Chapter 205: The Ambition of the Golden Lion
Loguetown · Marine Branch Training Ground
Under the scorching sun, the air in the training ground still lingered with the smell of sweat and gunpowder smoke.
Just as everyone's gaze turned to Roy, waiting for him to reveal the answer—
Roy spoke in a low voice, yet casually uttered a bombshell: "These things... are actually all created by Shiki the Golden Lion."
The scene fell into dead silence instantly.
Even the sound of the wind seemed to be sucked away. The entire training ground was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
Two short seconds later—
"BOOM!!!"
Smoker's rage detonated instantly. White smoke exploded from his entire body, his pupils vibrating with thunderous fury!
"Who did you say?! THE GOLDEN LION??? SHIKI?!!"
Kuina and Zoro's expressions changed drastically almost simultaneously, their eyes revealing shock and vigilance.
Tashigi adjusted her glasses, her breath hitching. "H-How is that possible... hasn't he been missing for ages?!"
Meanwhile, Sanji and Usopp looked bewildered.
Usopp scratched his messy hair, completely confused. "Golden Lion? Isn't that just a... lion? What's so scary about that?"
Sanji, cigarette dangling, also looked disdainful. "Yeah, isn't it just a big cat?"
"..."
The crowd was silent for three seconds.
Tashigi whipped out her notebook with a snap, explaining seriously: "Shiki, nicknamed 'Golden Lion,' is the captain of the legendary Golden Lion Pirates and Admiral of the Golden Lion Pirate Fleet. He is known as the 'Flying Pirate'."
"He is the user of the Float-Float Fruit, capable of levitating and controlling non-living matter, even making islands float in the sky."
"He was one of the three strongest pirates mentioned alongside 'Pirate King' Gol D. Roger and 'Whitebeard' Edward Newgate!"
"Most importantly—he is the first great pirate in history to successfully escape from Impel Down!!!"
"WHAAA—?!!"
Sanji and Usopp's eyes widened instantly, jaws nearly hitting the floor.
"Someone can escape from a place like Impel Down?!!" Usopp looked like he was about to cry from fear.
"And this guy is causing trouble in the East Blue right now???" Sanji also froze. "Are you kidding me?"
This week of special training wasn't just about physical fitness and combat skills; Tashigi was also responsible for cramming them with knowledge about the world's structure and important intelligence.
They were no longer ignorant boys from the East Blue!
Roy walked slowly to the center of the training ground, arms crossed, his expression unprecedentedly grave. "Shiki's ability is the 'Float-Float Fruit,' allowing him to control objects to float and even alter terrain."
"And the 'Violent Giant Beasts' in the East Blue all possess size and strength far exceeding ordinary creatures..."
"This is definitely not natural mutation, but artificial modification!"
Smoker gritted his teeth. "So, you think he's hiding in the East Blue conducting some kind of biological experiment?"
Roy nodded. "After all... for the 'Golden Lion' to act suddenly after years of dormancy, it won't be a trivial matter."
"To be precise," Roy's gaze turned cold, "he is preparing for a certain 'Grand Plan'."
Hearing this, Zoro's eyes ignited with unprecedented battle intent. "Hmph... a legendary great pirate?"
"Sounds like someone worth drawing my sword against!"
Kuina said softly, "If it's the Golden Lion, given his cruelty in his early years, we cannot take this lightly."
Sanji extinguished his cigarette butt, stomping his foot, his gaze sharp as a blade. "Golden Lion, Silver Lion, whatever—if he dares to run wild in the East Blue... and affect the restaurant's business!"
"I'll show him what it means to 'kick through the sky'!"
Although Usopp was sweating profusely from fear, he also gritted his teeth and raised his new sniper rifle. "I-I'm scared to death... but this time, I'm going too!!!"
"I won't let him affect Miss Kaya... even if the opponent is a legend, I won't back down!!!"
Watching the resolve gradually ignite in this group of youths, Roy finally revealed a smile of relief.
"Very good."
Just then, Smoker punched his palm heavily, his expression firm. "Oi, Roy, what you said just now..."
