LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 238: Chapter 238: Explosive Rock
"Delicious," Li Yuan responded without hesitation.
"And, darling, do you find the mermaid girls beautiful?" Shakky continued with her questions.
Over the past year, Fish-Man Island had undergone three waves of migration to the Infinite Sea. Now, 150,000 Fish-Men resided on Siren Island, with the number expected to increase over time.
"Not at all. They're nowhere near as beautiful as my wife," Li Yuan replied reflexively, his answer flawless.
"Then why weren't you looking at me when you answered? Why were you staring at the mermaid girls instead?" Shakky teased, grabbing his face and forcing him to meet her gaze. Her tone carried a hint of chilling amusement.
"Cough, cough!" Li Yuan felt a pang of guilt. He had thought he covered his tracks well, only for his eyes to betray him.
Shakky didn't give him a chance to escape. She pulled him close, burying his face in her ample chest.
"Darling, just stay like this while I give you my report," she said, her voice laced with mischief.
---
"For the past year, John, Silver Axe, Wang Zhi, Brandon, and Walde have been conducting raids in the Four Seas, while also recruiting talented individuals there," Shakky began, her tone turning serious.
"Since the New World is dominated by the major pirate crews, they have no room for expansion and have turned their attention to the Four Seas. Their raids are unpredictable, making it difficult for the Navy to catch them. This has left both the World Government and the Navy at their wit's end."
"They're smart," Li Yuan said, his voice muffled. "Working together ensures they can cover each other during raids. And since many pirates in the New World dream of joining the Flying Sky Pirates or the Infinite Pirate Crew, they've shifted recruitment efforts to the Four Seas."
"Don't interrupt, and stay still!" Shakky chided, pressing him back into place.
"The Flying Sky Pirates have built an extensive intelligence network to gather information on the New World's pirate crews, the Navy, the World Government, and other major factions. They're particularly interested in the Roger Pirates."
"Recently, the Roger Pirates left the New World via Fish-Man Island and have been lingering near Reverse Mountain."
"As for the Walde Pirates, they've split into two groups. One follows Walde on raids, while the other, under Binjack's command, is searching for something in the New World. Their search area is narrowing, suggesting they've pinpointed its location."
"Lastly, regarding the Loan Shark King Du Feld and his MADS research group—established last year—I've confirmed that they're being watched by several factions, including the World Government's CP and other forces from the Four Seas."
---
"Is Roger sick?" Li Yuan thought to himself upon hearing Shakky's report. This timeline matched the period when Roger invited Crocus, the ship doctor, aboard.
Despite Li Yuan's influence causing a surge in pirate activity, the world hadn't yet reached the chaotic fervor of a full-blown pirate era. That chaos would only truly begin with Roger's declaration.
---
"Shakky, keep a close watch on MADS. If any of their scientists try to leave or are targeted for abduction, inform me immediately. Place mirrors nearby so I can intervene at a moment's notice," Li Yuan instructed.
"As for the Walde Pirates, confirm their target location. Dispatch the Net to investigate and inform me when you have the details. I want a piece of the action."
Li Yuan's tone was resolute. While he had plans for MADS and its scientists—particularly Vegapunk, with his Brain-Brain Fruit abilities—he wasn't ready to claim them just yet. He needed Vegapunk to complete the Lineage Factor research before making his move.
As for Walde's target, Li Yuan had a hunch but needed to confirm it firsthand.
"Don't worry, darling. You can count on me!" Shakky replied with a grin, holding his face in place.
---
Marine Headquarters
"Damn that Walde! How does he know about our Explosive Rock?" Steel Bone Kong cursed as he reviewed the intelligence report.
Explosive Rock was a powerful substance discovered in the deep sea by the Navy's scientific division. Its destructive force was dozens of times stronger than gunpowder and rivaled the Ancient Weapons in potency.
However, the substance was incredibly unstable, detonating on contact with air. The Navy had spent years developing the technology to safely extract it from the seabed.
"Notify Sengoku in the New World. Have him eliminate Walde's scouts and prevent them from locating Colbert Island," Kong ordered.
"Also, tell the personnel on Colbert Island to begin evacuating the Explosive Rock immediately. We can't let it fall into Walde's hands."
Despite the immense cost, Kong understood the necessity of relocation. If Walde obtained Explosive Rock and amplified its power with his Momo-Momo Fruit, the consequences would be catastrophic.
---
Colbert Island
"Ha! I've found it!" Walde laughed maniacally as he stood on a cliff overlooking the island's Navy base.
Unbeknownst to Sengoku and Kong, Walde's visible search efforts had been a ruse to divert their attention. He had already pinpointed Colbert Island's location.
"Quick! Start the evacuation!" shouted Vice Admiral Maven Wells, the base commander. He directed his troops to pack up equipment, documents, and the volatile Explosive Rock for transport.
---
Within the storage facility, invisible bullets began silently picking off the Navy personnel.
"Ahh!"
"Help!"
"Enemy attack!"
The soldiers' cries for help and the sound of gunfire were mysteriously muffled, unable to escape the area.
In less than ten seconds, the facility fell silent. The Navy personnel lay lifeless on the ground, their killer unseen.
---
Nepal, emerging from his invisibility, turned to Li Yuan and a group of handpicked loyalists—the Shadow Guards.
The Shadow Guards were an elite unit Li Yuan had been cultivating for five years, now numbering 5,000. Among them, 500 were present on this mission.
"Excellent work, Nepal," Li Yuan praised.
Nepal's Invisibility Fruit proved invaluable, allowing the team to infiltrate unnoticed. His abilities concealed not just physical forms but also sounds, scents, and even the faint air currents caused by movement.
"Thank you, Captain!" Nepal beamed with pride.
"Alright, Nepal, stay here and guard the team. Everyone else, start moving the Explosive Rock. Be careful—any leaks could kill us all," Li Yuan warned sternly.
The team began carefully packing the Explosive Rock into spatial scrolls, specially crafted by Shakky's recruits with the Scroll-Scroll Fruit. These scrolls provided temporary storage for up to three months.
---
As they worked, alarms blared across the base, red lights piercing the sky.
"Damn, the Navy is sharp. They must have detected unauthorized activity," Li Yuan muttered.
"1st Storage Room alarm triggered! Enemy invasion!" Vice Admiral Maven Wells shouted, leading his troops toward the disturbance.
However, as he arrived, he was greeted by a sight that sent chills down his spine: the World's Greatest Swordsman, Li Yuan, standing in his path.
"This area is mine now. Don't interfere," Li Yuan declared coldly, unleashing a wave of Conqueror's Haki.
The overwhelming force knocked out nearly every Marine present, leaving only Maven Wells standing, trembling.
"Oh? A Vice Admiral? How unfortunate," Li Yuan remarked before releasing a devastating slash from his Seven-Star Sword.
Maven Wells attempted to block but was too slow. The slash cleaved through his neck, ending his life instantly.
---
"Conqueror's Haki… That must be Li Yuan!" Walde exclaimed, recognizing the distinct aura of the swordsman.
"Well, if Li Yuan's here, I can't let him take everything for himse
lf!" Walde grinned, charging toward the base.
"Oh? Walde, I was expecting you," Li Yuan said nonchalantly as the pirate appeared before him.
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