In the meeting hall, the heavy atmosphere was almost solid. The messenger pirate knelt on the floor, sweat droplets continuously falling from his forehead, forming a small damp patch.
"Shihahaha!"
Suddenly, a signature mad laugh shattered the silence. Shiki abruptly stood up from his gold-inlaid throne, his long golden hair moving as if stirred by an unfelt wind.
Though he wasn't intentionally releasing his Haoshoku Haki, his innate kingly aura still made the assembled officers unconsciously take half a step back.
"You're saying," Shiki's voice was laden with dangerous intent, each word like a sharp blade, "that bastard Albert lost a battle, and that useless waste Sack actually got himself killed?"
The messenger pirate trembled all over, stammering in reply, "Y-yes, Lord Admiral."
At that moment, the tall man sitting in the first seat to Shiki's right stood up. Frowning, he asked, "What exactly happened? Given the strength of the Big Mom Pirates, they shouldn't have been able to defeat Albert's force in theory. Did Charlotte Linlin take to the field herself?"
This was Nelson, First Division Commander of the Golden Lion Pirates, a user of the Paramecia-type Shōgeki Shōgeki no Mi, a great pirate with a bounty of 1,130,000,000 Berries. As one of Shiki's most trusted subordinates, Nelson's strength was renowned throughout the New World.
Hearing this, Shiki temporarily reined in his anger. If Charlotte Linlin had personally acted, then Albert couldn't really be blamed. After all, within the entire Golden Lion Pirates, only he himself was confident of suppressing that monstrous woman.
"No, that's not it. Charlotte Linlin didn't act," the messenger pirate hurriedly explained. "According to the intelligence, the Big Mom Pirates and the Beasts Pirates have allied. It was Perospero leading the Katakuri brothers, together with the Beasts Pirates' All-Star, the Plague Queen, who crushed our Second Fleet. Fifth Division Commander Sack... was killed by Queen."
"Shihahaha!" Shiki laughed in extreme anger. "So you're telling me, without Linlin or Kaido even lifting a finger, just their subordinates alone crushed my Second Fleet?"
As he laughed, terrifying Haoshoku Haki erupted instantly. The air in the entire meeting hall seemed to solidify. The weaker pirates fainted one after another, and even the clouds in the sky above were forcefully dispersed, creating a massive void.
Nelson, forcing himself to withstand the pressure of the Conqueror's Haki, stepped forward. "Captain Shiki, I'll take a team and bring back the heads of Perospero and that Plague Queen."
"Shihahaha, you're not up to it," Shiki shook his head directly, a shrewd gleam flashing in his eyes.
Just as Nelson was about to say more, Shiki raised a hand to stop him. "I'm afraid by now, both Charlotte Linlin and that brat Kaido have already set out for the Caister Kingdom."
Hearing this assessment, Nelson immediately understood the gravity of the situation.
Putting everything else aside, just the monster that was Charlotte Linlin—within the entire Golden Lion Pirates, only their captain, Golden Lion Shiki, could oppose her.
As for Kaido's exact strength, while unclear, the fact that he could form an alliance with Charlotte Linlin indicated his power was certainly not lacking.
Under these circumstances, if he led a force there, he would likely die in the Caister Kingdom.
"Good. It's time to meet Linlin... and that brat Kaido," Shiki said, his eyes gleaming when he mentioned Kaido.
A bold idea surfaced in his mind: the Golden Lion Pirates were currently lacking top-tier combatants. Kaido's strength back in the Rocks Pirates days was already nothing to scoff at, and later he even obtained the Mythical Zoan Azure Dragon Fruit. If he could subjugate him, the Golden Lion Pirates' strength would instantly rise by a whole level.
Thinking this, Shiki stood up abruptly. "Everyone, prepare! The Golden Lion Pirates mobilize in full force!"
"Yes, sir!" The officers responded in unison, their voices causing the entire floating island to tremble slightly.
"Inform all meteorologists! Keep a close eye on the weather for me! We head straight for the Caister Kingdom!" Shiki added. In the New World, the unpredictable weather was often more dangerous than any enemy.
The officer in charge of meteorological observation immediately accepted the order and left. Shiki stood before the floor-to-ceiling window, looking at the rolling sea of clouds in the distance, a dangerous smile curling at the corner of his mouth. "Linlin, Kaido... let me show you what a true ruler of the seas looks like!"
Simultaneously, the entire floating island entered a state of combat readiness. Cannons were rolled onto decks, ammunition was moved into position, and doctors checked medical supplies. Everyone knew this would be an unprecedented, massive battle.
Shiki turned to look at his officers, his gaze sharp as lightning. "Remember, this time it's not just about avenging our fallen brothers. We must let the entire New World know that the Golden Lion Pirates are the true masters of these waters!"
"For the Golden Lion Pirates!" The officers shouted in unison, their voices filled with fanaticism and fighting spirit.
Shiki nodded in satisfaction and strode towards his flagship. With his steps, the entire floating island began to move slowly, advancing in the direction of the Caister Kingdom.
On the deck of the flagship, Shiki gazed at the distant horizon. He recalled the days many years ago in the Rocks Pirates, when Kaido was just an apprentice crew member, and Charlotte Linlin had already displayed astonishing potential.
"The times are changing..." Shiki murmured to himself, then revealed his arrogant smile once more. "But true kings never change!"
An adjutant approached to report. "Admiral, all fleets are prepared and ready. Estimated time of arrival in Caister Kingdom waters is 12 hours."
Shiki gave a slight nod and turned to look at the fleet arrayed behind him in full battle formation. Every ship flew the golden lion flag of the Golden Lion Pirates, shining brilliantly under the sun.
Night fell. Shiki stood alone at the bow, looking at the star-filled sky. He remembered the scene decades ago when he first set foot on the Grand Line. Back then, he was full of ambition, swearing to become the master of this sea. Now, he was getting closer and closer to that goal.
"Admiral! Abnormal weather spotted ahead!" a pirate on the lookout platform suddenly shouted.
Shiki looked up. In the distance, the sky showed an eerie purple-red hue, with lightning occasionally streaking across it. "Hmph, the New World's old tricks," he sneered, then activated the power of his Fuwa Fuwa no Mi. The entire fleet began to rise slowly, preparing to bypass this dangerous area by going over the cloud layer.
Just then, Shiki suddenly sensed a familiar presence. He sharply turned his head, looking towards the sea in the southeast direction. "This Haki... It's Linlin!" The corner of his mouth curled with fighting spirit. "It seems we'll meet soon, old friend."
The fleet continued forward, getting closer and closer to the Caister Kingdom.
Shiki could feel it—a great battle, one enough to change the structure of the New World, was about to begin. And he, Golden Lion Shiki, would prove in this war who was the true ruler of the seas!