Operation Lion Hunt! Assault Above the Sky

However, the atmosphere on deck was a bit strange.

Zephyr watched expressionlessly as Gion laid Naito on her lap and cleaned Naito Gion. The woman smiled radiantly, her face displaying an unprecedented gentleness.

He then turned to look at the Pirate Empress, her black hair flying wildly with anger, and at Ain, whose expression was blank but whose fists were clenched.

Naito, what the hell are you doing?!

Commodore Doll was even more furious.

Gion- senpai really did like Naito too?

So what exactly happened last night?

Why does Ain always look like she's gritting her teeth?

Damn it, I should have stayed last night! How much did I miss out on?!

"If Tokikake finds out about this, it'll be a big problem."

Vice Admiral Simon said with a hint of amusement.

"Isn't this really interesting?"

Kizaru added with interest, "Vice Admiral Naito, it seems his charisma is even more impressive than his strength."

"What a complete scumbag, that bastard..."

Binz, huddled to one side, muttered something.

Sanji looked on with envy, wishing he could have the same charm as Naito someday!

The four newcomers also had rather strange expressions.

Smoker was a bit better off; he wasn't one to fuss over details and didn't think it was a big deal.

However, Drake and Grus, who were rather old-fashioned and serious, were particularly shocked. This Admiral Naito was so different from the rumored image!

Major Hina, on the other hand, looked completely shocked.

Admiral Naito, just how charming must this man be to make a woman like Gion go to such lengths for him?

Could he have used some kind of hypnotic ability on Gion- senpai and Major Ain?

Horrible!

However, these were all minor incidents. The warships soon arrived at Red Port, and the group traveled upstream on bubble boats, quickly reaching Mary Geoise.

Is this Mary Geoise?

Moria, his body wrapped in bandages, looked around in surprise.

Although he has been Shichibukai for many years, he has always been a homebody and has never been here before.

Like him, Jinbe and Hawk-Eyes were also looking around.

However, the difference is that Hawk-Eyes simply looks at the scenery, while Jinbe's gaze is much more complex.

This is where Fisher Tiger once fought.

Unlike them, Hanafuda and Crocodile had both been to Mary Geoise. Crocodile was a true veteran, one of the earliest Shichibukai, and Hanafuda, needless to say, had just passed through Mary Geoise yesterday.

At that moment, Hancock suddenly squeezed next to Naito, grabbed Naito's wrist, and leaned against him, using Naito 'Naito body to block the view of Mary Geoise from view.

The woman's face was somewhat pale.

Even though she tried to remain calm, a hint of fear still flickered in her eyes.

I'm back!

Back in this nightmarish place again!

"Hey, you stinky woman, what are you doing again?"

Ain frowned immediately and said, "Stay away from Naito!"

It's one thing in private, but this is Mary Geoise!

Don't let this damage Naito's reputation!

This time, however, Hancock did not confront Ain directly. Instead, she looked up at Naito with her delicate brows furrowed and her eyes filled with vulnerability and expectation.

Naito pulled his hand back from the Pirate Empress's grasp.

Hancock's face turned even paler.

Then she heard Naito say, "Walk your own path."

Hancock was taken aback.

Walk your own path?

Was Naito scolding himself?

How could that be!

He knew what he had been through, and he knew why he was afraid of Mary Geoise!

But that's what he said.

That's right! Naito was telling himself that the only way to overcome the shadows of the past was through his own efforts!

Naito believes in himself!

Naito!

Since that's the case, I won't let you down!

The Empress sniffed, and color gradually returned to her previously pale face.

The woman smiled broadly, "Naito, I really like you!"

Ah?

Ain raised an eyebrow. This woman was shameless! Naito was already being so cold, but she was only getting more clingy!

Gion it somewhat amusing; Naito's charm was truly remarkable.

Almost simultaneously, on a terrace at Naval G-1 Base.

Akainu, a cigarette dangling from his lips, hands in his pockets, silently watched the woman in her recruit uniform standing on the edge of the terrace ahead.

The woman's eyes were wide open, staring intently at the boundless blue sky.

Her eyes were unfocused, as if she were simply daydreaming, but Akainu knew that she was looking more carefully and intently than anyone else, only now she was looking at something thousands of kilometers away.

Sudden.

The woman exclaimed with delight, "Found it! The island floating in the sky!"

Chapter 187 Operation Lion Hunt! A Powerful Assault Above the Sky

Soon, the group had passed through Mary Geoise and boarded a bubble boat to reach the New World.

As dusk fell, the group was already standing on the port of G-1 Base.

"I'll get to the point."

Admiral Akainu, stationed at the base, said solemnly, "Golden Lion's location has been confirmed. He's about two thousand nautical miles away in the sky. Sengoku- sensei's order is for you to attack immediately."

"Furthermore, deploying a large fleet might attract attention, so we only prepared three ships."

That's enough.

Zephyr nodded slightly, "With that Golden Lion floating in the sky, no matter how many ships we have, they're useless."

"Oh, really,"

Kizaru, arms crossed, said slowly, "Not even a moment's rest? The sun's about to set; at least let us have some dinner."

Enough with the nonsense.

Even when facing a longtime friend, Akainu showed no mercy, coldly rebuking, "If you want to rest, you can rest as long as you want after we defeat Golden Lion!"

"Borsalino, you're the key player in this operation, so don't you dare let me down!"

The Golden Lion's greatest advantage is its ability to fly.

The force deployed by the World Government this time can be described as absolutely overwhelming.

However, most people cannot catch up with Golden Lion. It can be said that as long as Golden Lion doesn't want to fight, everyone can only watch his back and sigh.

Only Kizaru.

"Yes, yes, it really is,"

Kizaru and Kuma shrugged. "Still as strict as ever, Sakazuki."

As the admiral of the Marine Guerrilla Unit, Naito was now qualified to stand beside the three, having become one of the decision-makers for this operation.

He asked calmly, "Where is Viola?"

"On board."

Akainu turned to look at him. "Naito, protect Viola. It's best to keep those Shichibukai scum from finding out about her abilities."

The floating Sky Island where the Golden Lion resides is constantly moving in the New World.

Therefore, in order to accurately track his location, Viola had to go with him; otherwise, what if that guy flew out of her observation range?

"Um."

Naito nodded slightly.

"Very good."

Akainu took a deep breath. "Then, let's go!"

So, the group boarded the three warships docked in the harbor.

Zephyr, Naito, Kizaru each commanded a ship.

The six Shichibukai were also scattered across three ships.

On the ship Naito was on.

"Vice Admiral Naito! It's been a long time!"

A woman with long brown hair, dressed in a standard naval sailor uniform, bowed slightly to Naito with flushed cheeks, saying with a hint of embarrassment, "Thank you so much for what happened in Dressrosa!"

Binz, who followed Knight onto the Naito, couldn't help but twitch the corner of his mouth.

Come on!

How come I keep running into women who can't get over Naito no matter where I go?!

Hancock, standing beside Naito, instantly sharpened her gaze, staring intently at the somewhat shy Princess Viola.

"Long time no see, Viola."

Naito responded calmly, "This outfit suits you quite well."

"Yeah?"