The possessor of Conqueror's Haki was extremely rare in the sea, let alone in this world.
At the same time, it signified a person with great courage, boldness, and potential for achievement.
Recruiting such an individual into the Flying Pirates would undoubtedly grant the crew even greater combat power.
Just as Roger had "Pluto" Rayleigh by his side.
Although he already had two Admirals, Sasaki Isutoshi and Kurai Kotaro, by his side, the world was vast, and there were many opponents. He wouldn't mind gathering more strong individuals.
Just like Rocks back in the day; if that lineup had been fully committed and united, the Celestial Dragons would have long since been overthrown.
Upon hearing this, Benedict's face broke into a smile, and he said, "Become a pirate? I will never become a pirate in this lifetime."
"However, if you are willing to surrender, I can ensure you die in a way that shakes the entire world and makes you famous, and prevent your Paramecia Fruit from falling into the hands of the World Government."
"Whoosh!"
Without any warning, a sword qi attacked. Benedict casually made a move and blocked it.
"Benedict, aren't you too arrogant?"
"I am the ruler of the sea, Shiki the Golden Lion."
Shiki the Golden Lion was very displeased with Benedict's words.
"What do you mean by letting me die in a way that shakes the world and makes me famous?"
"Are you sure that's not infamy?"
"I am a peak powerhouse from the same era as Roger, a powerhouse who battled Garp and Sengoku for five days and five nights."
"And you want me to surrender meekly?"
"Benedict, do you deserve it?"
Facing the Golden Lion's roar and fury, Benedict remained unfazed.
The Golden Lion was indeed strong, but he was not weak either.
He had experienced quite a few things during this period and completed several missions. After using thirty soldier reinforcement stones for his last self-enhancement, he had now accumulated fifty reinforcement stones.
Half an hour ago.
"Ding! Consumed ten soldier reinforcement stones, Observation Haki upgraded to Lv2."
"Ding! Consumed forty soldier reinforcement stones, Conqueror's Haki upgraded to Lv4, awakened advanced skill: Conqueror's Coating."
《Special Forces Summoning System》
Host: Benedict
Age: 18 years old.
Identity: Azure Dragon Fleet Admiral.
Justice Points: 10050
Abilities: Indestructible Physique, Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu, Talent Enhancement, Marine Six Styles * Grandmaster, Armament Haki Lv3, Observation Haki Lv3, Conqueror's Haki Lv4: Conqueror's Coating (Awakened Skill), Eight Inner Gates * Grandmaster, Three Thousand Thunder Steps (Divine Skill).
Benedict had enhanced both Conqueror's Haki and Observation Haki.
Facing a legendary figure like Shiki the Golden Lion, Benedict dared not be careless.
With the soldier reinforcement stones he currently possessed, it wasn't enough to upgrade any single Haki to its ultimate level. Therefore, what he could do was to improve his overall strength.
When choosing between enhancing Armament Haki and Conqueror's Haki, Benedict chose the latter.
With the soldier reinforcement stones he currently had, both his Armament Haki, which was already at level three, and Conqueror's Haki could only be upgraded once.
Moreover, upgrading Conqueror's Haki by one level consumed ten more soldier reinforcement stones than Armament Haki and Observation Haki.
After careful consideration, Benedict chose to enhance Conqueror's Haki.
After all, to deal with Shiki the Golden Lion, whose Conqueror's Haki had reached its peak, if his Armament Haki could not reach its ultimate level, he wouldn't be able to defeat the Golden Lion.
However, with Conqueror's Haki, and having awakened Conqueror's Coating, it was a different story.
The powerful destructive force it provided was incomparable to Armament Coating.
"Whether Shiki the Golden Lion deserves it or not, we'll know after the fight."
"But before that, your island needs to stay away from my naval base."
Benedict stared at Shiki the Golden Lion, his Conqueror's Haki radiating outwards, his imposing aura undiminished.
Shiki the Golden Lion let out a hearty laugh and said, "A mere naval base is not as interesting as freely sailing the corners of this world on a ship."
"I will destroy this island, and you will be freed from your restraints, allowing you to join the Flying Pirates legitimately. Everything is perfect."
"Perfect?" Benedict heard him and looked at Shiki the Golden Lion, saying, "It seems you are very confident in your Devil Fruit abilities?"
"How about we make a bet?"
A bet?
Although Shiki the Golden Lion didn't like to play games, he still felt a bit of interest in Benedict's proposal.
"What kind of bet do you want to make?" Shiki the Golden Lion inquired.
Benedict looked at Shiki the Golden Lion with full confidence and said, "Let's bet that I can destroy all the floating islands you control within ten minutes."
"If I succeed, you will surrender meekly."
"If I fail, the Azure Dragon Navy will be disbanded on the spot."
Upon hearing this, Shiki the Golden Lion burst into laughter, then soared into the sky, looking down at Benedict and saying, "This is the most interesting bet I've ever seen."
"Benedict, do you know what your words mean?"
Benedict chuckled and said, "It merely means capturing you and displaying your head for public execution."
The Golden Lion sneered, fixating his gaze on Benedict, and said, "You will die miserably."
Benedict twisted his neck and said imposingly, "Death is never frightening; what is frightening is a person's lack of courage to face death."
"Yesterday, you dared to boast about destroying the Azure Dragon Navy."
"Today, I dare to fight your Flying Pirates out of existence from this world."
"Then I will come and try," Shiki the Golden Lion stared at Benedict, holding his two swords, and coldly chuckled, "whether you fear death or not."
Benedict formed hand seals and let out a low roar, "Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
The next moment, hundreds and thousands of Benedicts scattered in all directions.
Shiki the Golden Lion had heard of Benedict's technique, but seeing it in person, he couldn't help but be shocked by the Benedict clones that appeared.
And in the instant Shiki was stunned, Benedict's clones were already rushing towards the other floating islands.
Yes, they were running, and they were running very fast.
Each clone possessed considerable combat power.
Even though they couldn't defeat Shiki the Golden Lion, they were more than enough to destroy islands.
Shiki the Golden Lion looked at the scattering Benedict clones and quickly reacted.
"Benedict, is this your reliance for destroying the islands within ten minutes?"
"Are you underestimating my Flying Pirates too much?"
"Are you underestimating me too much?"
As he spoke, Shiki the Golden Lion moved his hands, and the floating islands suspended in mid-air began to move according to his will.
Creating distance, preventing Benedict's clones from approaching, and attacking Benedict's clones – this was Shiki's plan to stop the islands from being destroyed.