Chapter 245: Golden Lion's Escape

Amidst the clinking of glasses and jovial conversations, Adrian, the main character of the banquet, sat alone on a sofa in the corner, using the excuse of low alcohol tolerance to check the notifications on his panel regarding his new secondary profession.

Nothing more to say.

Panel, add points!

Adrian immediately invested a large amount of experience points to level up the 'Archaeologist' profession, raising it to the level 10 cap for secondary professions.

[...]

[Your new profession 'Archaeologist' has been upgraded to LV10 (MAX). Stamina has been slightly increased, Intelligence +18, you have received 18 free attribute points, and 9 skill points!]

The Archaeologist profession is somewhat similar to a pure "intelligence attribute profession," meaning that each level significantly increases a single attribute while also rewarding free attribute points and skill points.

For Adrian, who consumed the Ghost Fruit, intelligence is his core attribute, directly influencing the power of his Ghost Fruit abilities, ghostly energy, and more.

The strength of the Ghost Fruit had already been demonstrated with the maxed-out levels of its two skills.

Whether it's [Ghostly Body] or [Ghost Control].

These are the main reasons Adrian could hold his own against other top fighters.

Especially the former!

Before his main profession as a swordsman had fully matured, Adrian, a Paramecia-type fruit user with a unique approach, could still stand near the top of the power pyramid in the vast seas due to his superior fruit development.

Adrian has always focused on maxing out his intelligence attribute, and this time was no different.

He allocated all 20 free attribute points gained from leveling up the 'Archaeologist' profession into his intelligence attribute.

The panel provided a notification.

Although Archaeologist didn't trigger any new skill comprehension, it granted another expertise.

[You have obtained a new expertise - 'Theoretical Research']

['Theoretical Research' - expertise: Increases the default learning speed of knowledge-based abilities.]

As always, the description was vague.

However, Adrian could clearly feel that the obscure and difficult parts of ancient historical knowledge accumulated in his mind over the past few months were becoming clearer and simpler.

Evidently, this expertise is, as the name suggests, designed for theoretical research!

Not only that.

Adrian also noticed that his understanding of the swordsmanship knowledge recorded on the Oden Two-Sword Style scroll gifted by Kozuki Oden was gradually improving.

Several months had passed.

Although Adrian had mastered the sword skill [Oden Two-Sword Style: Paradise Waterfall], he hadn't yet converted the other swordsmanship abilities on the scroll into recognized skills on his panel, only drawing some parallels and techniques from it.

Unexpectedly, 'Theoretical Research' was also applicable to swordsmanship knowledge!

"No wonder this new secondary profession was triggered only after experiencing a Buster Call!"

Adrian thought to himself.

But the panel's notification wasn't over.

Some secondary profession upgrade tasks require exploration or automatic triggering upon reaching certain locations.

For example, the third-tier profession of 'Navigator', [Wind Wielder], was a task Adrian triggered upon first arriving at the Grand Line, though it's still incomplete...

But some secondary professions automatically trigger upgrade tasks.

Just like the previous 'Pirate' and now 'Archaeologist'!

[Detected that the secondary profession 'Archaeologist' has been upgraded to the maximum level!]

[You have triggered the profession upgrade task 'Appraiser'!]

[Task Requirement: Use your knowledge of ancient history to appraise the exact age and reference value of three antiques.]

[Task Reward: Upgrade the 'Archaeologist' profession to 'Appraiser', skill [Appraisal]!]

[[Appraisal] - Skill: Appraise items to obtain basic information about them.]

Adrian raised an eyebrow.

This basic skill common in games was never included in his panel, making him think it was due to a different world version.

Turns out it was waiting for this!

Completing this upgrade task isn't difficult.

It's known that the island of Weatheria, where Adrian currently is, is home to many Ohara scholars, whose personal collections include numerous ancient artifacts. Borrowing a few items for appraisal would easily fulfill the task.

However, as the protagonist of the banquet, Adrian couldn't leave abruptly.

The 'Appraiser' upgrade task would have to wait until tomorrow.

Nevertheless, acquiring the 'Archaeologist' secondary profession confirmed something for Adrian.

According to the world's hidden mechanics, the differences between secondary professions are also significant!

For instance, the [Bounty Hunter] profession obtained through capturing pirates only provided basic attribute increases, free attribute points, and skill points, without any inherent skills.

Whereas one of the mainstream professions, 'Pirate', not only…

Although it is easy to obtain, it also comes with a series of "supporting tricks."

For example, the "Pirate Bounty Exchange System" and the "Navy Bounty Exchange System."

And then there's the Navigator, which also comes with basic skills, and as the level increases, additional Expertise are triggered.

The current Archaeologist is also like this.

As professionals who can uncover the mysteries hidden in the fog of history, archaeologists are undoubtedly crucial in this world with a hidden past.

Thus, the abilities granted to archaeologists are also quite remarkable.

In short...

"It's awesome!"

...

While a feast was being held on Weatheria Island to celebrate the birth of a new archaeologist...

In the Grand Line, Navy Headquarters, Marineford.

