The Legendary Pirate, Battling Shiki!

"Ding ding ding~"

The Golden Lion, with a ship's wheel embedded in his head, his golden hair trailing to the ground, stepped forward, his two swords, Oto and Kogarashi, tapping against the floor.

"How did this guy find us? Was it a coincidence?"

"Gyahahaha~"

Golden Lion removed the cigar from his mouth, exhaling smoke with a slight grin.

"Pfft pfft pfft…" The sound of peculiar footsteps echoed through the room. Golden Lion turned to see Dr. Indigo, giving him a disapproving look.

"Dr. Indigo, can't you do something about that noise your shoes make?"

Indigo didn't respond verbally but instead acted out a few silent gestures like a mime. Golden Lion stared, puzzled, and finally asked, "Hey, hey, what are you trying to say?"

Indigo finally spoke, "This guy might be here to steal SSIQ."

Golden Lion's eyes widened. "So you can talk!"

Nearby, a large gorilla in a pink coat clapped happily. Golden Lion turned to it with an eyebrow raised.

"Huh? Old hag? That's clearly just a gorilla!" Indigo smacked Golden Lion on the head.

After their antics, Shiki's face turned serious. "How would he know about SSIQ?"

Indigo replied, "Sanders doesn't know yet, but if he finds out about SSIQ, he'll definitely try to take it."

"Why would he?" Shiki was still confused.

"He broke out of Impel Down, just like you did. The difference is, you escaped after attacking Marine Headquarters, while he was thrown in without doing anything. His desire for revenge against the World Government is probably even stronger than ours."

Indigo continued, "If the research on SSIQ progresses further, it could create an army of brutal, powerful animals. Sanders wouldn't pass up a force like that."

Shiki laughed loudly, "Couldn't we join forces instead? Sanders managed to defeat that Marine ice brat; he's no small threat. With his help, overturning the World Government would be even easier."

Shiki had once invited Whitebeard to join him in taking down the government, but he was refused. Though he didn't believe Sanders was as strong as Whitebeard, he recognized him as a top-tier force on the sea, especially considering how young he was, with plenty of potential.

Indigo pointed upward, making a sleepy gesture with his hands by his head.

"You think I'm daydreaming?" Shiki asked.

"Oh, so you actually understood?" Indigo said, surprised. "Someone that powerful and under twenty—you think he'd submit to a relic like you?"

"Gyahahaha! True, there aren't many who even remember me now." Shiki laughed, unaffected. "But either way, we should go see what this guy wants."

With that, Golden Lion began moving toward the Thunder God, floating toward the ship, while Indigo and the gorilla observed from the monitoring screen.

On the Thunder God, Sanders, who had been explaining the island's layout to Nami, Robin, and the others, suddenly looked off in one direction.

"They're coming."

He stepped onto the edge of the ship, gazing into the distance. "Nami, take over control of the Thunder God. Issho, protect them."

"Understood, Captain!" Nami immediately took control of the ship, her face filled with resolve.

Issho also stood up, gripping his bamboo sword.

"Captain, how are you planning to obtain Golden Lion's Float-Float Fruit ability?" Robin asked curiously. Since Sanders had gained the Rumble-Rumble Fruit's powers without eating a Devil Fruit, she guessed that getting the Float-Float Fruit powers must not involve eating the fruit either. But how exactly was he going to do it? Not only Robin but Nami and Issho were equally curious. Perhaps this time, they might finally get a glimpse into their captain's mysterious secrets.

"Of course, by fighting!" Sanders replied with a grin, clenching his fists and looking eager. This time, he planned to have a long-lasting fight with Golden Lion Shiki. He would stop only once he had obtained the Float-Float Fruit's power, hoping that Shiki hadn't completely lost his edge and could hold out for a while.

It wasn't just the Float-Float Fruit ability that Sanders wanted; he also sought Shiki's grandmaster-level swordsmanship.

[Deriving Golden Lion Shiki's Grandmaster-level Swordsmanship. Derivation Time: 364 days 23 hours.] [Deriving Golden Lion's Float-Float Fruit ability. Derivation Time: 9 years.]

