Chapter 314: The Third Star Gate! (Six Thousand Character Chapter!)
"Water Breathing · Tenth Form · Constant Flux!"
Sakonji Urokodaki could no longer suppress the emotions in his heart. From beneath his Tengu Mask, he erupted with a roar filled with shock and unwillingness.
In an instant, a water dragon, formed by converging waves with clearly visible Dragon Scales, surged from his Blade. Accompanied by his continuous sword swings, it let out bursts of Dragon Roars and Splashing Sounds, vividly circling his body.
He truly hadn't expected that he would be helpless against an ordinary Samurai who couldn't use a Breathing Style.
At this moment.
The confidence the Breathing Style had given this Former Water Hashira gradually collapsed. So... even without a Breathing Style, humans could possess Strength capable of fighting Demons?
But just then, Lucci, while parrying with him, spoke calmly. His words made Sakonji Urokodaki unable to believe his ears.
"I think I've roughly figured out your Breathing Rhythm. See if this is it..."
As soon as he finished speaking.
Lucci's figure also moved. The Katana in his hand cut through the Air with a curve extremely Familiar to Sakonji Urokodaki. But this wasn't the most astonishing part; what was most astonishing was that waves of blue water flow also appeared on the Blade.
"Water Breathing · Tenth Form · Constant Flux, is that what it's called?"
[Clang! Bang! Clang clang! Bang bang!]
Amidst the rushing water flow and waves, Mumei watched with wide eyes as one large and one small water dragon tangled, circled, bit, and collided with each other In the Court.
Those loud Dragon Roars gave her the most extreme audio-visual Effect.
[Boom----]
Suddenly.
With a resounding crash, Sakonji Urokodaki's Nichirin Blade was knocked away, spinning over a dozen times in the Air before embedding itself in the ground in front of Mumei.
"It's really interesting, a Breathing Technique that can Enhance Physical Ability and Mobilize and strengthen Mental Power."
"Although for someone like me who has mastered Life Return, its uses are limited beyond creating illusions, it's a quite perfect basic cultivation method, providing a very smooth progression towards mastering Life Return, Observation Haki, and even Six Powers..."
Lucci seemed to be saying this to himself, or to Sakonji Urokodaki, who was kneeling semi-crouched and panting in front of him. But in reality, he was speaking to the Otherworld Strategy Committee through the Visual Den Den Mushi on Mumei's Shoulder.
"Life Return? Observation Haki?"
Sakonji Urokodaki was confused after hearing this, thinking to himself, "Is this the reason he is so Strong...?"
At this moment, he made a Decision in his Heart. He smoothly transitioned from a kneeling position to a standard dogeza, and sincerely and deeply said to Lucci, "Sir Mitsui, please, you must join the Demon Slayer Corps. Your Strength, your Talent, will become the pillar supporting the cause of Demon Elimination!"
The Aptitude and Strength Lucci displayed reminded him of Yoriichi Tsugikuni, the legendary founder of Breathing Styles. If he could achieve such Combat Power just by imitating Water Breathing, how much Stronger would he become if he learned the most suitable Breathing Style and Swordsmanship?
He might even be able to create a new Style one day in the Future.
"You said before that besides Water Breathing, there are many Breathing Styles with different styles, right? Just so happens, I'm very interested in them now."
Lucci returned his Katana to its Scabbard, looking down at the back of Sakonji Urokodaki's head with a blank Expression.
"Take me to see the World's Strongest among you, and that Head. If they're decent people, I can join the Demon Slayer Corps!"
"No problem, I will contact them for you immediately!"
Sakonji Urokodaki suddenly raised his head, his Expression beneath the Tengu Mask filled with joy. He firmly believed that with the Strength of the current Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps and the personal charisma of the Head, they would definitely be able to keep this incredibly talented individual.
"Kasugai Crow!"
He quickly stood Up, not bothering with the dust on his legs, and loudly called over a black crow. Then he spoke quickly to it, "Immediately report everything that just happened to the Head!"
