Chapter 4: 4. Choose One Of The Two Templates

Meanwhile, back in the Impel Down meeting room, where discussions on countermeasures for the Great Pirate Era were still underway, Director Stain re-entered with a dark expression. His face alone confirmed what everyone in the room had already overheard via the den den mushi: something terrible had happened. Stain's voice was grim as he announced, "Golden Lion Shiki is dead." He continued, his expression even darker, "And World Destroyer Byrnndi World is dead as well." "What?!" Deputy Director Magellan's eyes widened in shock, his hands gripping the table as he absorbed the news. Across from him, the ever-calm watchman Shiryu looked more curious than shocked. "Do you know who's responsible?" he asked. While Shiryu occasionally dealt harshly with troublesome inmates, he had never considered touching high-priority prisoners like those in Eternal Hell. The sudden deaths of such powerful captives caught even him off guard. Stain's answer was steady, though his tone was laced with anger. "A guard named Alex. It's clear he was well-prepared for this." He cast a pointed look at Magellan before explaining, "He managed to extract a sample of Magellan's venom, using it to discreetly poison his teammates through inhalation. Under the pretense of continuing his duties, he descended to the sixth level alone. During that time, he executed Golden Lion Shiki with a firearm and poisoned Byrnndi World to death." Boom! Magellan's fist hit the table hard, his face twisted with frustration. "This was my oversight. I didn't notice that the venom had gone missing. When we catch him, I'll personally interrogate him for his motives!" Stain shook his head. "It's too late. He's already escaped. According to a guard on the first floor, Alex appeared to float into the air and then simply...flew away." "The Float-Float Fruit..." Shiryu muttered, his eyes narrowing. "So that's why he killed Shiki—to steal his ability." "We can't be certain," Stain replied, though he hesitated. "Perhaps he already had access to some flying ability. But you're right, Shiryu—it's a strong possibility." The idea of someone killing a legendary pirate like Golden Lion just to gain their Devil Fruit power seemed outlandish. Yet, Alex's movements over the past year indicated he was no ordinary jailer. His actions suggested not revenge but a calculated plan, waiting for the right moment to strike. Without further certainty, there was little left to analyze. Soon after, an urgent report was dispatched to the World Government and Naval Headquarters, bearing news of the Impel Down breach and the calculated murders of two infamous prisoners. As news of the murders spread through the World Government and Naval Headquarters, the culprit, Alex, was already soaring recklessly over the endless sea. "So this is the world through Golden Lion's eyes... the view of a man who ruled the seas from the sky," Alex mused, looking down from high altitude. Everything below appeared minuscule, and a surge of exhilaration filled him as he floated far above, feeling like a true conqueror. Who would've thought that not long ago, he was just a low-ranking guard? Yet now, within a matter of hours, he possessed two of the world's most powerful Devil Fruit abilities. The dream he had long buried was finally within reach. He hadn't forgotten the lingering choice he still needed to make. Spotting an island in the Calm Belt below, he descended, choosing a place he believed to be deserted. Landing carefully on a towering tree, he took a deep breath, then focused on the mysterious selection that had appeared in his mind. Two cards materialized before him: one displaying Golden Lion Shiki, and the other Byrnndi World. Each card bore the label "Template." Pondering the choices, Alex absorbed the details relayed to him. This mysterious ability was indeed his "Cheat," allowing him to inherit a defeated user's abilities and talents as templates, providing him with the benefits of their skills and talents at accelerated growth rates. However, there was a catch: he could only select one template, despite wielding both Devil Fruits. Examining each, he saw: [Golden Lion Shiki's talents: Armament Haki, Observation Haki, Conqueror's Haki, and mastery in Great Swordsman's Kendo.] [Byrnndi World's talents: Armament Haki, Observation Haki, and knowledge of Marine Rokushiki techniques.] The choice was obvious. The Marine Rokushiki skills, while practical, were skills he could learn elsewhere. Without hesitation, he selected the Golden Lion Shiki Template. Immediately, it felt as if Shiki's strength and skills were fusing with his own. Conqueror's Haki... although he didn't fully understand its use yet, he felt an innate familiarity with it, as though wielding it would come naturally in time. The same was true of swordsmanship: if he picked up a sword now, it would feel as comfortable in his hands as if he'd been training with it for a year. Excitement coursed through him. He couldn't resist testing his new abilities. Jumping down from the tree, he landed smoothly, then picked up a fallen branch and visualized it as a sword. He let his newfound swordsmanship perception guide him as he struck at the large tree before him. Whoosh! No sword energy burst forth, but the speed of his strike cut cleanly through the air. The flimsy branch left a shallow gash on the massive tree trunk.