Shiki's throne room lay toward the rear of the palace's center. Tatami covered the floor, and sliding paper doors and screens partitioned the Japanese-style audience hall.
It looked like a place where a feudal lord would receive guests, but Shiki himself looked more like a yakuza boss.
Besides Shiki and Dr. Indigo, several members of his core crew knelt along either side.
When they heard the visiting Praying Hands say he was not Bondrewd himself, they relaxed a little.
Unlike the less-informed people outside, these men knew better than to assume their boss Shiki was no weaker than Bondrewd.
The Golden Lion had once fought the Pirate King and nearly driven him into a corner. Shiki was roughly equal to Roger. Though Bondrewd was infamous and had the same bounty as Roger, he was still a newcomer. That neat equation fell apart in an instant.
In the eyes of these core crewmen, their boss Shiki should still be on the level of the Four Emperors. But the upper limit of a monster like Bondrewd was harder to judge.
"Jihahahaha! So you're not here in person. Your boss isn't showing much sincerity."
Shiki had seen plenty of monsters who defied common sense in his lifetime.
If Bondrewd really could use dozens of abilities, as the rumors claimed, his raw strength was one matter, but the sheer trouble he could cause would be off the charts.
Still, the Float-Float Fruit's nature meant that as long as Shiki didn't charge in recklessly, he could remain all but unbeatable.
Shiki maintained a healthy wariness toward Bondrewd, but not enough to fear him.
"Mr. Shiki, my individual name is Fick. You may call me that. As for Mr. Bondrewd, he can come over at any time if the circumstances are suitable. Please rest assured."
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