At the center of the island floating in the sky was a cluster of buildings with a distinct Wano Country style.
Corridors, arched bridges, and layered togoshi roofs with upturned eaves created a rich aesthetic. Dry waterfalls and suspended rocks dotted the deep courtyards, and koi swam in clear ponds. Only the occasional suikinkutsu (deer scarer) filling with water and abruptly tipping over, hitting a stone with a thud, broke the serene atmosphere.
"This place you've set up is really impressive, Uncle Shiki," Roa said, walking across an arched bridge and marveling at the surrounding scenery. "It's much better than Big Brother Kaido's private chambers in Wano Country."
The architecture here has a high artistic value. He hadn't seen anything this Wano-esque even in Wano Country itself. It was just that the smoke-stained pirates guarding various spots were a bit of an eyesore.
"Gahahahaha!"
Golden Lion Shiki, walking alongside Roa, laughed loudly. "I'm different from certain tasteless fellows. This place was specially designed by me, by inviting designers."
"If you like it," he turned his head slightly, a smile playing on his lips, and said with amusement, "I'll give this island to you."
Anyway, with his abilities, he could just take any island he wanted, as long as it wasn't too big.
However, his words didn't seem to be intended for Roa alone.
At the very least, Kaido, who was walking behind them, drinking sake, instantly narrowed his eyes viciously. "Shiki, do you really want to die?"
"Oh?"
Golden Lion slowly turned his head. "A brat who showed up uninvited, when did you get the guts to say such things to me?"
"Don't get cocky, Shiki. Do you think it's still six years ago?" Kaido didn't back down.
Instantly, dark lightning crackled around both of them, and two terrifying bursts of Conqueror's Haki collided.
Further behind, Dylan, who deliberately kept his distance from the three, couldn't help but smile wryly. Lord Roa was a little too popular; the former executives of the Rocks Pirates were all crazy about him.
Bullet, King, and Doflamingo, who were accompanying him, were all sizing up the Golden Lion. One of the New World's strongest three pirates, the king who dominated the skies, Golden Lion Shiki, had actually appeared before them just like this.
The difference was that Doflamingo was simply amazed, while Bullet and King were more cautious.
"Alright, don't be so aggressive," Roa said, smiling as he walked between them, raising his hands to interrupt the two who were about to fight. "You're all old friends. Whatever you have to say, let's save it for the banquet."
"Fine, for your sake, brat." Golden Lion sneered, glancing at Kaido again. "I'll let this brat, who doesn't know what's good for him, off the hook for now."
"Hmph." Kaido also sneered.
And so, soon, the banquet began in the main residence of the courtyard.
It was a Wano Country-style individual serving, with each person having a small table set with dishes that one might wonder if they were enough to fill up on. Although disdainful of Kaido, Golden Lion didn't deliberately humiliate him. He placed Kaido's seat alongside Roa's and his own, all at the very top.
Golden Lion sat in the center, with Roa and Kaido on either side of him. Below Roa were several of his subordinates.
And across from Dylan and his group were three men with impressive auras. Leading them was a tall, burly bald man dressed in work clothes, looking like he'd just come from a construction site.
Below the burly man, a tall, slender Longarm Tribe youth with three-jointed arms, cradling a long sniper rifle, silently drank sake.
Finally, there was a haggard middle-aged man, slightly overweight, listless, and constantly yawning.
These were Golden Lion's top executives, who hadn't appeared in the original story. Roa had seen their names many times in newspapers and on wanted posters.
While silently eating, the executives of the Flying Pirates secretly cast glances at Roa. Although they had seen Roa's image in newspapers and on wanted posters, this was, of course, their first time seeing him in person.
Their first impression was: he's so young.
At this age, he already possessed power that left them far behind. He truly was a monster among monsters; no wonder the Admiral was so obsessed with him.
"It brings back memories, Roa!" Golden Lion completely ignored Kaido, who was sitting on the other side, and turned to speak only to Roa. "The last time I held a banquet with you, brat, wasn't it the night before we arrived at God Valley six years ago?"
The next day would be the moment the Rocks Pirates disintegrated.
"I don't miss it at all," Roa said, glancing with distaste at the food on the table before him, implying, "The Captain was really stingy; he wouldn't even let me have a proper meal before the battle."
"Gahahahaha! Wanting to reduce your own fighting power before a battle, even that scoundrel Rocks wasn't as crazy as you, brat!" Golden Lion was relieved to see Roa was still the same. He was still the Roa he admired.
"However, I've already prepared for you!" He clapped his hands.
Outside the main hall, sounds of fighting suddenly erupted. Dark mist had also drifted in through the main doors.
"It just has to be you, Uncle Shiki." Roa immediately began to heartily enjoy the unexpected feast.
"Good to know. These past few years, I've been looking for you," Golden Lion said with a smile. "How about it, Roa? Come join me! You are my disciple, and you will also be my successor. Together, who in the world could resist us?"
Kaido's face instantly turned livid on the other side. That scoundrel Golden Lion completely disregarded him.
Before he could say anything, Golden Lion had already turned back and glanced at him contemptuously, then sneered, "What future is there in running with this Kaido guy? Do you like playing house with him, hiding in dark corners?"
