"Flower Sword" Vista firmly believed that this God King not only possessed the ability to grow stronger himself, but also held the secret to elevating others.
Edward Newgate had once stated that for someone like Shirogai to rise to the level of a top powerhouse at such a young age, he must possess extraordinary talent along with a unique understanding of combat.
Now, rumors were spreading across the seas that the God King had the ability to enhance the strength of others.
If he favored someone, that person could gain power far beyond their previous limits in an instant.
Vista did not know how true those rumors were.
But he was willing to take the risk.
If Shirogai could offer even a fragment of guidance, Vista would not hesitate to lower himself and ask for it.
His pride had long since been shattered.
It was broken on the day his captain stood alone against multiple Celestial Dragons.
As a son, being unable to fight alongside his father and only watching from afar was a humiliation he could not forget.
That kind of pride had no value to him anymore.
...
"Captain Vista! They are signaling us! They want to establish contact through a Transponder Snail!"
A crew member's voice broke his thoughts.
"Good."
Vista snapped back to reality, his gaze sharpening as he looked at the distant signal flags.
"Prepare the Transponder Snail and connect to their channel."
"Poru, poru…"
The call soon connected.
Click.
Vista lifted the Transponder Snail, pausing briefly before speaking in a calm, steady tone.
"This is Vista, Captain of the Fifth Division of the Whitebeard Pirates. Am I speaking to one of the God King's subordinates?"
"Gulp…"
"Wait, it is really him? The Fifth Division Captain of the Whitebeard Pirates?"
"Ah! This is bad!"
"Such a big name…"
Panic erupted on the other end. The sound of fumbling, followed by something dropping, echoed through the snail.
Vista's brows furrowed.
These people were far more unrefined than he had expected.
To be shaken just by hearing his name was unacceptable.
More importantly, their reaction did not match the reputation of Shirogai's forces.
Why would subordinates of the God King behave like this?
A trace of suspicion rose in his heart.
"Who are you? Put Shirogai on the line. I wish to speak with him."
"Oh… Vista…"
An unfamiliar male voice responded, dry and hesitant.
"The God King is… eating. Yes, he is eating right now. He does not have time to speak."
"Eating?"
Vista's suspicion deepened.
The excuse was clumsy, almost insulting.
...
On the deck of a disguised pirate ship.
"Flower Sword Vista… that is a major figure from the Whitebeard Pirates!"
Barack, the so called fake Shirogai, stared at the Transponder Snail in his trembling hand. Sweat dripped down his forehead as panic filled his chest.
"This is bad… he is not someone easy to fool…"
He had planned to pose as one of the God King's subordinates, brush Vista off, and leave quietly.
But now, a man of this level had appeared.
If Vista became suspicious, escape would be impossible.
...
Vista remained silent for a moment before speaking again.
"Then I will wait. I will come back after Shirogai is finished."
Barack froze.
His heart nearly stopped.
He had planned to stall and escape, but this completely ruined his plan.
"Captain! Look over there! A Marine warship is approaching!"
A lookout's urgent shout cut through the tension.
Vista turned his head sharply.
On the horizon, a warship bearing the emblem of the Marines was advancing at high speed.
His expression darkened.
"That flag… it belongs to a Marine Admiral."
His eyes narrowed.
"This is an Admiral's ship."
On the other end, Barack's face went pale.
One powerful enemy was already too much, now an Admiral was arriving as well.
This was a disaster.
Then Vista spoke again, his voice calm yet decisive.
"Inform Shirogai that I will visit later. I will deal with this Marine Admiral first. Consider it a courtesy for my sudden arrival."
Barack was stunned.
Then relief flooded him.
"Understood! The God King said that as long as you handle the Admiral, he will meet you later!"
He seized the opportunity without hesitation.
...
At the bow of the approaching warship stood a tall figure, his body flickering with silver white lightning.
This was Admiral Cero.
He yawned lazily as he observed the scattered pirate ships ahead.
"So many pirates. Looks like I can finally get a bit serious."
Before the warship could fully approach, several ships broke formation and charged forward.
A Marine soldier shouted in alarm.
"Admiral Cero, those ships carry the flag of the Whitebeard Pirates!"
At that moment, a slash filled with crimson petals cut through the air, silent and deadly as it raced toward the warship.
Clang!
A bolt of lightning fell from the sky, colliding with the slash and tearing it apart instantly.
The petals scattered into nothingness.
Cero rose into the air, lightning crackling around his body as he looked down with a cold smile.
"So the Whitebeard Pirates do not hold back either."
...
On the pirate ship, Vista already had both swords drawn.
"He shattered my attack with ease."
His eyes sharpened, locking onto the figure in the sky.
Lightning surged around the Admiral's body, illuminating the sea with blinding brilliance. His presence carried overwhelming pressure, like a force of nature.
Vista stepped forward, his grip tightening on his blades.
"So this is the power of the Thunder Fruit."
His voice carried anticipation rather than fear.
"Good."
A faint smile appeared beneath his mustache.
"Let me see how far your power goes."