"Charlotte Linlin of the New World is only 16 years old, and her bounty is already 580 million Beli!"
A voice came from nowhere, instantly dousing Golden Lion Shiki's enthusiasm.
"Who said that? Which bastard? Show yourself!"
The Flying Pirate Crew's men glared around, trying to find whoever had spoken.
"Forget it. I'm heading into the New World soon anyway. I want to see just how strong this Charlotte Linlin is! Hmph!"
Golden Lion Shiki's expression darkened too. He swept his gaze around, took a deep drag on his cigar, and spoke coolly.
"Captain Golden Lion, are you still recruiting? I want to join your crew!"
A wandering pirate eager to join the crew of this year's highest-bounty Supernova spoke up. He'd get to experience flying, and under Golden Lion's protection, he could do whatever he wanted!
"Of course! I'll take everyone! I'm going to build a fleet for the Flying Pirate Crew, dominate the whole world, and rule it all! Hahaha!"
Golden Lion Shiki had a mane like a lion's, its strands flying in every direction. He had a lion's inviolable kingly bearing, and more than that, he possessed the ambition and courage to roar across the Four Blues and swallow the world whole.
In the eyes of the Flying Pirate Crew, Golden Lion was as noble, glorious, and magnificent as gold. The whole tavern erupted with excitement, and countless cheers rang out.
Countless pirates joined Golden Lion's Flying Pirate Crew. A few pirate crews with bounties in the tens of millions knew better than to stay and left the tavern, which no longer had anything to do with them.
"Captain Shiki, don't you love dancing and singing? Humming Brook is on Sabaody Island right now. His Rumbar Pirates were wiped out, and he's alone. This is the perfect chance to recruit him!"
"That's right. He also wiped out the Poison Smoke Pirates with one move. His bounty is already 80 million Beli, and he's pretty strong."
Several newly recruited underlings began showing off, eager to help the crew recruit more members.
"You mean Humming Brook, the one who sings 'Binks' Sake'?"
Golden Lion Shiki was a dance enthusiast too. He was terrible at it, but who would dare criticize their captain?
"That's right, Captain Shiki. Get a musician aboard! Parties would be so much more fun, and that guy's no weakling either!"
A member of the Flying Pirate Crew made the suggestion. Right now, aside from Golden Lion Shiki, no one in the crew had a bounty over 100 million. The rest were ordinary sorts, with the highest bounties still only around 70 or 80 million. If Brook joined, he'd probably make the top three right away.
"Fine. If we run into Humming Brook before the ship is coated, recruit him!"
Golden Lion was the only Supernova on the Sabaody Archipelago right now. The next-highest bounties were only in the 80 or 90 million range, so Brook was among the very best.
"Captain Shiki, talk about perfect timing! I just saw Humming Brook walking over outside!"
A pirate rushed into the tavern and excitedly reported to Golden Lion Shiki.
"Gya ha ha! Fortune favors me! Let's see where my musician is!"
Golden Lion Shiki walked out with both swords hanging at his sides, eager to recruit talent. It was no different in this era: when a pirate captain came across a famous, powerful fighter, they often went out of their way to invite them aboard—just like Yasopp, whom Red-Haired Shanks had personally gone to recruit.
Brook had brought Shakky along to see Golden Lion, but before they even reached the place, Shiki had already charged out of the tavern, excitedly eyeing the musician he hoped would become his crewmate.
"Humming Brook, I hear you're pretty strong. How about becoming the musician aboard my ship?"
Golden Lion Shiki's golden hair fluttered as he invited Brook with great confidence. Brook was taken aback. He'd only come to grab a bite and see the legendary pirate, and Golden Lion himself had invited him?
"Captain Shiki, I'm sorry, but I don't want to enter the New World just yet."
Brook quickly recovered. His expression remained unchanged, cold and impassive, as he politely declined.
"Brook, have you lost your nerve? Now that the Rumbar Pirates are gone, have you lost the courage to keep adventuring?"
One of the combat team captains beside Golden Lion Shiki spoke up, clearly trying to provoke him. He was the Flying Pirate Crew's second-in-command and brains, the combat captain Bloody Fist Scarlet, with a bounty of 92 million Beli—almost another Supernova.
"Brook, with me as your captain, you won't be defeated again. Become one of my crew!"
Golden Lion Shiki watched Brook with interest, wondering if he really had lost his fighting spirit, but still made another offer.
"Have you awakened Conqueror's Haki? Can you use Armament Haki yet?"
Brook ignored Scarlet's provocation and instead asked the imposing Golden Lion Shiki.
"What Haki? I think I've heard a little about it."
Golden Lion Shiki furrowed his brow, not understanding Brook's question.
Brook could hardly believe that a Supernova with a bounty of 444 million Beli had only heard a little about Haki. He probably hadn't learned to use it either.
It was astounding how thoroughly the World Government controlled the Four Blues and the Grand Line. There was almost no news of Haki in those places. Unless they'd inherited the knowledge through their family or belonged to a major power, pirates who set sail as soon as they got a Devil Fruit probably wouldn't get a chance to learn Haki until they reached the New World.
They'd have to learn it while taking a beating, and most would be sunk in no time. Only a small number of pirates could grow strong enough to become famous.
"Armament Haki is standard among the New World's strong fighters. It lets you hit the physical bodies of Logia Devil Fruit users, and it can also defend against all kinds of strange Paramecia abilities. There's also Observation Haki, which lets you predict an enemy's movements."
Brook gave a brief explanation. Armament Haki could indeed defend against many Devil Fruit abilities, provided your Haki was stronger than the enemy's mastery of their fruit. Otherwise, even an average level of Armament Haki would be no match for a powerful Devil Fruit ability.
Devil Fruit powers and Haki were like fire and water. Whichever was stronger would overcome the other.
"So you're saying you can't become a strong fighter in the New World without Haki?"
Golden Lion Shiki took a long drag on his cigar, flicked the ash with his fingers, and said dismissively. He had great faith in his Float-Float Fruit and swordsmanship.
"That's the theory, which is why I'm not going to the New World just yet," Brook said honestly.
"Even if Haki is important, how can you get stronger without fighting? What's the point of hiding out in the Grand Line? Brook, come with us to the New World! We'll seize the methods for training Haki, and then we'll have them too! Gya ha ha!"
Golden Lion Shiki spoke arrogantly once more, again inviting Brook, the slightly more experienced old hand.
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