at the same time.
After Impel Down, Tyrant Kuma did not go to the World Government's secret research base.
Because the Five Elders have asked Vegapunk to focus his efforts on the Mother Flame Project and the Seraphim Project, the Pacifista Project is currently at a standstill.
This also delayed the timeline for the bear's modification.
As for Bear's adopted daughter, Bonney, she was naturally secretly detained by Saint Saturn and placed in that secret research base.
Since there was no need to cooperate with Vegapunk's research for the time being, Tyrant Kuma was able to continue his activities on the high seas.
Of course, Saint Saturn was no saint. Although he decided to postpone the transformation of the bear, he asked the bear to secretly investigate the Liberator Organization, the Sky Empire, and the Germa Kingdom.
The bear has now arrived in the New World.
The New World.
Barbizon Islands, under the control of the Whitebeard Pirates.
Shakky concealed her identity and secretly appeared here.
Inside a private room on the second floor of a casino.
Xiong appeared on the balcony of the private room with a blank expression.
"You've arrived, please come in!"
Xiong pushed open the door and entered.
Shakky smoked a cigarette while holding a large stack of intelligence reports.
Feeling deeply guilty for the disasters he had caused Amazon Lily and Rayleigh, Kuma asked, "Is there anything I can help you with?"
Shakky stubbed out her cigarette. "I've been investigating the Sky Empire for the past year, and I've made some discoveries and speculations."
"What did you find?" the bear asked, equally curious.
"After Impel Down, Shiki visited Newgate in the New World. He told Newgate that he wanted to show the pirates of the New Genesis what real pirates were like, and revealed to Newgate that he was preparing a big plan."
Kuma asked, somewhat puzzled, "I've also gathered some intelligence from the World Government. Isn't Golden Lion's plan to enhance beasts with drugs and then retaliate against the World Government?"
"That's right. Before this plan was discovered, Shiki had been preparing it. But after the plan was exposed, he disappeared for several years. What happened during that time that caused such a huge change in him?"
I'm not familiar with the Golden Lion.
Shakky narrowed her eyes slightly. "Newgate, Newgate, and Shiki were all members of the Rocks Pirates. We know Shiki's personality too well. He's not the kind of person with high moral standards. But what I saw of the Sky Empire was a picture of an ideal world."
"..." The bear seemed lost in thought.
"This is all too abnormal. He suddenly gave up his identity as a pirate and became the emperor of a country. Even his Conqueror's Haki's Haki has changed, and he even possesses physical skills that are more powerful than swordsmanship. It's as if he has become a completely different person."
Xiong then started speculating, "Could it be that his strength increased further after he used the Op-Op Fruit to regain his youth?"
"That is indeed a possibility, but after investigating the past users of the Op-Op Fruit, I discovered a previously overlooked possibility."
" Devil Fruit User?" Although Kuma had obtained a lot of information from the World Government, the World Government obviously wouldn't tell him the real information about the Op-Op Fruit.
Shakky nodded seriously. " The Op-Op Fruit can not only cure diseases and perform Eternal Youth Surgery, but it can also exchange the souls of living beings."
"What?" Xiong's eyes narrowed sharply behind his glasses.
"You've already figured it out, haven't you?" Shakky asked with certainty.
"So, it's possible that Shiki's soul has been swapped?"
Shakky nodded. "Although this is just a guess, based on the intelligence gathered over the years and Shiki's drastic changes, I can be fairly certain that the current Shiki is definitely not the Golden Lion I know."
While Xiong somewhat believed this conjecture, he didn't think it could affect the Sky Empire.
"But even so, what's the use?"
"Don't you find it strange? Why have all the forces on the high seas been searching for years without finding even a trace of the Kingdom of Dawn?"
This statement was like a nuclear bomb exploding in the bear's mind, causing its breathing to quicken instantly.
" The Sky Empire is the Kingdom of Dawn? No... no, the Sky Empire's population hasn't increased significantly yet. The World Government's intelligence shouldn't be so seriously flawed." Kuma was still somewhat incredulous.
Xiong then added, "Long and I have also secretly investigated the various Sky Island, and found nothing unusual. The Liberator Organization has already abducted at least 200 million people worldwide. Although the Sky Empire has some hidden Sky Island, it simply cannot accommodate so many people, not to mention that these people also need to eat."
"Your point does have some merit, but don't forget one thing: the Liberator Organization possess large-scale spatial teleportation capabilities. Perhaps the Sky Empire is only a part of the Kingdom of Dawn."
"But the entire ocean has been searched now? The Red Line is Celestial Dragons ' territory, so it can't be hidden underwater in the Kingdom of Dawn, can it?"
Shakky continued her analysis, "Don't forget the special spaces possessed by some Devil Fruit User. If a user with a space-type ability Awakening, they could very well possess a huge special space. Perhaps the Kingdom of Dawn is hidden within that special space."
"Huh?" Bear's mind was a bit muddled. After a while, he finally spoke, "We can't confirm the relationship between the Sky Empire and the Liberator Organization right now. We can't just publish it in the newspapers, can we? The World Government obviously won't launch a full-scale war against the Sky Empire based on a mere speculation."
Shakky was certainly well aware of this.
If the World Government were to launch a full-scale attack on the Sky Empire Sky Empire, it would need to deploy at least half of its naval forces to contend with it.
To destroy the Sky Empire, the entire navy must be deployed.
This is clearly unrealistic.
Once the navy launches a full-scale offensive, the Liberator Organization are highly likely to launch a massive attack on Paradise, the South Blue, and the East Blue.
Having already lost most of the South Blue and the North Blue, as well as about 70% of the New World, the World Government cannot afford to lose the remaining South Blue, Paradise, and East Blue.
Therefore, we must confirm the relationship between the Sky Empire and the Liberator Organization.
"This is too difficult."
However, Shakky's eyes flickered. "No, if we can capture a high-ranking member of the Sky Empire, and then use your ability to capture their memories, we might be able to find evidence from them."
"Capture the high-ranking members of the Sky Empire?" Xiong frowned.
Shakky then picked up the stack of intelligence she had just received. "Judging from the internal structure of the Sky Empire, apart from Shiki, its core high-ranking members are: Blazing Sun, Nico Robin, Blizzard Monet, and the Hermit. Black Maria, Doria, and others who joined later are most likely unaware of its core secrets."
Upon hearing the names of those four core executives, Xiong gave a wry smile, "I don't think we have the capability to capture them."
"Indeed, Nico Robin could kill Dracule Mihawk in a head-on fight, and given her bizarre Devil Fruit ability, there's practically no chance of capturing her."
" Blizzard Monet is Logia, making her difficult to capture, and Blazing Sun is also extremely powerful; it's estimated that it will be impossible to capture her either."
"But that Hermit is a different story. He's Devil Fruit User, and based on the strength he displayed in the previous battles, if we join forces, along with the secret weapon I've prepared, we have a high probability of capturing him."
As Shakky finished speaking, a hint of confidence appeared in her eyes.