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Shiki the Golden Lion floated in mid-air, his gaze filled with disdain and amusement as he looked down at the three figures who had leaped off the black hawk and landed on the main island.
This was the confidence of one of the three legendary figures from the previous era!
Even with a ship's wheel embedded in his head, even having lost both legs, and despite his strength declining with age, he remained that same ambitious, lion-like man—possessing an indomitable spirit and boundless self-assurance!
Behind the three cadres standing before him, hundreds of pirates dressed in black suits and mafia-style attire lined up, their eyes all fixed intently on the intruders.
The massive black hawk let out a long cry but didn't linger, instead flying straight into the distance. The upcoming battle would be too dangerous for it to stay close; anyone nearby might be caught in the crossfire.
"Karakara..."
A man with spiky blue hair, an ugly, intimidating face, and a large blue scarf with yellow circles around his neck raised his hands and let out an unpleasant laugh. "I never expected it to be 'Germa's Demon.' What a rare guest indeed…"
"Germa's Demon? Indigo... I feel like I've heard that somewhere before…"
One of Dr. Indigo's subordinates spoke up, sizing up Iji, Akin, and Burn standing there. He grinned nastily, somewhat surprised.
"Germa 66—a notorious organization that once controlled the entire North Blue through military force. Known by aliases such as 'War Experts' and 'Army of Evil,' they are a scientific combat unit that operates as mercenaries worldwide. They have the ability to traverse the Red Line and possess highly efficient and formidable combat capabilities."
The burly figure of Sarnor Boris, the "Violent Tiger," spoke in a deep voice, his eyes locked firmly on Iji in the center, his expression serious.
"Brayer, don't underestimate this kid. He has awakened Conqueror's Haki, and he likely masters it well. Just over a month ago, he single-handedly stunned tens of thousands of rebels and quelled a rebellion in a certain country in the West Blue…"
Though they had been stationed in these waters for a long time, they weren't completely disconnected from the outside world. Occasionally, they accompanied Shiki the Golden Lion on excursions, gaining a global perspective, which allowed Boris to quickly recognize the threat before them.
"Conqueror's Haki?"
Everyone present couldn't help but gasp in shock.
It was hard to believe that this red-haired youth possessed the qualities of a king!
"Jekahaha! Awakened Conqueror's Haki, huh? Not bad for a brat your age to have such power—it's quite impressive…" Shiki laughed loudly, recalling how the young red-haired boy had earlier shattered his attack with ease.
His tone shifted as Shiki looked down at Iji and the others, exhaling a puff of smoke nonchalantly. "But tell me, what brings you here to seek me out?"
"Nothing much. Just here to send off the remnants of your outdated era…" Iji radiated overwhelming fighting intent as he stared directly at Shiki in the air, baring his sharp white teeth in a confident grin.
"What!?"
"You insolent brat! Do you know what you're saying!?"
"How dare you provoke Lord Shiki, who stands at the pinnacle of pirate legends!"
The surrounding pirates' faces turned pale with fury, glaring daggers at Iji and hurling insults.
"Jekahaha! Remnants of the past, am I?" Shiki laughed coldly, his expression hardening as he gazed at the defiant Iji. His voice grew icy. "A cocky brat with some talent… but you won't live long enough to see the future."
Iji had struck a nerve, and though Shiki hated to admit it, he knew his age had caught up with him, and his strength had waned significantly.
Still, he refused to believe that some inexperienced brat could challenge him.
"Confidence backed by ability is called self-assurance."
Meeting Iji's provocation head-on, Iji smirked confidently, his tone mocking. "At least I'll live longer than you."
"Arrogant brat! If you want to challenge the boss, you'll have to go through me first!"
"Violent Tiger" Boris stepped forward, his towering frame shaking the ground as he charged forward. His body underwent a transformation!
"Roar—"
His already massive form grew even larger, reaching a height of four to five meters. His face became a grotesque tiger's visage, his claws sharpened, and his long tail lashed violently behind him. With a deafening roar, he charged toward Iji at terrifying speed.
Facing Iji, who had awakened Conqueror's Haki and earlier obliterated Shiki's attack, Boris, who had lived long enough to know better, didn't underestimate his opponent simply because of his youth. From the outset, he unleashed his full power!
"Zoan-type Cat-Cat Fruit, Tiger Form, huh?"
Iji chuckled faintly, stopping Akin, who was about to step in. His right hand suddenly emitted eerie black smoke, turning pitch-black and shadowy within moments. He aimed directly at the charging Boris.
"Devil Fruit ability?" Boris's pupils contracted. In an instant, his massive claws turned jet-black, coated with Armament Haki, glowing ominously.
"Black smoke? Is it a Logia type?" While the other pirates were uncertain, Shiki, floating in the air, remained calm, smirking slightly. After decades as a pirate, he had seen countless Devil Fruit abilities.
"Dark Water!"
A vortex of deep, abyssal darkness swirled on Iji's right palm, spinning incessantly as he unleashed his ability!
"Boom!"
"What!?"
Boris, who had been charging forward, suddenly felt a powerful gravitational force pull him uncontrollably toward Iji. His enormous body flew forward against his will.
"An uncontrollable pull toward him—is it a gravity-based fruit?"
Boris didn't panic. Struggling to maintain balance, he swung his massive, pitch-black claw, imbued with Haki, fiercely at Iji as he was pulled closer.
As a master of close-quarters combat, Boris wouldn't lose his cool over such a minor anomaly!
The violent clash of energy whipped up a hurricane-like gust.
"Whoosh!"
In an instant, the red-haired figure vanished from Boris's sight, causing his attack to miss entirely. Iji reappeared in a flash to Boris's left.
The shadowy black right hand transformed into a solid grip, seizing Boris's left wrist tightly.
"What? Could it be…"
Boris's massive form began to shrink involuntarily, his human-beast form suppressed back into his human state. His face twisted in alarm.
Without hesitation, his right leg, covered in Armament Haki, lashed out with a powerful kick, creating a wave of force that sent shivers down everyone's spines.
"To think you can stand against me—you're not worthy yet!"
Iji blocked the fierce kick with his left hand, also reinforced with Haki. His right leg abruptly turned pitch-black, delivering a devastating blow that sent Boris flying backward.