New World, Merveille.
This was Shiki's base, known as a hidden realm. It was so easy to defend and difficult to attack that it far surpassed even Wano Country.
After all, one could still reach Wano Country by sailing upstream. Merveille, on the other hand, was essentially a pillar supporting the heavens, a single shaft stretching straight into the clouds.
Unless someone took the internal elevator Shiki had built not long ago or possessed the ability to fly, there was simply no way up.
But if someone came looking for trouble, would they dare ride Shiki's elevator? Weren't they afraid of being dropped to their deaths?
As a result, throughout all the years Shiki had established himself in the New World, his base had almost never seen any trouble.
Over the past two days, however, an unexpected visitor had arrived.
Treasure Captain John had led his crew into Merveille's waters in secret, launching an attack without warning and catching the Flying Pirates off guard.
John was a Paramecia-type Magnet-Magnet Fruit user.
That ability was extremely powerful, especially against experts who fought with weapons.
Back at God Valley in the West Blue, John had used it to seize treasure across a wide area. Even that broad effect, without any technique specifically targeting an individual, had nearly torn Gaban's battle-axes from his hands. That showed just how
powerful the ability was.
And as luck would have it, Shiki was one of the greatest weapon experts on the seas, a master swordsman.
In a sense, John had a special advantage against Shiki.
Still, although John was powerful and could counter Shiki's swordsmanship to some extent, Shiki was the pirate overlord in the New World, not him. That alone said plenty.
Up on Merveille.
At least two-thirds of the palace complex Shiki had spent