Golden Lion, Who Yielded to Softness but Not Force
As the master of dreams, Roy naturally returned to his peak condition when he woke up in bed the next day.
Roy also remarked that yesterday's intense battle was a heavy burden on both his mind and body, but in terms of gains, it was undoubtedly a worthwhile investment.
On one hand, he finally figured out his own strength on the sea. Without using his trump cards, he was still slightly weaker than Akainu and about the same level as Kizaru. However, his troublesomeness and ability to survive were even more disgusting than Kizaru's, which was his greatest confidence in dominating the sea.
On the other hand, he successfully constructed a battle space with Akainu and Golden Lion in his dream.
It's important to understand that at their level, it's rare to find an opponent of equal strength, let alone one who can fight without holding back. Otherwise, Hawkeye wouldn't have become Shichibukai in order to find a swordsman who could fight him.
Roy is one of a kind, having Admiral- level fighter as his sparring partner every day. In terms of combat experience, even Whitebeard cannot be said to be stronger than him.
After a brief recap, Roy steeled his resolve and, with immense willpower, struggled to emerge from the bed surrounded by a profusion of pink arms and jade legs, and dazzling white skin. Looking at this beautiful sight, Roy shook his head. "I was so exhausted yesterday that I actually acted like a beast all night long. What a sin!"
Robin, Reiju, and Xia seemed to have noticed Roy's actions as well. They woke up in a daze, displaying their impressive figures to Roy without any attempt to hide them. Then, under Roy's reluctant gaze, they dressed and followed him out.
The Golden Lion sat imposingly in the chair, his gaze sharp and menacing. If one ignored the Sea Stone Handcuffs on his wrists, one might really think he was the master of the place, showing no intention of becoming a prisoner.
"Hmph, Roy brat, do with me as you please, but if you want me to be grateful for your saving me, I advise you to give up that ridiculous idea as soon as possible," the Golden Lion laughed nonchalantly.
"It's ridiculous for pirates to talk about morality and ethics, so I naturally wouldn't have such thoughts," Roy said slowly, putting down his teacup.
"I can see that. You're completely different from those hothouse pirates. You're powerful, cunning, and treacherous. Someone like you would never be an unknown nobody, no matter what era you're in." Golden Lion's words were not without reason.
It's worth noting that the first person to defeat him became the Pirate Kings, and the second group to defeat him became the Fleet Admiral and the Marine Hero, respectively. This shows that even among stepping stones, Shiki the Golden Lion is the king of stepping stones!
"In this dog-eat-dog world, only those who are more ruthless and vicious than everyone else can control their own lives, right?" Roy's tone was calm, but the content of his words was chilling.
"An era of cannibalism? You little brat, you seem to have a keen eye!" The Golden Lion laughed wildly. "The era has already gone mad. Kindness and weakness should be discarded. Only absolute power can rule everything."
"My previous proposal still stands. Join me in overthrowing this corrupt and outdated era!"
"Hahaha, although I am already a loser of this era and destined to be eliminated, it does not mean that I will bow my head. In this world, there are only dead Golden Lion, not kneeling Golden Lion!" The Golden Lion's eyes were full of madness, and he was indeed qualified to say this.
During the Edd War, his arduous fate did not break him, and after the battle at Marine Headquarters, even the impregnable Impel Down could not subdue him.
He never lamented the unfairness of fate or bad luck; those were merely excuses for the weak.
"Hahaha, even the most insane person wouldn't even consider taking a legendary pirate under their wing. I simply want to cooperate with you, and whether you agree or not, I'll let you go," Roy said, dropping a bombshell.
"Captain!" Several exclamations rang out in the room. Even with Roy's supreme authority on the ship, everyone was caught off guard and had no time to react, which showed just how shocking the news was.
After all, the opponent is the legendary pirate Shiki the Golden Lion. Such an action is undoubtedly more terrifying than letting a tiger return to the mountains.
Moreover, it's absolutely impossible for a true pirate like Golden Lion to be grateful to Roy for sparing his life.
Golden Lion's pupils contracted violently. No one wants to die, and even though he was prepared to die, he still couldn't help but tremble when he heard Roy's words.
"Are you serious?"
Even the Golden Lion himself couldn't believe his ears. He knew very well what his name meant on this sea, and he also knew that Roy was definitely not the kind of person who was soft-hearted or had a sudden burst of kindness. Under these circumstances, the fact that Roy was willing to let him go was more absurd than a dream.
Roy didn't reply, but with a flick of his right hand, the Sea Stone Handcuffs on the Golden Lion's wrists disappeared from everyone's sight.
Sensing the abundant power returning to his body, the Golden Lion couldn't help but roar to the sky, unleashing a vast and unrestrained Conqueror's Haki that swept across the surroundings.
Under the Conqueror's Haki, the group of executives retreated one after another, only managing to stop their retreat after being squeezed out of the room. Although Crocodile the Sand and Enel did not move their feet, their flushed faces proved that the two who were closely enduring this power were not as relaxed as they looked.
"Golden Lion, do you want to taste defeat again?" Like a dormant dragon opening its tightly closed eyes, a terrifying aura, no less powerful than the Golden Lion and perhaps even surpassing it, swept across the Sky Island, casting a shadow over the hearts of everyone on the island, making it hard to breathe.
The house, already swaying precariously amidst the clash of opposing forces, finally succumbed to the ever-increasing pressure and collapsed with a deafening roar.
The Golden Lion looked at Roy with an indescribable look in his eyes, and withdrew his aura. "Hmph, although I am not a good person, I am not so ungrateful as to repay kindness with enmity. I will remember your kindness."
Golden Lion rummaged through his clothes for a moment before realizing that his belongings had already been taken. He said with a dark face, "Give me back my Den Den Mushi."
Sky Island is Roy's stronghold, so the operation is naturally very efficient. As soon as Golden Lion finished speaking, someone delivered two spotted Den Den Mushi.
The Golden Lion tossed one of them to Roy and said arrogantly, "I may obey your orders once, but only for the cooperation you mentioned. As for other matters, don't even think about interfering in my revenge plan."
Roy's lips twitched. Hadn't this old guy already taken the helm? Why was he still so hung up on the East Blue? Was the power of "bromance" really that strong?