After three rounds of drinks, the banquet atmosphere gradually heated up. However, the scene gave the impression that Golden Lion's subordinates were deliberately trying to flatter their captain. At least, none of the Hell Pirates participated in this display.
Throughout the banquet, Golden Lion constantly praised his subordinates, recounting each one's origins and backgrounds, as if gathering them together was his own special talent! A scientific scholar, the leader of an armed group, a powerful pirate who once roamed the Grand Line... individually, each of them was indeed capable. But perhaps because Golden Lion was out of touch with the times, he was completely unaware that these so-called outstanding subordinates were no longer considered "powerful men" in today's oceans.
When he introduced one of his subordinates as the "overlord" of the Grand Line, claiming the man had risen to fame in recent years, Oboro and the others were completely confused, having never heard of him. It was Rob Lucci who reminded them and revealed his background, seven or eight years ago, this pirate had made a minor name for himself in the early part of the Grand Line, but that was about it.
Without a doubt, Golden Lion's intention was to use this banquet to show off his current military might to the Hell Pirates! He also expounded on his ambitions and plans for world domination, namely the SIQ enhancement serum. Dom and the others remained silent because they weren't impressed by Shiki's expansive speech at all. Instead, they found it "utterly boring."
Shiki, lost in his own whimsical fantasies, was completely oblivious to his guests' emotions and reactions. Finally, with drunken eyes, he glanced at the God Slayer, who sat closest to him in the honored seat below his throne.
"How's it going, kid? My brand-new Sky Pirates..."
With these words, not only Golden Lion, but everyone present focused their attention on the God Slayer. Applause echoed through the quiet hall.
Oboro clapped his hands. "Very impressive... Absolutely astonishing."
"Jihahahahaha!" Satisfied with the response, Golden Lion laughed heartily.
"I mean... shockingly bad."
Oboro's subsequent words were like a sudden chokehold on Shiki's neck, cutting his laughter short. The entire hall fell into deathly silence. A single sound echoed.
"Although I was somewhat prepared, to be honest, meeting you in person left me deeply disappointed." Oboro's tone remained measured and respectful, but his words cut deep. "You've fallen, haven't you?"
"That's not right. Maybe it's just your refusal to admit defeat, or your refusal to accept old age... Looking at your legendary life, you're unwilling to just give up your identity as a pirate." Ignoring the sudden drop in temperature at the banquet or the sudden darkening of Golden Lion's expression, Oboro continued with clinical precision.
"In fact, you should know deep down that even if you develop the enhancement serum you mentioned, it would be difficult for you to return to the center of this ocean... let alone pose any threat to the World Government."
"Let's be realistic... If you don't hide here, even if you take these people out to sea again now... I guarantee that even in the New World, you and your pirate group would soon be slain by the Four Emperors. You wouldn't be able to stand up against any of them... not even the ailing Whitebeard."
"Anyway, as a junior, I'm very grateful for hosting this banquet for us." Oboro stood up first, his movement deliberate and final.
Seeing this, the other members of the Hell Pirates also stood up in unison.
"Well... we have things to do, so we won't bother you anymore." Oboro nodded to the Golden Lion, then turned and left with his crew.
Lucci and the others were surprised. They didn't understand why the captain wanted to leave so suddenly and create such a troublesome situation. Didn't he say... to cooperate with the Golden Lion?
Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Oboro and his seven companions walked calmly along the wide red carpet toward the door.
"Kid."
Suddenly, the air pressure in the hall began to drop. Behind the Hell Pirates, intertwined lightning and thunder, drawn by Golden Lion's Conqueror's Haki, burst forth with dazzling light.
Shiki slowly stood up from his seat, his face expressionless, arms crossed and tucked into his sleeves.
Oboro paused, slowly turned around, and his eyes met Shiki's.
"You came to me... because you want me to help you, right?" The Golden Lion stopped pretending, and his eyes, like those that had been dusted for a long time, once again shot out a sharp light. He stared down at Oboro and raised the corners of his mouth.
"That's right." Oboro nodded.
