At the absolute last second, Nobunaga swallowed the Float-Float Fruit and mastered its levitation, miraculously halting the floating archipelago just before it hit the ocean!
Bonney, having returned to her adult form, sat on the ground gasping for air. Her legs were still shaking like jelly, her face pale with lingering terror.
"Please... I'm begging you. No more near-death experiences today. I almost died of a heart attack!"
"Be quiet. I'm thinking."
Chrollo ignored her complaints. He was busy—he was spending attribute points!
"A few points here, a few points there... Right! Using Haki drains stamina; put some points into Stamina!"
"Argh—it's still not enough!" Chrollo ruffled his hair in frustration. In the world of stat-maxing, you're either broke or you're craving more!
Now that the immediate threat of the falling islands had been handled, the long-awaited [Plunder] system notification finally pinged. Chrollo's eyes lit up.
> [Detection: Player has led the team to complete the 'STRONG WORLD' instance. Defeated the Flying Pirate—Golden Lion Shiki. Plunder conditions met.]
> [Target: Shiki, Captain of the Golden Lion Pirates. A legendary pirate of the old era. Peak Achievement: Destroyed half of Marineford. Peak Bounty: 2.3 Billion.]
"Holy—I'm rich!" was Chrollo's first thought. But as he read further, his brow furrowed.
> [Assessment: Due to the target's decline in his later years (loss of legs, steering wheel in head), his combat power has significantly regressed. Observation and Conqueror's Haki unusable.]
> [Prestige Reward: 100,000 points.]
> [Player's Current Total Prestige: 109,850]
"Tch..."
"Is the system serious? points? That means the system values current Shiki at only a Billion bounty? The same level as Jack the Drought?!"
If Shiki were awake to hear this, he'd probably die of shame. What tier do you think you are, comparing me to a brat like Jack? However, Chrollo quickly rationalized it by remembering that Katakuri—the man with the ultimate Observation Haki—was also around Billion. He felt a bit better.
"One billion it is. Can't be too greedy."
First order of business: Shopping.
"Artificial Zoan - Swallow: Bought!"
"Waver (Skypiea Edition): Bought!"
"Benn Beckman's Flex Lighter: Bought!"
"Blank Life Cards: Bought!"
The joy of a shopping spree! After a massive spending spree, his balance sat at 65,850 points.
"I should have enough for the next shop refresh in three days... hopefully."
After some careful manipulation of his stats, Chrollo's personal status panel was updated:
---
### Status: Chrollo Lucilfer
Strength: (B+) | Agility: (A)
Intelligence: (A) | Stamina: (A)
Aura (Nen): (Royal Guard Class)
Abilities: Nen Types | Stolen Devil Fruits
Haki: Armament (Mid-Level)
---
"Nobunaga, what about these islands?" Chrollo asked.
"Find a wide stretch of open sea and let them drop," Chrollo replied. He pulled the Black Whale out of the [Fun Fun Cloth]. "From now on, Nobunaga, you'll use your fruit to make this ship fly. It'll be good practice for you."
He turned away, a devious grin spreading across his face. A Flying Phantom Troupe... This makes hunting so much easier!
He turned back to the crew, his expression turning serious. "Nami, guide him. We're heading for Loguetown."
Nami nodded, then asked, "Why there?"
Chrollo looked toward the horizon. "We have a meeting with Destiny. And maybe a Dragon."
---
Shortly after the Black Whale vanished into the sky, the "White Hunter" Smoker arrived at the Baratie. After getting a lead on their direction, he witnessed a scene that would haunt him forever.
In the distance, an entire archipelago was falling into the sea. Gigantic mutated beasts were being swallowed by the waves as the world trembled under the weight of the descending landmasses.
But even more shocking was what he saw trailing away from the chaos. The massive cruise ship he had been chasing had transformed into a flying black whale, soaring through the clouds and vanishing into the distance.
Smoker's jaw dropped. He knew what those islands were. The Marines had been tracking Shiki's movements for years, but due to his mobility, they could never pin him down. Admiral-level fighters were busy in the New World, and Garp was away.
And now... Shiki's fortress was falling. A legend had been taken down by a mysterious group of pirates.
"Dammit... this is huge!" Smoker fumbled for his Den Den Mushi to call Admiral Kizaru.
Buru... buru... buru... No answer. In frustration, he dialed Fleet Admiral Sengoku.
"Moshi moshi, Smoker? What is it?" Sengoku's voice was calm.
"Fleet Admiral... something terrible has happened."
"What is it? Don't be like Garp; stay calm and speak slowly," Sengoku said.
Smoker took a deep breath. "Sir... Golden Lion Shiki... has been defeated."
"WHAT?!!" A roar erupted from the other end of the line, nearly deafening Smoker.
"That's incredible! Did Borsalino finally do his job?" Sengoku's voice was full of excitement.
"Sir... it wasn't him."
"..."
"Don't leave me hanging! Finish your sentence!"
"Sorry, sir. Admiral Kizaru didn't pick up. He's still in Loguetown. It wasn't Garp either; no sign of him."
"Then who was it?!" Sengoku was audibly pacing now. "Is there anyone in the East Blue capable of taking Shiki down? Did Dragon go home to visit his kid and take him out on the way?"
"It was that crew on the black whale ship," Smoker reported.
On the other end of the line, Sengoku's Den Den Mushi's eyes went wide. His glasses fell to the floor, and he didn't even notice.
"!!!"
---
The World Government is on high alert!