Chapter 450: Aizen's Legendary Experience
Sōsuke Aizen had recently left a deep impression on Shiki the Golden Lion.
His feats had become the stuff of legend.
Not long ago, Aizen defeated the Gluttony Tree, one of the world's five great gluttonous disasters.
For this, the Hunter Association awarded him the double-star gem hunter's armband.
Afterward, he boldly applied for the crown-level hunter assessment.
Rumors spread that he effortlessly bested three gem-level hunters during the evaluation.
Becoming a crown-level hunter was only natural.
This sparked a global frenzy of discussion.
In today's world, every crown-level hunter enjoyed unmatched fame.
Later, Aizen emerged as the new leader of the Iron Sun hunter group, a fact widely publicized by the World Government.
Shiki the Golden Lion found it hard to comprehend.
What truly captured his attention was Aizen defeating a demon apostle.
That alone warranted Shiki the Golden Lion's full focus on this man.
Beyond Aizen, two other figures intrigued Shiki the Golden Lion, though they were less familiar.
One wore full knight's armor, complete with a helmet. Their appearance suggested femininity.
Shiki the Golden Lion had little recollection of such attire.
Judging by the knight's presence on the Holy Wing ship, they were likely a key asset of the Corti Kingdom.
There was no doubt in Shiki the Golden Lion's mind that the Corti Kingdom had gained a new demi-god-level fighter.
Backed by the King of Miracles and the God of Holy Light, the kingdom's strength was formidable.
Shiki the Golden Lion knew a bit about the other unfamiliar figure: Uchiha Madara.
A newcomer who had risen in recent days, Madara had defeated several pirate groups in the New World.
Even Big Mom, one of the Four Emperors, had clashed with him.
She was left humiliated.
The reason was simple—she was accidentally knocked into the sea.
Honestly, it was an embarrassing blunder.
Shiki the Golden Lion felt Big Mom's title as a Four Emperor paled compared to her son Katakuri's potential.
Perhaps her sons could outshine her.
As a fellow Four Emperor, Shiki the Golden Lion felt his own status diminished by association.
Best not to dwell on it.
Orochimaru's display of Madara's image suggested he held some optimism for this man.
But did Madara truly possess demi-god-level power? Shiki the Golden Lion wondered.
At the island landing competition, countless ships and warships advanced toward the headwind layer.
Some vessels near the edges, seeing the dense cluster ahead, opted for a detour.
They sailed around the headwind layer before entering, avoiding fierce competition and potential sneak attacks from ships caught in the wind.
The headwind layer formed a concentric circle around Phantom Beast Island.
Most ships hailed from Wilbur Island, leading to a crowded approach.
This was manageable for now.
But once inside the headwind layer, problems could arise.
If the leading ships stalled, a bottleneck would form, likely causing chaos.
To secure passage, trailing pirate groups might bombard the ships ahead with cannons.
Some might even fire out of frustration.
The conference had no rules against harming or killing others.
This lack of restrictions prompted cautious participants to seek less crowded entry points in the headwind layer.
Many adopted this strategy.
As a result, ships spread out from the central cluster, dispersing around the headwind layer.
From the perspective of news birds circling Phantom Beast Island's edges, their scattering was clear.
However, the live broadcast audience's attention was elsewhere, fixed on a screen showing the first ships to break through from the front.
"Very well, dear viewers, we can see many ships bravely advancing through the Windward Journey," Morgans said.
"Leading the pack is Bear Dolinir captain of Bear Pirates from North Blue, with a 150 Million Berries bounty."
"He is a renowned pirate in North Blue."
"It appears his ship's power system is exceptional, maintaining a significant lead."
In the headwind layer, Bear Dolinir stood on his pirate ship's deck.
Hearing Morgans broadcast his name, he grinned widely, a wild smile spreading across his face.
Being famous on a global stage felt exhilarating.
His foresight had paid off.
His ship's power machine came from the Night Eye Chamber of Commerce.
Rumored to be part of the Dark Screen superpower, their machines were top-quality.
Moreover, while typical power boats used a single machine, Bear Dolinir had installed eight for strategic retreats.
With eight wheels, he matched them with eight corresponding power machines.
What could those with a single engine do against him?
"Boys, give me maximum power! I must be the first to break through this headwind layer!" Bear Dolinir shouted.
"Yes, Captain!" his crew responded in unison.
Being highlighted globally by Morgans filled them with pride as members of the Bear Pirates.
Their sense of belonging soared.
"Also, Bear Team, take the front! Watch for wind blades that may appear!" Bear Dolinir ordered.
Twenty to thirty burly men, wielding thick steel shields, stepped forward and positioned themselves orderly before him.
Seeing their stoic faces, free of complaints, Bear Dolinir nodded with satisfaction.
Their morale was high, justifying the extra resources he allocated.
Being a pirate was tough these days. In the past, only Marines hunted them.
Now, bounty hunters from the Hunter Association joined the chase.
Though bounty hunters existed before, the Hunter Association's rise, fueled by the Great Era of Material Arts, changed everything.
Under this trend, Bear Dolinir, once a North Blue pirate with a modest bounty, learned to prioritize survival.
When the Domination Alliance formed in North Blue to counter the hunters' growth, Bear Dolinir was among the first to join.
Survival was his mantra.
Now, he felt it was time to make a bold move.
He was not greedy for much—just fame in this first stage before settling down.
Though older and rough in appearance, Bear Dolinir was no fool. He knew better than to always lead the charge.
(End of Chapter)