The call from Smoker came as Lancelot was reviewing the spoils with his new command.
The Den Den Mushi rang, its puru-puru-puru sharp and insistent.
Lancelot answered, and Smoker's gruff voice filled the air, laced with what sounded like resigned amusement.
"Headquarters processed your report," Smoker began, his voice gravelly.
"They... mostly... approved your recommendations, you scheming brat."
Lancelot's smile was all confidence.
"Only mostly, Captain?"
"They saw right through your attempt to promote Daniel to Lieutenant," Smoker grumbled.
"But your list of achievements was too damned long for them to ignore completely. Here are the official appointments:"
Smoker cleared his throat and began to read from the dispatch.
"Roronoa Zoro is hereby commissioned and promoted to Ensign of the East Blue Inspector Headquarters, serving as a Sword Instructor."
"Gin is hereby commissioned and promoted to Ensign of the East Blue Inspector Headquarters, serving as Combatant."
"Daniel is hereby promoted to Ensign of the East Blue Inspector Headquarters, serving as Adjutant."
"Johnson is hereby commissioned and promoted to Master Sergeant of the East Blue Inspector Headquarters, serving as Logistics Officer."
"All fifty enlisted soldiers, for exceptional valor in a high-risk operation, are promoted by one rank."
Lancelot's grin didn't waver.
It was exactly what he had expected.
He had aimed for Lieutenant, knowing Headquarters would knock it down to Ensign.
He had still, in one move, created three new officers and a Master Sergeant, binding them all to his command.
At that exact moment, as Smoker was still talking, a series of serene, mechanical prompts echoed in Lancelot's mind.
"Ding! Congratulations, Host, on your official promotion to Captain."
"You have gained the rank-up reward: Complete Mastery of the Six Powers (Rokushiki)."
"You have also received a Random Bloodline Factor integration voucher. Would you like to use it now?"
Lancelot's heart hammered in his chest.
The Six Powers—all of them, mastered instantly.
Soru, Geppo, Tekkai, Shigan, Rankyaku, and Kami-e. This was a quantum leap in power.
And a Bloodline Factor on top of it?
Was that even a question? 'Use it immediately!' he commanded his system.
"Random selection begins... Five options have been generated."
"Option 1: Long Limb Tribe Bloodline Factor."
"Option 2: Whale Shark Fishman Bloodline Factor."
"Option 3: Giant Tribe Bloodline Factor (Partial)."
"Option 4: Mink Tribe Bloodline Factor (Feline)."
"Option 5: Lunarian Bloodline Factor (Partial)."
"Please select one Bloodline Factor to integrate."
Lancelot's mind raced as he analyzed the choices, his breath catching in his throat.
The first choice, Long Limb, was immediately dismissed.
It was utterly useless, a mere curiosity.
But the final option... Lunarian.
The race of gods, the biological anomalies from atop the Red Line.
He knew what that meant: the potential for their insane durability, their unique fire manipulation.
But he also knew, with chilling certainty, that he didn't dare choose it.
This race was far too rare, hunted to near extinction.
If he integrated it and displayed the unmistakable traits of this race—the white hair, dark skin, and black wings—he would become the single most valuable target in the world.
His father's protection would mean nothing.
He would be hunted, captured, and become a living slave, a priceless pet for the Celestial Dragons.
With his current strength, he utterly lacked the ability to protect himself from such a fate.
That left three viable, and incredible, options.
The Whale Shark Fishman Bloodline Factor would enhance all his physical attributes while, most critically, granting him immunity to the sea's weakness that plagued Devil Fruit users.
The Giant Tribe Bloodline Factor, even a partial one, would drastically increase his physical strength and durability, pushing his superhuman body to monstrous new heights.
As for the Mink Tribe, the benefits were obvious.
They naturally wielded electricity, a power called "Electro," and possessed the terrifying transformation, "Sulong," a massive power-up that could be activated under a full moon.
After careful consideration, Lancelot made his decision, prioritizing survival and long-term strategy above all else.
"Select the Whale Shark Fishman Bloodline Factor!"
That's right.
He chose the path of the sea itself.
This was a real world, not a game.
Sailing these unpredictable seas often meant facing natural disasters, storms that could shatter fleets, and sea kings that could swallow islands.
With this Bloodline Factor, he would no longer fear such calamities.
Moreover, if he ever encountered a truly powerful enemy, one he could not defeat, he could escape into the one place they could not follow: the ocean.
He was, he admitted, still weak in the grand scheme of things.
While he worked on improving his strength, survival was his absolute top priority.
"Ding-dong... Acknowledged. Whale Shark Fishman Bloodline Factor integration begins!"
Lancelot grit his teeth as a wave of agonizing, transformative power flooded his body.
He felt a qualitative, fundamental change.
His bones didn't just grow thicker; they ground against each other, re-knitting with a density that was both aquatic and mammalian.
His muscles tore and instantly repaired, becoming tougher, sleeker, and more powerful.
He felt the phantom sensation of gills flickering into existence on his neck before they submerged beneath his skin, dormant but present.
He gained the ability to breathe freely underwater, his entire biology shifting to recognize water not as a threat, but as a second home.
When the process was completed, Lancelot momentarily felt a dizzying, potent illusion of power.
He felt as if he could leap into the ocean, swim to the Grand Line, and take down Blackbeard with a single, water-empowered punch.
He quickly reigned in the sensation, recognizing it as a hallucination brought on by the exponential increase in his power.
But damn, this feeling was incredible.
