Chapter 40: Golden Lion!

Not far from Cornillo Island, a massive ship hovered high in the sky one that would make any experienced pirate or Marine tremble in recognition. If anyone saw the distinctive flag it flew, they'd immediately exclaim, "Golden Lion!!"

Yes, this airship was none other than the flagship of Golden Lion Shiki's infamous fleet. Over the past few years, Shiki had become one of the most notorious pirates, his reputation soaring to unparalleled heights.

"Captain—no, Admiral! We've cracked the Marine's communication signals from Cornillo Island and intercepted critical intel!" A pirate, dressed in shabby but practical clothing, rushed to Shiki's side, his voice excited yet filled with awe.

Shiki's sharp eyes lit up, and a powerful, almost tangible pressure radiated from him. This wasn't just his Conqueror's Haki; it was the natural aura of a man who had stood at the pinnacle of the pirate world for decades. His very presence screamed dominance and command.

After all, who was Shiki? He was the Golden Lion, a pirate whose name had made even the strongest heroes retreat in fear. His pride and aura were overwhelming, even when not consciously unleashed. The sheer force of it nearly made the young pirate kneel on the spot.

"Oh? Finally cracked it, huh? What are those bastards up to? Who's leading the operation? Is it connected to that old dog John?" Shiki asked, his voice carrying a commanding edge.

The young pirate swallowed hard, steadying himself under the weight of Shiki's presence. He couldn't help but feel that with a leader like this, the Golden Lion fleet could one day rival the glory of the Rocks Pirates, perhaps even dominate the seas like never before. He quickly pushed those thoughts aside and got to the point.

"Yes, Captain, it's related to John. The Marines completed their mission and are preparing to return to base. The fleet's being led by none other than Admiral Sengoku!"

"Sengoku?!" Shiki's eyes widened briefly before a wicked, confident smile spread across his face. "Jiehahahahaha! Sengoku? In the New World? Well, isn't this my lucky day!"

The reason why Golden Lion Shiki was feared across the seas wasn't just his ruthlessness, it was the overwhelming power of his Devil Fruit. His Float-Float Fruit ability made him a menace in naval battles. At this moment, not even Whitebeard, the so-called strongest man in the world, had as much influence as Shiki. Some even believed Shiki's fruit was the strongest Paramecia Devil Fruit in existence.

When it came to sea warfare, Shiki's dominance of the skies gave him an insurmountable edge. He didn't need to engage in a direct battle with Sengoku. All he had to do was drop heavy objects from the sky onto the Marine fleet, crushing their ships one by one.

And Sengoku? Even as a user of the legendary Zoan-type Devil Fruit, he was still bound by the sea's curse. Once his ship went under, even Sengoku would be powerless to stop Shiki's onslaught.

Normally, the whereabouts of Marine Admirals like Sengoku were kept top secret. The New World was vast, and the odds of running into Sengoku on a random day were slim. But now? Shiki felt like fate had handed him a golden opportunity. He had originally come to hunt down Captain John, who had slipped through his fingers. But if he could destroy Sengoku and the Marine fleet, it would be a devastating blow to the World Government, one that could shake the seas to their core.

"Jiehahahaha! Today's the day Marine learns who really rules the New World!" Shiki laughed maniacally, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "Prepare for battle! Sengoku's mine, and so is that traitor John! Let's wipe them out!"

The young pirate, barely able to contain his excitement at Shiki's bold declaration, saluted enthusiastically. "Yes, Captain—no, Admiral Shiki! I'll relay your orders at once!"

With Shiki's command, the massive airship began to accelerate, powered by Shiki's abilities. Meanwhile, Sengoku and his fleet sailed onward, completely unaware that one of the most feared predators of the sea was closing in on them.

Unbeknownst to them, Golden Lion Shiki had set his sights on them, ready to launch a full-scale assault. The John Pirates were already finished John himself was nothing more than a corpse. Sengoku hadn't even bothered asking him about the so-called legendary treasure; John's demise had been swift and unceremonious. But Shiki? Shiki was hunting for blood.

On one of the warships, Claudius and his group were making the best of their situation, now traveling under the protection of the Marines after their ship had been destroyed.

"Though the Buster Call was unprecedentedly halted, the mission was still a complete success. The John Pirates have been completely eradicated. The Five Elders are pleased with our efforts," Sengoku said with a satisfied smile. "And, of course, Your Highness played a key role in this. Without your assistance, John might've managed to slip away."

Claudius, reclining in a chair, smiled casually. "Is that so? I never thought I'd be the subject of praise from the Five Elders. What did they have to say?"

"They commended you briefly. Of course, John's death and the success of the mission will be in tomorrow's papers at the latest. I wouldn't be surprised if your name shows up in the headlines as well," Sengoku replied with a grin.

In the past, Claudius would've shied away from such attention. Back then, he was just another Celestial Dragon, using his noble title to intimidate and manipulate. The last thing he wanted was to be in the public eye, where unwanted attention could cause complications. But now things were different. Claudius had plans—ambitions. And for those plans to succeed, he needed subordinates, people who would work for him. He couldn't do everything alone.

But attracting the right people wasn't easy, especially when they saw him only as a spoiled, entitled Celestial Dragon. The likes of Crocodile, for example, weren't impressed by noble titles. Claudius had gotten lucky with Crocodile, but he couldn't rely on luck every time. If he wanted to recruit powerful individuals, he needed something more something that inspired respect.

Reputation.

Without it, Claudius was just another noble. But with a reputation for power and ambition, people might begin to see him as a figure worth following.

Just as Claudius was about to respond, the sound of cannon fire echoed across the ship. The sharp blare of alarms followed immediately after, filling the air with tension.

Sengoku's relaxed demeanor vanished in an instant. His face turned serious as the alarm blared a sound that only went off when the fleet encountered a powerful enemy. Given that this was a Buster Call fleet, and Sengoku himself was present, that could only mean one thing: they had run into one of the most dangerous adversaries on the seas.

"Your Highness, it seems we may be in trouble. Please, stay safe. I'm going to investigate," Sengoku said, his voice urgent.

Before Claudius could respond, a deafening crash echoed outside. He turned to look out the window and saw a massive sailing ship fall from the sky, crashing into the sea nearby and sending waves crashing against the warships.

"What the hell?" Claudius muttered.

Sengoku froze in place for a moment, his face darkening with realization. Gritting his teeth, he muttered, "Damn it... it's him. Golden Lion Shiki!"

High in the sky, a figure floated above the fleet his presence unmistakable, his aura commanding. His long golden hair blew in the wind, a cigar hanging loosely from his lips. He wore a golden coat draped over his shoulders, exuding the swagger of a man who had ruled the seas for decades. Two famous swords hung from his waist, and before he even spoke, his overwhelming aura blanketed the entire fleet.

"Jiehahahahahaha! Sengoku! My old friend! Long time no see! Why don't you come out and say hello?" Shiki's voice boomed across the battlefield as he hovered in the air, his laughter echoing through the sky.

Sengoku stepped out from the cabin, his expression tense but composed. His body radiated authority and power, the very image of justice incarnate. He stared up at Shiki, his eyes narrowing. "Golden Lion, don't get too full of yourself!"

Shiki laughed maniacally. "Jiehahaha! I was right! Sengoku, you're here! This is perfect! Today's the day I send you to the bottom of the sea!"

Claudius leaned out of the window, gazing up at the figure floating above the fleet. Even he couldn't help but feel a sense of awe. "So that's Golden Lion Shiki..." he murmured to himself. "No wonder they call him one of the pirate overlords. His presence alone is worlds apart from someone like John..."