Shiki's request

When he heard Golden Lion's offer, Lind nearly lost his composure.

After all, if he joined Golden Lion, he would probably have to spend most of his time with him, and it would be hard to get a territory that was largely under his own control.

What Lind wanted most was to become a division captain in the Rocks Pirates. After all, the division captains under Rocks enjoyed considerable freedom.

Basically, they only had to follow orders when Rocks needed them. The rest of the time, they could do whatever they wanted, and Rocks wouldn't interfere at all.

But Golden Lion had invited him outright, so refusing would inevitably be a little awkward.

In the end, his desire to develop his own territory won out. Presumably, Rocks wouldn't want Golden Lion's subordinates to become too powerful, either.

"Uh, Captain Shiki, shouldn't we ask Captain Rocks about an appointment this important? After all, inviting me aboard was partly his decision."

Although Lind knew that Rocks wouldn't interfere with Shiki appointing a vice captain, Shiki didn't know that Lind knew.

Shiki simply assumed that Lind didn't understand how the Rocks Pirates worked and didn't want to offend Rocks. He laughed heartily.

"You have a point. Don't worry, I still have that much authority. Come back to Hachinosu with me to meet the boss. I'll tell him about making you my vice captain then."

"All right, where's your ship? Bring it along, and let's head back to Hachinosu first!"

Seeing that Lind still had reservations, Shiki waved a hand and decided to leave the matter until they returned to Hachinosu.

"Sure, Captain Shiki. I'll go bring my ship over right now." Seeing that Shiki wasn't pressing the offer any further, Lind quickly went along with him.

"No need for all that trouble. Tell me where your ship is, and we'll fly straight back!"

Golden Lion waved a hand, signaling that Lind could trust his abilities.

Golden Lion really did live up to his name. The Float-Float Fruit was ridiculously overpowered in this respect. If Lind tried the same thing with his telekinesis, he'd wear himself out completely.

"Sorry for the trouble, Captain Shiki. I'll take you there right now!"

More than ten thousand meters above sea level, two ships traveled through the sky at a steady pace, one behind the other.

On the bow of the slightly larger ship in front, Shiki and Lind were drinking together, wine cups in hand.

"Brother Lind, there's something I'd like your help with." Golden Lion suddenly spoke, looking surprisingly embarrassed.

"Big Brother Shiki, just tell me what you need. Leave it to me!"

Since the body he had in this life had never drunk alcohol before, Lind was already a little tipsy after Shiki relentlessly plied him with drinks. Before Shiki could even finish, he nodded in agreement.

"Jihahahaha! Brother Lind, you're a true friend! It's nothing major. That verse you recited in front of my ship earlier—could you come up with one for me? Make it bold and grand!" Seeing how readily Lind agreed, Shiki dispensed with further pleasantries.

"Don't worry, Big Brother Shiki. I'll definitely write you an entrance verse that's majestic, commanding, and brimming with heroic spirit!"

Hearing Shiki's request instantly sobered Lind up halfway. This sounded like it would take some serious brainpower, but since he had already agreed to help, and it wasn't anything major, he didn't dwell on it.

Delighted by Lind's answer, Shiki raised his cup and laughed.

"Now that's a loyal brother! Let's have another!"

"Cheers!"

Cup after cup, Lind soon drank himself into a stupor.

In the end, he had no idea how he got back to his room. When he woke up, nearly ten hours had passed.

"Brother Lind, you need to work on your drinking! With that tolerance, you'll get laughed at on Hachinosu! Even Flame Flower and the other women can drink you under the table."

Shortly after Lind woke, he heard Golden Lion's voice and frowned slightly. Golden Lion was telling the truth, after all. This body's alcohol tolerance really was rather poor.

In that case, don't blame me for cheating, Lind thought.

Two and a half years on a deserted island had left Lind with a formidable stockpile of resources. He even had two kinds of plants that could sober him up.

It might not be sporting, but Lind figured he only needed to play by Lind's rules.

Lind was confident he could use those two things to dominate Hachinosu.

Lind had just gotten up when Golden Lion walked into his room, before he could even go out to greet him.

"Brother Lind, remember that entrance verse or whatever you promised to write for me yesterday?"

"Could you give it to me before we get back? I need to let those fellows on Hachinosu feel the might of Golden Lion Shiki!"

"No problem. How long until we reach Hachinosu? Just give me a few days!"

Shiki's request gave Lind a headache, but he gritted his teeth and agreed anyway.

"Brother Lind, however long you need, that's how long we'll take to get back to Hachinosu!"

Shiki's commanding declaration let Lind breathe a sigh of relief.

"Big Brother Shiki, three days will be enough. Don't worry, I'll definitely give you an entrance verse you'll be happy with!" After some thought, Lind decided to play it safe.

"That's my good brother! No need to rush, either. Hachinosu is still some distance away. I'll give you a week, so make sure you come up with a good one for me." Golden Lion was delighted. He patted Lind's shoulder with his right hand, his voice brimming with excitement.

"All right, get some rest, brother. Come find me if you need anything. I won't disturb you any longer!"

After getting Lind's assurance, Shiki didn't bother him any further. He left Lind's room in high spirits, waving both hands.

Perhaps he was already dreaming up entrance poses and special effects to accompany the verse, ready to put on a spectacular show on Hachinosu in a week's time.

A week soon passed.

In the sky five thousand meters from Hachinosu, Shiki and Lind made their final preparations for the entrance.

"Brother Shiki, today is your time to shine. I won't join you in stealing the spotlight!"

After giving it a great deal of thought, Lind had finally decided to let Golden Lion do all the showing off himself.

If Whitebeard, Charlotte Linlin, or the others got annoyed, his frail little body wouldn't survive those great pirates lining up to spar with him.

"Jihahahaha! Little brother, this entrance verse you wrote is right up my alley! Just watch how I stun Hachinosu today."

"Whether it's Newgate or Linlin, they're all just heads waiting for me to take!"

"Off I go!" Shiki exclaimed, his face lit with excitement.

After several days of conversation, Shiki had also caught some of Lind's feverish obsession with composing an entrance verse.

"Go get them, Big Brother Shiki!"

Lind stood at the bow, ready to watch Shiki's performance.

The pirate ship beneath his feet drew steadily closer.

A burst of Conqueror's Haki suddenly erupted, sweeping over Hachinosu, accompanied by a proud, thunderous voice.

"The golden lion roars across the sea; all living souls lament in misery."

"Through wind and waves, my blades carve a way; all eight directions bow and obey."

"Thousand-Cut Valley parts wind and cloud; who can withstand my waves and earth unbound?"

"Oto is deadly, Kogarashi swift; unless you seek defeat, approach not my midst."

"Even with a thousand islands on my back, even with one hand holding up the Flying Fleet, I, Shiki, remain invincible in this world!"

"Everyone on Hachinosu, I, Golden Lion Shiki, have returned!"

Shiki stood in the sky above Hachinosu, his golden hair flowing behind him as an imposing aura radiated from his entire body.