"Even reaching the ninth transformation, I still haven't achieved my wish."
He had been collecting Devil Fruits for two reasons: first, to unlock Phantom God and reach six-star level; second, in the hope that one day he could unlock a transformation that could traverse worlds, perhaps… with a sliver of a chance, he could return to Earth.
On Earth, he still had his parents and sister, people worth caring about.
His sister's name was Renya, 18 years old, a senior in high school.
Thinking of his sister, Vladimir became momentarily lost in thought, wondering what his sister's reaction would be upon hearing of his disappearance…
As he was thinking, the phantom gene spoke again. "Actually, if you upgrade Phantom God to six-star level, you can also traverse worlds. However, you can only traverse within fantasy worlds."
Fantasy worlds naturally included worlds from anime, movies, novels, myths, and so on.
Earth was not included among them.
Vladimir shook his head and said, "I still hope to unlock a transformation that can traverse worlds. Do you know of any?"
"Many." The phantom gene replied stiffly. "For example, Void Dragon, Human Immortal, Great Demon God, and so on. Of course, 'many' refers to the quantity. Compared to the immeasurable total number of fantasy transformations, they are rare, very rare!"
"Is that so?"
Vladimir let out a sigh and smiled. "As long as they exist, I'll eventually be able to unlock one! Now that I've plundered the Celestial Dragons' treasuries, the next target is the World Government!"
In reality, there were certainly many Celestial Dragon treasuries he hadn't visited. However, finding them would be troublesome and not something that could be done in a short time.
Therefore, Vladimir set his sights on the World Government.
...
As the first rays of the morning sun shone down, everyone in the special mansion arranged by the government breathed a sigh of relief~.
Fortunately, all the Celestial Dragons were unharmed. The ability users of the Holy Guard, however, secretly felt a sense of regret.
In the front courtyard of the mansion, in front of a musical fountain, Kong sat cross-legged on a stone platform.
He had been like this all night, guarding the entrance to the mansion.
"Commander," said the sumo fruit user, the fat man, in a gruff voice. "We've set up a perfect net here. Shadow Fiend wouldn't dare to appear."
"Hmm, with this level of defense, even a Four Emperor would be useless."
The speaker had an honest face, a square jaw, and a black ribbon tied around his head.
This person was the Vice-Commander of the Holy Guard, a top expert equivalent to a Navy Admiral, named "Okritho."
"It's daytime now, Shadow Fiend shouldn't appear anymore." Okritho crossed his arms and looked at Kong. "According to the think tank's analysis, Shadow Fiend's abilities can only be used at night. Commander, should we withdraw?"
"No one is allowed to leave without the Five Elders' orders!"
Kong sat cross-legged on the stone platform with his eyes closed, like a stone sculpture, motionless.
"That's what you say, but the Celestial Dragons probably won't accept it." Okritho shook his head repeatedly. "When have these people ever been so humiliated? I think they'll be causing trouble at the government building again soon."
As they were speaking, shouts came from behind.
"Why won't you let me leave? I can't sleep peacefully here! You're all useless fools, unable to even catch a pirate!"
A female Celestial Dragon reprimanded sternly.
"That's right! Sister is right! Let us leave, I've had enough!"
Another boy, about twelve or thirteen years old, spoke imperiously, expressing his strong dissatisfaction.
In response, a government official lowered his head and apologized with a smile, but did not yield.
Okritho glanced over and said in a low voice, "It's starting. Should we report to the Five Elders?"
"…You go."
Kong remained silent for a moment before saying, "One more thing. Shadow Fiend's abilities must be used at night. This judgment might be correct, but don't forget, not long ago, the entire world was suddenly plunged into darkness, even lasting for three days and three nights on one occasion."
"I understand. I'll relay the message to the Five Elders."
...
About three hundred meters away from the mansion where they were housed was the government building.
On an upper floor of the building, outside a records room.
Vladimir, leaning on his cane, walked in.
"You all wait outside."
After instructing the guards, Vladimir entered the records room. This room was very quiet, with countless documents filling the shelves.
Following the index, Vladimir found some related materials about the Holy Land and began to read them carefully.
As the ruling body of the entire world, the World Government possessed an extremely rich reserve of intelligence.
Vladimir read at an astonishing pace, but it still took him a full hour before he finally made a discovery.
"A suspicious area… it's the second basement level of the government building. Ordinary people can't set foot there, and even Celestial Dragons are not allowed to enter."
Vladimir pondered to himself, thinking about where the government might hide Devil Fruits.
"Old man, is this the place?"
"Hmph! Do you think I'll tell you?" The old man with the cane snorted coldly. "What did you do while I was unconscious?"
"Do you think I'll tell you?"
Vladimir pursed his lips and said calmly, "The second basement level is the most suspicious place in the government building. Whether it is or not, I will go and see."
With that, Vladimir closed the documents and turned to leave.
There was no further conversation. Soon, Vladimir passed through the first basement level and stood before the entrance to the second floor.
This was a long corridor, and at the end of the corridor was a metal door.
The door had no keyhole, only a red button on the left side.
The button was about the size of a palm. Vladimir glanced at it and then pressed it with his palm.
With a pop, the door opened, revealing a staircase leading down.
____________________
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