Golden Lion's Reaction

As Morito returned to Marineford aboard Zephyr's flagship, the remnants of the Vulture Pirates had already reached a safe island.

Vulture was a subordinate Golden Lion highly valued, so his death at the hands of the Marines couldn't be kept secret.

The Vulture Pirates' vice-captain quickly contacted Golden Lion.

The New World, upon a certain floating island.

Golden Lion, a Paramecia-type Devil Fruit user, could defy gravity, allowing himself or objects to float in the air. He could also control non-living objects he had touched, making them float.

The island suspended in the sky wasn't a naturally formed sky island, but one created by Golden Lion's abilities.

When he received the news, Golden Lion was holding a banquet to celebrate his recent conquest of Whitebeard's territory.

Battles between pirates were no less fierce than those against the Marines, and were often even more brutal.

Golden Lion himself was on par with Whitebeard in strength, but Golden Lion commanded numerous pirate crews, making his faction the most powerful.

The Flying Pirates were the largest pirate force in the New World, no, the entire sea at present.

Numbers weren't the deciding factor in a battle's outcome, but sometimes sheer numbers could provide a significant advantage.

Golden Lion was very happy today; he had defeated Whitebeard.

Regardless of what others thought, Whitebeard had retreated voluntarily, so he had defeated Whitebeard!

The banquet hall was filled with joy and lively celebration.

Just then, a Den Den Mushi began to ring.

Ring ring...

Ring ring...

Golden Lion took out the Den Den Mushi he carried with him. Anyone who could reach his personal Den Den Mushi must be a captain of one of his main fleets.

The Flying Pirates were a vast organization with many subordinate pirate crews; mere grunts couldn't contact Golden Lion directly.

"Bad news, Boss Golden Lion, Captain Vulture has been killed by the Marines!"

"Who? Who was killed by the Marines?"

Golden Lion was drunk and groggy, not hearing clearly.

The voice on the other end of the Den Den Mushi was extremely anxious, tinged with fear. The remnants of the Vulture Pirates didn't know how they would be dealt with next.

After all, Vulture was the backbone of the Vulture Pirates, and Golden Lion valued their captain, Vulture!

Without Vulture, the Vulture Pirates' strength had declined, naturally making them unable to continue as one of the Flying Pirates' main fleets.

"It, it, it was Captain Vulture!"

"Captain Vulture intended to steal a Devil Fruit being transported by the Marines as a gift for you, Boss Golden Lion, to congratulate you on defeating Whitebeard."

The voice on the Den Den Mushi paused before continuing.

"But we encountered a warship that wasn't transporting any Devil Fruit, and the strength of the soldiers on board was very different from the intelligence we had."

"We suffered heavy losses, and Captain Vulture himself died at the hands of the Marine, Kuzan!"

Although Kuzan hadn't graduated yet and was currently just a Reserve Navy cadet at the Naval Academy, he had already gained some renown on the seas.

There were easily eight or nine hundred pirates captured by Kuzan.

As a Logia-type Ice-Ice Fruit user, the "Ice Man" was famous throughout the seas simply by the mention of his Logia-type abilities.

Furthermore, Kuzan's personal strength was not weak, with his Observation Haki and Armament Haki steadily improving.

Golden Lion had heard of Kuzan's name, but in his eyes, Kuzan was just an inexperienced brat.

"Kuzan? That ice brat? He killed Vulture?"

Golden Lion clearly didn't believe Vulture could have died at Kuzan's hands.

Three years ago, Vulture had nearly killed Kuzan. If Zephyr hadn't intervened, the Ice-Ice Fruit would likely have reappeared by now.

While Kuzan had grown over the past three years, Vulture hadn't been idle either.

Even with Kuzan's high talent, it was impossible for him to defeat Vulture!

"It's true!"

The Vulture Pirates' vice-captain affirmed repeatedly.

Among the Marines engaged in the battle, Kuzan was the highest-ranking combatant on the Marine side, and he was the only one on the battlefield.

Morito?

Wasn't he just a background character?

The remnants of the Vulture Pirates hadn't taken Morito seriously at all. Who could have imagined that a Reserve Navy officer would kill the bounty-over-100-million Vulture?

Aside from Kuzan himself, everyone else, including Marines and pirates, subconsciously assumed Kuzan had killed Vulture!

Golden Lion confirmed the news of Vulture's demise, sobering up considerably from his drunken state.

He asked sternly, "Where are you now?"

Once he confirmed the Vulture Pirates' location, he could arrange for reinforcements. He couldn't just let his subordinate be killed without any reaction, could he?

Golden Lion valued Vulture's strength, but he wasn't lost without him.

He didn't care about Vulture's death; subordinates were always expendable.

What he cared about was Golden Lion's reputation!

Being hit without retaliating was not his style!

"We're on Stuart Island."

The world was vast, and islands were numerous; Golden Lion couldn't possibly remember them all.

Except for some particularly important islands, he couldn't recall where others were based on their names alone.

The Vulture Pirates' first mate guessed that Golden Lion might not know the island's location and quickly added, "Our next stop is Sabaody Archipelago."

Golden Lion had repelled Whitebeard in the New World and seized an island from him.

Golden Lion was overjoyed and summoned his subordinates from all over to gather, partly to celebrate and partly to discuss the next plan.

The Vulture Pirates' original route passed by Stuart Island, heading to Sabaody Archipelago, and then entering the New World via the undersea Fish-Man Island route.

However, along the way, Vulture received some intelligence.

There was a warship transporting Devil Fruits near his route. Although that sea area was somewhat close to Marine Headquarters, Vulture decided to act.

The highest combat power on the warship was only a captain, and he was confident he could snatch the Devil Fruit and enter the New World before Marine Headquarters could react!

"Sabaody Archipelago? Where did you encounter the Marines!"

"A sea area between Stuart and Marineford."

"Meaning that warship has likely already returned to Marineford?"

Golden Lion's voice rose several decibels. He was arrogant, and defeating Whitebeard had filled him with confidence.

But taking on the Marines, especially leveling Marine Headquarters, wasn't something that could be done with just words!

To attack Marineford, they would need to gather everyone from the Flying Pirates and their entire fleet!

"Yes, yes, Boss Golden Lion."

The voice on the other end of the Den Den Mushi grew weaker, as if Golden Lion's fury could be felt even through the Den Den Mushi.

Golden Lion was indeed furious. He had originally planned to send someone to eliminate that warship immediately!

"I understand. You all return to the New World first!"

Click. The Den Den Mushi hung up.

Golden Lion's expression turned grim. The banquet continued, but everyone's attention was now fixed on him.

Golden Lion's obvious anger was apparent to anyone with eyes.

Poof! Poof!

A pale-faced clown with a farting sound accompanying his steps walked over. "Boss Golden Lion, did something happen?"

"The Marines have a G5 Branch in the New World?"

Golden Lion didn't answer, instead asking a question.

The pale-faced clown, Indigo, replied, "Yes, it's the Marines' bridgehead into the New World, with Branch G1 behind it, near the Red Line."

"Excellent, the next combat plan is set!"

Golden Lion slammed his wine glass onto the table with a bang and roared, "Level Marine G5 Branch for me!"

"ROAR!!!"

After a brief silence, the banquet hall erupted in cheers.