Half a day passed in the blink of an eye.
Ezra D. Vale finally returned to Marineford.
"Admiral Ember!"
"Greetings, Admiral Ember!"
Everywhere he went, countless soldiers stopped in their tracks to salute him. Vale responded with nods, one by one, his expression calm yet commanding.
With light, purposeful steps, he made his way back to his residence.
"System, receive the legacy enhancement!"
The moment the words left his lips, an overwhelming surge of spiritual pressure erupted from Vale's body. It surged outward, thick and potent, radiating a raw intensity that made the very air tremble. The concentration of his spiritual pressure climbed rapidly, growing denser with each passing second.
But Vale couldn't focus on that alone. Pain spread across his body, searing through every muscle, every joint, every nerve. He clenched his teeth and gritted through it, letting out a roar:
"Ah!"
With that single exclamation, his spiritual pressure enveloped all of Marineford. The temperature of the surrounding air shot up suddenly, intense and suffocating.
Every Marine in the vicinity immediately understood what was happening. Admiral Ember was cultivating!
However, unlike before, this time none of them panicked or dove into the sea. Instead, after a brief moment of awe, the junior officers had already anticipated the situation. One shouted:
"Second Battalion Commander! Hurry, get the ice ready!"
"Yes! Ice is on its way!"
In no time, every soldier had four or five ice packs strapped to their bodies. Still, they underestimated the sheer magnitude of Vale's cultivation.
As time passed, the ice melted almost instantly under the unrelenting heat radiating from Vale. The air grew hotter and hotter.
"Ugh… it's too hot!"
"I can't take it anymore!"
The soldiers were on the verge of collapse, despite having prepared so thoroughly.
"Admiral Vale, please… retract your spiritual pressure!"
Even in his office, Admiral Sengoku was drenched in sweat, though he forced a smile.
"That boy… the intensity of his cultivation just keeps getting higher," he murmured.
"It seems he has grown much stronger this time," Tsuru added, observing the spectacle with a raised brow.
Finally, after some time, Vale completed the reception of the legacy enhancement. He exhaled slowly, opening his eyes. A fiery gleam burned in his crimson irises, a reflection of the power now flowing through him. He clenched his fist, his expression full of exhilaration.
"Now… I am unstoppable," he muttered, his voice carrying satisfaction.
Relaxing in a hot bath, Vale felt the weight of his newfound strength. "System, open the attribute panel."
The system responded immediately:
[Host: Ezra D. Vale]
[Primary Legacy: Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni]
[Legacy Completion: 52.3%]
Vale's eyes sparkled at the sight. His legacy completion had surpassed fifty percent. The last time he had received a mission reward, it had only been 42.1%. Through relentless effort, he had now achieved a monumental jump.
Not only had his spiritual pressure become richer and more intense, but he could now use all Kido spells ranked below ninety. Most importantly, he had unlocked the Severing Void technique. Vale could barely contain his excitement; this was a game-changing ability.
Beyond spiritual pressure and Kido, he had started to understand Kai. Only eight percent remained before he could fully unlock it. At this moment, Vale had a single thought: cultivate. Relentlessly. Reach sixty percent and unlock Kai.
However, there was still one matter that needed attention. A shadow of murderous intent flashed in Vale's eyes.
"Big Mom… I look forward to our meeting," he whispered.
At this time, Big Mom was still frantically expanding her territory, oblivious to the fact that her doom was approaching.
Just then, the system chimed again:
[As the Commander-in-Chief, how can you tolerate provocations?]
[Temporary Task Triggered: Completely Destroy the Whole Cake Kingdom!]
[Legacy Completion: +5%]
A smile curved Vale's lips. "As expected… the system knows me best," he said. His mood soared. If more tasks like this came his way, unlocking Kai would become inevitable.
Wasting no time, Vale sat in his living room and activated his Den Den Mushi.
"Stussy, three days from now, prepare to take over Big Mom's territories."
On the other end, Stussy froze for a moment, then her face lit up with sheer excitement. This was the young master making his move.
"Sir, do you need me to send reinforcements?" she asked.
"No. Wait for my signal. We will take all her islands directly."
"Sir, should I notify the Five Elders?"
Vale paused thoughtfully. It was optional, but informing them in advance could help smooth things.
"Do it. This is your responsibility."
"Understood, sir!"
After hanging up, Vale called Morgan next.
"Morgan, can you track the recent movement of the Big Mom Pirates?"
Morgan's heart raced, realizing exactly what Vale intended.
"Of course, sir! I'll compile the names and locations of all pirate crews immediately."
Once done, Vale donned his attire and headed toward Sengoku's office. Sengoku, still drenched from the residual spiritual pressure, wiped the sweat from his forehead as Vale knocked.
"Enter," Sengoku called.
"Uncle, why are you sweating so much?" Vale teased lightly, though his brow was slightly furrowed.
"Stop imagining things! It's because of your cultivation, Vale!" Sengoku snapped, though there was no real anger behind it.
Vale scratched his head awkwardly. "Is that so? Hahaha…"
Sengoku rolled his eyes and poured himself ice water. "Now, what is it you need?"
"I'm going to take down the Big Mom Pirates," Vale stated calmly.
Sengoku choked on his drink. "Are you out of your mind? Do you know how difficult that is?"
Vale stroked his chin, frowning. "Doesn't seem that hard."
Sengoku's expression hardened. "This sea isn't as simple as you think. If the Big Mom Pirates are destroyed, her islands will be divided among other pirate crews. The inhabitants will fall into chaos and fear."
Vale raised an eyebrow. "So… you mean it would break the temporary balance?"
Sengoku reluctantly nodded.
Vale's lips curved in a small smile. "Then it's simple. I've already arranged cooperation with someone, stationed near each of Big Mom's islands. Once she's dealt with, they will take control."
Sengoku paused, "Reliable?"
Vale nodded. "You've heard of the Queen of the New World, haven't you?"
He left Stussy's identity unspoken, knowing the fewer people aware, the better. Sengoku understood her name and the strategy immediately, though, and the tension eased.
A Den Den Mushi rang. Sengoku answered. "Let Vale proceed unhindered," a Five Elder voice instructed. Stussy had already informed them of Vale's plan, confirming her allegiance.
Sengoku hung up, nodding. "Go ahead, Vale. I'll trust your judgment. Do you need reinforcements?"
Vale shook his head. "I can handle this alone. Wait for the results."
Exiting the office, he gathered his crew on his ship, including Garp, Aokiji, and Hina.
"Admiral Ember, what's the mission?" Garp asked.
Aokiji leaned back, feeling almost in paradise aboard the ship no assignments, waking naturally, peaceful and free.
Vale smiled. "Summon the troops. We're heading to Cake Island."
Garp and Hina exchanged stunned looks. Aokiji rubbed his forehead, muttering, "I knew nothing good would come of this."
Vale reassured them: "You've rested enough. This time, you won't need to fight directly. Simply cover any stragglers outside Cake Island."
They blinked in surprise.
Vale added confidently, "I will handle Cake Island alone. Prepare to celebrate victory."
Garp and Hina hesitated but trusted his conviction.
"Go. Assemble the soldiers," Vale commanded.
"Yes, Admiral Ember!"
Departing Marineford, Vale's ship set a straight course toward the New World. Three days passed, and finally, Vale arrived at the Whole Cake Kingdom.
_______________________
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