The Greatest Disgrace in Marine History

"It's the Golden Lion, Shiki!!"

"A legendary pirate as famous as Pops!!"

"Damn it!! Why the hell is he here!?"

"Everyone—prepare for battle!!"

"..."

A fierce tempest erupted across the sea. Beneath them, the Moby Dick lurched violently through the raging storm.

The members of the Whitebeard Pirates stared in shock at the figure diving down from the sky. In their eyes gleamed a wariness and solemn dread they had never felt before. One after another, they drew their blades, bracing as if for a death match.

Even the new recruits aboard had heard more than once of the terrifying reputation of the Golden Lion.

This man was moody and ruthless—a vile pirate, utterly different from their beloved Pops!

Feeling the oppressive weight of his presence crashing down, Marco's heart turned cold, his expression shifting rapidly.

At this moment, Shiki displayed not the slightest grief over the total annihilation of his massive fleet. Instead, the violent arrogance emanating from his entire being was even more terrifying than it had been days earlier on Coin Island.

"Damn… Oden?!"

Marco's face shifted suddenly, but before he could react, the sound of rapid footsteps echoed behind him.

"Oden!?"

"What are you doing?!"

"..."

Gasps burst out all around. Eyes widened in disbelief as a one-armed figure in a samurai robe suddenly leapt from the deck.

"Hahahaha!! What a powerful sword aura!! Let me test your strength!"

The drunken haze was gone from Kozuki Oden's face. His eyes now blazed with a vigorous fighting spirit. The gale whipped his loose samurai robes skyward.

Staring at the unstoppable force barreling toward them from above, Oden cast off every shred of despair in his heart.

He had left Wano to sail the world, to behold every wonder and beauty this sea had to offer.

Whitebeard had taken him in, and aboard this ship, he had felt a warmth he had never known.

No matter who it was—he would not allow anyone to challenge Whitebeard's dignity!

Facing the wind, Oden launched himself upward. His torso bent low, one hand gripping the hilt of Ame no Habakiri, settling into a sword-drawing stance.

Shing!

Flowing Armament Haki danced like mournful cherry blossoms, scattering across his arm before quickly engulfing his blade.

In the instant his head snapped upward—

Oden drew his sword at the flying lion hurtling down from the sky!

The world, veiled in shadows, flashed blinding white, as if night had suddenly turned to day.

A dazzling arc of sword light burst forth.

Blade in front, samurai behind.

As though that supreme katana was pulling his entire body, he streaked toward the sky like a meteor—too fast for the eye to follow!

"Peach Garden Ten Slashs!!"

"Jihahahahaha!! You brat—you're asking to die!!"

Faced with that blinding slash, the Golden Lion's savage eyes narrowed, and he let out a crazed, feral laugh.

Zzzzzzzz…

Black and red lightning exploded from the twin blades, Oto and Kogarashi, flaring like fireworks. The immense power tore the surrounding space as if conjuring demons from the void.

"Out of my way!!"

It was as if he held thunderbolts in each hand. With bloodshot eyes, Shiki swung down hard!

BOOM!!

The next instant, they collided like two meteors crashing to Earth!

At the point where three blades nearly met, a storm of black-red energy swirled and compressed.

Oden's pupils shrank to pinpoints.

No impact?!

This… this was Whitebeard's power!

Before he could process it, Shiki roared with laughter and slashed downward with overwhelming force!

A mass of black-red lightning exploded onto Oden's chest. Blood mist burst from the blow as his body tumbled like a severed kite, smashing through the deck of the Moby Dick with a deafening crash.

The crew shouted in alarm as he disappeared below.

Shiki, unfazed, rocketed toward Whitebeard.

Whitebeard frowned, gripped his colossal naginata, and stepped forward—then slashed upward with full force!

The same terrifying black-red lightning coiled thickly around the air near his blade.

Sword and naginata clashed midair!

BOOM!!

A swirling sphere of dark energy exploded once more between them, twisting, crashing, growing—

Flames of lightning and infernal winds surged outward. Shockwaves pounded in every direction. The sea for kilometers erupted into chaos, waves towering hundreds of meters.

The clouds in the sky shredded layer by layer. Cracks spread like spiderwebs across the deck of the Moby Dick.

Many of Whitebeard's men were blown away, desperately clutching masts and railings to avoid being flung into the sea.

Marco and the other commanders shielded their eyes with one arm, gazing in awe at the godlike figures before them.

"Pops… he's going all out!"

"There's actually someone in this world who can fight him to a standstill…"

"This is insane… It's like the end of the world."

"..."

At that moment, both Whitebeard and Shiki's eyes flared with crimson light. Their golden hair whipped upward, and their auras surged to the absolute peak.

BOOM!!

With a heaven-shaking roar, a massive shockwave blasted skyward, tearing a gaping trench through the heavy clouds.

The sky split open.

The two men stepped back in unison, and the world fell silent.

The tsunami, frozen midair, crashed down, sending spray high into the heavens.

"Jihahahahaha!! Newgate, it's been a long time."

The Golden Lion chuckled as he sheathed his blades, then casually grabbed a bottle of strong liquor from the deck and took a long swig.

He glanced toward the samurai now crawling out of the crater and grinned.

"That sworn brother of yours… not bad at all."

His gaze landed on Oden—blood soaking his chest, but his eyes burning with undimmed fire.

"Hey, samurai. You're a dual-blade swordsman, right? That last move… lacked a bit of thrill."

Oden's pale face cracked into a smile.

"It's just an arm. Give me some time—I'll adapt… maybe even surpass what I was."

Facing the fearsome lion before him, he showed not the slightest sign of defeat—only anticipation.

So strong!

This man was unbelievably strong!

And unlike Whitebeard, the Golden Lion was, like Oden once was, a true dual-blade master!

Oden had the strange feeling… that Shiki might just be the strongest swordsman of this era.

Fighting someone this mad… had opened a whole new path in his swordsmanship!

Instinctively, he tightened his grip on Ame no Habakiri. His eyes shone with confidence.

With the insight gained from this clash, he was certain—he'd return to his peak in no time!

No… stronger than ever before!

"Then I'll be waiting,"

Shiki laughed it off, then turned toward the grim-faced Whitebeard and tossed him a bottle.

"What's wrong, Newgate? After all these years, is this how you welcome an old friend?"

He winked mockingly.

"Can't even share a drink with me?"

"After all, we used to sail on the same damn ship."

Whitebeard narrowed his eyes, planted his naginata in the ground, and uncorked the bottle. Tilting his head back, he downed the whole thing in one go.

In less than five seconds, the bottle was empty.

With a crack, he shattered it on the deck, then sat back down and said coldly:

"The drink's done. Shiki, if you've got something to say, spit it out. Otherwise, I might not be able to stop myself from sinking you here and now."

"Jihahaha… so heartless."

Shiki bared his teeth in a grin.

"This time, I came…"

He licked his cracked lips, eyes glowing with violent madness.

"To talk to you about… a certain interesting little Marine brat."

His eyes glinted slyly as he glanced at the one-armed samurai.

"Come to think of it, he's got quite a grudge against your Whitebeard Pirates too…"

---

To be continued…