A day later, at the outer seas of Egghead Island.
The New Flying Pirates had already entered the waters surrounding Egghead.
They hadn't been sailing for long before a swarm of sea-beast weapons launched an attack.
These sea beasts and Sea Kings, mechanically enhanced and modified by Vegapunk for remote control, fully obeyed his commands while still retaining their original intelligence to the greatest extent possible.
In a sense, they were more like a true army than ordinary Marines.
If it had been any other pirate crew, they would've long been dragged into the depths of the sea.
But unfortunately for them… they encountered the Flying Pirates, a crew full of monsters.
"Well, looks like… they're underestimating us," Shiryu of the Rain said as he crouched atop a sea beast's corpse, floating on the surface of the sea. "They actually sent these beasts to block us?"
"Tsk, tsk, tsk. The former Impel Down Head Jailer really has high standards," Catarina Devon sneered twice. "Since you find these giant sea beasts and Sea Kings so beneath you, why don't we leave the rest to you?"
"Maybe don't start arguing at a time like this?"
Vasco Shot hiccupped, and the next moment, a burst of explosive, alcohol-fueled flames spewed from his mouth, roasting a sea beast black.
"Flame of the Drunken Furnace!"
The others didn't sit idle either.
Though they spoke lightly, even they felt a bit of pressure when facing these colossal creatures.
After all, massive bodies meant proportionally massive power.
But that was the price these beasts paid for being unable to cultivate or use Haki.
"Quite the spectacle, huh?"
Golden Lion Shiki hadn't lifted a finger the entire time.
At his side, Patrick Redfield, Byrnndi World, and Douglas Bullet also stood motionless.
Within the Flying Pirates, the hierarchy was clear and unquestioned.
Don't be fooled—though Shiryu and the others were vicious Level Six criminals from Impel Down, compared to Shiki and the ones around him, they were on a completely different level.
Not even the same concept.
Soon, under the assault of this group of true, unrestrained pirates, the sea-beast troops fell back in utter defeat.
The few that remained, sensing the danger, dove into the sea and vanished.
Since Vegapunk hadn't issued any direct command, their own intelligence took over.
Fight to the death?
What a joke.
"They've already retreated, huh… tch, these beasts are really smart."
"Don't underestimate the creatures of the sea," Shiki laughed heartily. "These are just weaklings. The real ancient Sea Kings have bodies as large as islands! Some even grow over five thousand meters long… can you imagine the strength of something the size of an island?"
"So that's the reason why the ancient weapon Poseidon is so powerful?" Bullet finally spoke, his expression still cold. "Because Poseidon can summon and communicate with the Sea Kings…"
"You sure know a lot, brat," Shiki looked at Bullet with mild surprise, then grinned. "You're right. In the sea, the Sea Kings are invincible. No one can fight against those mountain-sized ancient beings while submerged in seawater."
Without waiting for Bullet's reply, Shiki issued his next order.
"Stop wasting time. Head straight for Egghead's main island!"
"We'll take Egghead before the day is over!"
"Don't give the Marines any time to react!"
Shiki knew his forces were strong now, but this wasn't like the old days—when, in despair, he charged Marineford alone.
Avoiding direct confrontation with the Marine main fleet was ideal.
After breaking through the blockade of the sea-beast weapons, the path ahead was wide open.
They didn't encounter a single Marine soldier.
Even Shiki found that odd.
Such an important place, and yet… only sea-beast weapons guarding it?
Did the Marines really care about this island?
But Shiki didn't bother to think too deeply.
Whatever the reason, the faster they reached Egghead's main island, the better.
As the futuristic island grew larger and larger before their eyes, the grin on Shiki's face widened.
"To be able to repay a favor to the World Government this easily… no matter how you look at it, that's a damn good deal."
The operation had gone so smoothly that Shiki was starting to feel cocky.
"Sanjuan Wolf! You stay and guard the ship!"
"Everyone else, follow me ashore!"
At Shiki's command, the "Gigantic Battleship" Sanjuan Wolf nodded dumbly, then crouched on the shore, staring blankly at their ship.
Shiki nodded in satisfaction.
Sometimes being stupid was a virtue.
At least he didn't have the kind of scheming mind the others did—pretending loyalty while plotting behind his back.
Entering the interior of Egghead usually required a series of authorizations.
But under the edge of Sakura Ten and Kogarashi, all those systems were forcibly bypassed.
And finally, upon setting foot inside, Shiki saw human beings.
Scientists and researchers in white lab coats were clutching instruments and stacks of documents as they ran deeper inside.
The sight immediately stirred Shiryu's bloodlust.
Grinning madly, he reached for his sword—but was suddenly stopped by Shiki's hand.
"Hey, Shiryu, those aren't people you can kill as you please," Shiki said, his eyes sharp and blazing.
"You'd better… not cause trouble for me."
Faced with that predatory, devouring gaze, Shiryu froze.
He had never before felt such an oppressive aura.
He had seen Shiki back in Level Six…
But this was something entirely different.
Gulp!
Shiryu swallowed hard. Between indulging his murderous urges and keeping his life…
He made his choice instantly.
"I understand."
He stepped back, his hand moving away from the hilt at his waist.
Just then, a series of claps echoed from deeper within.
Clap, clap, clap, clap…
"You sure got yourself a very obedient lackey, Golden Lion Shiki."
Out from the depths stepped a half-naked man with great wings unfurled.
And when Shiki saw him—
His eyes widened in shock.
Of all the people he expected to meet, this was the one he wanted to see the most.
A manic grin spread across his face.
"Michael!"
"The one secretly working with Vegapunk… is you?"
"You've really given me far too many surprises!"
"So what is this, then? Fate?"
Michael's smile was calm, yet piercingly cruel.
"No."
"Tough luck for you."
---
read +270 chapters on Patreon tambeerg