Two days ago.
Benedict had completed his mission after leading the troops and the Ohara scholars through Mount Reverse.
As the mission was completed, a new one descended.
"Ding! Congratulations to the host for completing the 'Save Ohara' mission, obtaining 20 unit enhancement stones, 1 golden treasure chest, and 1000 Justice Points."
"Ding! The system detects that the host has a golden treasure chest, would you like to open it?"
Benedict didn't think twice and said, "Open!"
"Ding! Congratulations to the host for obtaining the divine skill: Three Thousand Lightning Strikes!"
Benedict was stunned for a moment, then overjoyed.
Three Thousand Lightning Strikes: After charging, unleash a lightning strike with the effect of three thousand punches in one punch.
Cooldown: 24 hours.
It truly was a divine skill. Even though it could only be used once a day, it was still amazing.
Three thousand punches condensed into the power of one, and with his peak strike, he should be able to blow away Kaido, right?
"Ding! A new crisis is about to descend. Please prepare to face it in twelve days. Successfully overcoming the crisis will bring generous rewards."
Benedict was slightly taken aback, then fell silent.
For the past two days, aside from dealing with the fallen soldiers, Benedict had been pondering who the opponent that the Xuanwu Navy would soon face truly was.
Would it be the Navy Headquarters and the World Government, enraged by the news, launching a devastating attack on the Xuanwu Navy?
Or would it be the forces that had lost face after being defeated by him, abandoning their plans in Wano Country to gather strength and destroy the Xuanwu Navy?
Or perhaps the Big Mom Pirates had joined forces with the Beast Pirates?
Or had the missing Flying Pirates made a high-profile announcement of their resurgence, choosing the Xuanwu Navy as their target?
If it were any of these forces, it would indeed be a devastating blow to the Xuanwu Navy, which currently lacked sufficient foundation.
Benedict was unsure which of these forces would make a move.
Therefore, Benedict had also secretly purchased intelligence.
Unfortunately, even the intelligence in the black market had become deceptive.
It was eerily quiet, and Benedict had not obtained the information he desired.
He finally contacted Morgans again, but he did not receive any useful intelligence from him either.
This made Benedict uncertain about who the opponent was.
However, regardless of who it was, they posed a threat to the Xuanwu Navy.
Since the system had issued the mission, it was unlikely to be a joke.
...
Therefore, holding a collective high-level meeting, strengthening military forces, intensifying training, and maintaining sufficient vigilance were all very necessary.
The meeting dispersed.
Wang Zhi and Kenshiro came to Benedict's office.
"Marshal, is the World Government making a move against us?" Wang Zhi asked first.
In Wang Zhi's opinion, the Xuanwu Navy's actions had resulted in heavy losses and a complete loss of face, and given the temperament of the Celestial Dragons, they would certainly not let them off easily.
"I don't know!" Benedict replied calmly.
Wang Zhi was somewhat taken aback and hesitated, "The Beast Pirates?"
If not the World Government, then it had to be the Beast Pirates.
These were currently the two most offended forces by the Xuanwu Navy.
"Perhaps!" Benedict replied calmly.
Wang Zhi was momentarily stunned.
Kenshiro also pondered for a moment, then asked, "Marshal, if we deployed intelligence agents throughout the East Blue, wouldn't we know?"
"We have already set up positions at all the entrances leading into the East Blue," Benedict said, looking at the East Blue map and marking it with a weapon. "If they come from these places, we can know in advance."
He paused for a moment, then said with a hint of helplessness, "But if they come from the sky, it will be quite troublesome."
"The Flying Pirates?" Wang Zhi and Kenshiro reacted immediately and said in unison.
Benedict nodded. "No matter which force comes, I don't want the Xuanwu Navy base to become a battlefield."
"But Shiki is a lunatic, and his way of greeting is very unusual."
Wang Zhi fell silent for a moment and nodded.
Shiki was indeed an overbearing lunatic with a peculiar thought process.
And his way of greeting was also very troublesome.
For example, the dozens of pirate ships that plunged from the sky thousands of meters high.
For example, the floating islands.
Either one falling from high altitude, coupled with dropping objects from high altitude, was terrifying.
Thinking of such a scene, Wang Zhi instinctively shivered.
Benedict gazed at Wang Zhi and Kenshiro and said sternly, "This matter is very important. You must be fully alert."
Wang Zhi and Kenshiro responded, then left.
Standing by the window, looking at the current Xuanwu Navy, Benedict fell silent.
The Xuanwu Navy did not have many advantages.
Apart from the system that generated five hundred special forces soldiers daily in various parts of the world, who would gather at the Xuanwu Navy base according to their beliefs, other resources could not be compared with any Yonko, the Xuanwu Navy, or the World Government.
In terms of finances, the Xuanwu Navy had no concept of taxation. Therefore, eradicating pirates, confiscating their treasures for public funds, or undertaking escort missions, or selling white spirits had become sources of income.
Financially, independence and the ability to sufficiently support the operations of the Xuanwu Navy were crucial.
Furthermore, the Xuanwu Navy did not yet have a complete, independent shipbuilding or weapons factory of its own.
The current warships were basically seized, and many weapons were captured. The remaining purchased ones were mostly from the black market.
This meant that the Xuanwu Navy required more financial support.
Everything required money!
"The Xuanwu Navy is an army of justice. We cannot collect the exorbitant Celestial Tribute like the Celestial Dragons, nor can we do so."
"The East Blue is now at peace due to the deterrence of the Xuanwu Navy, and maritime trade has increased, which has also increased some revenue for the Xuanwu Navy."
"But these are like throwing a stone into the ocean, hardly making a difference."
Benedict had a headache. He desperately needed someone with a sharp business acumen to help the Xuanwu Navy increase revenue and reduce expenditure.
"This is so troublesome!"
"If I could, I would just plunder expensive gold."
Benedict returned to his seat and said helplessly.
"Gold?"
Benedict suddenly sat up, his eyes narrowing.
If there was any place with enough gold, the World Government would definitely be the first.
The second would be the Land of Gold.
The third would be the Gura Gura no Mi (Gold-Gold Fruit).
The first was impossible for now, as he did not have the capability yet.
The latter two were completely viable options to consider and act upon.
Thinking of this, Benedict's mood improved a little.
At least the Land of Gold was something to look forward to.
With his mood lifted, Benedict checked his attributes.
The abilities were the same. The only difference was that he now only had two thousand three hundred Justice Points left.
These Justice Points were obtained from completing missions, as well as rewards the system had given the Xuanwu Navy for accumulating captures and eradicating pirate groups over time.
If they were awarded one hundred Justice Points per pirate group, the Xuanwu Navy had already dealt with and destroyed over forty pirate groups since its establishment.
Thinking of this, Benedict finally remembered that he had not had a good look around the Justice Mall since it opened.
He wondered what good items were available there.