Mutual Invitations

After several rounds of drinks, the atmosphere at the banquet gradually became more lively.

However, this scene gives the impression that the Shiki's subordinates are deliberately flattering him.

At least, none of the Hell Pirates members integrated into it.

During the meal, Shiki kept praising his subordinates, recounting each person's background and origins, as if gathering these people together was solely his skill! A scientific researcher, the head of an armed group, a powerful One Piece who once roamed the Grand Line ... individually, each of these individuals possessed considerable ability. But perhaps because Shiki was out of touch with the times, he was completely unaware that... his so-called outstanding subordinates were, in reality, no longer considered 'strongmen' on the high seas.

Even when introducing one of his subordinates, he described him as a rising 'overlord' of the Grand Line in recent years, leaving Oboro and the others completely bewildered, as they had never heard of him before.

Rob Lucci gave a reminder.

This revealed the person's background.

Seven or eight years ago, it made a little 'reputation' in the first half of the Grand Line, but that was all.

Without a doubt, Shiki's actions at this banquet were intended to flaunt his current 'power' to the Hell Pirates! Furthermore, he also revealed his ambition and plan to rule the world, namely the SIQ serum.

Dom and the others remained silent because they felt no awe or awe after listening to Shiki's eloquent speech.

So much so that I found it 'utterly boring'.

Shiki, caught up in his excitement, was completely oblivious to the guests' emotions and reactions. He was lost in his own beautiful fantasy, and finally, with bleary, drunken eyes, he looked at the God Slayer sitting next to him in first class, and closest to him, and said, "How about it... kid? My brand new Flying Pirates..."

Upon hearing this, not only Shiki, but everyone present focused their attention on the God Slayer.

A round of applause broke the silence of the hall.

Oboro clapped his hands, "Amazing... truly astonishing."

"Ha ha ha ha!"

Having received a satisfactory answer, the Shiki burst into laughter.

"I mean...shockingly bad."

But Oboro's next sentence was like a sudden grab on Shiki's neck, abruptly stopping his laughter.

The entire hall fell into a deathly silence.

Silence reigned.

"Although I was somewhat prepared, to be honest, I was very disappointed when I actually met you in person."

"Succumbing to self-destruction?"

"No, that's not right either. Maybe it's just that you're unwilling to admit defeat or that you're unwilling to grow old... Considering your legendary life, you're not willing to just give up your identity as a 'One Piece' like this." Oboro ignored the sudden drop in temperature at the banquet and the sudden darkening of Shiki's face, and said to himself, "Actually, you should know very well in your heart that even if the potion you mentioned is developed, it will be difficult for you to return to the very center of this sea... let alone pose any threat to the World Government."

"Let me be realistic... Even if you take these people and set sail again now, I guarantee that even if you reach the New World, you and your One Piece crew will soon die at the hands of the Yonko. You can't fight against any of those four... not even Whitebeard, who is currently suffering from illness."

"In short, as a junior, I am very grateful to you for hosting this banquet for us."

As he spoke, Oboro was the first to stand up.

Seeing this, the other members of the Hell Pirates also stood up one after another.

"Well... we have other things to do, so we won't bother you any longer."

Long nodded to the Shiki, then turned and left with his men.

Rob Lucci and his companions were somewhat surprised.

I don't understand why the captain suddenly wanted to leave, and why he created this troublesome situation.

Didn't they say... they were going to cooperate with the Shiki? Under everyone's watchful eyes, Oboro and his group of seven calmly walked along the wide red carpet toward the door.

"Little brat."

Suddenly, the air pressure inside the hall began to drop, and Haki erupted from behind the figures, unleashing intertwined lightning with blinding light.

Shiki slowly stood up from his seat.

His face was expressionless, his arms were crossed and tucked into his sleeves.

Oboro stopped walking, slowly turned around, and met Shiki's gaze.

"You came to me... want me to help you, right?"

The Shiki stopped pretending, and like eyes that had been dusted off for a long time, it shone with sharp light again, staring down at Oboro with a smirk.

"That's right."

Long nodded.