The crow nodded in a very Human-like manner, then let out a "caw" Cry and flapped its wings, soaring high. In the blink of an eye, it disappeared from the trio's sight.
"It can understand your words? And transmit them to others?"
At this moment, Mumei, looking curious and carrying her Short Sword-shaped Nichirin Blade on her back, walked over and asked. Sakonji Urokodaki nodded, introducing with a happy mood.
"Yes, Kasugai Crows have extremely high intelligence. They can repeat commands in Human speech or converse with people using their Self-awareness. They are a type of Ninja Beast."
"Ninja Beast..."
Lucci, Mumei, and the people in the Command Center instantly grasped this new piece of Information.
Lieutenant General Kong Ming fanned his Feather Fan and smiled slightly.
"It seems this Demon Slayer Corps has quite a few new things."
"Good, the more useful things there are, the more we will gain in the Future."
In Chairman Fernandez's view, not just the Demon Slayer Corps, but the entire World, including the Demons, would sooner or later belong to the World Government. And the greater the World Government's gains in this World, the higher his political achievements would be.
"In this way, it won't be long before Captain Lucci and the others can infiltrate the Demon Slayer Corps. As long as they find the location of their Headquarters, they can gather Manpower and take them down!"
"Oh right, how is Captain Guts doing?"
Lieutenant General Kong Ming smiled, "The plan has been sent over, but Captain Guts hopes to execute this Mission alone and have Mekko return first."
"No!"
Chairman Fernandez immediately refused, saying coldly, "One person has too high a chance of unexpected events. With two people, even if one has a problem, the other can at least buy us more Time."
"Moreover, two people can look out for each other. Although Mekko's Strength is not as great as Captain Guts', as a 'Nue' form Kabaneri, she can at least help Captain Guts hold off the 'Twelve Kizuki' for a while. That's enough."
This head of the Otherworld Strategy Committee completely disregarded Mekko's life or death, and even Captain Guts' life or death was only valued for how much Time it could buy.
"Understood."
Lieutenant General Kong Ming said no more. Cipher Pol's work was inherently like this; they had to be prepared to Sacrifice themselves for the World Government at any moment.
Soon, their ruthless Decision was communicated via Transponder Snail to Captain Guts and Mekko, who were constantly changing locations in the mountain forest with Douma.
"I understand..."
After hanging up the call, Captain Guts sighed in his Heart and said with a light laugh to Mekko beside him, "Looks like you'll have to meet Muzan Kibutsuji and the Twelve Kizuki with me."
"It's alright, the current work isn't much different from before. It's just changed from the Hunter Guard against the Shogunate to Cipher Pol against the Otherworld, just a bit more dangerous."
Mekko looked calmly at the Morning Sun about to appear on the horizon and said, "At least there's still a daytime, isn't there? And it's not necessarily a certain death."
She looked down at her prominent chest. Beneath her Clothing was a burning Heart emitting a faint Blue Light.
"Also, I don't think Kabaneri from our Ancestral World are weaker than the Demons of this World. Who is Stronger, who is weaker, who wins, who loses... we'll only know after fighting..."
Captain Guts was taken aback, then burst into laughter, patting the black pot beside him that sealed Douma.
"Right, right, right, these 'Upper Rank' aren't that big of a deal. Although we 'Nue' can't kill them, we can tie them up with Black Silk Sticky Thread and keep them from moving!"
But despite saying that, the Muzan Kibutsuji, who had lived for a thousand years, still brought immense Pressure to his Heart. Moreover, since they were the 'Twelve Kizuki'.
It meant the opponent had eleven other 'Superpower Demons' like Douma, who possessed nearly immortal Self-Healing Ability and Devil Fruit Ability-like Superpowers.
Now Captain Guts only hoped that their supporting Combat Power would arrive as soon as possible.
On the Sea Star Mainland, at the place of the World's Highest Authority, within the Room of Authority in Holy Land Mariejois.
"These are the Design Blueprints for 'Pluton'."
