Golden Lion
Yes, long blonde hair is true, and it's also true that it's very voluminous...
But... this misunderstanding of giving the wrong directions...
Normally, if the protagonist were to Door Opening and be greeted by a beautiful woman with long blonde hair, either fresh from her bath or still in the bath, that would be the kind of treatment they'd expect, right? Sig could accept that without a second thought.
Unfortunately, there's no beauty now, but there is a "lion"!
Golden Lion Shiki!
Sig has already recognized the other party's identity...
After all, it's rare to see someone whose two legs are like two swords and whose head has a rudder.
Just as his clothes tightened, Sig sensed the other's Devil Fruit ability —it seemed like there was no physical contact with his clothes, but in reality, it was a contact made with Conqueror's Haki!
It's not surprising that Shiki possesses Conqueror's Haki, after all, he was one of the No. 2 strongest warriors on the vast seas during Roger's era...
It's only one in millions, but Shiki could definitely do it.
In fact, if Sig had immediately activated his Armament Haki, he could have prevented the opponent's Conqueror's Haki from seeping into his clothes, or at least prevented himself from being "pulled" back by his clothes.
But Sig felt it was best not to push the Old Man to take things too seriously...
Shiki hadn't expected that after ten years of "seclusion," the young people on the high seas would be so energetic.
If I want to enter Great Pirate's room at night, can I just knock on the door twice and say "I'm coming in"?
However, Shiki decided to give him a chance...
"Strange, young man, can you help me see why I can't get my nightcap on?" Shiki asked, holding the nightcap up and trying to put it on his head where the steering wheel was stuck.
Sig was extremely nervous at this point. Even though he knew that his opponent should be able to detect his Observation Haki, he still locked onto his opponent with his Observation Haki.
Although Sig understood that if the other party really wanted to make a move, no amount of caution would be of much use, that was not a reason to give up on self-preservation.
This made Sig immediately understand Shiki's emotions—it seemed that... his "insatiable thirst for criticism" had kicked in?
Snap--
"Don't make things difficult for the nightcap! Look at your own head!" Sig said, patting the other person on the chest, as if the two were a real comedy duo.
Shiki turned his head and glanced in the mirror, exclaiming in surprise, "Ah! It's a rooster's comb!"
Snap--
"No, it's the steering wheel!" Sig continued to complain.
Sig appeared to be "performing" with ease, but in reality, he had used all his strength to control himself and try to suppress the muscle stiffness caused by tension.
Fortunately, Shiki probably felt a bit better at this point, and the murderous intent that had been overflowing finally dissipated. That's right, although he looks like a goofball, as a former high-ranking officer of the Rocks Pirates, the admiral of the Golden Lion Pirates' fleet, and Great Pirate who fought against Roger, Golden Lion has never lacked cruelty and bloodthirstiness!
"Kid, you're not from the Giant Axe Pirates, are you?" Shiki lit a cigar, looking at Sig with amusement.
Sig instinctively revealed the air of a slave trader, but was immediately interrupted by Shiki's murderous intent, and quickly concealed it, honestly saying, "That's right, I actually came... to find a friend! It was all those people from the Giant Axe who tricked me!"
They decisively sold off the surveillance officer who was giving wrong directions.
"Are you being polite?" Shiki reminded him.
Sig obediently withdrew his Observation Haki —as expected, the current Sig could not possibly hide anything from a powerhouse of this level.
"You know me?" Shiki didn't have Sig's strange Observation Haki, but he could still tell that Sig's reaction was definitely not the kind he would have when facing a decrepit Old Man.
"Of course! You were the Great Pirate who fought Roger and caused a ruckus at the Marine Base back then. You've always been my idol!" Sig said, feeling a little embarrassed.
At the same time, he also complained in his heart that the original work couldn't have introduced more of Shiki's victory stories.
Fortunately, Shiki didn't think losing to Roger was anything shameful. As for the incident at the Marine Base, it was something he did when he lost control of his emotions, so it's hard to say that his "capture" was an "accident."
"Hahaha, I never thought that even after ten years of not leaving the house, the sea would still remember me!" the Golden Lion laughed loudly.
Well, since the cigar is also affected by the Float-Float Fruit, it makes perfect sense that one can laugh loudly without the cigar falling.
But the next moment, Shiki's smile vanished, and his face darkened as he said, "So... you brat, you're here not to target me, but to... target that Lord guy?"
Sig paused for a moment before nodding in agreement.
Silver Axe's real name is Lord Brooke, and he is rarely called by his real name.
Unsure of Golden Lion Shiki's purpose in being with his old comrades, Sig quickly added, "Vice Admiral Momousagi of the Navy is also leading men here. Does Captain Shiki know that?"
Sig were half a warning and half a test—the Navy shouldn't let go of someone who had launched a direct attack on Marine Base, especially one who had escaped from the Impel Down.
Shiki is currently the only publicly known strongman to have escaped from Impel Down...
Moreover, they even launched a direct attack on Marineford, the Marine Headquarters, back then. If the Golden Lion is discovered, the Navy will absolutely not stand idly by.
If Silver Axe didn't tell Shiki about the Marine Vice Admiral's impending arrival, then it means Silver Axe was trying to set him up.
Of course, it's also possible that Silver Axe had already told him that he was preparing to join forces with Golden Lion to wipe out his navy and pirates in one fell swoop!
"Momousagi? Just a little girl, nothing to worry about," Shiki said nonchalantly.
Sig didn't use Observation Haki, relying solely on his naked eyes to observe micro-expressions, which limited his ability to grasp emotions. However, he still vaguely sensed that Shiki didn't know Momousagi was coming, but wasn't showing much resistance at the moment.
After all, it's just a Momousagi...
"So... which side are you on?" Shiki raised his eyebrow, seemingly trying to see through Sig.
This time, Sig didn't reveal his identity directly like he did when facing Gage. Sig had already seen that Gage and the Giant Axe Pirates were each harboring their own secrets, but Sig still didn't know what kind of tacit understanding Golden Lion and Silver Axe had now.
According to the original timeline, Golden Lion should still be on IQ Island, researching his cyborgs. Why is he here?
Thinking about it from this perspective, Sig immediately had a breakthrough— the Golden Lion was also obsessed with biological modification, but his techniques were relatively low-tech, relying entirely on divine intervention... He had discovered a special island with a special plant that could promote animal mutation!
Therefore, it's understandable that he also needs the Silver Axe's abilities and wants to cooperate.
It's even possible that he simply needs Silver Axe to reattach his two calves!
However, having accepted the World Government's appointment as a Shichibukai, Silver Axe Shichibukai wouldn't earn the respect of Golden Lion, even though the two were once equals in the Rocks Pirates...
Sig paused for a moment, and the Golden Lion's eyes turned hostile. Sig immediately said, "I'm actually here to see Mr. Gage of the Vinsmoke Family!"