At this moment, the Shadow Pirates' apparent strength was enough to make the entire world tremble.
This second visit to Impel Down maximized the overall strength of the entire Shadow Pirates.
Although his own three types of Haki had not yet reached the top level, at this moment, he already had the confidence to appear in the Summit War.
After all, when you're out there, without any background, you might very well become a casualty of the Summit War.
Cheng Xiaoyu understood that this would be a unique opportunity—to reap everything in the upcoming Summit War.
"Ygritte, report on the preparation status of each legion."
Cheng Xiaoyu's voice was low and unquestionable, echoing in the endless darkness.
"All legions are ready; everyone has completed the linkage of the shared Shadow Library, except for the General Commander Berlion—
Jian Ya, Pell, Camish, Wu Yan, King Ain, Kather, and Zhima are all in position and awaiting orders."
His tone was filled with absolute loyalty to Cheng Xiaoyu.
Cheng Xiaoyu sighed softly, looking with satisfaction at the powerful combat strength of the shared Shadow Library before him.
The Shadows extracted from the Pirate World included—Devil Offspring Bullet, Red Count Leidfield, World Destroyer Warudo, and Sky Island God Eneru!
Gekko Moriah, the giant soldiers Red and Black Oni, the genius swordsman Guina, the strategist Kuro, the chef Gin, Candle Xiao San, and Fishman Arlong.
And, hundreds of pirates from Impel Down Levels 2-6…
The overall combat power of the Shadow Pirates was already capable of cleaning up the aftermath of the Summit War.
At this time, he was thinking, if Shadow sharing was possible at Level 100, wouldn't that person in that world also be able to summon Shadows from the Pirate World?
Although he already possessed a massive Shadow army, his own strength still had shortcomings—his three types of Haki had not yet reached the top level.
Haki was the chasm that distinguished top powerhouses, and sooner or later, it would become a fatal weakness at critical moments.
"This World Government is truly despicable!"
He cursed because points were so hard to come by; he didn't know what was going on with the World Government, but they had directly blocked the news of the Celestial Dragons being killed by pirates.
Perhaps it would be a scandal that would shock the world, so a cover-up was normal.
Only pirates and some Marines who had witnessed it firsthand were spreading rumors, but without confirmation from the World Government, the public would not believe it.
Cheng Xiaoyu's bounty on the latest wanted poster was still 800 million Berries, which also meant he couldn't gain passive points, and thus couldn't continue to raise his Haki level.
After all, upgrading Haki to its final level required a large amount of points, and the amount given by main quests was simply not enough.
But after this Summit War, it would definitely skyrocket.
Just the fact that he turned Impel Down into a Shura execution ground was enough to raise his bounty to 2 billion!
What's more, he extracted all the Shadows of these criminals!
To describe it in one sentence, it was—
Hell is empty, and all the devils are here!
If he also killed three Celestial Dragons and destroyed an island.
A bounty of 2.5 billion was not impossible! By then, he would have plenty of points to exchange for top-tier Haki.
He looked up and swept his gaze across the surging Shadow warriors before him; the momentary irritation dissipated like smoke.
"Heh." Cheng Xiaoyu sneered, "Just wait and see, after this Summit War, everything will be different."
"Strength, in the end, is a means to control resources, not everything."
"Xiao San." Cheng Xiaoyu suddenly spoke.
A thin figure emerged from the Shadows: "Captain, what are your orders?"
This person was none other than MR3, the Candle Man known as the "Key King."
"Now use your ability to make a key and deliver it to Luffy in Marineford; make sure he can use it to open Ace's Sea Stone handcuffs."
Cheng Xiaoyu commanded; he didn't want the plot to change before he made his move.
Including Squard stabbing Whitebeard, he would not stop it.
Even if Whitebeard was far from his prime at this time, as long as Whitebeard was not dead, the title of the world's strongest man would not change.
"Understood, Captain." Xiao San acknowledged, his figure instantly disappearing into the darkness.
Eneru was somewhat puzzled: "Captain, why help Straw Hat Luffy?"
"Help? This is certainly not help."
The mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind it; when the snipe and clam fight, the fisherman profits!
Cheng Xiaoyu's plan was also very simple: besides having Xiao San deliver the key to Luffy to unlock Ace's Sea Stone handcuffs, all he had to do was wait for the right moment.
The Shadow Pirates did not need to appear at the beginning of the war, nor did they need to help either the Marine or the Whitebeard Pirates.
The more casualties on both sides, the greater his ultimate harvest.
On the Marine side, all the elites of the Marine were gathered.
On the Whitebeard Pirates side, those who came to attack were also powerful pirates.
Even if they were extracted to serve as ordinary Shadow soldiers later, it would be a good choice.
However, his appearance time could not be too late; if the Red Hair Pirates arrived and he didn't give him face, it would also be very troublesome.
…
Time passed by minute by minute.
One day later.
Marineford, this island symbolizing the absolute justice of the Marine, was now shrouded in the clouds of war.
On the execution platform, Ace's figure was particularly conspicuous, his Sea Stone handcuffs tightly binding his freedom.
High in the sky, the Shadow was like a lurking beast, quietly hidden within the thick clouds.
Cheng Xiaoyu stood at the bow, overlooking the dense crowd below, like ants, a cold arc curving at the corner of his mouth.
"Marineford, it's truly magnificent…"
Cheng Xiaoyu looked down, taking in the entire battlefield.
In the Marineford Plaza, a hundred thousand elite Marines stood ready, their gleaming swords reflecting the dazzling sunlight.
Three giant Vice Admirals stood like steel behemoths at the front of the formation; behind them were the remaining two Shichibukai, exuding powerful auras.
In the center of the plaza, the three Admirals, Akainu, Aokiji, and Kizaru, sat side by side with crossed legs, like three insurmountable mountains.
Fleet Admiral Sengoku stood on the high platform, his gaze sharp, overlooking the entire battlefield.
On the other side of the plaza, the division commanders of the Whitebeard Pirates led their respective teams, confronting the Marine with imposing momentum across the vast sea.
Whitebeard Edward Newgate sat at the bow of the Moby Dick, like a king surveying all under heaven.
His Murakumogiri trembled, emitting a low hum, as if foreshadowing the coming bloodshed.
"Tsk tsk, this lineup, seeing it in person really makes one's blood boil." Cheng Xiaoyu licked his lips, a gleam of excitement flashing in his eyes.
"Captain, when do we make our move?" Bullet's voice came from the Shadows, his tone filled with a desire for battle.
Presumably, seeing Whitebeard, his urge to fight was already insatiably hungry!
After Roger's death, Whitebeard was recognized as the strongest in the world; top-tier Haki + top-tier Devil Fruit = the world's strongest man!
"I know you're in a hurry, but don't rush yet."
"The curtain is rising; the show has just begun."