Hundreds of pirate ships blackened the sea as they surged forward, the immense push of their advance stirring layer upon layer of rippling waves.
It was a spectacle of overwhelming force, even from a distance; it pressed down on the soul with a weighty, suffocating pressure.
"Get out of the way! They'll destroy any obstacle in their path!"
As many pirates stood frozen in astonishment, a voice suddenly thundered out, snapping everyone back to attention.
The smaller pirate ships scattered, speeding past to avoid the enormous armada. The mighty Golden Lion Pirate Fleet paid no heed to whether those in the way were Marines or other pirates; anyone who dared stand before the King would be crushed.
The colossal fleet drew closer, and those who had scrambled aside now had a clearer view of this staggering force.
At the prow of each ship strode pirates with cold, proud faces, eyes fixed forward; their presence was sharp and battle-ready. These were hardened elite fighters; even in seas teeming with powerhouses, they ranked among the finest. Any one of them would not be underestimated.
Normally, the Flying Pirates' crews were seldom seen, but now, glancing out, the sea seemed endless with them. A black sea of ships loomed, the atmosphere heavy and suffocating.
"Too many of them!" pirates murmured, hearts trembling.
With such elite subordinates, who in this world could possibly stand against them? And the sheer numbers were enough to inspire despair. Yes, too many. Anyone facing such a force would be struck with fear.
In that moment, the pirates finally understood why the Flying Pirates were spoken of alongside Roger and Whitebeard as titans of the age. Such majesty could only belong to the very pinnacle of the world.
…
The fleet drew nearer. Some people involuntarily tilted their heads upward. Above, great floating islands drifted forward, some large, some small, like a mass of black storm clouds, casting the sea beneath into shadow.
"Is that golden-haired figure at the very front… Golden Lion Shiki?" a pirate whispered, voice cracking.
At the sight of that silhouette, hearts raced and blood surged, excitement welled up uncontrollably. That was the most towering figure in the world. How majestic, how commanding.
On the foremost floating island stood a burly, golden-haired figure. He resembled a proud lion, face stern, his whole body radiating a golden sheen.
He was the summit's powerhouse, Golden Lion Shiki!
"Hahaha, the Marines are thrown into chaos by a bunch of novices who just arrived in these waters. Just as I said, they're trash!" he bellowed.
"Trash that could even capture Roger? I don't buy it!"
"Today I'll show how weak the Marines truly are!"
His voice rolled across the sea, strong and resonant, prompting countless shouts from his followers. In an instant, the once-calm sea boiled over.
"Flying Pirates unmatched! Long live Shiki!" "The Marines are no match, let's show the world that we are the strongest!" "Brothers, let me go first, I want to take down a few Marines myself!"
From the floating island, Golden Lion Shiki spread his arms and shouted aloud.
"Do you see them, my little ones? These thirteen floating islands, are the gifts I'll be sending to the Marines."
Behind him, thirteen floating islands of varying sizes drifted in formation, advancing alongside Shiki and the Golden Lion Pirates.
"The old boss's power is too terrifying! This is world-ending power, even an enormous island is completely under his control!" "This time, the Marines are finished!" "Ha ha ha! Joining the Flying Pirates was the best decision of my life!"
Countless pirates shouted with pride, faces brimming with confidence and reverence for the Flying Pirates.
History, as time flows on, will eventually fade into dust, forgotten by those who come after. Twenty years from now, no one will remember just how mighty and domineering the Flying Pirates once were, how they stood at the peak, looking down on the world. Twenty years later, only a few remnants will remain, an aging veteran, a once-mighty lion now weakened and grey. Only when he occasionally opens his weary eyes will one still catch a fleeting glimpse of the lion's old majesty. In the end, he will fall, defeated by a new King rising from the dawn of a new era.
But today, this lion stands at the peak of his life, at his strongest!
He dares to face the entirety of the Marine Headquarters alone, and he has the confidence to win! At this moment, the Flying Pirates and the Golden Lion have reached their absolute zenith!
There are no Yonko, no Four Emperors. There is no Whitebeard's Era. In this age of transition, there are only two who stand supreme, Golden Lion Shiki and Whitebeard! They alone are the mightiest of all!
The enormous fleet passed slowly, churning the sea into chaos. Only after the entire armada disappeared beyond the horizon did the watching pirates finally come back to their senses, faces filled with awe and admiration.
"They're… too powerful!" "Yeah… if only I could join them…"
…
At the same moment, the entire world erupted in shock.
"Sabaody Archipelago has fallen into pirate hands! Golden Lion Shiki is advancing, his target is Marine Headquarters!"
The explosive news spread like wildfire, sending shockwaves across every sea.
"My god… is the world about to change?" "The Marines? Weren't they supposed to be powerful? What's happening?" "This is terrifying! What will happen there?"
Countless citizens trembled with fear and uncertainty. The mere thought of a battle between those two forces filled their hearts with dread, none could imagine the devastation that might follow. Rationally speaking, the common people hoped for a Marine victory. But as reports poured in, anxiety took hold. On the surface, the Marines seemed to be at a disadvantage. If the Marines were to fall, the world would descend into a long, dark era of terror.
At Sabaody Archipelago, A massive crowd of pirates filled the central plaza, excitement shining on every face.
"Brothers! Today marks the brightest and most glorious moment in pirate history!" "This island, this land beneath our feet, is ours now!" "We are its masters! Breathe it in, feel it!" "Can you sense it? The taste of freedom, the scent of sovereignty!"
A pirate wearing a yellow headscarf shouted passionately, his voice full of pride. His words ignited the crowd even further, some pirates howled to the sky, roaring and venting their overflowing emotions.
"If you take my advice, you'll leave this island right now," said Trens quietly to the two pirate crews beside him in a crowded corner. "The Marines' reinforcements will be here soon."
"But… what about them?" Minco hesitated, glancing toward the massive mob of pirates still celebrating ahead.
"I already warned them," Trens sighed, shaking his head helplessly. "They wouldn't listen."
After taking the island, the pirates had become drunk with victory, arrogant and overconfident. Now, they actually believed they could keep the island for themselves.
(End Of This Chapter)
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