In the Fleet Admiral's office.

Fleet Admiral Kong looked serious as he faced the two admirals and two vice admirals standing before him.

These were his most trusted veterans, the greatest pillars supporting the Navy for decades!

Sengoku, Zephyr, Garp, and Tsuru!

Fleet Admiral Kong said solemnly, "I assume you've all heard about the major incident at Impel Down last night?"

Vice Admiral Tsuru picked up the topic, "The Sky Pirate, Golden Lion Shiki, escaped from Impel Down."

"I've heard as well. Golden Lion Shiki severed his legs to break the connection with the seastone shackles and then used his Float-Float Fruit ability to escape from Impel Down." Zephyr also looked grave. "This incident proves that there are significant loopholes in Impel Down's security system."

"Let's put aside the security of Impel Down for now," Fleet Admiral Kong said in a deep voice. "Our main task now is to quickly quell the commotion and recapture Golden Lion Shiki!"

"Ha ha ha ha!" Garp laughed heartily and carelessly picked his nose. "Kong, you know that's impossible. With the power of the Float-Float Fruit, unless Shiki goes crazy again and charges into headquarters alone, fighting to the death, there's no way we can catch him."

"But we must do it, Garp."

Sengoku said with a cold expression.

"Ever since Roger was executed in Loguetown, a new era has begun on the seas.

"Among the three great pirates of the old era, Golden Lion Shiki's ambition is the greatest. He has always dreamed of ruling these seas!

"Now that he has escaped from Impel Down, with Shiki's ambition and strength, he will undoubtedly challenge the world order again and again.

"And even with his legs severed, the power of the Float-Float Fruit doesn't diminish much for Shiki! His original terrifying 'deterrence' remains undiminished!"

"Tch!" Garp impatiently picked his ear, "Instead of saying all that, just tell us what to do!"

Sengoku's mouth twitched.

You careless fool, do you even understand what "formal speech" means?!

Although Shiki was captured by the two of us together, I still think it was entirely because that fool stubbornly abandoned the advantages of the Float-Float Fruit and fought us head-on.

With the mobility of the Float-Float Fruit, unless Shiki exposes himself, how can we easily track him down?

"Ahem."

At this moment, Vice Admiral Tsuru spoke.

"I believe that after escaping from Impel Down, Golden Lion Shiki will likely meet with 'Whitebeard' from the old era and regroup the remnants of the Sky Pirates in the New World."

"I agree with this." Fleet Admiral Kong nodded, looking at Garp and Sengoku, "So Garp, Sengoku, I want you to take a fleet to the New World to meet Whitebeard, and if possible, probe for Shiki's whereabouts. Also, completely eliminate the remnants of the Sky Pirates and prevent Shiki from recovering quickly!"

"Leave this to me!" Garp laughed, got up, and headed out the door.

"Hey! Garp!"

Sengoku nodded to Fleet Admiral Kong and followed him out.

Zephyr sighed with a smile, "Garp, that guy, hasn't changed a bit in decades..."

"That monkey is just like that!"

Fleet Admiral Kong shook his head slightly and then looked at Vice Admiral Tsuru.

"Tsuru, any information on 'White Ghost' from the Intelligence Department recently?"

"No."

Vice Admiral Tsuru slowly shook her head.

"Since the Ohara incident ended, White Ghost hasn't shown up on the seas for several months. He hasn't even carried out any of his usual pirate-hunting actions, at least we haven't received any information about it at headquarters.

"Previously, Garp and Borsalino went to the West Blue and stayed there for three months but found no trace of White Ghost. It's as if he vanished completely."

Zephyr suddenly asked, "Could White Ghost be quietly preparing a crew, planning to establish his own force?"

Vice Admiral Tsuru said, "I don't think that's likely. The Ghost-Ghost Fruit isn't like the Float-Float Fruit. While it also grants flying ability, it doesn't have the power to manipulate the external environment.

"In other words, White Ghost has always been a lone wolf for a reason.

"If he were to gather a crew and form a pirate group, it might actually be a good thing for us at headquarters because it would give us a clear weakness to target when dealing with White Ghost."

Zephyr asked again, "Then could White Ghost be hiding in the shadows, plotting some evil plan?"

Vice Admiral Tsuru shook her head again, "Based on the current intelligence, White Ghost doesn't seem to be a major villain. He's only been targeting pirates and obstructing the actions of the World Government and the unreasonable actions of Navy Headquarters, whether in the South Blue or the West Blue."

Zephyr laughed, "It can't be that this guy is planning to retire and live in seclusion, right?"

As for the idea that White Ghost has been quiet because he died...

Such an unreliable theory wasn't even worth mentioning to Zephyr.

"Don't joke about that, Zephyr!"

This time, it was Fleet Admiral Kong who spoke.

"Have you ever seen a pirate be satisfied after their bounty increased by a billion berries?"

Fleet Admiral Kong said seriously, "A pirate is still a pirate!

"Whether it's Golden Lion Shiki or White Ghost, we must remain highly vigilant about their whereabouts!

"Report immediately if you find anything!"