"You knew long ago that these things were created by Shiki, right?"
"Stop playing Tai Chi with me. I'm going too!"
For a moment, everyone looked at Roy in unison, the atmosphere solemn.
Facing his old friend's burning gaze, Roy was silent for a moment, then smiled heartily.
"Alright, then let's go together."
He looked at Usopp and Sanji, his tone not heavy but meaningful:
"It's also a good opportunity... to let you witness in advance the oppressive force of the world's top-tier powerhouses."
Usopp and Sanji exchanged glances, an unshakable fire burning in both their eyes.
"Yes!" The two answered almost in unison, their voices clear and strong.
At the Same Time · East Blue · High-Altitude Archipelago
Above the clouds, a massive cluster of floating islands drifted in the firmament, like a celestial fortress of the gods.
In the main hall of the central island, the air was filled with the mixed scent of chemicals and tobacco.
Dr. Indigo, wearing strange goggles and chewing on a fluorescent capsule, reported respectfully:
"The 'IQ Violent Giant Beast' plan is progressing smoothly. The regulation cycle and physical response are improving steadily."
"However... the Marines have been reacting too quickly recently. Every time an experimental subject goes out to sea, it gets exterminated shortly after, hindering combat data collection."
"We need to extend the cover cycle—"
Before he could finish, he was silenced by an invisible killing intent.
On the main throne, Shiki exhaled a heavy cloud of smoke. His golden mane fluttered in the wind, but his eyes were sharp as knives.
He didn't look at Indigo. Instead, he slowly turned his head, his gaze falling on four figures standing in the dim corner of the hall—
Blenheim, Rakuyo, Fossa, and Namur.
"You four..."
Shiki's voice was low and dangerous.
"Aren't you supposed to be guarding the house like turtles for Newgate? Suddenly coming to find me—"
"It shouldn't be to catch up on old times, right?"
"You... don't have the qualification for that."
The four shuddered in unison. As dignified division commanders of the Whitebeard Pirates, they felt like they were facing a cold blade!
Blenheim suppressed the fear in his heart and stepped forward with difficulty. "We... are here to discuss cooperation!"
"Brothers Jozu and Vista are still holding on bitterly, but the entire New World is already in chaos!"
"Brother Marco has also been secretly imprisoned by the Marines..."
"Cooperation?"
Shiki's gaze narrowed, interrupting him forcefully. A cold sneer split his face. "Relying on YOU???"
"BOOM!!!"
A terrifying wave of Conqueror's Haki erupted abruptly! Like the wrath of thunder, cracks exploded instantly throughout the entire hall!
The four immediately fell to their knees, sweating like rain!
Shiki stood up, rage burning in his eyes. "I advised Newgate many times! Don't play some pirate house game!!!"
"With his strength, if not for you trash dragging him down..."
"How could he have been defeated by the Marines!!!"
With every word he spoke, the Haki pressed down heavier. Even Indigo couldn't help but retreat a few steps.
The last sentence was practically roared in fury!
Blenheim and the others gritted their teeth until their gums bled, unwilling to retreat even half a step.
Thinking of Pops' tragic death, thinking of Marco's imprisonment, thinking of the only chance...
He looked up violently, withstanding Shiki's pressure, and screamed, "IF YOU CAN HELP US RESCUE BROTHER MARCO!!!"
"WE ARE WILLING TO FOLLOW YOU, AND OFFER ALL OF WHITEBEARD'S TERRITORY... TO YOU!!!"
In the hall, the air seemed to freeze.
Shiki pondered, his gaze sweeping back and forth over the four like a blade, his mind weighing options rapidly:
—Marco, Vista, Jozu... their combat power is decent. If they can be used by me, they will be the strongest sharp knives supporting the plan.
—And Whitebeard's territory, supplies, intelligence network... if taken over completely, it will be a huge boost to my plan!
A grim light surfaced in Shiki's eyes as he sneered. "Giving it to you trash, you can't hold it anyway."
"Rather than watching it collapse bit by bit..."
"I might as well take it all!"
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