Far away, bright lights illuminated a laboratory filled with advanced technology.
Ron sat across from Reiju in a clean laboratory coat, his posture straight and composed.
A colossal holographic screen before them displayed the complex technological blueprints of Germa 66.
Lines of data, mechanical models, and intricate diagrams constantly shifted across the projection.
"A floating-island defense system…"
Reiju leaned forward, her eyes fixed tightly on the display. Excitement shone within them, revealing her fascination with the technology and its possibilities.
"If this advanced defense network were combined with Germa's cloning technology, the two systems would complement each other perfectly. It would be an ideal combination."
Ron smiled faintly and nodded.
"Exactly. That is why I specifically asked you to come here."
...
Back at the banquet, the atmosphere had become far more confused.
Everyone stared at Shiki, unable to understand what he was talking about.
Even Whitebeard could no longer suppress his curiosity. He slowly lowered the heavy wine barrel in his hand and fixed Shiki with a sharp gaze.
"Shiki, what exactly are you talking about? Seven layers? Eight layers? Explain it properly!"
Kaido narrowed his blazing dragon eyes, displeasure and suspicion entering his expression.
"I've lived in Wano for twenty years and know every corner of that country. How come I've never heard anything about a plan like this?"
His deep voice carried the faint rumble of thunder.
Shiki, however, only grew more smug.
He raised Kogarashi high and swept it through the air, leaving brilliant trails of light behind the blade like meteors crossing the night sky.
"Open your eyes and pay attention!"
With the tip of his sword, he formed seven shining points in the air, illuminating the surrounding darkness.
"The Divine Kingdom may officially have seven layers right now, but the number of islands on each level is a complete mess—one, two, four, four, seven, fourteen, and twenty-one!
"There's no proper pattern at all. You can't call something that disorganized a true structural system!"
His voice was filled with scorn.
Beside him, Big Mom awkwardly counted on her thick fingers.
"Mamamama~ Now that you mention it, there really isn't much of a pattern~"
Confusion covered her round face.
"Hmph! That's because our conditions were far too limited back then!"
...
Shiki slammed one hand onto the table, the impact making the surrounding air tremble.
For a moment, nostalgia and reflection flickered through his eyes, but they were quickly replaced by burning excitement.
"Back then, we didn't have enough time or the strength needed to move so many islands. But things are different now—"
His eyes suddenly blazed with passion, as though the magnificent future he imagined had already appeared before him.
"Ron intends to rebuild the entire kingdom according to the sacred Rule of Seven!"
His voice rang into the heavens, announcing the beginning of their grand new undertaking to the world.
The tip of his sword moved again with the grace and strength of a living dragon.
Brilliant light followed its path, gradually forming a vast and intricate array in the air.
It shone like a map of the stars, every line seeming to conceal endless mysteries.
"The first layer will have one central island!"
The single island would serve as the heart of the entire structure, carrying the kingdom's greatest responsibilities and hopes. Everything else would be built around it, making it the solid foundation of their grand design.
"The second layer will have seven guardian islands!"
Those seven islands would surround the central island like loyal sentinels, creating an unbreakable defensive line.
They would remain constantly alert to threats from every direction, protecting the heart of the kingdom with their own land and fortifications.
"The third layer will have fourteen agricultural islands!"
At those words, everyone could almost picture vast green fields filled with life.
The islands would have fertile soil and abundant water, allowing all kinds of crops to flourish. Farmers would work across them, gathering nature's bounty and supplying the entire kingdom with a steady source of food.
"The fourth layer will have twenty-one industrial islands!"
Shiki's heavy voice echoed across the banquet.
Those islands would be filled with roaring factories, the rhythm of machinery forming a powerful song of progress.
Advanced technology and skilled craftsmanship would come together there to manufacture every kind of product, driving the Divine Kingdom's civilization forward.
"The fifth layer will have twenty-eight military islands!"
A grim edge entered his voice.
Those islands would be heavily fortified and constantly guarded. Vast arsenals, complete defensive systems, and highly trained armies would form a powerful military network.
They would stand ready to answer any war or crisis and defend the kingdom's territory and dignity.
"The sixth layer will have thirty-five technology islands!"
A sharp light of intelligence shone in Shiki's eyes.
The world's greatest researchers would gather there, surrounded by the most advanced equipment imaginable.
The laboratories would remain lit day and night as scientists explored unknown fields, broke through technological limits, and pushed the entire era forward.
"The seventh layer will have forty-two ecological islands!"
His voice grew gentler, though no less resolute.
Those islands would preserve nature in its purest form. Mountains, rivers, plants, and animals would thrive together in harmony.
They would become sanctuaries of life and examples of how civilization could coexist with the natural world, blessed with clean air, pure water, and rich biodiversity.
"And the eighth layer…"
Shiki's voice suddenly became solemn.
An invisible pressure seemed to settle over the entire gathering as everyone focused on him and held their breath.
"It will consist of forty-nine 'Miracle Islands,' with each one carrying a different piece of lost technology!"
Every word struck the listeners with tremendous weight.
Those lost technologies might be remnants of ancient civilizations, containing enough power to transform the world. If their secrets were ever fully unlocked, they could spark a revolution unlike anything history had ever witnessed.
Everyone stared at him in stunned silence.
Whitebeard slowly lowered Murakumogiri, his long mustache shifting in the breeze as he released a deep laugh.
"Gurararara… A project on this scale could rival the secrets of the Void Century!"
Excitement shone in his eyes, as though he could already see the kingdom's glorious future.
Even Kaido's long dragon whiskers trembled slightly.
"So that's why you've been hunting for islands everywhere…"
He finally understood just how vast Shiki's ambition and determination had become.
Big Mom suddenly clapped her hands with excitement.
"Mamamama! I'm taking charge of the food islands!"
She was already imagining an entire world filled with delicious meals, and drool nearly spilled from the corner of her mouth.
Shiki threw back his head and drained another mouthful of liquor.
"Every morning, the first thing I think about is what kind of island I should bring back that day! It's a hell of a lot more interesting than being a pirate!"
His face had reddened with excitement, and fierce flames burned within his eyes.
Then he abruptly lowered his voice and leaned closer with a mysterious expression.
"And do you know what the best part is?"
Everyone's attention immediately returned to him, eager to hear the final secret behind the plan.
The other three slowly leaned in, nearly moving in perfect unison.
Different emotions shone in their eyes, but all of them were now focused on the same enormous and utterly insane vision.
"Every layer will be carefully woven into an unbreakable defensive formation using the full power of the Float-Float Fruit!"
Shiki's voice rose with wild excitement, madness burning in his gaze brightly enough to ignite the air.
It was more than determination. It revealed a fierce hunger for power and dominion.
He lifted his chin and continued,
"Once every defensive formation is complete, the entire Divine Kingdom will transform into a colossal war fortress!
"Any enemy foolish enough to invade will smash itself apart against our defenses before it even reaches the center!"
Whitebeard immediately burst into hearty laughter.
"Gurararara! With a vision like that, it looks like we old bastards really will live long enough to witness a miracle worthy of being written into history!"
His laughter rolled through the air like thunder, full of his usual bold and carefree spirit.
Swept up in his own ambition, Shiki raised the barrel and took another enormous drink.
...