"You've been in the New World for so many years, and you don't even have a single subordinate worth mentioning by name." He then looked at Roa's subordinates. "These fellows under you, brat, aren't they what Kaido dreams of?"
Roa subtly raised his head, looking over Golden Lion's head at Kaido, whose face had completely darkened.
He was hit point-blank.
But it seemed to be true.
Big Brother Kaido, could it be that you're the one clinging to coattails?
"But coming to my side is different!" Golden Lion's voice grew louder. "I have the largest fleet in the New World! The strongest pirate crew! As long as you come and help me, we can sweep away all our opponents!"
"Sounds pretty good," Roa said, somewhat intoxicated.
He had to admit, Uncle Shiki was well-prepared; the quality of the dark mist was very high.
"Hey, Roa!" Kaido immediately panicked.
If he didn't panic now, Roa would be snatched away by Golden Lion! He was as anxious as an incompetent husband watching a video. No, perhaps even more anxious!
Golden Lion's smile widened. Did he even need to think about choosing between himself and Kaido?
"But, Uncle Shiki," Roa said, "Big Brother Kaido isn't good anywhere, except for two points. First, he and I are equals; neither of us commands the other. After all, having the Captain above me is enough for this lifetime. People on the sea are spreading rumors that I'm going to revive the Rocks Pirates, but there won't be a second Rocks, and we can't go back to Hachinosu."
The smile on Golden Lion's face gradually faded.
Roa simply continued, "Second, we have a common goal, and we've agreed to fight towards that goal together. We're like-minded, and such people are very rare on the sea."
Big Brother Kaido might be an incompetent husband, but this Roa is no fallen wife!
"Roa!" Kaido's eyes were filled with emotion. Although he was an extreme social Darwinist, he wasn't completely without feelings. In the original story, he would even grieve over Charlotte Linlin's defeat.
Did Roa choose him without hesitation in the choice between him and Golden Lion? Like-minded! Like-minded! Roa, you brat, you really are my best brother!
Kaido's heart swelled with emotion.
"So, you brat, you're rejecting me?" Golden Lion's eyes instantly turned cold.
Roa couldn't help but sigh. Big Brother Kaido was like this when they first met half a year ago, Auntie Linlin was like this when they met two months ago, and now Uncle Shiki is like this.
Are all you guys domineering CEOs? Always trying to force love on me?
The process is almost copy-pasted; can't you come up with something new?
"How about a different approach, Uncle Shiki?" Roa said with a smile. "Why don't you join our alliance too? Even Auntie Linlin agreed to cooperate with us."
"We can't rebuild the Rocks Pirates, but we can definitely create the first Rocks Alumni Association, right?"
"I'm not interested in your games!" Golden Lion picked up his sake cup and drained the clear liquid, his voice as cold as ice.
"That's a real shame," Roa said with a disappointed expression. "If you don't stick together at the peak, how can you become the GOAT?"
"Enough idle talk," Golden Lion said coldly. "Brat, you know I won't give up that easily."
"If you want to fight, I'll fight to the end!" Kaido also slammed his hand on the table, roaring in anger.
"Good. Once I kill you, this brat Roa won't have any other thoughts." Golden Lion turned to look at Kaido, his gaze as disgusted as an old father looking at a punk who'd stolen his precious daughter.
Roles have been reversed, it seems.
"Alright, didn't the banquet just begin?" Roa said helplessly. "We haven't even had a few bites. If you have to fight, let's wait until after the banquet."
"Hmph, this guy probably can't eat anything now!" Kaido's tone carried a hint of triumph. Roa chose him without hesitation; Golden Lion is the loser this time!
"In that case, let's have some entertainment first." Roa looked down at the executives of the Flying Pirates, who had already grown wary. "I'm very curious, Uncle Shiki, what kind of strength do your subordinates possess?"
Golden Lion, whose anger had been stoked by Roa's answer, paused, then instinctively looked at Bullet and the others. "I also want to see what kind of power the fellows you approve of possess."
"That's more like it. We're all old friends; there's no need for a life-or-death struggle where we completely fall out." Roa said with a smile, "I propose a best two-out-of-three match. First, we each pick two people to fight. If it's one win and one loss, the third match will be me and Big Brother Kaido against you, Uncle Shiki. The victor takes precedence, the loser is silent. How about it?"
Uncle Shiki had been genuinely good to him; there was no need to completely burn bridges.
"You two against me?" Golden Lion sneered. "You're really pushing your luck, brat."
"After all, it's you, Uncle Shiki. We'd have no chance in a one-on-one, would we?" Roa said with a smile. "Besides, Big Brother Kaido and I are brothers who've faced life and death together."
"Hmph." Kaido curled his lips into a smirk.
"Then it's settled!" Golden Lion roared with laughter. "Gahahahaha! My boys, who'll be the first to win for me?"
One of the three executives, the bald man at the head, stood up. "Admiral, please leave it to me."
"Good!" Golden Lion nodded approvingly.
"Sending out your strongest executive, Skull Crusher Hyde, for the first match?" Roa looked at his subordinates. "Then—"
Bullet was already impatient to stand up.
But.
"King, you're up." Roa said.
"Yes." King stood up.