Host: Lancelot
Rank: Captain
Talent: Superhuman
Body [Physical strength, power, and speed reaching superhuman levels in the One Piece world]
Lineage Factor: Whale Shark Fishman Lineage
Weapons: Frost Demon, Flame Dragon
Sword Spirit: Dual-Wielding Burns
Swordsmanship: One-Sword Style, Two-Sword Style
Sword Techniques:
One-Sword Style (Frost): Iai - Ice Seal Slash, Ice Tiger, Dragon Fang
One-Sword Style (Flame): Iai - Flame Demon Slash, Flame Dragon Whirlwind, Fire Phoenix
Two-Sword Style: Ice-Fire Twin Slash, Ice-Fire Cyclone, Ice-Fire Twin-Step Ascent, Ice-Fire Full Moon Slash
Swordmanship rank : Iron Cutting
Physical Arts: Navy Six Styles (Mastered)
Combat Power: Captain
Speed: Captain
Physique: Captain
Swordsmanship: Captain
Observation Haki: Beginner
Overall Strength: Peak Captain
Tsk tsk! Lancelot thought, immensely satisfied.
With the assistance of this lineage factor and the mastery of the Six Powers, his overall combat power had directly, and solidly, risen to the level of a Peak Captain.
Not just an East Blue Captain, but a Headquarters Captain.
His confidence was now even greater.
He realized Smoker was still on the line, having just finished reading the promotions.
"Lancelot? Are you still there?"
"I'm here, Captain," Lancelot replied, his voice smooth. "My thanks for the endorsement. Now, about my headquarters..."
"Ah, yes," Smoker grumbled. "As the new Inspector General, you have to establish the East Blue Inspection Headquarters. Where do you plan to establish it?"
Lancelot's lips curled into a predatory smile.
"Personally, I think Shells Town is a good choice."
"Shells Town?" Smoker was momentarily stunned before the name clicked.
"Isn't that the location of Marine Branch 153? Under Captain Morgan?"
"Exactly," Lancelot nodded, though Smoker couldn't see him.
It was important to note that the Marines had no authority to station forces within established kingdoms, so these branches were typically established on small, independent islands.
Given the limited land area, these islands rarely developed much.
Cocoyasi Village and the soon-to-be-visited Syrup Village were, as their names implied, literally just villages.
But Shells Town, despite also being a small island, was home to a full-sized Marine Branch, which governed an entire town.
By converting Branch 153 into the new Inspection Headquarters, Lancelot would effectively gain control over all of Shells Town.
The annual tax revenue alone would be substantial.
Moreover, with him in charge, he could develop the town even further.
Most importantly, Shells Town was located at the center of the East Blue—he intended to turn it into the region's central hub of power and commerce.
Smoker, however, frowned deeply on the other end.
He had a feeling Lancelot was up to something, and he couldn't help but warn him.
"If I recall correctly, Shells Town already has a base commander. Are you planning to just... repurpose it and kick him out? As the highest-ranking officer in the East Blue, let me remind you—I won't approve this without a very valid reason."
Lancelot had been waiting for this.
"I've received confirmed intel that 'Axe-Hand' Morgan of Branch 153 has been ruling Shells Town with tyranny, plunging its citizens into misery. That alone gives me, as the new Inspector General, the authority and the duty to remove him."
He let that sink in before delivering the killing blow.
"Besides... I've also discovered concrete traces of 'Hundred Plans' Kuro on that same island. And if I remember my reports correctly, Captain Morgan's entire fame... rose from 'capturing' Kuro, didn't it?"
Smoker's expression shifted repeatedly upon hearing this.
The line went silent. Though he knew Lancelot wasn't exactly a good person, he also knew Lancelot wouldn't lie about this kind of intelligence.
It was too specific, too verifiable.
And if this were true... things were about to get messy.
After a long moment of silence, Smoker spoke.
"I will send my own people to Shells Town to verify. If what you say is true, and if you successfully capture the 'Hundred Plans' Kuro... then I will approve your request to convert Branch 153 into the East Blue Inspection Headquarters."
"Deal," Lancelot said, his smile widening. "It's settled then."
He ended the call, for from the ship's bow, he could already see the distinct coastline of their destination.
Syrup Village.
How far, he thought, could 'Hundred Plans' Kuro be now?
After hanging up the phone, Lancelot took a deep breath, feeling the new, dense power thrumming in his veins.
He walked out onto the main deck, where his newly-promoted crew was celebrating.
He ignored them, walking straight to the railing and looking out at the island, which was still a few kilometers away.
He wanted to test his new gift.
He forcefully pushed off the ground with both legs.
It was not just a push; it was an explosion.
A surge of immense power erupted from within him, and his three-meter-tall figure shot up like an arrow released from a bow, tracing a graceful, impossibly high arc through the air.
His crew stopped, their cheers dying in their throats.
Immediately after, as he reached the apex of his jump, Lancelot executed Geppo (Moon Walk).
His feet, now empowered by the Six Powers, seemed to tread upon invisible steps, kicking off the empty air itself, generating powerful, explosive propulsions that sent him lurching forward with lightning speed.
Thump! Thump! Thump!
LKE a cannonball, Lancelot raced toward Syrup Village at an astonishing pace, leaving the Dreadnought Saber far behind. The scenery blurred past as the wind howled in his ears.
On the deck, there was a stunned, heavy silence.
"Flying... he's... he's flying?!" one of the Marines finally stammered.
The Marines witnessing this scene all widened their eyes in shock, their gazes filled with utter disbelief.
It wasn't just them. Lina, her mouth slightly open, stared in awe.
Gin's hands tightened on his tonfas, his expression more serious than ever.
Zoro's eyes was wide, a spark of intense recognition flashing within it.
He knew that wasn't a Devil Fruit.
That was pure, unadulterated technique.
Daniel, the most experienced among them, was the one who finally managed to explain, his voice trembling with a mixture of fear and reverence.
"That... that's the legendary Navy Six Styles. That's Geppo... a technique only the elite at Headquarters are supposed to be qualified to learn."