Chapter 135
It has been fourteen years since I escaped Impel Down.
In those fourteen years, he didn't even have any proper training, let alone fight.
Because Roger is dead, there is no longer any opponent in this world that Golden Lion longs to defeat.
As a result, the once all-powerful Conqueror's Haki became uncontrollable, and the once incredibly powerful Armament Haki and Observation Haki had weakened considerably.
This isn't the Golden Lion making excuses for its failure; it's an objective reality.
Moreover, Golden Lion acknowledged the power of this mysterious and unpredictable fellow before him. Even in his time, this guy would have been a formidable figure who would have made everyone wary.
The meaning of the Golden Lion is that even if he is weakened, even if he fails, he is still the Golden Lion!
I will never compromise with anyone!
"Is that so?"
Naito said with some regret, "That's a real shame. I was planning to invite you to fight the strongest enemy in history, one that even Roger couldn't defeat."
"What did you say?"
The mocking smile on Golden Lion's face vanished almost instantly. He stared intently at Naito, "You mean Roger? Explain yourself! What do you mean by an enemy even Roger couldn't defeat?! How could such a guy possibly exist in this world!"
Naito smiled with great interest.
I knew that just mentioning Roger's name would change everything.
As expected of the Golden Lion, who single-handedly stormed Marineford after Roger's capture, taking on two opponents at once, and who even after Roger's death for many years still couldn't forget him, even wanting to destroy the East Blue to prove that he was stronger than Roger.
The part about Roger's obsession.
Yes, we can use the same line when we go to Impel Down recruit Bullet later. That guy's obsession level is no less than Golden Lion's.
"It seems you really don't know anything, Golden Lion."
Naito said with great interest, "That guy actually appeared during the God Valley battle back then."
"God Valley?"
The Golden Lion was slightly taken aback.
How did we suddenly get to that topic?
Now that he's said that, it seems there really was a powerful, almost eerie aura emanating from the island at that time.
But at that time he was too busy looting the treasure to pay any attention.
"Rocks died because of him,"
Naito's words caused the Golden Lion's pupils to constrict.
You mean Rocks?
"That's right, they died without any chance to fight back, not even capable of causing the slightest trouble for their opponents."
Without the ability to resist the Black Transfer, one is simply not qualified to fight Imu.
In other words, during the battle at God Valley, Imu didn't take the others seriously at all; otherwise, all Tobi Roppo of the God Valley would have died there.
"Completely powerless to fight back?"
The Golden Lion even doubted that he had heard correctly.
That's Rocks, after all!
That guy is a real monster, even stronger than he was at his peak.
"Who exactly is this guy you're talking about?"
The Golden Lion stared intently at Naito, awaiting an answer.
"The ruler of the Celestial Dragons, the true master of the Empty Throne, the King of the World has lived from eight hundred years ago to the present,"
Naito said slowly, "His name is, Narona Imu."
"The rulers of the Celestial Dragons? The King of the World?"
The Golden Lion murmured softly.
Can such a guy really exist in the world?
Do you know why Roger chose to turn himself in?
Naito said with great interest.
"Just say what you have to say all at once!"
The Golden Lion was quite impatient. "Do you really have to keep me in suspense?"
Naito smiled. "It's probably because after learning the true history, he realized he couldn't change the world, so he decided to entrust everything to those who came after him."
This is the kind of old lion who doesn't know anything about lying.
Based on Gaban's reaction to Imu in the Elbaf arc, it's highly likely that the Roger Pirates didn't know much about Imu; they probably didn't even know about the Deep Sea Contract.
All I can say is, Joy Boy, if you're going to leave a comment, then leave one! Leaving out the crucial part about Imu's abilities is just plain misleading.
It's fortunate that Shanks ran away quickly; otherwise, if he had become a full-fledged God's Knights, there would be no Pirate King story.
But it doesn't matter, the Golden Lion doesn't know anyway.