"I also understand your situation... In today's ocean, only I, the Golden Lion, can help you get rid of the pressure of the World Government, enter the New World smoothly, and compete with those guys on their territories. No one else can do it! The Battle of Twin Capes that happened not long ago is the best proof. If I were there... no matter how many troops the Marine sent, even with Garp and Sengoku... I could have helped you enter the Grand Line smoothly, instead of running to the East Blue in disgrace!"
"I have dealt with those Celestial Dragons, a bunch of trash, for much longer than you have."
Oboro smiled. He shook his head. "No, you can't."
"You might have been able to do it in the past, but you're too weak now."
Those two simple words suddenly brought bloodshot eyes to Golden Lion's gaze. He was enraged.
Rob Lucci and the others standing beside Oboro tensed, ready for action. They knew a battle was inevitable. Lucci, however, sensed a conspiracy from Oboro. This deliberate manipulation of Golden Lion's emotions, the deliberately created scenes and language... clearly had a purpose. And Golden Lion... had fallen into a trap.
"You can't see with your brain that I only deliberately created a farce in the Twin Cape incident... As for entering the New World, you and I have similar abilities, so you should understand... Going to that place is easy for the Hell Pirates. But I must admit that the current Hell Pirates are not qualified to fight the Four Emperors... So, I came to you. At first, I wanted to cooperate with you and borrow your name... For example, an alliance."
"But I guessed... before the SIQ research is successful, you would reject my proposal. You don't want to be targeted by the World Government again. It seems that you're protecting your plan to proceed smoothly, but in fact... it's just a cover. What's the point of making a big splash and giving the world a huge 'shock' without any warning... Let me be frank, you no longer have the heart to ride on the seas."
"Your existence is no secret... You should be glad that there are still people on this sea who remember you... and who are willing to honor you. You are no longer important to this world. Stop dwelling on your past glory. If you're still the 'Golden Lion,' why don't the Four Emperors come looking for you? If you truly could influence the seas, someone like you... would be a coveted commodity for many powers."
"Admit it... You're perfectly suited to retire here."
"I shouldn't have come looking for you either."
Oboro ignored the Golden Lion's increasingly grim expression and continued to prod.
BOOM!
The next second, an invisible surge of Conqueror's Haki erupted from the hall like a volcano. Centered around the Golden Lion, it swept toward Oboro's position.
Lucci and the others reacted in time but were still lifted off the ground, blown away by the terrifying pressure. As for the Golden Lion's subordinates within the hall, they were like scattered pieces of paper, lifted up and slammed against the walls and pillars. Some instantly lost consciousness and fell into comas.
Faced with this shocking onslaught, Oboro remained unmoved. He also unleashed a dark, domineering aura.
Two shrouds of Conqueror's Haki, imbued with tremendous force, collided within the hall. The hall trembled, cracks ripped through the walls, and the bricks and tiles on the pillars shattered.
Before the two monsters could even begin their actual battle, the scene had already been cleared.
Snap.
The golden lion's blade-bound leg stabbed into the wine table in front of him, his drunken face clearing.
"You're arrogant... but you're right up my alley, so I'm giving you a chance." His voice carried the authority of a man who had once ruled the seas.
"This isn't a place where you can just come and go as you please."
"Take those scumbags with you and submit to me... From now on, you, God Slayer... are members of the Sky Pirates. I can make you vice-captain."
"What do you think, Oboro? Only you. If it were anyone else, I wouldn't have such patience or temper."
"Once the SIQ enhancement serum is developed, join me in dominating the world... Then, the World Government, the Celestial Dragons, the Four Emperors... will all have to obey us! Together, you and I will change the world!!!"
Faced with his gracious invitation, Oboro suddenly looked at Shiki with unmistakable disdain.
"Stop teasing me, old man... You look truly pathetic like this, you know?"
"How about this... Stop dreaming in this place. Come aboard... I'll take you... back to your former self."
Oboro sighed and extended his invitation as well.
"No more talk?" Shiki seemed to have anticipated this outcome, his expression becoming fierce and excited.
"Look... this is more like you... I've been wanting to fight for a long time, so why are you wasting time talking?"
Oboro laughed grimly.