"I understand your situation... In the current vast ocean, only I, Shiki, can help you escape the pressure from the World Government, smoothly enter the New World, and stand up to those guys in their territory. No one else... can do it! The recent Twin Cape War is the best proof. If I were here... even if the Navy sent a lot of troops, even with Garp and Sengoku... I could still help you smoothly enter the Grand Line, instead of slinking to the East Blue!"

"Those Celestial Dragons are trash. I've been dealing with them much longer than you have."

Long smiled.

He shook his head. "No, you can't do it."

"The you of the past... may have been able to, but the you of now is too weak."

These two simple sentences caused the Shiki's eyes to become bloodshot.

He... was enraged.

Rob Lucci and the others standing next to Oboro tensed up instantly, ready to pounce.

They knew that a major war was inevitable.

Rob Lucci, on the other hand, sensed a conspiracy coming from Oboro.

This deliberate manipulation of the Shiki's emotions, the deliberately created scenes and language... it's clearly for a specific purpose.

And the Shiki... has already fallen into the 'trap'.

"With your limited intelligence, you wouldn't be able to see that the Twin Cape incident was just a farce I deliberately staged... As for entering the New World, your abilities are quite similar to mine, so you should understand... Getting there would be a piece of cake for the Hell Pirates. But I must admit, the Hell Pirates are not qualified to fight against the Yonko right now... So, I came to you. Initially, I wanted to cooperate with you and borrow your name... for example, form an alliance."

"But I suspect... before SIQ's research is successful, you will reject my proposal, not wanting to be targeted by the World Government again. It may seem like you're protecting yourself so your plan can proceed smoothly, but in reality... it's just a smokescreen. What do you mean by making a splash, giving the world a huge 'shock' without warning... Let's be frank, you've lost interest in sailing the seas."

"Your existence is no secret... You should be glad that on this vast ocean, there are still people who remember you... and people who are willing to give you face. You are no longer important to this world, so stop dwelling on your glorious past. If you were still that 'Shiki,' guess... why no one would come looking for you? If you could really influence the maritime landscape, someone like you would be a highly coveted prize for many powers."

"Admit it... you're perfectly suited to retire here."

"I shouldn't have come looking for you either."

Ignoring the increasingly ugly expression on the Shiki's face, Oboro continued to provoke him.

Boom! The next second, an invisible wave of Haki erupted from the main hall like a volcano.

Centered on the Shiki, it swept straight towards the direction where Oboro was located.

Rob Lucci and his team reacted promptly.

But his feet still left the ground, and he was sent flying by the terrifying pressure.

As for the minions of the Shiki inside the hall, they were like scattered pieces of paper in the air, being lifted up and smashed against the walls or stone pillars.

Some people lost consciousness and fell into a coma in an instant.

Faced with this horrifying shock, Long Kui remained unmoved.

It also exudes a domineering black Haki.

The two Haki light screens clashed inside the hall, both displaying immense power.

The main hall trembled, cracks appeared in the walls from the force of the energy, and the bricks and tiles on the pillars fell off and shattered.

The two monsters had already 'cleared out' the area before they even started fighting.

Smack

The Shiki, with one leg bound with a blade, stuck it into the wine table in front of him, and his previously drunken face became clear.

"You're arrogant... but you're just my type, so I'll give you a chance."

"This isn't a place you can come and go as you please."

"Bring those trash with you and submit to me... From now on, you God Slayer... are a member of my Flying Pirates, and I can make you the vice-captain."

"How about it, Long? It's only because it's you. If it were anyone else, I wouldn't have such patience and temper."

"Once SIQ's potion is developed, join me in conquering this world... Then, the World Government, the Celestial Dragons, the Yonko... will all have to obey us! You and I will change this world together!!!"

Faced with his enthusiastic invitation, Oboro suddenly looked at Shiki with a look of 'disdain'.

"Stop making me laugh, old ghost... You look really pathetic, you know?"

"Alright... Stop dreaming in this place, come with me on the boat... I'll take you... to find your former self."

Long sighed.

An invitation was also extended.

"There's nothing left to discuss?"

Shiki seemed to have anticipated this outcome, and his expression turned ferocious and excited.

"Look... that's more like you... I've wanted to hit you for a long time, stop talking nonsense."

Long chuckled silently.