The old lion's face visibly lit up with excitement. "An enemy that even Roger couldn't handle? That sounds intriguing!"
"It seems we can discuss cooperation now."
With a snap of his fingers, Naito instantly vanished the cage that bound the Golden Lion.
Then, in the next instant, the sharp blade slashed directly towards Naito's neck.
When!
The blade struck the semi-transparent barrier that suddenly appeared in front of Naito's throat.
Then, an invisible, powerful punch landed directly on the Golden Lion's face.
Wow!
The Golden Lion let out a miserable scream, its facial features distorted by the blow, and its body was blasted away, crashing headfirst into another invisible wall, forcing it to stop.
"If you want to hurt me, at least turn back into the legendary flying pirate."
Naito remained floating in place.
"That bastard reacted really quickly!"
The Golden Lion covered his nose with his hand, and blood seeped from between his fingers.
However, there wasn't much anger in his eyes. The other person had already let him go, yet he still attacked. So, he couldn't say anything about being beaten up.
"I'm starting to get interested. Tell me, what is this so-called cooperation you're talking about?"
The Golden Lion's voice was deep and muffled, but what he said was quite comforting to Naito.
"Of course, there's only one way to cooperate,"
Naito said, "Whether you want to continue raising wild animals or continue researching bizarre drugs, it's up to you. I just need you to do one thing."
"When I challenge that King of the World, I want to hear the roar of a lion."
"Hahahaha!"
The Golden Lion roared with laughter, "Don't talk nonsense! If that so-called King of the World really exists, then I should be the one to chop off his head!"
Roger, if that's the case, then I'll have completely surpassed you!
The Golden Lion, who had been in seclusion for fourteen years, suddenly became spirited again.
"Then we'll see who uses the most skill to win."
Naito didn't care anyway.
Imu is too mysterious. Dora more people to surround him, we can make him reveal more information, making him easier to deal with.
"Speaking of which,"
The Golden Lion's bluish-purple eyes glazed over Naito. "Just who are you?"
"Just call me the Night King."
Naito revealed his nickname.
"The Night King? The King of the Night?"
Golden Lion sneered, "You coward, you better not let me catch you red-handed!"
Since he specifically went to hide his identity, it means he must have a reason not to reveal it.
He must have another identity on the high seas!
This is very simple reasoning.
"Whatever you want."
Naito didn't care. "But Golden Lion, you'd better get back to your old self quickly. You're not qualified to participate in that final battle yet."
"I don't need you to rush me!"
The Golden Lion snorted coldly.
Even if the so-called King of the World doesn't exist, Golden Lion feels he should start his rehabilitation.
His pride couldn't bear being beaten like this by this bastard!
"In addition,"
Naito suddenly remembered something, "Are you still going to make that inexplicable berserk potion?"
"I'm starting to wonder where you got all this information from!"
The Golden Lion looked at Naito with considerable surprise.
His research into drugs that could further enrage ferocious beasts should have been an absolute secret.
Perhaps this guy had actually found him a while ago, but didn't alert him immediately, instead hiding and observing him quietly for a while?
"But what's the point of studying those wild beasts further?"
The method to defeat Roger changed from destroying the East Blue to killing the King of the World.
Then, the ferocious beasts used to wreak havoc on the East Blue will be useless.
Those guys are quite strong, but they're completely uncontrollable. How can we possibly use them in battle?
"That's perfect."
Naito said with great interest, "Sell me that project, it'll help you recoup some of your losses."
He wasn't really interested in ferocious beasts. If he wanted powerful beasts, he could just go to Beast Island near Amazon Lily, where there were a bunch of beasts even stronger than Luffy, the Supernovas, from two years ago.
Naito was interested in the plant IQ that could make wild beasts ferocious and the drugs made from it.
Because his Artificial Devil Fruit were created directly using the Lineage Factor of ferocious beasts.
Theoretically, this drug could be effective on artificial Devil Fruit User.