"Kehehehe! Originally, I planned to head out to find a sky island, gather a few more people — after all, if a large number of people disappeared in the Blue Sea, the Navy and World Government would notice. But now that the plan has just begun, I don't want them catching wind of anything. A sky island ten thousand meters above, however, has no such worries. And yet, by sheer luck, I ran into Burs first. Damn it! Don't think that betraying me lets you live in this world — betrayal is what I despise most. This is the fate of those who dare betray me!" Golden Lion Shiki declared.
As he spoke, an overwhelming aura radiated from him. Under the weight of his power, everyone present broke out in cold sweat. Those who harbored guilty thoughts were even more terrified, feeling their very souls tremble. Some were convinced Shiki had sensed their inner thoughts and was deliberately using Burs's head as a warning.
"But, boss Shiki, I heard Burs joined the Grey Kingdom after leaving the Flying Island Pirates. This Grey Kingdom isn't simple — their fleet leader, King Rosinante, is a terrifying presence capable of battling Admiral Sengoku himself," a squad captain with a worried expression spoke.
"Do you think I fear that brat? Sengoku? Bah! Even if Kaido had to suffer because of him, it wouldn't matter. Whether it's truth or fiction, do you think I'd be afraid? After all, he's just a rookie — when I was dominating the seas, he was still wearing diapers!" Golden Lion said coldly.
As he finished speaking, thunder suddenly roared across the sky, and Shiki gazed upward. A massive bolt of lightning struck down fiercely toward him.
Shiki leaped into the air, and with a single massive slash, collided directly with the lightning. The immense clash of electricity and blade lit up the sky. Though the lightning was enormous, under Shiki's slash it was cleaved in mere moments, and his strike even carved a path through the sky itself!
"Running away? Declaring war on me? How amusing!" Shiki glanced skyward.
"Lightning? That kind of power must be artificial… a Devil Fruit user?"
"I heard Grey Kingdom's Raijin wields the Rumble-Rumble Fruit, the strongest Logia in the natural element, with fearsome lightning attacks. That strike just now was by Enel," someone from the Flying Island Pirates exclaimed.
"Enel, huh? I'd say his only strength is running away. Next time he dares come, I'll tear his head off too," Shiki said coldly.
"But boss, it seems Grey Kingdom now knows we exist. Won't they attack us soon? Should we avoid them?" someone frowned, voicing concern.
"Do you think I'm the type to fear those brats? That strike was merely their declaration of battle. You want me to slink away like a coward?" Shiki glared, and the man immediately broke into a cold sweat.
"I'll wait right here and avenge my crew! Kehehehe, let's see if he has the guts!" Shiki roared.
As one of the world's strongest pirates, Shiki was supremely confident. Even against the combined might of Garp and Sengoku, victory wasn't guaranteed — especially with him in his sky territory. As a user of the Float-Float Fruit and one of the world's most formidable pirates, he had no reason to fear a rookie.
Meanwhile, on Sky Island Birka, Rosinante and his group returned effortlessly through Bins' wormhole.
"So this is a sky island? Hehehe, the world really is incredible. If you hadn't seen it with your own eyes, who would believe there's a floating island ten thousand meters above? Truly a miracle of the heavens!" someone exclaimed, looking down in awe from the Cloud Summit of Bika.
"It's more of a sea miracle," Robin explained. "Sky islands form due to the properties of Sea-Prism Stone. When its crystalline particles condense with water vapor, they change density, creating sea clouds — and thus, sky islands appear."
"I see… Sea-Prism Stone is truly remarkable. There must be countless secrets yet undiscovered. Hey, Rosinante, why not gather some scientists and study Sea-Prism Stone properly?" Doflamingo suggested.
"Good idea. I'll leave this matter to you," Rosinante replied.
"Forget it, I won't say anything!" Doflamingo rolled his eyes. He was speechless at Rosinante's laissez-faire style.
"Have we located Golden Lion? When will Jack and the others arrive?" Rosinante asked.
"The Four Squadrons of Jack are fully assembled and en route to the sky island. It'll take a few days to arrive. As for Golden Lion's location, I've already sent Enel and Dantes to track him. We should have news soon," Benzi replied.
"Dantes is going too? How's she doing lately?" Rosinante asked.
Dantes, the grim reaper of the dark mercenaries, had joined the Grey Kingdom after the Sabaody battle. Surprisingly, she was a tsundere girl.
"Same as always, not very sociable, but much better than when she first arrived. Enel fights her frequently; though he always loses, they strangely get along. Now, His Majesty has tasked them with investigating Golden Lion's whereabouts, so the two make an effective team," Bins said.
Rosinante was taken aback. He hadn't expected these two to cooperate so well.
"And Moria?" Rosinante inquired.
"He remains steadfast, refusing to surrender. Even locked away in a dark cell, he won't yield," Benzi said gravely.
"Oh, that's surprising. Moria, I see… maybe he's truly worth recruiting. Let's go meet him and give him another chance. If he still refuses, we'll let it be. Perfect for testing my new idea!" Rosinante said with a smile.
"Kehehehe… that's what I call opportunity!" Doflamingo chuckled.