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For Rojen, performing a sealing technique wasn't a difficult task at all. He had two excellent methods available: the Heavenly Teacher's Symbol Method and the Spirit Gourd Incantation, both mastered through his possession of the Sword Saint, Dugu Yuyun. Of course, his own Devil Fruit powers were also sufficient, but why not use the most refined tool for the job?
"Let's go with the Spirit Gourd Incantation then."
As he moved his right hand to his waist, a bright emerald gourd appeared in his grasp. It was translucent, glowing faintly with green light, like something carved from flawless jade, exquisite and radiating life.
"Grow! Grow! Grow!"
Rojen tossed the Jasper Gourd into the air while chanting the incantation. In an instant, the green gourd expanded rapidly, swelling to a massive size. Within three breaths, it was already over three meters tall.
Then, the mouth of the gourd turned toward the weakened Zephyr below.
"Absorb!"
Before Zephyr's shocked eyes, a powerful suction erupted from the Jasper Gourd, pulling the Admiral straight inside without resistance.
Rojen reached out, and the gourd shrank back down, returning neatly to his hand. He corked it and gave it a light shake.
From within came the sound of muffled thuds. Rojen smiled faintly.
"When you were at your full strength, this Spirit Gourd Incantation wouldn't have worked. But now? You're at my mercy."
Hooking the gourd back at his waist, Rojen stepped forward. His figure blurred, Shrink the Land Into an Inch, and he vanished from the spot.
As for the five Vice Admirals still trapped in the distance, Rojen didn't spare them a glance. Compared to finishing them off, he had far more pressing matters to attend to.
After thirty-three steps, Rojen arrived at a secluded clearing. Sweeping out his divine sense, he confirmed he was alone. Then he sat cross-legged and closed his eyes.
"Brat! Let me out!" An angry, muffled roar came from within the gourd at his waist.
Rojen only smiled lightly, ignoring it.
The Spirit Gourd Incantation had the miraculous property of turning monsters and demons into liquid spirit wine. Combined with the Jasper Gourd, its effect was extraordinary. Unfortunately, Zephyr was neither a monster nor a demon, and his strength was still formidable, so the transformation into wine was completely ineffective. However, sealing Zephyr served another, more important purpose: a hidden trump card for the future.
He didn't need to reveal his conditions now. Those could be negotiated later.
Calming his thoughts, Rojen began to meditate.
"The sword techniques, incantations, and cultivation methods of Mount Shu, these are priceless treasures to me."
The Possession System gave its powers randomly; there was no telling who he might merge with next time. As someone with the attribute of a martial genius, Rojen intended to seize this opportunity to fully master the Sword Saint's arts, to internalize all his swordsmanship, spells, and energy techniques as his own.
That way, even when the possession time ended and the borrowed strength faded, the skills, methods, and sword arts would remain. With training, he could slowly grow strong again.
One day, perhaps… he might even reach the Sword Saint's level of power!
…
While Rojen secluded himself in meditation, the battle at Sabaody Archipelago took a dramatic turn. With the arrival of the Dark King, Rayleigh, the Marines had completely fallen into disadvantage.
The pirates surged forward like a tidal wave, crushing the Marine defenses. The troops scattered, retreating in chaos.
At that moment, before the eyes of the world, the pirates joyfully declared their victory, they had seized control of the Sabaody Archipelago.
The news, shocking to every corner of the world, spread like wildfire through the global media.
"Breaking News! The Pirate Alliance Has Defeated the Marine Garrison at Sabaody Archipelago and Captured the Island!"
"Unbelievable! Pirates Strike Big, Seizing an Island Right Under Marine Headquarters' Nose!"
"Question: Where are the Marine Admirals? The New-Generation Pirates Rampage Unchecked, While the So-Called Defenders of Justice Flee in Disgrace!"
One explosive headline after another blazed across newspapers, rapidly spreading throughout the world.
Just three minutes after the news of the pirates occupying Sabaody Archipelago spread, another, more devastating piece of news exploded across every corner of the globe, this one spreading at a terrifying speed.
"Marine Admiral Zephyr Has Reportedly Been Defeated and Controlled by Rojen! Five Vice Admirals Have Been Captured and Imprisoned in Seastone Cells!"
This shocking, dual-punch sent waves of disbelief and frenzy through the entire world. A young, barely known pirate had captured an Admiral and taken the island? The world truly had gone mad!
…
At Marine Headquarters, the enraged Fleet Admiral Kong slammed his palm down on the table, the sound echoing through the war room.
"Sengoku! What the hell is going on!?"
Sengoku's face was grim. "We underestimated Rojen. His mysterious power may not last long, but it's already strong enough to overcome an Admiral."
He paused, then added quickly: "However, I've already dispatched Kizaru and Sakazuki. I believe the uprising at Sabaody will be suppressed soon."
But Kong's sharp gaze pierced through the details. "That's not what I'm most concerned about. I want to know how this information spread, and so fast!"
The report had circulated almost instantly, as if someone had been prepared in advance, anticipating a Marine defeat. The implications were deeply unsettling.
"This… it seems someone's been plotting all along," Sengoku admitted with a sigh. He already had a strong suspicion about who was behind it, but not enough proof to be certain.
"What's the situation with Golden Lion?" Kong asked in a low, serious tone. That name alone carried immense weight. Compared to the chaos at Sabaody, Shiki was the far greater concern.
"Once this news spreads, I fear he'll act soon," Sengoku said with a bitter smile. Losing an Admiral-level combatant at Sabaody and having their forces bogged down by pirates… if that cunning, ruthless man didn't seize this opportunity, he wouldn't be the Golden Lion.
…
And as it turned out, Sengoku was absolutely right.
New World, The second half of the Grand Line.
The vast sea roared, waves crashing violently as black storm clouds swallowed the sky. Thunder cracked, lightning flashed, and torrential rain fell like sheets of silver.
Through the storm, dark silhouettes appeared on the distant horizon, countless moving specks. As they drew closer, their forms became clear: ships. Hundreds of them, packed so tightly they nearly covered the sea itself, their pirate flags whipping wildly in the wind and rain.
Within thirty seconds, the scene grew even more awe-inspiring, massive floating islands loomed above the pirate armada, slowly drifting forward through the storm-torn sky. Their sheer size cast colossal shadows across the sea, sending fish diving frantically into the deep, terrified by the monstrous presence above.
"T-they're… they're the Flying Pirates!?"
Pirate crews sailing in the area looked up, and their eyes went wide in disbelief, then terror.
"Those people on the floating islands… that's Golden Lion and his elite forces!"
"Oh my god, they've mobilized everyone! The entire Flying Pirates fleet!"
"The rumors were true, they're going to attack Marine Headquarters! And it's happening now!"
"I can't believe what I'm seeing… I'm witnessing one of the greatest moments in history!"
The pirates who roamed these waters felt their blood boil. Goosebumps rose on their arms as they stared up in awe and excitement at the sight before them.
This moment, this spectacle, was destined to become one of the most monumental events of the era.
The Golden Lion, Shiki, leading his Flying Pirates, was advancing toward Marine Headquarters, with a power and arrogance so overwhelming, it shook the very world itself.
(End Of This Chapter)