As his voice fell, a giant portal opened beside them.
At the same time, on the outskirts of Terra's city, a portal opened in front of Yelena.
"What's going on?" Ulti tilted her head, confused.
"A special situation, perhaps." Yelena turned to Ulti. "The rest is up to you."
"Huh? You're leaving me in charge? You never trust me with this stuff!" Ulti's eyes went wide. "Are you sure it's okay to leave the non-combat tasks to me?"
"Do your best. If you mess it up, I'll beat you when I get back." Yelena patted Ulti's shoulder and stepped through the portal.
Her vision shifted instantly from city buildings to a golden beach.
"Lady Yelena!"
"Shirahoshi, you're here too."
Yelena glanced at Louis, who was on a Den Den Mushi. "Shirahoshi, did Louis summon me for something?"
"Lord Louis wants you, Big Sis, and me to go find a lantern fish."
"A lantern fish..." Yelena's eyes narrowed. "The Pure Gold that Uta and Louis mentioned? The one that grants eternal life? He's sending me, Uta, and Shirahoshi... Is he worried we'll run into trouble?"
Just then, Louis finished his call. "Yelena, you, Shirahoshi, and Uta will follow the Sea Kings and retrieve the Pure Gold. I'll hold down the fort on Terra."
"Understood," Yelena nodded.
"I've already had Uta pick up supplies from the Adam and bring a Mist Ship. You can leave on that."
Terra's Mist Ships were very different from Elbaf's. Elbaf's ships would fall if they left the upper world. Terra's Mist Ships, however, ran on Island Clouds that Louis had personally infused with life. The ship itself, built from the wood of the Treasure Tree Adam, was also a living entity. It was perfect for them.
"A Mist Ship... leaving from the sky?" Yelena nodded. It was faster, safer, and stealthier than sailing.
After a while, a giant-sized galleon, buoyed by white clouds, appeared on the horizon.
"Sorry to keep you waiting!"
Uta poked her head through the railing. "Since Shirahoshi is giant-sized, I borrowed Gerd's personal Mist Ship. Come on up, Shirahoshi, Yelena!"
One of the ship's clouds extended, forming a ramp. Shirahoshi and Yelena stepped onto it and were lifted to the deck.
On deck, Shirahoshi leaned over and gave the command to the Sea Kings. "Please, take us to the place you spoke of." The ocean began to churn as the massive figures moved.
The Mist Ship rose into the sky and flew away.
"Louis! Wait for our good news!" Uta sat on the railing, waving goodbye with Shirahoshi.
Louis watched them go. He mentally commanded Natural Water, which was waiting in the shallows, to follow the ship's path. After a moment, he also sent Anemoi, the wind spirit, to go with them.
In the sky, Uta pouted at Louis's flat expression. But when she sensed Natural Water and the fresh, guiding wind with her Haki, she smiled. The ship, now aided by Anemoi, quickly vanished from sight.
After they left, Louis disappeared from the beach. The moment he left, the beach began to tremble violently. The seabed rose, pushing the water back. The Fantasy Species, Gaea, was moving underground, heading to the next section of coastline to continue expanding the land.
In the forest, Louis walked, holding a Den Den Mushi. The trees themselves parted, forming a path for him.
The call connected, but the other end was silent.
"It's Louis," he said.
The man on the other end seemed to relax. "Lord Louis! This is the first time you've called me personally. It's usually Lady Yelena. Is this... about Akainu's return?"
"Akainu's return?" Louis's expression shifted. "I am interested in what happened to him in Mary Geoise, but no. I heard Whitebeard's 2nd Division Commander, Teach, was defeated by Akainu and Kizaru. I want to know if he's still alive, and what the Marines plan to do with him."
"Blackbeard Teach?"... "I understand. I'll find out the high-level plan for Teach."
Louis hung up and continued walking toward the mining area.
He hoped that if Teach was alive, the Marines would publicly execute him, filling the void of that "missing war." If they did, Louis wouldn't be against "releasing" his thousands of Whitebeard-allied prisoners back to Whitebeard. Let Whitebeard inflict maximum damage on the Marines, saving Louis the trouble.
But if there was no war, Louis would keep his prisoners. After all, they were experienced miners now. It would take years to train a new batch of prisoners to their level.
Louis reached the edge of the mining pit, looking down at the ant-like figures. "What will you do, Sengoku?"
The current Marines were far weaker in top-tier strength than in the original timeline. And the justification for a war—executing Blackbeard Teach—was much weaker than executing Roger's son, "Fire Fist" Ace. Furthermore, with himself, Kaido, and Shiki in the picture, Sengoku would be wary. The risk of one of them (the other Emperors) stabbing the Marines in the back was too high. The probability of war was low.
Louis knew the most likely outcome: Sengoku would just throw Teach into Impel Down. If so, Louis would just have to wait for his joint operation with Shiki to weaken the World Government.
Just then, another Den Den Mushi rang. He picked it up.
A familiar, arrogant voice came through. "Louis! You haven't forgotten our plan, have you?" It was the Golden Lion, Shiki.
"If I recall," Louis said, "that plan is how you're repaying your favor to me. Why would I forget?"
Shiki laughed his signature "Jihahaha!"
"Get to the point," Louis said flatly.
...On Hachinosu, high above the island, Shiki stood before a massive incubation tank. He looked at the "perfect creation" floating within, his eyes burning with ambition. "The plan, Louis-kun... It's just about time to begin."
A grin spread across his face. I can't wait to recruit those monsters from Impel Down's Level Six...
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