Golden Lion

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	Golden Lion
Alias(es)	Shiki; “Flying Admiral”; Golden Lion Shiki
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Rocks Pirates (former); Flying Pirates (captain)
Occupation/Role	Legendary pirate; captain of the Flying Pirates; IQ research leader
Status	Alive; defeated by Linley Barek 105 106
First Appearance	Chapter 66

Background / History

Golden Lion Shiki was once a member of the Rocks Pirates. After the crew disbanded, he formed the Flying Pirates and sought to join forces with Gol D. Roger to rule the world. Roger refused, leading to the Battle of Aethelred; a sudden storm gave Roger’s side victory, while half a ship’s rudder became embedded in Shiki’s head. The injury could not be removed without risking his life, and Shiki thereafter regarded Roger as an equal rival. 66

Upon hearing of Roger’s capture, Shiki stormed Marineford alone because he believed Roger should not meet an ignoble end. Garp and Sengoku defeated and captured him after a battle that destroyed more than half of Marineford. He was imprisoned in Impel Down, endured torture through its first five levels and Infinite Hell, then escaped two years later by severing his Seastone-bound legs and replacing them with his swords, Sakura Ten and Kogarashi. 74

After his escape, Shiki continued his revenge preparations through research into the IQ plant. For seven years, he and Doctor Indigo developed evolved beasts, including powerful tiger test subjects. He also pursued Dancing Powder, intending to control rainfall and compensate for the Float-Float Fruit’s vulnerability to storms. 66 73

In Alabasta, Shiki initially arranged a Dancing Powder transaction with King Cobra, but discovered that one hundred tons were missing. He demanded naturally formed desert territory as compensation, intending to use it for accurate beast-evolution experiments; Cobra refused. 87 88

Shiki fought Cobra, Crocodile, and Linley Barek, eventually escalating the conflict by using Alabasta as a live testing ground for IQ-enhanced beasts. After a prolonged battle, Linley defeated him. 89 93 105

Appearance

Shiki is a golden-haired pirate with a flamboyant, theatrical bearing. His past injuries are visibly integrated into his appearance.

• Long golden hair reaching the ground, with matching golden sideburns and beard. 73
• Wears an orange-and-yellow robe and smokes cigars. 73 86
• Has half a ship’s rudder lodged vertically in his head, a lasting reminder of the Battle of Aethelred. 66 73
• Lost both legs during his Impel Down escape.
• Uses the renowned swords Sakura Ten and Kogarashi as prosthetic legs. 74 86

Personality

Shiki is proud, defiant, and obsessed with never accepting defeat. Even after being overwhelmed by Linley, he insisted that he had not lost as long as he could stand and demanded stimulants and painkillers to resume the fight. 104 106

He is entertained by strength and unusually tolerant of opponents he considers genuine powerhouses, but he tests them through violence and provocation. He respected Linley’s response to his opening attack and invited him to drink afterward. 86 87

His ambition is paired with ruthlessness. Shiki was willing to turn Alabasta into an experimental battlefield for evolved beasts and, when cornered, attempted to bring his floating island down on the country rather than concede defeat. 93 94 104

Abilities & Skills

Float-Float Fruit

Shiki can levitate and control inorganic matter on a massive scale.

• Controls earth, stone, islands, and even seawater. 86 92
• Maintains floating islands, including the island used as the base for his Flying Pirates. 85 94
• Forms giant earth spears, earth mounds, lion-shaped projectiles, and falling boulder attacks. 86 89 93
• Can manipulate terrain for confinement, as seen with Earth Roll Cage. 89
• His control becomes temporarily unstable when severe headaches flare up. 74

Swordsmanship

Shiki wields Sakura Ten and Kogarashi as both weapons and prosthetic legs.

• Uses the blades to move, descend stairs, and fight with exaggerated dance-like motions. 73
• Can unleash Lion Slash, producing dozens of slashes capable of cutting a boulder into countless pieces. 92 95
• Used crossed sword strikes to shatter Crocodile’s sand blade. 91

Haki

Shiki was a Haki master dating back to the Rocks Pirates era, but his condition has diminished his capabilities.

• His Armament Haki output has become increasingly limited. 74
• His Observation Haki range has gradually decreased. 74
• Degeneration is linked to recurring headaches caused by the embedded helm and accumulated injuries. 74

IQ Beast Research

Shiki oversees experiments using the IQ plant to evolve animals into enhanced combat subjects.

• The research had been underway for seven years by the time of the Alabasta arc. 66
• His successful subjects exhibit enhanced physique, skeleton, muscles, and intelligence. 66
• He required naturally formed desert terrain to obtain accurate experimental data. 87
• He deployed enhanced beasts against Alubarna as part of a live experiment. 93 94

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Sakura Ten — renowned sword used as one of Shiki’s prosthetic legs. 73 86
• Kogarashi — renowned sword used as Shiki’s other prosthetic leg. 73 86
• Medicine and stimulants — carried by Doctor Indigo to manage Shiki’s headaches and keep him fighting. 91 106
• Floating island — Flying Pirates base and site of IQ research. 73 94

Relationships

• Gol D. Roger — former rival. Shiki sought an alliance with Roger, fought him at Aethelred after being refused, and later stormed Marineford after Roger’s capture. 66 74
• Doctor Indigo — ship’s doctor and IQ researcher. Indigo monitors Shiki’s deteriorating condition, develops enhanced beasts, and remains loyal despite Shiki’s recklessness. 73 74 91 94
• Garp — defeated Shiki alongside Sengoku after Shiki attacked Marineford. 74
• Sengoku — fought alongside Garp to capture Shiki at Marineford. 74
• King Cobra — Alabastan king whose refusal to cede desert territory triggered Shiki’s conflict with the kingdom. 87 88
• Linley Barek — opponent whom Shiki recognized as extraordinarily strong; Linley ultimately defeated him. 86 95 105
• Crocodile — adversary during the Alabasta conflict. Shiki identified Crocodile as a schemer and exploited his weakness to water. 92 95

Story Role / Major Arcs

IQ Research and Alabasta Transaction

Shiki arrives in Alabasta seeking Dancing Powder for his anti-storm preparations and naturally formed desert terrain for IQ research. He offers payment for the powder but turns hostile when the shipment is short and Cobra refuses to surrender territory. 73 87 88

Battle for Alabasta

Shiki tests Linley and Crocodile, battles them alongside Cobra’s forces, and uses the Float-Float Fruit to reshape the battlefield. His recurring headache becomes a critical vulnerability during the fighting. 86 89 91

Beast Experiment and Defeat

Shiki reveals that Alabasta is intended as a testing ground for evolved beasts, unleashing enhanced animals upon Alubarna. After fighting Linley and Crocodile, he tries to destroy the country by crashing his floating island into it rather than accept defeat. Linley ultimately defeats him, though Shiki initially refuses to acknowledge the loss. 93 94 104 105 106

Notable Quotes

“I am Golden Lion!” 89

“I will never lose again!” 104

“First, I won't be defeated because I am the Golden Lion.” 95