It had been five days and four nights of fighting.
The sun was setting.
Both sides had sustained injuries of varying degrees, but none were fatal.
Yet, both knew that if they continued like this, it would take a very long time to kill the other.
And the cost would be immense.
Benedict, with his Senzu beans, wasn't afraid and could fight the other to the death.
He was only worried that the opponent might have some move that wouldn't give him a chance to eat a Senzu bean.
After all, a trump card like the Senzu bean was no longer a trump card.
"We will meet again, Benedict."
"And that day will not be far off."
"I hope that when that time comes, you and the Xuanwu Navy you created can still exist in this world."
Im stared at Benedict, dropped a sentence, tore open a spatial rift, and left.
Benedict stared at the spot where Im had left, falling into a brief period of contemplation.
After a moment, Benedict sighed.
"This is a disaster."
"System, I already have a super divine physique and SSS-class strength, why can't I kill Im?"
"Moreover, Im has backing behind him, and there will surely be even more powerful forces."
"How should I solve this problem now?"
Benedict didn't beg the system for an answer.
For Benedict, there were many ways to destroy the World Government.
And his plan would begin soon.
However, Im was a huge threat.
Furthermore, Im hid powers, and Benedict was uncertain if these powers could allow Im to turn the tables.
"Ding! You can consume fifty million Justice Points to complete system upgrades, allowing you to exchange Justice Points for the Power of Immortals, and unleash the full potential of your SSS-class physique."
Just then, the system's voice sounded, and Benedict was somewhat surprised that the system actually responded.
However, the fact that it required consuming fifty million Justice Points for a system upgrade made Benedict somewhat hesitant.
As it stood, he only had a few million Justice Points left.
It would take a considerable amount of time to gather fifty million Justice Points.
But it wasn't an insurmountable problem.
For example, hunting down an artificial demon legion of a thousand people.
Calculating with the current average of fifty thousand Justice Points per artificial demon, a thousand people or more should be sufficient.
However, one could imagine that exchanging for the Power of Immortals would also consume an enormous number of Justice Points.
Thinking of this, Benedict's mind flashed to a particular place.
The Future Kingdom.
There was an artificial demon and cyborg legion of one hundred thousand.
That represented a massive amount of Justice Points.
"I must accelerate the process."
"No one knows when Im will suddenly launch a full-scale assault."
Benedict muttered to himself and then departed.
Fish-Man Island.
An island ten thousand meters deep in the sea.
On this day, many ancient and colossal Sea Kings appeared around Fish-Man Island, and their numbers continued to grow.
This caused the fish-men of Fish-Man Island to feel terrified.
Because if these Sea Kings were to attack them, Fish-Man Island wouldn't be able to withstand it.
Fortunately, these Sea Kings did not do so.
They hovered nearby, appearing to be quite calm.
King Neptune of the Fish-Man Island Kingdom was naturally alarmed and led the guard to have a friendly exchange with these Sea Kings.
Only after learning that the presence of these Sea Kings would not attack Fish-Man Island did Neptune relax.
However, when asked why they had gathered there, he received a terrifying answer.
"We are awaiting the King's arrival."
This was the answer from a giant electric eel.
The next moment, a seahorse-like Sea King spoke somewhat excitedly, "The King has arrived."
It swayed with a considerable amplitude due to its joy.
And it wasn't just it; the other Sea Kings were also like this.
In an instant, the previously calm ocean currents became incredibly aggressive, turbulent, and chaotic.
The entire Fish-Man Island began to shake in these currents.
As Neptune pondered who this King of the Sea Kings might be amidst the swaying, palace guards rushed over.
"Your Majesty, the Queen is about to give birth."
Upon hearing this, Neptune became anxious and prepared to leave immediately.
However, before he had gone far, another palace guard ran over, shouting joyfully, "Your Majesty, the Queen has given birth. It is a little princess, and both mother and child are safe."
Hearing this, Neptune became even happier, a smile gracing his face.
But after smiling, Neptune also came to his senses and looked at the colossal Sea Kings behind him with alarm.
"The aura, remember it."
One Sea King said, and then it left.
As it left, more and more Sea Kings departed one after another.
Finally, the seahorse-like Sea King remained and said to Neptune, "That is a child who can change the future."
"Our King."
"We will always heed the summons."
After leaving these words, the Sea King also departed.
These words could only be heard by Neptune.
After all the Sea Kings had left, Neptune hurried back to the palace.
The baby's laughter echoed through the palace.
A baby in the arms of Queen Otohime giggled as she was being played with.
Neptune looked at his tiny daughter, his face breaking into a smile, and he laughed heartily.
...
Grand Line, first half, Xuanwu Navy Branch.
"Marshal."
Kenchiro and the others had been waiting, and now seeing Benedict return safely, they all breathed a sigh of relief.
After all, the continued long-term development of the Xuanwu Navy depended on Benedict. As long as Benedict was alive, he was their cornerstone and their faith.
Benedict nodded to them and then looked at the surrounding buildings, saying calmly, "Have people speed up the repairs here."
Benedict then inquired, "Are there any other losses?"
Kenchiro said sternly, "There was an internal problem. Someone released pirates from Azkaban, including members of the Red-Haired Pirates."
"However, apart from those who were killed, all have been recaptured."
Upon hearing this, Benedict pondered for a moment before saying, "Have the traitor been found?"
"Not yet," Kenichiro replied. "However, we have notified headquarters to have Eiffel Kennedy come over. I believe we can find the traitor among those recaptured pirates soon."
Benedict nodded; he had faith in Eiffel Kennedy's abilities.
As long as these pirates had memories, no matter how well they hid or how tightly they kept silent, they would be unearthed.
"Marshal, regarding Shanks, do you have any instructions?" Kenichiro brought up Shanks' matter and then inquired.
"Return Uta to Shanks," Benedict said faintly.
Pausing for a moment, Benedict then said to Enel, "You personally go and bring Shanks here."
Enel nodded and disappeared in a flash of lightning.
"Marshal, your battle?" Karp couldn't help but ask from the side.
Benedict's gaze swept over Kenichiro and the others. It was clear they were eager to know the outcome, so he replied, "Half and half."