Saint Shepherd Ju Peter, who was in charge of Cipher Pol, chuckled and placed a thick stack of blueprints on the Coffee Table in the center. These were Design Blueprints re-recorded and redrawn by professional Technicians based on the captured Content.
"I didn't expect Brook's Yomi-Yomi Fruit Ability to be so effective at stealing things."
The other four did not touch the Design Blueprints. Saint Topman Warcury examined them and said, "The Warship used against us back then has now fallen into our hands? The unpredictability of worldly affairs is truly Unimaginable."
"But although the Design Blueprints are in hand, 'Pluton' is still out there, whereabouts unknown. And the original Design Blueprint in Tom's hands needs to be dealt with, right?"
Saint Jaygarcia Saturn took up the conversation, gripping the Cane in his hand.
"Let him keep it until he finishes developing the Sea Train. This is something that can connect all Islands in a short amount of Time. Its Value, This Old Man personally believes, is second only to the Star Gate. Even 'Pluton' isn't as valuable as it!"
Saint Marcus Mars, who was in charge of science and History-related fields, stood by the Sofa, hands in his Pockets, and said in a deep voice.
"When the Sea Train network is completely formed, we might be able to achieve the ultimate goal of our ancestors from 800 years ago!"
"Indeed, but now that we have the 'Pluton' Design Blueprints, should we build it?"
Then Saint Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro picked up the Design Blueprints from the Coffee Table, flipping through the Content as he asked, "Although it's impossible for it to pass through a Star Gate of the current size, we can try Stussy's Mini-Mini Fruit Ability."
As the World Government's Military Supreme Leader, he was interested in anything that could enhance Military Power. The Temptation of a legendary superweapon like 'Pluton', capable of blasting an Island into nothingness with a single shot, goes without saying.
"This seems to require a large amount of Adam Wood. Is our inventory sufficient?"
"Oh? Let This Old Man see."
Saint Topman Warcury raised an eyebrow and took the 'Pluton' Design Blueprints from Saint Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro. He immediately saw the Content the former mentioned, but the various numbers on it were astonishing.
"This 'Pluton' is actually this big?"
"As for whether the Treasury's inventory is enough, I'm really not sure. Call Harkins over and ask."
Hearing this, Chief of Staff Alexander Watson, who was waiting nearby, quickly went to notify Dean Harkins of the Grand Steward Institute, as the Holy Land Treasury was managed by the Grand Steward Institute.
Soon after, Dean Harkins, whose hair was somewhat gray but meticulously styled, hurried over.
"Respected Five Elders sirs!"
"Hmm, we called you here to ask how much Adam Wood we still have?" Saint Topman Warcury looked at him with a blank Expression.
"Yes, sir!"
Dean Harkins quickly stated the amount of Adam Wood reserves stored in his memory, while also giving a grateful glance to Chief of Staff Alexander Watson.
"If that's all there is, then it seems it's not enough..." Saint Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro frowned tightly.
This made the Atmosphere within the Room of Authority become oppressive, and also made Dean Harkins, who was standing there reporting, not dare to breathe loudly.
"Is there any Adam Wood outside, and where can we obtain large quantities?" Saint Topman Warcury asked.
"There should still be some circulating on the black market, or we could dismantle ships made of Adam Wood, but this method requires a lot of Time and is quite complicated. However, there is a place that still retains many Adam Trees."
As soon as Dean Harkins finished speaking, Saint Marcus Mars continued, "You're referring to 'Elbaf', right?"
"Yes, sir!"
Hearing the four words 'Elbaf', everyone fell silent. After a moment, Saint Topman Warcury waved his hand, "You may return."
"Yes, sir!"
Dean Harkins quickly bowed in respect and then hurried out of the Room of Authority.
"So, if we want to build another 'Pluton', we first have to deal with this Giant Kingdom? That's good, This Old Man has long wanted to flatten them during my term!"
A sharp glint flashed in Saint Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro's eyes.