The derivation panel showed that his focus was now on the Float-Float Fruit ability, and the swordsmanship derivation had also switched from Issho's to Shiki's. After this battle, Sanders intended not only to gain the Float-Float Fruit ability but also to become a sword grandmaster!

"Battle?" Robin looked a bit puzzled.

Just then, a yellow figure appeared in the distant sky.

"So that's the Golden Lion? The legendary pirate said to be on par with the Pirate King, Roger?"

"Can Sanders defeat him?" Nami asked, wide-eyed and filled with worry.

"Don't worry, Nami," Robin smiled, patting Nami's head, "Sanders is one of the top fighters on the seas, and besides, he has more than just the Rumble-Rumble Fruit ability."

Robin looked at Sanders' back with confidence. Their mysterious captain hadn't yet shared how many Devil Fruit abilities he possessed.

"Oh, and since this battle might last a while, feel free to explore the island when you're free. Don't worry about me," Sanders added, anticipating a fight that could last for days. Just then, Golden Lion arrived.

"Kehahaha!"

"Sanders, how did you find this place?" Golden Lion scanned the Thunder God, then looked at Sanders with a laugh.

"Coincidence," Sanders replied with a smile. "So, it seems even after hiding for over ten years, you haven't forgotten the happenings at sea—you actually know who I am, Golden Lion!"

Sanders had assumed Golden Lion was so obsessed with his SSIQ research and plans for world destruction that he wasn't paying attention to outside affairs.

"Kehahaha. How could I not recognize a fellow escapee from Impel Down?" Shiki laughed, "But I didn't expect there'd still be people who remembered this old man."

"So, Sanders, how about joining me to overthrow the World Government?" Golden Lion Shiki invited him. "With you and me working together, the Navy and those so-called Emperors of the Sea would be nothing! The whole world would be ours!"

"Oh? Are you saying you'll become my subordinate, Golden Lion?" Sanders responded with a mischievous smile.

The smile on Golden Lion's face faded, and he stared coldly at Sanders.

"Brat, not even Roger had the right to say something like that to me!" he spat. "Just because you beat that ice-wielding Marine brat, you think you can stand above me? Don't kid yourself—we're far from finished!"

"Is that so? Well, toothless lions don't deserve to be my leader!" Sanders taunted without hesitation.

To be honest, he didn't have much respect for Golden Lion. Hiding in the shadows, wasting such immense power and a unique ability like the Float-Float Fruit, he had reduced himself to a clown, no different from Crocodile or Gecko Moria—just with more strength.

"Kehahaha." Hearing Sanders' words, Golden Lion knew this would be no peaceful encounter. His eyes narrowed fiercely. "It seems you're here to challenge me! And with these partners of yours?" He sneered, "A blind man and a little girl? Don't make me laugh! Piracy is no child's game!"

The moment he spoke, a tremendous pressure surged from Golden Lion's body—Conqueror's Haki! A legendary pirate who once rivaled Roger and fought alongside Whitebeard was bound to possess Conqueror's Haki. The intense pressure enveloped the entire Thunder God, forcing down on everyone on board.

Robin and Nami turned pale, struggling to stay on their feet on the deck. And this was without Shiki focusing his Haki directly on them.

Noticing Robin and Nami's discomfort, Sanders frowned.

"Shiki, targeting the newcomers—so this is the legendary sea pirate's honor?" As he spoke, his own Conqueror's Haki surged, colliding with Shiki's.

"Kehahaha! I just wanted to see what your companions are made of!"

"It seems you've recruited a fine ally as well!" Golden Lion glanced at Issho, who stood calmly, and laughed heartily. He withdrew the Conqueror's Haki directed at the others, focusing solely on his clash with Sanders. Nami and Robin finally exhaled in relief. Just moments ago, it had felt as though they were underwater, unable to breathe, with their backs drenched in cold sweat.

The two invisible auras clashed in midair, stirring powerful shockwaves that scattered the clouds, as if threatening to tear the very air apart. The mast of the Thunder God creaked, cracking under the strain.

