[Conqueror Dragon King Great Torch]!!!

"Roger!!! Become my right-hand man!!!"

"Shiki!!! I won't become anyone's subordinate!!!"

"So you want me to bury every last one of you here?!!!"

"No, we're the ones who'll crush you all!!!"

Standing amid the heavy clouds, Austin opened his crimson vertical pupils and peered through a gap in the cloud cover.

The same old reunion dialogue scene—it was practically a pirate cliché.

It was as classic a meeting as the neighboring "You Regret, I Shadow" routine.

And Golden Lion, every time he met someone, he would sweep out a hand and say, "Come be my right-hand man."

As if it foretold that he would become disabled someday.

But it was true.

Someone like Golden Lion Shiki was more like a true pirate overlord.

Unscrupulous, constantly recruiting men, and brimming with ambition.

He was exactly the kind of opponent Austin needed to temper himself against.

Only people like that could push him to become stronger and build his presence...

War was on the verge of erupting.

Though the Roger Pirates had few members and only one ship, the vessel was packed with powerful fighters, forcing Golden Lion and his men into a grueling, deadlocked battle.

Logically speaking, if the strong fighters simply brawled, the Roger Pirates could beat Golden Lion and his subordinates until their brains spilled out.

But an actual war involved too many factors, one of which was Devil Fruit abilities and terrain.

"Lion's Might—!!!"

"Jihahahahaha!!!!"

Hovering in midair, Golden Lion Shiki radiated overwhelming dominance as he looked down upon everyone aboard the Oro Jackson. Countless lion heads formed from seawater surged forth around him, encircling the ship.

Meanwhile, several top-tier powerhouses led by Roger and Rayleigh faced that disaster-like sight without the slightest fear.

"I have no interest in ruling the world, Shiki!!!"

"Divine Departure!!!"

Since it