Chapter 53: The Hunt for the Golden Lion

The Den Den Mushi clicked on, its snail eyes brightening as Rayleigh's voice crackled through, accompanied by Shakky's calm tones. The group had a cheerful exchange at first, with Rayleigh's chuckle echoing across the line as he heard about their progress over the past year. But when William asked for news about Shiki, Rayleigh's tone turned serious.

"We finally got word. Shiki's holed up on a floating island above the Calm Belt near East Blue," Rayleigh said, his voice deepening with caution. "But be careful, William. He's old and injured, but he is a legendary pirate after all."

William grinned, undeterred by the warning. "Don't worry, Rayleigh. you know how strong I am."

Shakky chimed in, her voice smooth as ever. "Remember, he's not called the Golden Lion for nothing. Don't underestimate him, William."

"I won't underestimate him, Shakky. Don't worry," William replied with a smirk. He exchanged farewells with Rayleigh and Shakky, and the call ended.

"All right, girls," he said, looking around at Hancock, Robin, Sandersonia, and Marigold. "Time for a little hunt."

The girls raised their eyebrows as they listened, knowing exactly what he meant. William, however, turned serious. "Now, Shiki's a slippery old lion. I don't want him disappearing before we even get there. Since I'm the only one of us w—"

"Oh, no, you're not leaving us behind," Hancock interrupted, folding her arms and giving him a challenging look. "We've trained alongside you for three years, William. We're not weak, and we will not stay here while you go and face a legendary pirate alone."

William chuckled, reaching out to touch Hancock's head, knowing exactly what she was thinking. "It's not what you think, I promise. I'm not trying to be overprotective, I know better than anyone how strong you girls are. Besides, it's just an old lion. Any one of us could kill him."

Robin looked at him with curiosity. "Then why even suggest leaving us behind?"

"Because, Miss Detective," he replied, "I'm the only one who can fly, so I can get there quicker and lock down his position. Then, I'll open a space portal for you girls to join me once I'm there. This way, we don't lose him."

Hancock's arms relaxed, and she huffed, though her eyes softened. "Fine. But if you'd told us that in the first place, we wouldn't have had to argue."

William laughed, knowing full well Hancock had cut him off before he could explain. "Wasn't it you who jumped to conclusions first?" he teased before turning serious again. "So, you're all good with the plan?"

They each nodded, agreeing to wait on Rusukaina until William open the portal for them. With that, he said his goodbyes, then with a powerful beat of his dragon wings, took to the skies, leaving them with a reassuring smile.

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The calm belt stretched beneath William like an endless expanse of still water, broken only by the occasional Sea King rising from the depths. He flew onward for a whole day, scanning the skies for Shiki's elusive fortress. Finally, in the early morning of the second day, he saw it—a massive floating island with an ancient Japanese palace at its center, suspended over the calm belt by Shiki's levitation powers.

With a determined smirk, William landed on the island's edge and immediately opened a portal, connecting the floating fortress to Rusukaina. Moments later, Hancock, Robin, Marigold, and Sandersonia stepped through, each one carrying a look of anticipation.

William led them boldly toward the palace, not bothering to hide their presence. Shiki's minions approached, but William unleashed his Conqueror's Haki, sending them to the ground before they could lift a finger. They fell away like leaves in a storm as William and the girls strode forward, the halls of Shiki's fortress eerily silent in their wake.

At last, they entered the grand hall, a vast space adorned with lanterns and banners that whispered of Shiki's pride and arrogance. In the center of the room stood Shiki himself, dressed in a tattered yellow coat over his traditional black and red robes, his golden mane spilling down his back. A wheel was lodged in his head, a grim souvenir from his battle with Gol D. Roger. He clenched a cigar between his teeth, watching them with a keen, calculating gaze that sparked as he sized them up.

Shiki exhaled, his voice gruff and sharp. "Who are you, and why are you here?"

William stepped forward, his posture relaxed but his eyes sharp. "The name's Kael .D. William, and I'm here for the head of a legendary pirate," he replied with a smile. "Your head, Golden Lion Shiki."

Shiki's brows furrowed in confusion before he barked out a laugh. "So you think you can just waltz in and take my head? Do you have any idea who you're dealing with, kid?"

William tilted his head, unfazed. "Someone who's long past his prime. Someone who clings to an old world that's already dead. And someone who's about to be reminded that the new era doesn't have a place for fossils."

Shiki's brow furrowed, but before he could respond, William turned to the girls with a grin. "Hey, while I deal with this fossil, how about you girls go see if he's got any good treasure lying around? I'd bet a pirate like him has some interesting loot."

The girls exchanged looks, amused, but before they could agree, Shiki's face contorted with rage. His leg swept up in a vicious arc, creating a powerful air slash aimed directly at them.

To his shock, William didn't protect them. Instead, Hancock stepped forward, her leg enveloped in Haki. With a fierce kick, she shattered the slash into harmless fragments, her calm eyes fixed on Shiki as she stood unwavering.

Shiki's face twisted into an ugly scowl as he realized he wasn't dealing with ordinary challengers. These weren't mere kids—they were monsters. William's gaze darkened, his playful demeanor vanishing as his Conqueror's Haki flooded the room. Red and black lightning crackled around him, and the palace trembled as cracks snaked along the walls and floor.

"You seem to be impatient, old lion," he said, his voice low and dangerous.

Shiki's eyes widened, feeling the full brunt of William's Haki. But pride wouldn't allow him to back down. He straightened, and his own Conqueror's Haki surged forth, attempting to push back against William's force. The air buzzed with the clash, but it quickly became clear that William's Haki was stronger—more brutal, more tyrannical. Shiki's attempt crumbled, his Haki smothered by the sheer power William commanded.

William stepped forward, his voice calm but laced with power. "It's time for the old to give way to the new. You've had your time, Shiki. Now, it's ours."

William grinned, his hands crackling with Haki as he prepared to fight Shiki. But before the fight start, Shiki paused mid-motion, his eyes narrowing with a sudden realization.

"Kael D. William," he murmured, as if tasting the name. "So you're that kid who's been causing trouble for the world government three years ago."

William smirked. "Yes, that was me."

"You've got guts, kid. But you've walked into a lion's den, and you don't even realize it," Shiki sneered, flexing his fingers as he readied his next attack. "I'll show you that legends don't die so easily."

William's grin widened, his eyes gleaming with anticipation. "I'm counting on it, old lion."

The stage was set, and as the first sparks of battle lit up the hall, it was clear that neither side would hold back. The legend and the rising star stood face-to-face, both unyielding.

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