"Wano Country has been dealt with, what can Elbaf do? We should make a Decision. Either submit and affiliate, or be directly destroyed!"
"Indeed, they have become the only Non-Affiliated Nation in our rear." Saint Shepherd Ju Peter agreed.
"Then let's report this Matter and let Lord Imu make the final Decision!"
Saint Topman Warcury also felt that on the path of conquering the Multiverse, the Giant Race should not be left out. They should either fight for the World Government, or they should all die.
At worst, they could leave behind some Seeds of the Giant Race and cultivate a completely new Giant Tribe from childhood.
"Now let's talk about the Second Otherworld. You must have all read the various Intelligence reports sent by the Otherworld Strategy Committee. What are your thoughts?"
Saint Marcus Mars found a Sofa and sat down.
"This is a World with a large Population, large Military Strength, many Countries, and most of their Technology is behind ours, especially in communication. However, their Warships, Submarines, planes, and airships are things we either don't have or are inferior to."
Saint Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro continued, "Overall, it's a bit more troublesome than the Kabaneri World, but the level of threat is about the same. We can try to avoid Naval Warfare and directly dispatch Combat Power to attack the hinterlands of various Countries!"
"This Old Man thinks we can find a way to Control the military and political Higher-ups of that Japan, especially that damn Emperor. Using the entire Japan's Manpower, financial resources, and Military Power as Puppets, we can gradually make contact with other Countries."
Saint Jaygarcia Saturn's suggestion made Saint Topman Warcury, Saint Marcus Mars, and others fall into contemplation. However, this also aroused Saint Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro's dissatisfaction. He said coldly and forcefully.
"Hmph, This Old Man thinks that since we've already figured out the true Strength of this Muzan Kibutsuji with the help of Lord Imu, which is only at the level of a mere Vice Admiral, there's nothing to be concerned about. Just dispatch a large army and High-Level Combat Power to suppress them!"
Above the Noah's Ark, slowly flying at High Altitude in the First Half of the Grand Line, Im was wearing a loose silver robe with gold trim, hands clasped behind his back, gazing at the vast white sea of clouds above.
At this moment, a sentence suddenly came to his mind.
[No one stood in the Sky from the beginning, neither you nor I. Not even God. But, the vacant period of the Heavenly Throne is about to end. From now on, I shall stand at the summit.]
This was a classic line from Sosuke Aizen in 'Bleach'.
"But people are different. I, Im, have always stood in the Sky from the very beginning. The Empty Throne has never had a vacant period..."
The reason he thought of this was because the Noah's Ark had arrived in the Jaya Island Sea Area.
This meant that the sea of clouds before him was actually the 'White Sea', and 3000 meters above that was the 'White Sea'. And there, there was a large Sky Island called 'Skypiea' and a fellow who truly called himself 'God'.
Even though Im knew that the Sky Island people's so-called 'God' was just a title similar to 'King', and they didn't truly believe themselves to be omniscient, omnipotent, and supreme God.
But as the hidden Big Boss of the World Government and the actual King of the World, he was still quite displeased. The key was that the Sky Island was right above him.
"When I reach Sky Island, there will be no more 'God' or 'Skypiea'~"
Im withdrew his meaningful Gaze and, accompanied by Stussy behind him and the Kuja Guards on alert nearby, arrived at an open space surrounded by a circle of flower beds, roughly the size of a Soccer Field.
"Lord Saint Nerona!"
At this moment, a beautiful Woman with golden hair and blue eyes, holding a water bottle and a towel, hurried over, greeting him respectfully with a nervous Expression.
Im merely glanced at the exceptionally beautiful Stella, then focused his Gaze on Tesoro, who was diligently practicing Martial Arts In the Court with a Cipher Pol elite.
This Woman was indeed beautiful.
But he wouldn't be so consumed by lust as to steal the wife of his subordinate. He had emotions and desires, but he wouldn't be Controlled by them.
Within the open space, many heavy-duty exercise equipment were placed, such as barbells weighing one ton per plate, iron bars weighing two tons, iron grinding stones weighing three tons, and so on.
