"Kid, you're the captain of this ship?"
Golden Lion hovered midair, blowing a smoke ring as he eyed Bahr with undisguised arrogance. "Your presence is slightly stronger than that lightning brat's. Barely passable."
Bahr chuckled. "To earn Lion Demon's approval is an honor."
Who didn't know Golden Lion's reputation? One of the legendary pirates who once stood alongside Roger and Whitebeard, the first man to ever break out of Impel Down. Though later defeated by Straw Hat Boy, anyone with eyes knew that was pure plot armor. For an old monster who'd reached the pinnacle of piracy to offer even this much praise was genuine recognition.
"I grew up hearing tales of Lion Demon," Bahr continued smoothly. "Always admired you. This is just a minor misunderstanding—no need for tempers. How about we leave you in peace and sail away?"
The moment he'd spotted the floating islands ahead, he'd guessed Enel was the culprit. They'd most likely stumbled upon Golden Lion's Vermilion territory. Not entirely surprising—in the theatrical version, Brook only encountered Golden Lion after joining the Straw Hat crew, and Vermilion had always been hidden somewhere along the Grand Line.
Twin streams of white smoke snorted from Golden Lion's nostrils as he gave Bahr a once-over before sneering. "Running at the first sign of trouble? Pathetic. At least that spiky lightning brat had some spine!"
To Golden Lion, real pirates fought like he had against Roger—battling to the bitter end even if it meant being crushed to dust. Bahr's avoidance of conflict was downright shameful.
Bahr remained unperturbed, utterly unfazed by the mockery. Picking fights with legendary monsters served no purpose. This wasn't cowardice—it was pragmatism. On these seas, without plot armor, reckless stubbornness only made for good fish food. He'd never cared about proving himself—enjoying life was what mattered.
This mess was entirely Enel's fault. Couldn't the idiot have flown at sea level instead of soaring into the sky? Now they'd walked right into the lion's den.
After a beat of silence, Golden Lion suddenly barked a laugh. "Fine. Leave the ship and that lightning brat. You spineless trash can scram."
"No room for negotiation?" Bahr's eyes narrowed.
Golden Lion tilted his chin up disdainfully. "The weak don't get to make demands."
"Done playing nice, old man." Bahr's expression darkened as his hand vanished into a spatial rift. With a distorted hum, Black Sword Autumn Water slid free, its blade glinting lethally in the sunlight. "Let me send you to meet the Pirate King!"
"Dimensional Slash!"
The shout came with the downward sweep of his sword. A violet-tinged slash several yards wide tore through the air with a shriek, the sheer force making the atmosphere hiss in protest.
Golden Lion's eyes widened. Crossing the short swords on his legs into an X, veins bulging, he roared as he met the attack head-on.
CLANG—!
The deafening impact sent sparks flying in all directions. Golden Lion gritted his teeth, but the overwhelming force rattled his bones, bending the leg blades backward. Within seconds, the Dimensional Slash plowed him straight into Vermilion island's cliffs.
As his body cratered into rockface, the slash continued carving through stone with a sickening crack—leaving behind a deep trench of exposed blackish bedrock amidst cascading rubble.
Resting Autumn Water's cold flat against his shoulder, Bahr scoffed. "That's it?"
He avoided trouble, but when trouble came knocking, he'd answer with brutality. For arrogant old farts who overstepped, actions spoke louder than words—beating them half to death was the only language they understood.
Nearby, Enel's eye twitched at the display. Compared to this, his earlier performance was downright embarrassing. Glaring at Bahr's cocky stance, he muttered, "The old coot just got caught off guard!"
Bahr didn't respond. Golden Lion had rested on his laurels as a legendary pirate, underestimating him from the start. Served him right to eat dirt unprepared.
Noticing Enel's stubborn pout, Bahr raised a brow. "Watch closely. I'll show you what a real fight between powerhouses looks like. Only by recognizing your shortcomings can you improve."
Without waiting for a reply, he vanished after Golden Lion in a burst of speed.
Either don't fight, or fight to kill. After being called spineless, this grudge needed settling properly. Besides, with Golden Lion's Float-Float Fruit allowing aerial movement, escape wasn't an option.
"Tch." Despite his sneer, Enel transformed into a streak of blue lightning, following close behind.
On Vermilion's surface, Golden Lion shoved aside debris as he stood, wiping dust from his face. His legs—numb as if hammered—made him curse under his breath. "Damn brat's got some skill..."
Spotting Bahr charging through the air, Golden Lion's expression hardened. No more underestimating. Soaring upward, he bellowed, "Come at me, boy!"
Bahr didn't waste breath. In a flash, he appeared behind Golden Lion—Autumn Water erupting with dark purple Haki as it shrieked through the air.
CLANG—!
Golden Lion crossed his ankle blades to block, sparks flying three feet high from the impact. Yet he grinned, baring fangs. "Fine ability. Not enough."
"Still talking tough, old man?" Bahr's icy tone dripped scorn. "The Pirate King's waiting in hell. Let me reunite you."
"Insolence!" Golden Lion kicked at Bahr's face, his leg blades becoming blurs of starlike slashes—each strike whistling sharply.
Dodging behind Golden Lion, Bahr's sword stabbed like a viper for the spine—only to be deflected by a knee. Their aerial dance became a staccato of clashing steel, the rapid "clangclangclang" shaking loose rocks from floating islands.
Suddenly, Bahr retreated half-step—Autumn Water hooking toward Golden Lion's flank in a vicious arc. But Golden Lion curled midair, blades spinning into a floral pattern that precisely parried each strike.
"Not bad!" Golden Lion laughed, repelling Bahr with a shockwave. "Your swordsmanship's decent—just lacks refinement. Join me, and I'll mold you into the next 'Great Swordsman.'"
"Tch." Twirling Autumn Water, Bahr scoffed. "I swordfight because it looks cool. Couldn't care less about titles."
His style was entirely self-taught—prioritizing flair over form. Compared to Golden Lion's mastery, his technique was admittedly rough.
Golden Lion's bushy brows shot up in outrage. "You disgrace a swordsman's pride, you ignorant whelp!"
Clenching one fist, he roared: "Lion's Majesty: Earth Scroll!"
BOOOOM—!
The very earth quaked as if gripped by invisible hands. Countless boulders and dirt chunks ruptured skyward—coalescing into mountainous lion shapes that blotted out the sun. Their stony manes bristled with rocky texture, empty eye sockets radiating Haki as they lunged at Bahr with deafening roars.
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