Sparring

Outside a bar in the Lawless Zone of the Sabaody Archipelago.

Golden Lion Shiki domineeringly extended an invitation to Humming Brook, hoping to recruit this seasoned combat musician into his ranks.

"Shiki, the Rocks Pirates, the rising overlords of the New World, will be the absolute and only pirate hegemon of the next era. You might suffer at his hands, perhaps even be defeated, suppressed, or forced to submit to him."

Brook looked at the young Golden Lion, unable to resist the urge to provoke him and sow some discord regarding Rocks, lest Shiki join the Rocks Pirates so readily later on.

"What? Me, submit? I am Golden Lion Shiki!"

Golden Lion Shiki flew into a rage, deeply dissatisfied with Brook's speculation.

"Humming Brook, if you don't want to join, fine, but how dare you look down on our captain like this? Today, I'll see what you're made of!"

The combat captain, Bloody Fist Scarlet, launched a fierce assault on Brook. The knuckle dusters on his hands glinted with a cold metallic light as he swung violently at his enemy, whipping up endless gusts of wind.

Bloody Fist: Knuckle Strike

"I was only offering a well-intentioned reminder!"

Brook quickly blocked with his cane sword, intercepting Scarlet's charged knuckle strike without his body being affected in the slightest; he remained as steady as a rock.

"How is this possible!! Captain Scarlet's full-power punch was blocked by Humming Brook with just one hand!!"

The surrounding lackeys watched the scene in disbelief. Everyone knew that Captain Scarlet's Bloody Fist had earned its fearsome reputation through countless punches delivered to the corpses of pirates and marines alike.

"I don't believe it. Someone with a lower bounty than mine can block my attack so easily."

Bloody Fist: Iron Elbow Strike

Bloody Fist: Steel Knee Strike

Captain Scarlet's continuous barrage of attacks was completely parried by Brook. Instead, Scarlet's own fists and limbs became tainted by Brook's Underworld Ghost Qi, causing white frost to emerge and his attacks to grow increasingly sluggish!

"Enough, Scarlet. You are no match for him!"

Golden Lion Shiki called a halt to the combat captain, who still wanted to press the attack, and turned his gaze toward the still-composed Brook.

"Brook, your strength is quite impressive. If the Rumbar Pirates hadn't been wiped out, you could have been one of this year's Supernovas. Since you don't want to head to the New World, I won't force you, but let's have a proper fight!"

Suddenly feeling an itch for battle, the Golden Lion wanted to test his mettle; as the strongest Supernova of the year, how could he not show off his strength in front of these new underlings?

"I can't beat you right now!"

Brook was wary of the renowned pirate Golden Lion Shiki. He preferred not to fight if he could avoid it; otherwise, he would have already cut down Bloody Fist Scarlet. It was only because the Golden Lion was standing by that he hadn't drawn his blade.

"Rest assured, I won't use my full strength. If you change your mind in the future, you can still board my ship and become my musician swordsman!"

The Golden Lion was brimming with arrogance, still harboring thoughts of recruiting Brook.

"Very well, I also want to see just how far my current strength has reached!"

The two decided to duel on the shore of the Lawless Zone. Shakky and a group of pirates followed them to the beach to watch the spectacle, never ones to shy away from chaos.

Golden Lion Shiki looked at the battle-ready Brook with a relaxed expression. The younger Shiki actually felt as if he were about to mentor the older Brook.

"Jiehahaha~, how interesting!"

Golden Lion Shiki drew his two swords. Brook hadn't expected him to have already obtained the famous blades Oto and Kogarashi.

"Captain Shiki, please show me your guidance!"

Whoosh.

Brook vanished from his spot, leaving a trail of frost. His cane sword was already unsheathed, striking fiercely at the intersection of Golden Lion Shiki's crossed blades.

"Fast. Even I almost couldn't catch that."

A bead of cold sweat rolled down Shiki's forehead. His earlier relaxed expression had vanished, and he bit down hard on his cigar, immediately turning serious!

A moment of carelessness could have led to a major loss; he had almost capsized in the gutter.

Lion: Hundred-Valley Cut

Shiki parried Brook's cane sword, unleashing dozens, perhaps hundreds, of golden sword beams. The dense barrage of energy covered every possible escape route for Brook.

Underworld Ghost Qi: Weapon Breaker

Brook shattered the incoming sword beams and surged forward, locking onto the swings of the famous blades Oto and Kogarashi, thrusting directly at Shiki's wrists in an attempt to disarm his enemy.

Lion: Slash Wave

A massive blade of energy erupted, slamming into the approaching Brook and sending him flying backward.

"I'm not just skilled in swordsmanship. Take a good look at my power!" Golden Lion Shiki laughed, his cigar still clamped between his teeth.

Lion Threat: Palace Sand Roll

The vast amount of sand on the shore was manipulated by Shiki's Float-Float Fruit ability, transforming into a sand lion over ten meters tall that lunged viciously at Brook.

Underworld Ghost Qi: Aurora Thrust

A flash of cold light streaked by. Brook appeared in the air behind the giant sand lion, which was cleaved in two by the sword energy, crumbling into fine sand as it fell onto the beach.

"Jiehahaha~, not bad. How about we try a few more?"

As Golden Lion Shiki roared with laughter, four massive Sand Lions manifested along the coastline, pouncing and snapping at Brook from all directions like a lion hunting a rabbit; watching Brook dodge in every direction, Shiki wore a satisfied smile.

"Underworld Ghost Qi: Soul Sword of Mourning!"

Brook sheathed his cane sword and immediately assumed an iaido stance, his foot crushing a massive crater into the sand; as the sword light flashed, the four Sand Lions were instantly torn apart and frozen solid by the frigid Underworld Ghost Qi.

"BOOM!"

The frozen chunks of the Sand Lions crashed down, kicking up countless grains of sand across the beach like a thick fog that made it impossible to keep one's eyes open.

"Humming Brook, you've got some skill!"

Golden Lion Shiki was surprised to see his Sand Lions lose cohesion, as if the energy imbued by his Float-Float Fruit had been scattered by another form of power.

"I can fight no longer, Shiki!"

Brook was panting heavily now, feeling utterly exhausted after unleashing his ultimate technique.

"Is that all you have? I haven't even had my fill yet!"

Golden Lion was about to launch another attack, but hearing that Brook was unable to continue, he had no choice but to sheath his famous swords, Oto and Kogarashi.

"I have disappointed you, Head of the Supernovas!"

"Jiehahaha~, I like the title Head of the Supernovas; naturally, I am a pirate who stands above the world, how could I possibly be defeated by a small-time pirate like you!"

Golden Lion Shiki laughed; he had only intended to suppress Brook's arrogance and had never truly taken him seriously.

"Captain Shiki, to thank you for your mercy, I have decided to gift you a stroke of fortune!"

Brook now stood before Golden Lion Shiki and spoke in a low voice.

"What is it? A treasure map?" Shiki showed a hint of interest.

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