"You intend to auction it?"
Sengoku's expression was extremely grim. If possible, he would have liked to punch this scoundrel to death right now.
How could the Navy allow Pluton's blueprints to fall into the hands of other powers?
With the blueprints, whether they built it themselves or found the slumbering Pluton battleship through other means, it was absolutely unacceptable to the Navy and the World Government.
Even with a one percent chance, they wouldn't allow it and would nip the danger in the bud.
"That's right, an auction."
"You scoundrel… you're breaking your word!" Sengoku said angrily. "We agreed that you wouldn't leak any information related to ancient weapons to outsiders."
"Hmph, please mind your words. It's not up to you to dictate what we do."
Shadow Fiend snorted disdainfully. "The agreement at the time was not to sell information related to ancient weapons to other powers. What we are selling now is the blueprints!"
"Playing word games?" Sengoku became even more enraged, feeling tricked. "I never expected an organization like yours to be so cunning and untrustworthy!"
"Is that so?" Shadow Fiend remained unmoved, saying indifferently, "Slandering us Phantom… it seems the Captain was right, the Navy should be disqualified."
With that, he made a move as if to leave.
"Wait!"
Sengoku's face was ashen. Being tricked and having to swallow his pride – this was truly a unique experience for a Fleet Admiral.
"Do you have anything else to say?" Shadow Fiend was not in a hurry at all.
"I won't mention past matters. Regarding the blueprints and the auction, the bidding chips, are they…?"
Before he could finish, Shadow Fiend immediately nodded, saying approvingly, "That's right, Devil Fruits. We will invite the world's major powers. Whoever offers the highest price will get the blueprints. However, considering the special nature of the bidding chips, we will provide a three-month preparation period. The auction will officially be held in three months, and the location will be announced separately!"
"Three months…"
Hearing this, Sengoku breathed a slight sigh of relief.
Having a buffer period made things much easier. As for the world's major powers, no matter how they thought about it, they couldn't compete with the Navy.
However, being forced into such an auction made Sengoku very unhappy. He had to report to his superiors and consider whether to use force to seize the blueprints from Phantom.
As if reading his mind, Shadow Fiend gave a strange smile. "Well then, my mission is complete. Goodbye."
With that, he waved his hand and began to disappear.
Sengoku opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but he forcibly suppressed it.
Only after Shadow Fiend had completely left did he turn to a Vice Admiral and say sternly, "Go get the intelligence department here!"
...
The incident in Water 7 was, to the outside world, just a minor event.
The only thing worth mentioning was the appearance of Phantom's three Dominator-level executives, performing a miracle in the skies above Water 7.
If not for the Sea Dragon still hovering in the sky, supporting a large island on its back, it would likely have been quickly forgotten.
However, this was only on the surface. The world was unaware of the turmoil this event would trigger.
All because of the design blueprints for the ancient weapon Pluton!
Floating Island, Flying Pirates' stronghold.
Two days had passed since the great battle.
At this moment, in an empty room, Vladimir sat cross-legged. In front of him lay 20 Devil Fruits.
A full 20 of them!
One was the Mirror-Mirror Fruit, and the other 19 were taken from the Celestial Dragons at Mary Geoise.
There were originally 24, but 5 were consumed to upgrade Lich King to four-star.
"Upgrade stars?"
Looking at these fruits, Vladimir fell into contemplation.
Upgrading stars could likely elevate Lich King to five-star, with plenty left over.
If he were to unlock new transformations, these 20 fruits could unlock six new transformations, or even four more if he pursued more powerful ones, using 5 fruits each time!
Both options had their pros and cons. Upgrading stars could concretely enhance the combat power of his phantom bodies. With the World's Number One Auction happening in a few months, he would need Dominator-level executives to maintain order…
Although the current strength was sufficient, being stronger would always be safer.
However, if he used them to unlock new transformations, he might just gamble on one and get a rare phantom body capable of traversing worlds.
"This is troublesome," Vladimir shook his head helplessly. "They seem like a lot, but in reality, they're not enough."
A simple calculation.
Upgrading a four-star Lich King to five-star requires 10 fruits.
Upgrading a three-star Archangel to four-star requires 12 fruits. If he were to upgrade to five-star, it would likely require another 22 fruits.
Besides these, other transformations weren't worth the cost of upgrading. Vladimir wasn't wealthy enough for that yet.
Considering this, in reality, he could only choose to upgrade once, either Lich King or Archangel.
After much deliberation, Vladimir chose Lich King.
After all, five-star was five-star. Besides unlocking the ultimate power of this phantom body itself, his main body, Phantom God, could also increase its star level by one.
"A three-star Phantom God is still better than a four-star Archangel."
Vladimir nodded, thinking to himself, "I'll upgrade Lich King. The third max-star! This consumes 10 fruits, leaving 10 more… No, let's keep the Mirror-Mirror Fruit. The remaining 9 fruits can unlock three new transformations! Let's take a gamble, maybe I'll get a more powerful transformation!"
A transformation that could traverse worlds, or perhaps a new transformation more powerful and special than Archangel or Great Demon King.
Speaking of which, there were now four Dominator-level executives. It was time to appoint a stronger one as the First Mate!
"Upgrade stars first."
With that in mind, Vladimir absorbed the mysterious power of 10 Devil Fruits.
His cells tingled with pleasure, and Vladimir felt a surge of power nourishing his body.
Suddenly, his appearance changed, transforming into the form of Lich King, and dark armor materialized on his body.
____________________
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