"So this is the strength of Captain and Golden Lion? Just their sheer aura is this terrifying!" Robin shielded Nami, watching in astonishment. She knew of Conqueror's Haki, but this was her first time seeing an aura capable of altering reality itself.

"Such overwhelming power!" Issho muttered, his clothing billowing from the shockwaves as he observed Sanders and Golden Lion.

"Kehahaha! Not bad, Sanders, your Conqueror's Haki is impressive!" Golden Lion chuckled wickedly.

"Right back at you, Golden Lion!" Sanders said, arms crossed as he gazed up at his opponent.

"I've changed my mind—let's work together, as equals!" Golden Lion's eyes turned serious, extending another invitation. Sanders' aura had impressed him enough to reconsider.

"I'm not interested in being your equal!" Sanders replied coolly. "There's no room in the new era for relics like you!" In a flash, Sanders leapt forward, lightning crackling as he appeared before Golden Lion, fists covered in Armament Haki, and unleashed a powerful punch.

Golden Lion raised the sword on his leg to block.

Clang!

The metallic clash echoed as the force of Sanders' blow sent Golden Lion flying back several meters.

"You damn brat!" Golden Lion snarled in fury. "Let's see what makes you think you're so worthy!"

"Old fossils should stay in their coffins!" Sanders taunted, using Moonwalk to launch himself straight toward Golden Lion.

"They're about to start fighting!" Robin said urgently. "Nami, get the Thunder God farther away; we'll watch from a distance!"

Nami nodded quickly, steering the Thunder God further out. Just the presence of the golden-haired Golden Lion was enough to make her tremble. She couldn't get away fast enough.

Once the Thunder God had moved to a safe distance, Sanders had no more restraints.

"Come on, Golden Lion, let me see what puts you on par with Roger!" Sanders roared.

"Brat! I'll show you what a true pirate is!" Golden Lion shouted back. "Flying Slash!"

Golden Lion hovered in the air, crossing his legs to unleash a massive X-shaped flying slash at Sanders.

"Bring it on!" Sanders' eyes gleamed with excitement.

Sanders' Haki-infused fist smashed through Golden Lion's flying slashes with a resounding crash! The powerful slashes, as solid as if they were massive blades, shattered under his punch.

"Is that all you've got, Golden Lion? How disappointing!" Sanders taunted, leaping upward in a flash of lightning.

In an instant, he appeared above Golden Lion, his fist charged with a devastating electric power. "200 Million Volts: Thunder Fist!"

Golden Lion reacted quickly, coating his leg-mounted sword in Haki and blocking the blow. The impact was explosive, sending Golden Lion crashing toward the ground.

"Is that the strength of the captain?" Nami watched in awe. "Will I ever be that strong?" She admired Sanders' Thunder Fist, feeling inspired. Her own abilities with the Rumble-Rumble Fruit only allowed her to harness 10 million volts, whereas Sanders effortlessly unleashed 200 million volts—a level of power she could only dream of reaching.

"I'll train hard!" Nami nodded determinedly, recalling the helplessness she once felt without power. Now that she had a chance, she was eager to improve.

Issho, watching the battle, gently encouraged her, "Don't push yourself too hard. Leave the fighting to the captain and me. As the crew's navigator, all you need is enough strength to protect yourself if other pirate crews get too close." His gaze was gentle; as one of the older members, he was protective of young, kind-hearted Nami.

On the battlefield, Golden Lion regained his balance, stopping his fall. Sanders, also landing on the ground, knew his Rumble-Rumble Fruit allowed him brief moments of flight. However, this wouldn't be enough to match Golden Lion's float-float abilities in an aerial battle. Ground combat would be much more satisfying.

"Kehahaha! I'll admit, Sanders, you're strong! But defeating me is still a long way off!" Golden Lion laughed heartily. The single Thunder Fist had barely fazed him, and now his fighting spirit burned bright. After years in hiding, the world was starting to forget him, but today, he'd remind them.

Sanders' eyes shone with excitement as he looked at Golden Lion. This was indeed a foe worthy of his full power.

Golden Lion lifted his hands, activating his Float-Float Fruit powers. "Lion's Might: Ground Upheaval!"

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T/N:

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