At night, Gran Tesoro was impossible to miss, its dazzling multicolored lights illuminating the sea and sky.
In the night sky a short distance away, a pitch-black giant sword flickered in and out of view beneath the moonlight. Dark purple crystalline structures dotted its blade, their violet glow dim and indistinct in the darkness.
Bondrewd's flagship-the Abyss.
On the bridge of the Abyss, Road Island's core members had gathered... except for their Alliance Leader.
"That bastard Bondrewd only tells us about the operation now, and he's already gone on ahead-"
The lionlike old man wore a black Japanese Yakuza-style kimono beneath an orange-and-yellow striped haori. He lounged carelessly on the sofa, his crossed feet propped on the edge of the coffee table.
His wild, long golden hair spread over the back of the sofa like a lion's mane, even reaching the floor.
"Shiki, the operation plan has already been settled. I'm sure Lord Bondrewd has his reasons-"
Seated on the opposite sofa, Caesar set down his coffee cup. He stole a discreet glance at the Praying Hands working throughout the bridge, hoping "they" would report this display of his to Bondrewd.
"Jahahahaha! I'm not questioning the man. I just wonder why he waited until right before the operation to tell the captains. What do you think?"
There was a touch of cunning in Shiki's bold, hearty grin. His two famous swords, Oto and Kogarashi, rested beside his shoulders.
The ship's wheel embedded in his head had been safely removed, and even the bald patch had grown hair again. Both feet had also been fitted with bionic prosthetics.
He had already largely accepted Bondrewd's position as their Alliance Leader.
"...!!"
Dr. Indigo, who sat on another side, roughly forming a triangle with the other two, rose from his seat and pantomimed