Host X Guest
In the garden outside a palace at the center of the artificial Skypiea.
The Shiki, holding a wine glass, is singing and dancing with the gorilla Scarlet and the ship's doctor Dr. Indigo. His face is slightly flushed with alcohol, and he seems to be in a very good mood.
They danced with the gorilla Scarlet, arms around each other's shoulders, completely disregarding their image.
However, the dance was soon interrupted by a peculiar noise and abruptly stopped.
It was the strange, farting footsteps of the ship's doctor Indigo.
"Hey! Can't you find a way to stop that damn footsteps?"
After enduring for a few seconds, the Shiki finally erupted.
He sprayed alcohol reeking at the ship's doctor in front of him.
Indigo gestured silently... After a long while, he suddenly spoke, "Ah... I suddenly remembered..."
Before the words were even finished, the Shiki suddenly seemed to understand Scarlet and struck a 'combination pose', as if they were being silly.
Quite abruptly, the dance, which was not yet finished, was brought to an end.
The gorilla in the pink suit was amused and clapped his hands and laughed.
The Shiki laughed too.
Indigo was clearly used to the two guys' antics.
If one didn't know that the man before them was once the legendary Golden Lion Shiki, it would be almost impossible to associate him with such a legendary figure.
It lacked any sense of grandeur befitting a great One Piece.
"I mean... I suddenly remembered, that guy, what was his name... oh, the God Slayer of the Hell Pirates, he disappeared... Is it possible that he came to the East Blue? I read the newspaper a few hours ago, and it seems that the World Government and the Navy did not find him in the East Blue where they set sail. There are rumors that the God Slayer ran to other seas... And recently, I received some news that the Bole Kingdom in the East Blue has been sealed off from the outside world, it seems that a serious incident has occurred."
Indigo held up one finger and said slowly.
His appearance and attire were somewhat frightening; he wore a white lab coat, his face was covered in clown-like makeup, and he had a head of spiky blue hair.
The main thing is that he would also make 'silent' gestures while speaking... which is quite bizarre.
"They're just a bunch of brats, what's there to care about?"
Upon hearing this, Shiki's joking expression turned slightly serious. He let out a burp, puffed on his cigar, Sengoku Shiki Garp managed to train their juniors."
Having said that, he picked up the cigar from the corner of his mouth, flicked off the ash, and said arrogantly, "Well... that's true. Ever since I disappeared, I haven't been interested in playing with them anymore... They don't really feel any pressure either. Even Whitebeard has quieted down quite a bit these past few years... As for Kaido and Linlin, those two brats... they can't compare to me back in my day! Without growth and pressure, the Navy naturally becomes more and more useless..."
"Ha ha ha ha."
As soon as he finished speaking, the Shiki began to laugh wildly.
"Once I've thoroughly researched SIQ, I'll make the whole world remember the name of the Shiki!"
Shiki spread his arms wide, his posture arrogant.
After the boasting, Scarlet nearby, handed the Shiki a small mirror so he could fix his makeup.
"Newgate is getting more and more outrageous... He actually lets those two bastards Kaido and Linlin, sit on equal footing with him. If I were still alive... those two..."
Shiki took the comb from the gorilla's hand, preparing to comb his hair. Upon looking at himself in the mirror, his eyes widened, and he shouted, "Who is this guy with the rudder on his head... like a chicken?!"
"It's you!"
Indigo jumped over and slapped the Shiki on the back of the head while cursing.
The quirky yet harmonious atmosphere in the three-person room was quite lively.
"Um?"
However, at this moment... the Shiki, who was still planning to act silly, suddenly changed his expression and turned to look at a patch of sky.
He frowned.
"What's wrong?"
Indigo was taken aback.
"Hehehe... Interesting."
Shiki's entire aura changed instantly, and an astonishing aura emanated from his body, causing his robes and the vegetation in the surrounding garden to sway as if a strong wind had risen.
With his thick, lion-mane-like long golden hair, he exuded an imposing aura without being angry.
His facial expressions and eyes were also more rugged, carrying an overbearing and domineering air.
"We have guests!"
He held a cigar in his mouth, exhaled a wisp of smoke, and grinned widely.
After flying onto a group of floating islands, Oboro and the others did not immediately go to find Shiki.
Instead, it sped through the air and surveyed the situation on several islands.
Each island here is like a prison for 'beasts'. The floating environment prevents any creature that lands on the island from escaping, allowing all species to grow wildly and unchecked. These creatures are enormous and incredibly aggressive, appearing almost frenzied, harming and devouring each other. Their danger and power are certainly eye-catching, but that's about it. Besides these, the other islands also have villages... seemingly inhabited by native inhabitants who originally lived there.
On one of the islands, the Shiki is the base established by the research team.
Long even saw quite a few scientists in white coats walking around.
The floating islands boast beautiful natural environments that have remained largely undamaged over the years, even with the presence of large herds of animals. This is primarily due to a type of 'Mad Green' plant that releases toxic gases. To a certain extent, these gases keep the animals away and have also effectively protected the several building complexes and territories established by the indigenous people and the Shiki.
"Impressive... He actually kept so many people? And the World Government didn't know a thing..."
Dom exclaimed in amazement after 'watching' it.
Leaving aside the massive number of researchers and armed forces, the funds required to build these buildings on the islands from scratch are no small sum.
Moreover, scientific research... as everyone knows, costs money like water.
"How could the government not know... it's just that they no longer consider his existence the most pressing threat."
Rob Lucci said something pointedly.
Then he added, "In the past, he was, after all, one of the most powerful One Piece on this sea, and he dominated for decades. The wealth and resources he accumulated were immeasurable. Unlike One Piece Roger, Shiki's Flying Pirates was an entire One Piece alliance. The money and treasures he plundered... even if there wasn't much left, were enough to maintain this kind of expenditure."
"I didn't realize you were so familiar with Hattori."
"Since I've become One Piece, there are some things I'll naturally learn if I'm willing to."
Rob Lucci said calmly.
"In that era... his Flying Pirates were equivalent to the Yonko in the present day."
As they were speaking, suddenly, everyone's expression changed.
They all turned their heads to look at an island.
In that direction... there was a captivating aura, released without any concealment.
The overwhelming feeling seemed to make the originally clear sky appear dark and oppressive.
"It's him."
Dorans looked fearful, and his voice trembled.
Even from this distance, just sensing that faint aura of the Golden Lion, without seeing the Shiki himself, felt like 'looking upon' a terrifying beast.
It's so intimidating that people are afraid to approach... If you get too close, you might get 'swallowed'.
However, he quickly suppressed the 'emotions' that he had unconsciously revealed and forced himself to remain calm.
"The owner discovered it."
Long smiled.
"They're practically inviting us impolite intruders... Let's go."
Long and his group changed direction and headed straight for the end of the 'qi source'.