One day later, in the waters surrounding Egghead Island.
The New Flying Pirates had already entered Egghead's territorial waters.
Not long after sailing, they encountered attacks from sea beast weapon squads.
These sea beasts and Sea Kings, mechanically modified and made controllable by Vegapunk, completely obeyed Vegapunk while retaining most of their original intelligence.
In a sense, they were more like an elite military force than those Marine soldiers.
Ordinary pirates would have long been dragged into the deep sea by them.
But... unfortunately, they encountered the Flying Pirates, whose entire crew consisted of monsters.
"Really... being looked down upon." Shiryu of the Rain crouched on the corpse of a sea beast floating on the water's surface.
"Sending these animals to intercept us."
"Tsk tsk tsk, former Jailer Shiryu of the Rain is so high and mighty, even these giant sea beasts and Sea Kings are beneath you." Catarina Devon sneered twice.
"In that case, why don't you handle the rest by yourself?"
"Can we not argue at a time like this?"
Vasco Shot let out a drunken belch, then spewed a burst of explosive alcoholic flames, charring a sea beast black.
"Drunken Blaze!"
The others weren't idle either.
Though they spoke lightly, facing these enormous sea beasts did bring some pressure.
After all, massive size meant proportionally greater strength.
But this was the price these creatures paid for being unable to train and master Haki.
"Quite the lively scene."
Golden Lion Shiki hadn't lifted a finger the entire time.
Nor had the three beside him—Redfield, Wang Zhi, and Bullet.
The hierarchy within the Flying Pirates was quite distinct.
Despite being notorious criminals from Impel Down's Level 6, pirates like Shiryu of the Rain were in a completely different league compared to Shiki and his inner circle.
Not even close.
Soon, under the assault of these ruthless, genuine pirates, the sea beast forces were pushed back.
The remaining few, sensing the tide turning, quickly dove underwater and vanished.
Since Vegapunk hadn't issued them mandatory orders, their intelligence took precedence.
Fight to the death?
Are you kidding?
"They've retreated... Tsk, these animals are quite clever."
"Don't underestimate the creatures of the sea." Shiki laughed heartily. "These are just small fry. The true ancient Sea Kings are beings whose bodies rival small islands! Some individuals even exceed five thousand meters in length... Can you imagine the sheer power of something as massive as a small island?"
"So... this is the reason why the Ancient Weapon Poseidon is so powerful?" Bullet suddenly spoke up, his expression still cold.
"Because Poseidon can summon and communicate with the Sea Kings..."
"You know quite a lot, Bullet..." Shiki glanced at him with slight surprise before continuing,
"That's right. As long as it's in the ocean, Poseidon is invincible. No one can fight against those mountainous ancient Sea Kings while submerged in seawater."
Without waiting for Bullet's response, Shiki immediately issued orders.
"Quit dawdling! Head straight for Egghead's main island!"
"We're taking Egghead today!"
"Don't give the Marine any chance to react!"
Though Shiki knew his forces were strong now, this wasn't like the desperate days when he'd single-handedly charged into Marine Headquarters.
Avoiding direct confrontation with the Marine's main forces was ideal.
After breaking through the blockade of the sea beast weapons, the path ahead was completely clear.
They didn't encounter a single Marine soldier.
Even Shiki found it strange...
Could such an important place really only be guarded by these sea beast weapons?
Did the Marine truly value this location?
But Shiki couldn't be bothered to think too much.
Whatever the reason, being able to reach Egghead's main island faster was a good thing.
As the futuristic island gradually loomed larger before the Flying Pirates, Shiki's grin widened...
"Being able to repay the World Government's favor this easily—no matter how you look at it, this is a huge win."
The operation's smooth progress made Shiki somewhat giddy.
"Sanjuan Wolf! You guard the ship!"
"The rest of you, follow me ashore!"
Under Shiki's command, the "Colossal Battleship" Sanjuan Wolf nodded dumbly before squatting by the shoreline, staring blankly at their pirate ship.
Shiki nodded his head.
Being foolish could sometimes be an advantage.
At least he wasn't like the other subordinates, harboring ulterior motives and feigning compliance...
Entering the inner area of Egghead normally required a series of verifications.
But under the sharp edges of Oto and Kogarashi, all of them were forcibly bypassed.
And upon arriving here, Shiki finally saw humans.
Scientists and researchers in white lab coats were fleeing deeper inside, clutching various instruments or documents.
Shiryu of the Rain took one look at this scene, and his bloodthirsty heart immediately surged.
With a sinister grin, he was about to draw his sword...
Only to have Shiki press it back down the next moment.
"Hey, Shiryu, these aren't people you can just casually cut down," Shiki said, his gaze burning as he stared at Shiryu of the Rain.
"You'd better... not cause trouble for me."
Shiryu met Shiki's predatory glare and froze...
He had never encountered a presence so overwhelmingly oppressive before.
Back in Level 6, he had seen Shiki before...
But this was incomparable.
"Gulp!"
Shiryu swallowed hard, torn between indulging his bloodlust and preserving his own life...
He chose the latter without hesitation.
"I understand."
As he spoke, Shiryu took a step back and removed his hand from the sword at his waist.
Just then, a series of slow claps echoed from deeper inside.
"Clap, clap, clap... You really got yourself an obedient little dog, Golden Lion Shiki."
Following the voice, a half-naked man with wings fully spread appeared.
And as Shiki laid eyes on this man...
His pupils dilated further.
He never expected to run into the very person he most wanted to see this time...
A grin brimming with madness instantly spread across his face.
"Michael!"
"So it's you... are you colluding with Vegapunk in secret?"
"You've given me... far too many surprises!"
"So what is this? Fate?"
Michael responded with an equally unnervingly amiable smile:
"No."
"Just your bad luck."
----------
Read 40 chapters ahead and support me on patreon.
patreon (.)com/Newbietranslator