Iceburg let out a long sigh. "It seems I don't have any other choices."
In the original timeline, Iceburg was able to stay safely in Water Seven only because Franky burned the Pluton blueprints right in front of CP9.
For the World Government, the main objective was preventing anyone else from obtaining Pluton. They did not absolutely need to have it for themselves.
So with the blueprints destroyed, their goal was technically achieved.
Iceburg and Franky naturally had no reason to keep worrying after that.
But now, the Pluton blueprints were still in Franky's hands. As the only remaining linked party, Iceburg would be targeted by countless people.
Without strong protection, he wasn't sure he could even survive until tomorrow.
Iceburg rose to his feet and spoke to Sith Oguro with great solemnity.
"Then… I entrust both Galley-La Company and Water 7 to you."
The instant Iceburg finished speaking, a pleasant system notification rang beside Oguro's ear.
"Congratulations, Host. You have conquered Water Seven. Reward obtained: Shin'o Spiritual Arts Academy."
Oguro raised an eyebrow. This reward seemed pretty significant.
The system elaborated.
"Shin'o Spiritual Arts Academy is the only official institution that trains Shinigami. It can absorb deceased souls and reincarnate them into true Shinigami."
What the hell.
Oguro's eyes widened.
Absorb deceased souls?
In the One Piece world, the number of people who die is absurd. If he could absorb all of them, wouldn't he get tens of thousands of Shinigami with ease?
The system immediately splashed a bucket of cold water over him.
"Do not overthink it, Host. Only sufficiently strong souls have a chance to become Shinigami. And only souls near your territory or killed by you and your subordinates can be absorbed."
Seriously?
So there were restrictions on quality and range after all.
Oguro's dream of mass-producing troops to steamroll the World Government was instantly crushed.
Another notification followed.
"Collected souls in Shin'o Academy: Enel, Crocodile, Daz Bones, Mr. 1, Miss Doublefinger…"
Oguro looked. There were indeed many familiar faces.
Aside from Enel, they were basically the people from Baroque Works.
These guys were considered real powerhouses in the first half of the Grand Line.
If properly trained, some might even reach seated officer level.
Other than the high-ranking agents, there were dozens more who were slightly weaker.
After training, they would likely be equivalent to white or blue rarity Shinigami.
And once reincarnated through the academy, they would have no memory of their previous lives. They would begin entirely new lives.
Their souls would also be branded with loyalty toward Oguro, just like directly summoned Shinigami.
"Not bad. Saves me a huge amount of achievement points for manpower." Oguro nodded in satisfaction.
Although the entire exchange with the system felt lengthy, only a second or two had passed in reality.
In response to Iceburg's pledge of allegiance, Oguro patted his shoulder.
"Relax. This will be the smartest decision of your life."
The group returned to Galley-La Company.
Under Oguro's directive, Water Seven raised the banner of the Holy Spirit Empire.
On the flag, a longsword pierced straight down the center. On both sides were wings modeled after the Soul King's great mantle worn by Oguro.
The meaning was clear: a sacred nation under the Soul King's protection.
Once he agreed to protect Iceburg and Water Seven, Oguro knew he could no longer lurk in the shadows.
"The name of the Holy Spirit Empire should appear upon the seas."
A sharp glint flashed through Oguro's eyes.
Although earlier than he planned, it was time to begin his domination of the ocean.
That very day, Water Seven formally issued a public announcement.
It would join the Holy Spirit Empire as a special administrative region and accept the rule of His Majesty, Sith Oguro, the Soul King of the Empire.
Iceburg would remain as mayor and all internal systems would temporarily stay the same.
This announcement shook the entire Grand Line.
At Marine Headquarters, Marineford…
Sengoku lowered his newspaper, his expression dark.
"I didn't expect that man to have ambition on this scale. No wonder he refused the Shichibukai title back then."
Tsuru sighed softly.
"This kind of move is almost a direct challenge to the World Government's authority. Where did he get the courage? Does he think that having a subordinate on the level of an Admiral is enough to stand against the World Government?"
"Paradise is not the New World. The World Government will not tolerate this."
In the New World, each Yonko crew seemed to rely mostly on a single top-tier captain. Yet they sat comfortably upon their thrones.
But that was because although the Yonkos were not allies, once one of them was attacked by Marines with enough force to annihilate them, the other three would intervene.
They understood the meaning of shared survival.
Paradise, however, had no such balance.
If the World Government truly made up its mind…
There was no force in Paradise capable of stopping them.
None.
In the New World, at the Yonko territories…
Whitebeard saw the news and couldn't be bothered at all.
Compared to paying attention to minor developments, it was better to host more banquets with his sons.
Red-Haired Shanks shook his head. He clearly did not approve of Oguro provoking the World Government so openly.
"I thought the seas had birthed another promising newcomer. Didn't expect him to be this arrogant."
With his special status, Shanks knew very well how vast the World Government's true power was.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have spent years maintaining the fragile balance of the seas.
Kaido and Big Mom didn't care at all.
A guy who hadn't even stepped foot in the New World was not worth their time.
Meanwhile, in Pangaea Castle…
The Five Elders were also discussing Sith Oguro.
The Warrior God of Legal Affairs, Topman Warcury, slammed his palm on the table in fury.
"This man is openly provoking the World Government. Protecting criminals, threatening CP0, trespassing onto Enies Lobby. If we do not respond, where does that leave our dignity?"
The Warrior God of Agriculture, Shepherd Ju Peter, spoke calmly.
"But last time we even sent Admiral Aokiji during the Buster Call and still achieved nothing."
"If we fail again, the situation will spiral out of control."
Warcury's expression grew darker.
"If one Admiral isn't enough, then send another. The Navy receives an enormous budget every year. It is not to watch them sit around."
"That lazy Aokiji doesn't deserve to be an Admiral anyway."
"This is a good chance to knock some sense into Sengoku. He must not develop thoughts he shouldn't have."
Shepherd Ju Peter still looked doubtful.
"Sending two Admirals just for Water Seven…? Wouldn't that be announcing our incompetence to the entire world?"
Their argument grew louder and more heated, nearly escalating into a physical fight.
At that moment, a staff member hurried in, looking tense.
"Esteemed Five Elders… Sith Oguro requests to speak with you."
***
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