Benedict, who possessed the Transformation Technique, was completely unnoticed.
For those with Devil Fruit abilities, Benedict would silently strike whenever he determined they were not good people.
For a time, numbers 1 through 29 suffered continuous deaths.
These people were not all Devil Fruit users.
Some were simply people Benedict found displeasing.
"What's going on?"
"Who's making a move?"
"No one saw how they died."
"Someone counted, and most of the deceased were Devil Fruit users?"
"Could it be..."
"Shh, speak softly, who knows?"
"Hmph, those damned people."
...
There were deaths every day. Normally, no one would pay much attention.
But today, it instilled a sense of fear in everyone.
Yet, beyond this fear, there was also a thrill.
At this moment, Benedict walked down a slave trader's street on island 18.
"Hey, ten berries, how about you come with me?"
Benedict squinted, looking at the bespectacled man tied with his hands behind his back, leaning against a wall. He took out ten berries and smiled.
Rayleigh looked up at the unfamiliar Benedict, a hint of surprise in his eyes.
The slave trader, who specialized in selling slaves, heard Benedict's words and immediately called out indignantly, "Get lost!"
"Ten berries and you want to buy someone?"
"Don't pretend to be rich if you have no money."
Benedict glanced at the man, a faint smile appearing on his face, and turned to leave.
Leaving island 18, Benedict arrived at island 42.
A tourist destination.
Alas, there was nothing interesting for Benedict to do there.
Wandering about, Benedict arrived at island 13.
Shakky's Rip-off Bar.
Shakky, smoking a cigarette, saw someone walk in, put down her newspaper, and a smile appeared on her face as she asked, "What would you like to drink?"
"White liquor!" Benedict replied with a smile.
"No white liquor." Shakky took a puff of her cigarette and then said, "Red wine and beer, what kind would you like?"
"Then beer it is." Benedict said with a smile.
After a while, the beer was served. Benedict took a sip and said, "Help me find out about someone."
Hearing Benedict's words, Shakky's smile deepened, and she said, "One million berries."
"You really live up to your establishment's name!" Benedict exclaimed when Shakky quoted a price of one million.
"One million berries is the minimum price, it will increase depending on the difficulty," Shakky continued.
"Bet your life on it." Benedict looked at Shakky and smiled, "The captain of the Kuja Pirates."
Upon hearing Benedict's words, Shakky's expression changed slightly, becoming more serious, and she prepared to make a move.
Benedict's appearance was not in her collected intelligence; he was a stranger.
Yet, such a person had come here and spoken her name.
This was a very dangerous signal.
Seeing the seriousness flicker in Shakky's eyes, Benedict feigned casualness, a smile on his face. "Don't be so tense, I just need you to help me find someone."
"As long as I find him, I won't capture you this time."
Hearing Benedict's words, Shakky calmly asked, "Who are you?"
As the former captain of the Kuja Pirates, Shakky possessed immense strength and, consequently, formidable mental fortitude.
Therefore, in the face of Benedict's words, apart from initial surprise and vigilance, Shakky did not panic further.
She simply couldn't gauge Benedict's strength, hence her wariness.
"Me?"
"Just an ordinary person."
Benedict replied with a light chuckle.
"Kid, you're not staying in the East Blue, why come all the way here to fool your elders? Is it amusing?"
The bar door was pushed open, and Rayleigh the Pluton walked in, sitting directly next to Benedict, saying with some displeasure.
"You just ruined a deal for me, you owe me compensation."
"Kid!"
Benedict chuckled, "When did the esteemed Pluton start wanting to be a good person?"
"Dressed like a beggar, afraid of being recognized?"
"Sold yourself to buy alcohol?"
"Or perhaps, robbing the rich to help the poor?"
Rayleigh showed a hint of embarrassment at Benedict's teasing.
Regardless, his reputation was well-established.
If people knew what he was doing, it would be a truly significant disgrace.
Shakky stood aside, watching the two, and after a moment of silence, interjected, "Rayleigh, who is he?"
Hearing this, Rayleigh glanced at Benedict and smiled, "The founder of the Xuanwu Navy."
Upon hearing Rayleigh's words, Shakky froze.
Then, she took out a wanted poster of Benedict from a drawer.
"This guy's methods are somewhat peculiar. He's not a Devil Fruit user, yet he can completely transform into another person."
"If it weren't for his aura, which I'm familiar with, I wouldn't have recognized him."
"However, such a skill is truly convenient."
"Kid, for the sake of our old acquaintance, why don't you teach me that magical disguise technique?"
"I'll waive the fee for the information you're seeking this time."
Rayleigh said with a smile.
Rayleigh was somewhat tempted by Benedict's transformation technique.
After all, given his status, being recognized while traveling outside could be quite troublesome.
Shakky was inwardly shocked, but she quickly calmed herself.
"The Marshal of the Xuanwu Navy, resorting to such tricks?"
"Alright, looking at the Xuanwu Navy's dazzling achievements, I almost forgot how young you are."
The Xuanwu Navy, in the six months since its founding, had accomplished feats that shocked everyone.
The burgeoning Great Pirate Era, which seemed to be just beginning to stir, was forced to sink into oblivion by the appearance of the Xuanwu Navy.
Currently, the Xuanwu Navy's effectiveness and efficiency in cracking down on pirates far surpassed that of Marineford.
They stormed into the West Blue, confronting the World Government head-on, and rescued the wealth and residents of Ohara.
They single-handedly defeated Kaido, captured Zephyr, and completely annihilated the Buster Call fleet.
They repelled the invasion of the Flying Pirates and, months later, completely wiped out the Flying Pirates and killed Shiki.
The East Blue was unified, the Vinsmoke family in the North Blue was annihilated, and more pirates were being suppressed.
In the South Blue War, although there were some setbacks, Grand Admiral Kenjiro intervened afterward, and the Ward Pirates were eliminated.
Now, the North Blue, West Blue, and South Blue were being continuously purged, and it was imaginable that they would soon fall under the rule of the Xuanwu Navy.
Such a multitude of brilliant achievements made it difficult to imagine that these were the actions of a twenty-year-old.
Even many had overlooked Benedict's age.
"Just minor achievements."
"However, no matter how brilliant the achievements, if the Gorosei don't shed their pretense, these achievements could be destroyed at any moment."
Benedict said with a hint of modesty.
Shakky cast a meaningful glance at Benedict and said, "It seems you're truly modest."
"But you're right, the Gorosei are still too restrained."
"However, for those who have lived for centuries, a game of cat and mouse is their amusement."