Michael silently gazed at the sky.
Feeling an aura that was on par with Whitebeard in his prime...
The excitement of battling a strong opponent and the thrill of facing prey continuously surged through his nerves.
A cruel smile slowly crept onto his lips.
"Old man... no, Shiki, I owe you an apology."
"I admit, though you're a damn bastard who deserves a thousand deaths... you're more of a proper pirate than Roger and Whitebeard!"
Hearing this, Shiki was momentarily stunned before breaking into a sinister grin.
"Try your hardest to kill me, Michael!"
"Mm."
Michael nodded with a smile.
"I'm here to kill you."
...
"Look, you're with the Marines. We don't really want to clash head-on with the Marine..." Bullet stood at the forefront, eyeing Stella and Crocodile.
"So why don't you just leave now? We won't pursue you..."
"Impossible," Stella shook her head. "Defending this place is our duty."
"Tch, if you're going to fight, hurry up!" Crocodile shot Bullet an impatient glance, lighting a cigarette and exhaling a puff of smoke.
"Bullet, you weren't this temperamental when you were younger, were you?"
Bullet didn't answer.
In the eyes of these two female Marines, he detected not a trace of retreat or fear...
Instead, a raging battle intent.
"Then... prepare to die."
As soon as Bullet finished speaking, the members of the Flying Pirates behind him began to stir...
But at that moment, everyone's Observation Haki was fully activated.
Both sides instinctively looked up.
High above, on the floating island, a vast expanse of dark red energy faintly appeared.
That was the terrifying aura of Conqueror's Haki.
"Is this... the monster fighting Michael?" Stella murmured, gazing at the floating island.
"That's Shiki's aura... That old bastard really hasn't lost his edge with age."
Crocodile chuckled and shook her head.
She had thought she was strong enough now, but compared to a monster like this...
She still fell short.
Even from this distance, the oppressive force was unmistakably terrifying.
Let alone standing directly opposite Shiki and fighting him.
"Hey, ladies, don't get too distracted by what's happening elsewhere!"
The first to strike was the Flying Pirates' sole female member, Catarina Devon, the Moon Hunter.
Following her lead, the entire Flying Pirates launched an all-out assault on Stella and Crocodile.
...
"See that? The floating island in the distance!"
On the Marine warship speeding toward Egghead through the Marine's exclusive route, the island was now faintly visible.
Garp frowned, pointing into the distance.
Right at Shiki's floating island.
"Hmm... A terrifying battle is unfolding there right now," Zephyr stood beside Garp, his brow furrowed.
"This aura... Is it Shiki?"
"Such overwhelming and uniquely mad Conqueror's Haki—who else could it be but that old bastard Shiki?" Garp laughed.
"This is... truly a long time coming."
"I remember Shiki rarely used Conqueror's Haki after the Edd War, right?" Zephyr asked calmly.
"Did he use it when he attacked Marine Headquarters back then?"
"No," Garp shook his head. "The rudder embedded in his skull had long prevented him from using Conqueror's Haki..."
"Then now... what kind of opponent could make Shiki choose such a... life-or-death struggle?"
"You mean Shiki pulled out the rudder from his head!?"
Garp gasped in shock.
Just imagining it made his scalp tingle.
"It's just the two of us here, why pretend with me?" Zephyr scoffed and nudged Garp.
"The only person who could make Shiki make such a choice, especially in a sensitive place like Egghead... it has to be that boy Michael!"
"Ahem, I didn't say anything."
"Enough, order your warship to full speed! Shiki commands an extremely dangerous crew!" Zephyr snorted coldly.
"Forget about Vegapunk's safety for now... have you forgotten who's stationed at Egghead!?"
"...Damn it! My prized disciple is still there!" Garp suddenly realized and immediately ran toward the stern.
"Where are you going!?"
"I'm going to fire a few Fist Galaxy Impact to speed us up!"
...
"Facing a real monster like you, I won't bother with probing."
Shiki, having removed the rudder from his head, had blood streaming down his face but wore an expression of utter relief.
Using the power of the Float-Float Fruit, he slowly rose into the air.
Oto and Kogarashi spun around him before settling into his hands.
"Oto and Kogarashi haven't seen real battle in a long time... Can you see it? They're trembling with excitement facing you."
"They're just like me... thirsting for the blood of a worthy foe!"
Michael opened his eyes.
Holy Flame, Judgment Flame, and Wrath Flame alternated around his body.
His brow remained furrowed.
As a Seraphim capable of manipulating Holy Light, Michael could sense that compared to Shiki's rapidly escalating aura...
Shikin's life force was draining even faster.
Michael was certain.
Even if he didn't fight Shiki, within ten, maybe twenty minutes at most, Shiki would lose all his life force and perish.
In other words, Michael only needed to spread his wings and lead Shiki on a chase like walking a dog...
Soon after, the legendary pirate Shiki would meet his end here.
But...
Such actions would be utterly boring.
Michael raised Morning Star, calmly observing Shiki's blood-streaked, frenzied face.
"No more empty words, Shiki... You must understand your own condition, don't you?"
"Therefore, I'll give you the most exhilarating battle of your life!"
"I guarantee this fight will be worthy of the name Golden Lion!"
"Consider it... a farewell."
Shiki paused, then burst into laughter.
"JIHAHAHA! Michael! To have you as the last person I meet in my life is truly a great fortune!"
"Lion's Thousand Ravines!"
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