Boom~
Boom boom boom~
A series of massive roars echoed across this stretch of the New World's sea. A gigantic crater had appeared on the ocean's surface, and one could even see the corpses of numerous Sea Kings below.
Splash, splash, splash~
The aftershocks from the battle were too intense. For a moment, the seawater couldn't rush back in, creating a temporary void.
"Shishishi, what profound Armament Haki and powerful fist techniques. Kid, your strength is already on par with the weakest officers in our pirate crew."
Shiki was, of course, referring to the likes of Wang Zhi, John, and Silver Axe.
The power gap between the officers of the Rocks Pirates was anything but small.
These two exchanges had significantly changed Shiki's impression of Brian.
In this world, the strong were revered, and only the strong were worthy of respect.
Shiki's current demeanor was a show of respect for a strong person.
"You're not bad yourself, old man. Top-tier swordsmanship and Armament Haki, and even the power of that Float-Float Fruit. You truly live up to the legend of Shiki, the Golden Lion."
"Since you know who I am, you must also know what pirate crew is behind me."
"The Rocks Pirates, the strongest in the New World. I don't think there's a single pirate in the New World who doesn't know of them."
"Shishishi, just as I thought, just as I thought. You're an interesting kid. I'll be straight with you. Our captain, Rocks, has taken a liking to you and wants to recruit you into our crew. What do you think?"
"If I join, can I become an officer too?"
"You think officers are a dime a dozen, that anyone can just become one? Take that brat over there, for example. His strength is quite impressive, but he's still just an apprentice."
Shiki pointed at Kaido on the deck.
"A true powerhouse is an exception in and of himself."
"Well said, 'a true powerhouse is an exception in and of himself.' I'm liking you more and more, kid."
"If you want to be an officer, that's fine too. Show me your true strength."
"If you can take my next attack and survive, I'll personally recommend you to Captain Rocks for an officer position."
Shiki was preparing to go all out to test the kid's true mettle.
He already had a good idea from their previous two clashes. Continuing to fight playfully would be endless; it was better to settle this quickly.
"Then bring it on!"
Brian had the same thought.
The stamina of top-tier powerhouses could be absurd. A real fight wouldn't be measured in hours, but in days or even weeks.
"Shishishishishi~"
"Lion's Roar: Imperial Earth Roll!"
Pushing his Float-Float Fruit ability to its absolute limit, Shiki caused all the seawater within a several-kilometer radius beneath him to stir.
A colossal lion formed from seawater rapidly took shape behind him, looking incredibly lifelike.
The lion was even coated in a thick layer of black Armament Haki, with red lightning flashing and crackling around it.
Just by standing there, it already exuded ultimate destructive power.
"Mamamama, that old geezer Shiki is being pushed this far by that little brat. That's a rare sight."
"The 'Beasts' who's made a bit of a name for himself in the New World these past two years? I didn't expect his strength to have reached this level."
On the deck, Charlotte Linlin had been watching the battle unfold. Only when Shiki's move appeared did she finally speak.
In the time that had passed, their powerful intelligence network had already confirmed Brian's information.
And though her words sounded casual, a hint of solemnity flashed imperceptibly in her eyes.
Even she would have a hard time dealing with that attack from Shiki.
"Gurararara, doesn't this just prove that the captain has found another good prospect?"
"Besides, that young fellow's technique is by no means weak either."
Whitebeard, however, seemed completely unconcerned, still drinking his sake.
He had absolute confidence in his own strength. On this ship, only Captain Rocks could make him feel the pressure of death.
As for Shiki, it was still too early for him to make Whitebeard nervous, let alone afraid.
"Wahahaha, excellent, excellent! What good luck today, to have encountered such a fine prospect."
"Beasts, Beasts, you truly live up to your name!"
Rocks's esteem for Brian grew even higher. Once Brian was under his command, he would be another formidable general, no weaker than Whitebeard's trio.
Whitebeard, Shiki, and Charlotte Linlin were the three officers who stood a clear cut above the rest in the current Rocks Pirates.
...
Under the gazes of the many pirates, Brian's aura also surged to its peak as he faced Shiki's attack.
Behind him, four massive animal figures appeared simultaneously.
A tiger, a leopard, a dog, and a bat, all completely covered in black Armament Haki with red lightning crackling through them.
Then, the four giant figures rapidly shrank and fused together, forming an unidentifiable, chimerical creature.
"Beasts: Four-Image Beast King!"
"Hah~"
"Hah~"
With their ultimate moves prepared, Brian and Shiki locked eyes and let out furious roars.
The beasts behind them roared in unison and charged forward until they collided.
Silence~
BOOOOM~~~
After a moment of absolute silence, a deafening roar of extreme intensity finally erupted.
A massive mushroom cloud rapidly rose at the point of impact, continuously expanding until it was several hundred meters wide.
The seawater below receded all at once, exposing the shallower seabed.
A few unlucky Sea Kings that had wandered into the battlefield were instantly ground into mincemeat by the terrifying energy field, their blood staining the sea red as they became part of the ocean's fertilizer.
This ultimate collision lasted for a full several minutes before slowly subsiding.
The crater below was now a hundred meters deep, and the seawater couldn't rush back in time to fill it, creating a temporary vacuum.
"Hah, hah~"
"Hah, hah~"
"Hahahaha~"
"Shishishi~"
One above and one below, the two men standing in mid-air looked at the result of their clash, met each other's gaze, and burst into laughter.
They had both acknowledged each other's strength. Perhaps in the future, they could even become good friends.
But for now, both were still basking in the post-battle "sage time" enjoyment.
After a good while, their laughter stopped, and they looked at each other again.
"Not bad, not bad. State your name, kid. You have my approval."
"Beasts, Brian!"
"Beasts, huh? You really live up to the name. I'm Shiki, the Golden Lion."
"I know. And you have my approval too."
"Come on, follow me back to the ship. I'll go ask Captain Rocks. A powerhouse like you has to be made an officer, or else no one will be convinced."
Shiki prepared to take Brian back to the pirate ship to make his request to Rocks.
"Let's go."
Brian glanced at the distant pirate ship, confirmed that the Beast Girls and maids were safe and sound, then nodded and flew with Shiki toward the Rocks Pirates' vessel.