"Gyahahahaha!"
Golden Lion Shiki was so excited that he hadn't slept for two full days and nights.
The bright future Reddy had painted for him had completely captivated him. From his initial plan of creating a ferocious beast army after escaping Impel Down to take revenge on the world, to now forming an invincible army to seize global domination and become the ruler of the world, the ambitions hidden deep in Golden Lion Shiki's heart were fully ignited.
The massive pirate ship, as large as a small island, slowly crossed the Red Line and headed toward the North Blue.
The Germa Kingdom was the only World Government-affiliated nation without fixed territory. Normally composed of dozens of snail-shaped ships forming its land, it was always on the move, earning high rewards by selling military force.
After hiding in the East Blue for over a decade, the last news Golden Lion Shiki had received was that a year ago, the Germa Kingdom had accepted a contract from a certain North Blue kingdom to participate in a war.
"We shouldn't deploy all our forces," Indigo said, his tone sour.
Reddy had taken his position in the Flying Pirates with one undeniable experiment.
Ferocious beast army?
Compared to an army of Golden Lion clones, it was nothing.
Just a hundred—no, just ten clones would be enough for the Flying Pirates to surpass even the so-called Yonko crews and become the world's strongest pirate crew.
Golden Lion Shiki laughed loudly around his cigar. "The Vinsmoke family isn't easy to deal with. They have a large number of powerful clone soldiers, all creations of Vinsmoke Judge. Plus, that guy Judge has mastered scientific power. He's not an easy opponent."
"But we don't need to send out almost everyone. At least one officer should stay behind to guard the Floating Islands."
Indigo knew the Germa Kingdom's strength shouldn't be underestimated, but he couldn't stand the idea of Reddy, his rival, taking control of the Flying Pirates' foundation—the Floating Islands—so quickly.
"Gyahahahaha… What are you worried about?" Golden Lion Shiki laughed around his cigar, but his eyes were icy cold, making Indigo awkwardly chuckle and not dare to slander Reddy further.
Having followed Golden Lion Shiki for over a decade, Indigo knew he only showed great kindness to valuable crew members. Those who lost their worth were no longer treated as human.
Clearly, he was now one of those who had lost most of his value.
The only reason he was still alive was that Golden Lion Shiki still held some interest in the ferocious beast army plan.
High-end combat power would come from the clone army, mid-tier from the ferocious beasts, and low-tier from the ordinary pirates under their command.
A perfect, flawless structure.
Only he held the formula for the violent drug "IQ."
Shikareta clapped its hands and laughed mockingly at Indigo's fall from favor.
But Golden Lion Shiki glanced at it, his undisguised killing intent making it immediately cover its mouth.
Damn, I've fallen out of favor too?
Shikareta's tiny brain couldn't comprehend that after seeing the terrifying obedience of Reddy's giant beasts, Golden Lion Shiki had completely lost interest in the violent beasts on the Floating Islands.
Originally the king of Beast Island, meant to command the violent beasts, its value was now even lower than Indigo's.
Indigo's eyes darted around, and he quietly pulled Shikareta into a corner.
"We have to save ourselves!"
Indigo's tone was firm as he explained to Shikareta why Golden Lion Shiki's attitude had changed so drastically, clearly pointing out that Reddy was the culprit behind it all.
Shikareta was shocked.
Damn, that scrawny kid had such terrifying influence?
Indigo raised his hands, his overly long sleeves covering his mouth, his eyes curved into little crescents as he said smugly, "Don't worry. I've already prepared a little show for him. If we return to find the castle gone, no matter how capable he is, we'll crush him underfoot."
"If we're lucky, that brat will be buried with the castle."
Shikareta was convinced, covering its mouth and giggling before giving Indigo a thumbs-up in approval of the plan.
...
"Hey, are we really going to blow up Daft Green?"
A pirate wearing a gas mask placed a bundle of explosives at the base of a Daft Green tree, hesitating as he looked at his companion.
"This is Indigo's order. Do you want to become his test subject?" The other pirate finished placing his explosives and moved to the next tree, cursing as he went.
To low-level pirates like them, Reddy might be a rising star, but Indigo hadn't shown any signs of falling out of favor yet.
No one wanted to become one of Indigo's horrifying test subjects.
The two pirates placed the explosives one by one, lighting the connected fuses before fleeing the forest.
The fuses burned rapidly, spreading to each bundle of explosives.
"Wish us luck."
The two pirates silently prayed for themselves, their legs moving like windmills as they sprinted away.
Once the forest was blasted open, the frenzied beasts would destroy the entire castle.
Whether anyone inside the castle could survive wasn't their concern.
BOOM! BOOM!
The deafening chain of explosions startled everyone in the castle.
"Who blew up the Daft Green forest?!"
"We're doomed!"
"Quick, check the area and drive away any nearby violent beasts!"
"..."
The pirates panicked, scrambling for their gear.
Reddy stood on the balcony, watching the chaos below with a raised eyebrow. "Who's so considerate, doing me such a huge favor?"
Originally, he had planned to leave behind a clone as a decoy while he slipped away.
With this clone in place, he estimated it would take at least a year before Golden Lion Shiki noticed anything wrong.
But now, there seemed to be a better option.
If the castle was destroyed by the violent beasts, how could a frail scientist like him possibly survive?
Right?
Reddy smirked, leaving behind the clone made purely from his own genes before turning to leave the lab.
He was escaping, but he wasn't leaving behind the guy who owed him money.
A hundred million Berries wasn't a small sum, especially for a broke guy like him.
He had already learned from Bill where Sivedia was being held.
After all, they were old acquaintances, and he had specifically told Bill to treat Sivedia well.
Walking through the empty hallway, Reddy easily found the room where Sivedia was confined. Pushing the door open, he couldn't help but laugh.
Sivedia had moved a sofa onto the balcony, with a small round table beside it holding a bottle of wine and a wine glass.
Legs crossed, he elegantly sipped his drink, praising it in a dramatic tone. "Such an unforgettable flavor. I feel like I'm in heaven."
Reddy couldn't help but feel like he was here on vacation, not held as a hostage.
"If you don't want to leave, then I'll go alone."
Sivedia had been trying to hypnotize himself into forgetting his predicament when he suddenly heard that familiar voice behind him. He turned stiffly.
Seeing Reddy standing at the door with a smile, he immediately threw down his glass, vaulted over the sofa, and scrambled to Reddy's feet, hugging his leg as he wailed.
"Finally, my hero! Get me out of this hellhole! Don't forget you took a hundred million Berries from me!"
"But I haven't seen a single coin yet," Reddy shrugged, walking to the balcony to look down.
By now, all the pirates left on the Floating Islands had mobilized, leaving the castle to try and drive away the violent beasts.
Sivedia looked deeply insulted, scrambling to his feet. "You shouldn't doubt a noble's honor. Once we're out of here, I'll give you the promised hundred million Berries as payment."
"Don't forget your promise."
Reddy turned around, his face calm as he summoned his strongest clone.
Just as he was about to command the clone to use its power to levitate the sofa and carry them both away, someone suddenly burst in.