In addition, there were various golden creations of strange shapes.
However, since Tesoro was currently practicing Martial Arts, these things remained quietly in place.
"Not bad, your Body looks much Stronger than before..."
Im was very satisfied with his serious Attitude.
One must know that this kid ate Sea Kings' Meat every day, along with high-nutrition milk and Fish specifically transported from the East Blue. In terms of Food specifications, it was only one level below his own.
All of this was to allow Tesoro to reach the Strength a Seven Warlords of the Sea should have as quickly as possible.
Once he mastered Six Powers and developed his Gold-Gold Fruit Ability sufficiently, he could be sent out to find his own Opportunity to Awaken and become the true 'Golden Emperor'.
Tesoro's main task in the Future was to develop and Control the Entertainment Industry of the World and even Other Worlds, providing a continuous stream of underground Intelligence for himself and the World Government. Making Money was just a side benefit.
Of course.
If needed, he also had to act as a High-Level Combat Power to eliminate certain existences that Im wanted to erase.
The so-called 'Seven Warlords of the Sea' were essentially his direct envoys, monitoring important situations happening in their respective Domains outside and helping him deal with Matters that were inconvenient for the World Government to handle.
Their Status was similar to that of the Five Elders!
Returning to his residential Palace, just as he was about to pick up 'Enma' from the Sword Stand and head to Hell to continue hunting Yokai and enhancing his Soul, Im saw several new Reports on the desk.
"Alright, I'll finish the work first."
The first Report stated that the relevant Departments of the World Government had begun contacting Fish-Man Island and Water Seven to discuss the Renovation of large gas storage facilities to create a Bubble that could cover the entire Island of Water Seven, in order to resist the annual 'Aqua Laguna'.
However, it would likely take one to two years to fully implement.
Im wasn't surprised by this.
The second was a Full Body Examination Report on Marshall D. Teach from the Medical Academy of the Drum Kingdom. Although it was still unclear why he didn't need to sleep, it had been confirmed that he had a 'Chimera' Physique.
Generally speaking, a person only has one set of Lineage Factors in their Body. 'Chimera' refers to someone with at least two sets of Lineage Factors in their Body.
And Marshall D. Teach had three!
"Tsk tsk tsk, impressive. He really is an anomaly. So, he can actually eat three Devil Fruits?" Although Im had anticipated this, he still found it quite miraculous.
It's just that this guy's Ambition was too restless. Even after learning about Star Gates and Otherworlds, he probably wouldn't settle down. He would only think about finding a place to become King and dominate once he became Stronger. This was a guy who was extremely good at enduring but unwilling to be ordinary...
"But the Star Gates are in my hands, what can he do?"
Im felt that his biggest confidence, besides his own Strength far exceeding the so-called Highest Combat Power of the World, was his Control over the Star Chart and Star Gates.
This also made him dare to use anyone willing to obey. Even if someone's Strength and Ambition exceeded his Control in the Future, he could just close the Star Gate. At most, he would abandon one World.
In this way, the opponent would only have the Resources of one World, while Im and the World Government would have the Resources of more Worlds behind them, and they would eventually surpass the former. Then they could open the Star Gate again and deal with him.
"Ah!"
Just then, Im suddenly remembered that another year had passed.
So he could open another Star Gate. And according to the Star Chart's description, after opening the third Star Gate, he could choose one of the three opened Star Gates and upgrade it to a Medium Star Gate.
Im quickly opened the Star Chart. Indeed, there was an additional Star Gate permission.
"The first World was Kabaneri World, the second World was Demon Slayer World. What will this third World be? I hope it's a World that is helpful to myself..."
Of course, he was quite interested in Muzan Kibutsuji's Self-Healing Ability, which didn't consume Stamina and allowed for infinite Body regeneration, but he definitely wouldn't become a Demon.
"When the Time comes, I'll capture him and send him to the Biochemical Research Institute..."
(End of this chapter)