"Didn't I tell you? Don't walk ahead of me. Anyone who didn't know better would think you were the boss, Shiki!"
At Gern's words, Golden Lion merely let out an inscrutable snort.
"If I hadn't gotten there first, this treasure would've been charcoal!"
After saying that, Golden Lion surprisingly offered no further argument or provocation.
Instead, under everyone's incredulous gazes,
the flying pirate held Trafalgar Law in a startling bridal carry.
Air currents swirled around him as he slowly descended, finally hovering steadily behind Gern, slightly farther back on his left.
Even as he hovered, he retained the imposing presence of a legendary powerhouse, but the "subordinate" position he occupied
seemed casual yet served as a silent brand, proclaiming a chilling truth that thundered through the minds of everyone present who understood its significance!
This was Shiki! The defiant Golden Lion who had dared storm Marine Headquarters alone!
A tidal wave surged through Rayleigh's heart. The hand adjusting his glasses stiffened slightly, and his face went blank.
How could this be? How could this man... willingly stand behind someone else?!
"No... that's absolutely impossible!" Rayleigh muttered almost instinctively.
The scene before him shook his understanding of the world even more than the news that Shiki had single-handedly attacked Marine Headquarters and escaped prison.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk!"
Even Kizaru, who had always upheld "unclear justice" and avoided trouble whenever possible, could no longer keep himself hidden.
A flash of golden light appeared directly in front of Gern. The usual sleazy expression on Kizaru's face had been replaced by utter shock.
For once, he abandoned his drawn-out tone, pointing in bewilderment at Golden Lion hovering behind Gern.
"Gern! This... isn't something to joke about!!"
Meanwhile, Law, held in Golden Lion's arms in an exceedingly awkward position, was every bit as shocked as