'People don't visit temple without a reason' Shiki thought to himself the moment he saw Bob, knowing that Bob must have something to ask of him.
After all, it had been five years since their last meeting.
Back then, Shiki research had reached a critical stage, but he lacked sufficient funding to sustain it.
So, he had half-pleaded, half-borrowed a large sum of money from Bob.
As for why he had approached Bob, it wasn't for any other reason—it was simply because Bob was wealthy.
Others might not know, but Shiki was fully aware.
The current underground world leader, Tesoro!
When he was just nineteen, Shiki had seen him following Bob around and now, that once-unknown young man had become a prominent figure.
Owning 20% of the world Berries, he had influence in both the underworld and the legitimate world.
With the power of money, he could even manipulate a small number of Celestial Dragons and wield the forces of the World Government.
In the underground world, he was the Golden Emperor who ruled the dark realm with his wealth, his influence spreading across the globe. If anyone said Bob hadn't been pulling the strings behind the scenes, Shiki wouldn't believe it for a second.
"Have you heard about the incident with Whitebeard Second Division Commander?" Bob asked slowly, observing the shifting expressions on Shiki face.
"I have!" Shiki replied with a cold laugh.
"Ace fought against Blackbeard, right? And then he was defeated and taken to Marineford!"
Although he spent most of his time on the island, he wasn't completely cut off from the outside world. Every now and then, he would venture out.
First, to release the mutated creatures he had developed into the East Blue, causing trouble for the Marines and gathering real-time data.
Second, to keep tabs on the major events happening in the world.
The incident involving Whitebeard Second Division Commander had already spread far and wide among both pirates and Marines.
With a little inquiry, Shiki had learned the full story.
"What? Is Ace one of your proteges too?" Shiki asked curiously.
Over the years, he knew that Bob had been secretly nurturing many individuals. Now, with Bob suddenly bringing up Ace, Shiki had every reason to suspect that Ace was also part of Bob network.
"Of course not!" Bob stated. "I just know that he's going to be publicly executed!"
As for Whitebeard crew, Bob had never entertained any thoughts about them.
After all, they were Whitebeard "sons" and Bob believed they should remain loyal to Whitebeard. Whitebeard wish was to find a family and Bob naturally wanted to fulfill that desire.
So, if Bob were to interfere, it would change the nature of their relationship.
"Hmm! I've heard about that too!" Shiki nodded.
The Marines had been spreading the news everywhere, just like they had during Roger execution. It was as if they wanted the whole world to know.
"Do you know where the execution will take place?" Bob asked with a smile.
"Hiss"
Shiki frowned, pondering for a moment.
"I haven't heard anyone mention that, but judging by the Marines' usual tactics, I suspect it might be in his birthplace!"
"No!" Bob said firmly, glancing at the deep-in-thought Shiki. "The public execution will be held at Marineford!"
"What?"
Shiki expression changed upon hearing Bob words.
"Are you sure? The Navy has set the execution site at Marineford. Aren't they afraid of the Whitebeard Pirates storming in?"
From what he knew of Whitebeard, that guy was notoriously protective of his own. Back in the Rocks Pirates, he had always shielded Bob.
Now that his second division commander was about to be publicly executed by the Navy, he would undoubtedly lead his crew to rescue him.
As one of the Four Emperors, aside from Bob, Whitebeard was the strongest man in the world, his power unfathomable. Even if he couldn't defeat the Navy forces at Marineford, it was highly likely he could cause massive destruction.
After all, the power of the Tremor-Tremor Fruit, like his own Float-Float Fruit, could unleash devastation akin to a natural disaster when fully activated.
"Given the Navy nature, do you think they're scared?" Bob replied indifferently. "And do you know whose son Ace is?"
Hearing this, Shiki frowned, sensing that things were more complicated than they seemed. After a pause, he slowly said.
"Whitebeard... he secretly had a son?"
Bob forehead darkened, three lines forming to express his exasperation.
"Where did you get that idea?" Bob retorted, annoyed.
Though Bob had indeed wished for Whitebeard to have a biological son, he had repeatedly urged Whitebeard to find a good woman and start a family with blood ties. But Whitebeard had always brushed him off with various excuses.
Bob suspected it had to do with Whitebeard philosophy—that family didn't necessarily require blood relations.
As long as it felt right and both parties were willing, anyone could become family. After realizing this, Bob never brought it up again in front of Whitebeard.
After all, Bob wasn't the type to impose his beliefs on others.
"Ace... is actually Roger son!"
As soon as Bob finished speaking, Shiki mind was struck as if by lightning, leaving him speechless for a long time.
After a while, he nodded and sighed "I never thought... he was Roger son! Over twenty years ago, the father was publicly executed and now the son is facing the same fate! Is this destiny?"
Hearing Shiki lament, Bob silently mourned for Roger for a few seconds before saying.
"So, what do you think? Should we make a big move at Marineford public execution?"
At this, Shiki eyes, which had been somewhat downcast, suddenly lit up. He burst into laughter, the sound echoing across the floating island.
"Jihahaha, let's wreck those bastards!"
How could Shiki miss such an opportunity? He had been waiting for this day for many years.
"Those Navy scum, let them see the might of Shiki! And the army of mutated monsters I've painstakingly created over the years!"
With that, Shiki glanced at the black creatures on the outskirts before turning his gaze to the black castle.
"Then it's settled!" Bob nodded, handing Shiki a Den Den Mushi. "I'll notify you of the specific time! It's such a hassle to have to jump up here just to find you! Let's use the Den Den Mushi more often!"
With that, Bob didn't linger any longer.
After exchanging a few more words, he left. In a flash, his figure vanished from the spot.
Then, under the gaze of the two, Bob appeared at the edge of the island and leaped down.
"Captain, this..." Indigo, standing beside him, was utterly shocked, gesticulating wildly to express his thoughts.
"He just jumped down like that?"
This straightforward and brutal way of leaving was unheard of.
Jumping directly from a height of several thousand meters—even a Devil Fruit user wouldn't dare to do such a thing! And what's more, the sea was below.
"Don't make a fuss!" Shiki retracted his gaze and looked at Indigo, speaking with a tone of deep significance.
"You'll get used to it!"
Then, with a wave of his hand, the already dead deer floated up under some mysterious force. With another gesture from Shiki, the corpse was thrown into the enclosure.
The next second, a bone-chilling sound of chewing emanated from the enclosure and in no time, the corpse was completely devoured.
------------------------------
Read 40 chapters ahead and support me on patreon.
patreon (.)com/Newbietranslator