Golden Lion

The Golden Lion suddenly began to anxiously spread his affiliated pirate crews throughout the New World and even the entire world. This had already attracted the World Government's attention. To put it bluntly, in this New World, the Golden Lion's every move had a greater impact than the Government's directives.

The mission Louis received was to investigate the reason behind the Golden Lion's actions. Although it was highly probable that Government agents had already infiltrated the Golden Lion Pirates, Louis wouldn't be surprised if someone who spent their days with the Golden Lion was actually a spy planted by the Government decades ago, following their orders.

Having a rookie like him undertake such an important mission felt like a joke, but it didn't matter. Mr. Skello didn't care whether Louis could obtain accurate intelligence. He just wanted Louis, who didn't follow his orders and couldn't return to Spandine's side after showing goodwill, to be gone. He didn't need a possibility of success; he just needed the mission to be difficult.

Louis couldn't resist, and escape was impossible. Every reserve spy about to enter CP underwent rigorous vetting of their background, potential, and talent. They wouldn't be admitted into the CP series without their lineage being traced back to birth. Following that, brainwashing education was essential. Simultaneously, to ensure the organization's secrecy and prevent rebellion, the CP series possessed specially made Vivre Cards. With just a fingernail, a Vivre Card could be created that would forever point to the owner's location. Traitors had nowhere to run.

Louis could only face it head-on, even if what awaited him was the world-shattering Aethelwold Sea Battle between the Golden Lion Pirates and the Roger Pirates, a battle where the Golden Lion Pirates were nearly annihilated.

But now, the Golden Lion Pirates' might seemed astonishingly immense.

The massive floating island suspended in the sky was the base of the Golden Lion Pirates.

"Hahaha! Scared, aren't you? Mario?"

Rhode roared with laughter, "This is Admiral Golden Lion's ability!!"

"This is a human's ability?"

Louis exclaimed, "It's like a god."

"Right? Admiral Golden Lion is as powerful as a god! He's destined to be a hero who will dominate this sea!"

Rhode's eyes seemed to sparkle with excitement.

"Captain,"

Louis said with a hint of surprise, "Do you admire Admiral Golden Lion that much?"

"Ha, rookie, you don't know yet,"

The vice-captain, Baro, said with a grin as he leaned against the ship's railing, smoking, "This guy, our Captain Rhode, set sail after hearing the legends of the Golden Lion."

"Hahaha, it's just too romantic!"

Rhode narrowed his eyes, "Galloping across the sea, soaring through the sky, the heavens and the sea bowing before a man! It's too romantic! This is what a true sea hero is! What's this freedom, this family nonsense! What are those ridiculous things! If a man doesn't pursue the highest power and status, can he even be called a man!"

"Whoa!"

Louis marveled.

The large ship sailed forward. Further ahead, below the floating island, many ships had already gathered. Without exception, they were pirate ships flying the Jolly Roger. The fact that they were all peacefully coexisting indicated they were pirate crews subordinate to the Golden Lion Pirates.

"Are we going up next?"

Louis asked, confused, "Fly up?"

"Just wait and see! Mario, Admiral Golden Lion's power is beyond your imagination!!"

Captain Rhode chuckled.

"Rumble!!"

As soon as he spoke, an astonishing change occurred. The sea began to churn, and something rose from the seabed. A massive dark silhouette appeared on the surface.

"Whoa! There's something! Something's coming up from the sea!"

Honestly, acting so surprised and jumpy was quite difficult for Louis, who was naturally quite aloof.

"Hahahaha!! Don't get too scared!!"

Rhode laughed heartily.

It was a small island, no, it was a large platform that had been specially modified.

It was a flat circle, sunken in the middle with raised walls around the perimeter, featuring specially designed drainage channels. It gradually rose, like a ladle, scooping up all the ships gathered there. The surrounding walls effectively prevented the ships from being washed away.

Its ascent from the water was slow, but after encompassing all the ships, the platform rapidly rose, ascending into the sky like an elevator.

"It's flying!"

Louis's surprise, though exaggerated, wasn't fake. The Golden Lion's ability was simply too powerful.

"Hahahaha! This is Admiral Golden Lion's power!!"

Rhode spread his arms wide and laughed, "Invincible power!!"

The platform soared into the air, rising higher than the floating island before slowly beginning to move horizontally towards it, and finally descending gently.

"This sea in the sky!!!"

Louis's eyes widened. An even more astonishing sight unfolded before him. This floating island wasn't just a solitary landmass; it was surrounded by a sea. Water encircled the island, resembling a celestial river. The platform carrying numerous pirate ships slowly landed on this ring of water. Then, the platform continued to descend, and the pirate ships were supported by the water, separating from it.

"Hahaha! Don't be surprised! Let's go, I'll show you,"

Rhode raised an eyebrow, quite pleased with Louis's reaction, "Admiral Golden Lion!"

The large ship continued its journey. This island didn't have a fixed port; pirate ships simply docked along the shore. They weren't worried about surprise attacks, so they could anchor anywhere.

Rhode led the group from the ship and happened to encounter another group of pirates disembarking.

"Yo, isn't that Captain Rhode? Ha,"

The leader of the other group was a man wearing sunglasses, his hair styled into a small mountain. He was short, quite fat, and hunched over, wearing a floral shirt. He looked rather comical, and his attitude wasn't friendly, "You actually came too?"

"Heh."

Rhode merely scoffed and led his men past the man, ignoring him completely.

"He's just trash, don't mind him."

As if sensing Louis's curiosity, the vice-captain beside him, Baro, yawned and said casually.

Louis nodded in realization. He actually knew the man. His name was Flog, and he had once been one of his infiltration targets. Also under the Golden Lion Pirates, his bounty was 115 million. Like Rhode, he was considered a powerful force among the pirates under the Golden Lion. He was a Zoan-type Frog-Frog Fruit ability user.

He didn't have a good relationship with Rhode. Even though they were both under the Golden Lion, they had clashed many times.

Continuing forward, a simple path wound through the lush forest. As they followed the path deeper into the island, the scenery suddenly opened up, revealing a massive complex of buildings before Louis.

Wooden structures, predominantly red, with a Japanese style, flowing water, and covered bridges.

"Let's go! Admiral Golden Lion is inside."

Louis could tell the man's tone was quite excited.

Entering the complex, Louis followed Rhode, taking many turns before finally entering a large hall. Many pirates were already gathered there. The hall was vast; its stability might depend on the Golden Lion's abilities. Amidst the hubbub, the arrival of Louis and his group drew no attention whatsoever.

They found a spot and sat down. Rhode sat at the very front, with Louis and Baro behind him, sitting directly on the floor. Although they were newcomers, Louis's displayed strength far surpassed that of the other riff-raff. The strength of a pirate crew became an important basis for ranking.

Another group, Flog and his subordinates, shot Rhode a hateful glance and sat in the adjacent area.

After waiting for a while.

"Jiehahahaha!! Are you all here? My subordinates!!"

A boisterous voice came from the entrance as a man strode in.

A man like a lion.

Wow, today's chapter is too long, so I'll write it in the author's notes.