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On the vast, azure sea, waves surged and crashed endlessly. Shafts of sunlight danced across the water's surface, shimmering like scattered diamonds.
The massive Warship House barreled forward across the ocean, heading straight for the first half of the Grand Line.
"The trail of the Golden Lion?"
"That legendary pirate, 'Golden Lion' Shiki?"
"Gulp! Master, you're not serious, are you? Going after him..."
Among those aboard the warship, only Law and Bepo—too young to have heard of the infamous Golden Lion—remained silent. However, Ajin and Burn, who had been with Germa for years and were well-versed in the secrets of the seas, were left utterly dumbfounded.
They never imagined that the whereabouts of the Sky Pirate Shiki, which even the World Government had failed to uncover all these years, would be stumbled upon by their master so casually. And now, their master was actually considering taking action against the legendary pirate king.
A name carried weight, just as a tree cast a shadow!
Shiki, one of the three great legends of the previous era, had once overshadowed even Gol D. Roger at the height of his power. He commanded the largest pirate fleet the world had ever seen, possessing the ambition and audacity to conquer the seas and swallow the heavens whole. Known as the "Sky Admiral" and the "Lion Demon," he was a man whose very name struck fear into the hearts of many.
Over two decades ago, during the famous "Edd War" between the Flying Pirates and Roger's crew, Shiki's fortunes took a catastrophic turn. A sudden storm plunged his entire fleet into the depths of the sea, destroying decades of effort and leaving him gravely injured—his helm piercing his skull.
Later, when Gol D. Roger turned himself in to the Marines, the World Government fabricated the story that the Pirate King had been captured. They announced his execution in the East Blue, the weakest of the seas, to assert their dominance and suppress the alarming rise in piracy.
Unwilling to believe this news, Shiki—the man who deeply respected Roger as a rival—went berserk. He launched a solo assault on Marine Headquarters, Marineford, refusing to retreat even in the face of overwhelming odds. Ultimately, he was subdued by the combined efforts of Fleet Admiral Sengoku and Hero Karp, then imprisoned in the world's most secure underwater prison, Impel Down.
But even within the impenetrable walls of Impel Down, the lion-hearted man refused to be caged. Two years later, he escaped, shattering the myth of the prison's invincibility and becoming the first inmate in centuries to break free.
Since then, however, the Golden Lion vanished without a trace, leaving no sign of his presence on the seas.
And now, Ichi spoke of confronting the man who once stood alongside "Pirate King" Gol D. Roger and "The Strongest Man in the World" Edward Newgate, the legendary "Golden Lion" Shiki. How could they not be shocked?
"Who would have thought that the man with the ambition of a lion, whose roar shook the seas and whose heart swallowed the heavens, had been hiding in the East Blue all these years... floating above some unknown expanse of the ocean."
Ichi's gaze was distant but unwavering. He harbored no fear.
Three years ago, during a chance encounter, he had spotted the cluster of islands floating in midair from afar and immediately deduced that it must be Shiki's lair. He recorded its coordinates and revisited the area every few months under the cover of night to confirm whether Shiki had left. All along, he had been quietly planning what came next.
The ability of the Paramythia-class Float-Float Fruit was simply too alluring!
If Germa could obtain it, the potential benefits to their development would be immeasurable.
"There's no need to worry. Shiki's escape from Impel Down didn't come without cost. Not only did the helm embedded in his skull likely damage his neural pathways, but he also severed his own legs to escape the Seastone shackles binding Devil Fruit users..."
"And now, so many years later, his age is comparable to Whitebeard's. His strength has deteriorated significantly—he is no longer the world's greatest swordsman or the mighty Sky Pirate Shiki of the past."
As he spoke, Ichi raised his hands, releasing an endless torrent of darkness that resembled a swirling abyss, drawing in all light around it.
"Whoosh—"
The surging black mist dimmed the sky.
"And most importantly..."
Clenching his fists, Ichi's eyes burned with confidence as he declared, "My abilities can interfere with, and even counteract, the powers of the Float-Float Fruit. With his legs gone, our chances of success are high!"
"The Float-Float Fruit's ability is of immense importance to Germa's current stage of development!"
Law, Ajin, Pod, and the others exchanged glances. None of them had expected Ichi to know so much about Shiki or that his analysis made their mission sound feasible.
Though young, this master possessed monstrous strength. Moreover, his Dark-Dark Fruit ability provided a real chance of success. Still, there was risk involved. If they failed, retreating unscathed might still incur the wrath of the lion who had lain low for over a decade.
"Master, none of us are skilled swordsmen. Even if we take over Shiki's body, we wouldn't be able to utilize most of his strength..."
After a long silence, Burn spoke up solemnly.
Even Ajin, who had already accepted Ichi's plan, remained quiet. He owed his life to this master, and dedicating a decade or more to assist him wasn't entirely unacceptable. After all, Germa would preserve his original body, allowing him to return eventually.
However, whether it was Ajin, Burn, or Pod, none of them excelled in swordsmanship—they were far better suited to martial combat.
"Your 'bodies' won't be Shiki's. As for him, I have other plans..."