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[email protected]/Heroicverse
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Iceberg let out a long sigh. "It seems I have no other choice."
In the original timeline, the reason Iceberg could remain in Water Seven was because Franky burned the Pluton blueprints right in front of CP9. For the World Government, the main goal was preventing anyone else from obtaining Pluton, rather than necessarily obtaining it themselves.
Thus, the destruction of the blueprints achieved their objective, and they naturally didn't bother with Iceberg and Franky anymore.
But now, the Pluton blueprints were still with Franky, and Iceberg, as the only related party, would be targeted by countless forces. Without powerful protection, whether Iceberg could survive until tomorrow was highly questionable.
Iceberg stood up and spoke solemnly to Auguro.
"Then, the Galley-La Company and Water Seven are entirely yours!"
The moment Iceberg's words fell, a pleasant system prompt sounded in Auguro's ear.
"Congratulations to the Host for conquering Water Seven! Reward: Soul Reaper Academy (Shino Academy/Seireitei)!"
Auguro raised an eyebrow. This reward seemed significant!
The system introduced it: "The Soul Reaper Academy (Shino Academy), as the sole official institution for training Soul Reapers, can absorb the souls of the deceased, reincarnate them, and train them into true Soul Reapers."
Whoa!
Auguro's eyes widened. Absorb the souls of the deceased?
Too many people have died in the world of One Piece. If he absorbed them all, wouldn't he easily have hundreds of thousands of Soul Reapers?
"Please refrain from overthinking, Host!"
The system immediately poured cold water on his idea.
"Only sufficiently powerful deceased souls have the chance to become Soul Reapers! Furthermore, only the souls of the deceased near the Host's territory, and those killed by the Host and his subordinates, can be absorbed!"
What the—!
So there were restrictions on quality and range!
Auguro's grand expectation of instantly raising a massive army to overthrow the World Government was completely dashed.
"Ding! The Soul Reaper Academy has collected deceased souls: Enel, Crocodile, Daz Bonez, Sahara..."
Auguro saw that there were indeed many familiar names. Aside from Enel, most of them were from Baroque Works. These individuals were certainly skilled fighters in the first half of the Grand Line. If trained properly, they might reach the level of Seat Officers or higher!
In addition to those high-level cadres, there were dozens of slightly weaker souls. After their training, they would likely correspond to white or blue card pool Soul Reapers.
After being reincarnated by the Soul Reaper Academy, they would have absolutely no memory of their past lives, starting completely fresh. Moreover, a Loyalty Seal would be etched into their souls, making them as loyal as directly summoned Soul Reapers.
"Not bad! This saves a large amount of achievement points for supplementing manpower!" Auguro nodded in satisfaction.
Although he had a lengthy discussion with the system, only a second or two had passed in reality.
In response to Iceberg's declaration of allegiance, Auguro patted his shoulder and said, "Don't worry! This will be the wisest choice you make in this lifetime!"
The group returned to the Galley-La Company headquarters.
Under Auguro's instruction, the flag of the Holy Spirit Empire was raised over Water Seven!
The flag featured a sharp sword piercing the center, flanked by wings modeled after Auguro's Soul King's Haori (great cloak). It signified a sacred nation protected by the Soul King.
Having agreed to protect Iceberg and Water Seven, Auguro knew he could no longer remain hidden.
"The name of the Holy Spirit Empire should finally appear on the seas!"
A sharp glint flashed in Auguro's eyes. Although it was earlier than expected, it was time to begin the path of conquering the seas!
That same day, Water Seven issued an official announcement:
It was now merged into the Holy Spirit Empire, designated as a Special Administrative Region of the Empire, and accepted the rule of the Holy Spirit Empire's Soul King, Sith Auguro. Iceberg would remain as mayor, and the island's existing systems would temporarily remain unchanged.
The news spread, shocking the entire Grand Line.
At Marine Headquarters, Marineford.
Sengoku put down the newspaper, his expression grave.
"I didn't think that man had such enormous ambition! No wonder he initially refused to join the Seven Warlords of the Sea (Shichibukai)!"
Chief of Staff Tsuru sighed softly.
"Such a huge move is practically a direct challenge to the World Government's authority. Who gave him this much courage?"
"Could he possibly believe that having one subordinate comparable to an Admiral is enough to oppose the World Government?"
"The Paradise (first half of Grand Line) is not the New World. The World Government won't tolerate him here!"
The Four Emperors in the New World also appear to only have one supreme power in their captain, yet they comfortably dominate their territories. But that is because, even though the Four Emperors are not allied, if one of them faced a Navy attack strong enough to wipe them out, the other three would surely lend aid!
They understood the principle of mutual defense.
But the Paradise has no such conditions! If the World Government resolves to act, no single faction in the Paradise can stop them!
None!
In the New World, in the Four Emperors' territories.
Whitebeard paid absolutely no attention to the news. He preferred to host a few more banquets with his sons than worry about such trivial matters.
Shanks shook his head, clearly not optimistic about Auguro's public provocation of the World Government.
"I thought a new potential talent had emerged on the seas, but he's turned out to be so arrogant and conceited!"
Given his unique status, he naturally knew the true capabilities of the World Government. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been dedicated to maintaining the "balance" for so many years.
Kaido and Big Mom cared even less. A person who hadn't even reached the New World was not worth their attention!
Meanwhile, the Five Elders (Gorōsei) in Pangaea Castle were discussing Auguro.
The Warrior God of Law, Topman Warcury, angrily slammed his hand on the table.
"This man is openly provoking the World Government! He sheltered a major criminal, coerced CP0, and trespassed on Enies Lobby! If we do not respond, what face does the World Government have left?"
The Warrior God of Agriculture, Shepherd Ju Peter, said gloomily, "But last time, we even dispatched Aokiji for the Buster Call, and still he returned empty-handed!"
"If we fail again this time, the situation will become irreversible!"
Topman Warcury said coldly, "If one Admiral is not enough, then send another! The Navy receives massive funding from us every year; it's not for them to sit back and watch!"
"That lazy Aokiji, in my opinion, doesn't deserve to be an Admiral! We can use this opportunity to properly chastise Sengoku. He shouldn't be harboring any inappropriate ideas!"
Shepherd Ju Peter still disagreed.
"Deploying two Admirals for a mere Water Seven? Wouldn't that tell the whole world that we are incompetent?"
The argument between the two grew increasingly heated in Pangaea Castle, nearly coming to blows.
Just then, a staff member nervously walked in.
"Esteemed Five Elders, Sith Auguro is requesting to speak with you!"