ONE PIECE: THE GREAT VOYAGE

Golden Lion's Last Stand

If he had to face a true top-tier powerhouse, he might not be able to gain any advantage.

Fortunately, despite the strong winds temporarily preventing his ship from flying, it still cut through the sea at incredible speed.

Though his ambition was vast and his mind always schemed, at this critical moment, he knew that avoiding battle was the wisest course of action. If one preserves the green hills, one need not fear running out of firewood.

Yet, the relentless pursuit of the Central Navy truly irritated him. But for now, there was nothing he could do.

After escaping the worst of the storm, he found the winds less turbulent and immediately used his Fuwa Fuwa no Mi ability to lift his pirate ship into the sky once more.

On the Central Navy warship trailing behind, Caesar turned to his subordinate with a knowing smile.

Caesar understood the signal and, with a mere thought, commanded his own ship to rise and continue the pursuit.

In terms of aerial mobility, even if Caesar didn't rely on sheer psychic power, he still surpassed Issho's gravity-based flight.

After all, Issho could only manipulate gravity, but Caesar combined both gravitational force and antigravity, making his control over objects far more refined.

On his flying pirate ship, Golden Lion Shiki noticed the pursuing Central Navy warships also taking to the skies. His expression darkened.

"That bastard... Caesar, you've actually caught up?"

In that moment, he felt a crisis unlike any before.

But his journey wouldn't end here.

After all...

He was the legendary Golden Lion Shiki!

And this time, unlike his infamous appearance in Marineford years later, he did not have a rudder lodged in his head, meaning his strength remained largely intact.

Though exhausted and reluctant to fight, if Caesar insisted on chasing him down, Shiki still had the power to put up a fight.

This was the confidence of a man who once rivaled Roger and Whitebeard.

---

The Showdown in the Skies

On the Central Navy's warship, Caesar observed as Shiki attempted once again to escape.

But this time... the Golden Lion wouldn't slip away.

If Shiki had been at his peak, Caesar might have hesitated to challenge him head-on. But now?

Heh.

The facts spoke for themselves.

Even if both were at their strongest, Caesar believed he held the upper hand. Now, with Shiki weakened, there was no doubt about the outcome.

For hours, the chase continued across the sky. But eventually, Shiki realized there was no escape.

He stopped running.

And instead, he prepared for battle.

Caesar watched as the Golden Lion's ship descended onto the ocean's surface, ceasing its flight.

A smirk curled at Caesar's lips as he followed suit, lowering his warship.

The two stood across the sea from each other.

"Finally done running, Shiki?"

As the waves calmed, Caesar stared at the disheveled but defiant Golden Lion.

Shiki snorted. "Hmph. And who gave you the confidence to chase me?"

"Do you think just because I've been through a war that I've weakened to the point that you can take me down?"

His voice was filled with anger.

This was nothing less than an attempt to take advantage of his weakened state.

Shameless.

But then again, Caesar was a pirate—why would he bother with honor?

Strength ruled above all.

Only the strong dictated the fate of the weak.

"I am Golden Lion Shiki, you little brat!"

Caesar sneered. "Big words, old man. But today, you're not leaving here alive."

"Your legend ends now."

Hearing this, Shiki's eyes turned cold. His aura surged.

Even in his current state, he wasn't someone who could be taken lightly.

But the situation was dire.

It was like a wounded beast being hunted by a pack of wolves.

Escape was impossible.

And even if he fought, victory was uncertain.

But surrender?

Never.

With a furious roar, Shiki launched himself forward, wielding Oto and Kogarashi, his twin swords infused with Haki.

All of his pent-up rage exploded into his attacks.

No holding back.

Only bloodshed.

---

The Fall of a Legend

Caesar, however, remained composed.

He did not rush.

Had Shiki been in his prime, the fight would have been far more interesting.

But now?

This was already over.

Those who understood them both knew that their ambitions had once been similar.

Yet, over the years, while Shiki had gathered a ragtag army of beasts and lesser pirates, Caesar had built an empire.

The Central Navy was not some mere fleet—it was a force strong enough to challenge the World Government itself.

And now, the remnants of Shiki's so-called "Remnant Fleet" were barely worth noticing.

Today was merely the inevitable conclusion.

With a smirk, Caesar unsheathed his black blade, Ba, and met Shiki's charge head-on.

---

The Capture of Golden Lion Shiki – The Legend Falls! A Public Execution Announced!

BOOM!

A thunderous shockwave tore through the battlefield.

No one knew at the time, but a battle that would be remembered for ages had erupted far from the eyes of the world.

But soon, they would know.

The Central Navy's newly established broadcasting network ensured that every major battle was recorded and distributed to the world.

If the fight involved minor pirates, it would be broadcast only in the Central Kingdom's territories.

But for a battle involving a legendary figure like the Golden Lion?

It would be streamed worldwide.

Of course, failure wouldn't be broadcasted.

But Caesar wasn't worried.

Because in this battle, failure was never an option.

Shiki had no chance.

---

A New Era of Control

This entire concept—using television to control public perception—was an idea Caesar had introduced to cement the Central Navy's dominance.

By broadcasting their victories, they could shape history in real-time.

The World Government had once tried to do the same with their own television networks, but they had failed to match Caesar's reach.

And now, the people of the world had grown accustomed to Caesar's truth.

The world was shifting.

And with the fall of the Golden Lion, another symbol of the old era would fade away.

The broadcast would ensure that all saw it happen.

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