At the port of Oni Island, pirates gathered.
"Lord Gurd has returned!"
"Line up to welcome him!"
"Show your stance! Let Lord Gurd see the results of our training!"
Every time Gurd returned, the Beasts Pirates would go to great lengths to welcome him, and this time was no exception.
When they spotted the Groudon Ship and Gurd standing on the deck, all the pirates immediately tore off their outer garments, leaving only their underwear, flexed their muscles, and struck bodybuilding poses!
Side chest pose!
Rear lat spread!
Front double biceps!
A group of muscular men gathered together, creating a scene akin to a chaotic dance of demons!
The Beasts Pirates' aesthetic had been thoroughly corrupted.
Clap clap clap!
Gurd applauded in approval, then walked expressionlessly through the middle with his subordinates, not sparing the pirates another glance.
He didn't want nightmares tonight.
Though the sight was unbearable, it was good that the pirates were training their bodies—it at least improved their strength, which was better than idling around all day.
So he forced himself to clap.
"Lord Gurd seems pleased!"
"Hahaha, that's great! Our efforts weren't in vain!"
"Ooooh, I'm fired up now!"
"Let's keep working on our muscles!"
Once a trend takes hold, changing it becomes nearly impossible. Now, the pirates took pride in their thick, bulging muscles.
Big is beautiful! Hard is strong!
Even the female pirates were pumping iron!
Arriving at the castle plaza, the executives soon appeared.
"Gu Jiang!"
Ulti was the first to charge forward, launching her usual Torpedo Rush. Unfortunately, Gurd was prepared this time and stopped her by pressing a hand against her forehead.
The other executives also approached.
Gurd glanced around.
"Where's Hajrudin?"
"Hajrudin went to Elbaf," Page One answered. "He said he's going to challenge Captains Dorry and Brogy to become the true captain of the Giant Warrior Pirates!"
Gurd nodded.
Hajrudin was only the captain of the New Giant Warrior Pirates, with a crew of young recruits. While the giants were willing to follow him, it was only because he wielded Iron Thunder.
Now that Dorry and Brogy had returned, their prestige far surpassed Hajrudin's, and the two captains had rebuilt the Giant Warrior Pirates.
A clash between the old and new was inevitable.
Moreover, for Hajrudin to claim the captain's position, he would have to defeat Dorry and Brogy together—because the giants' tradition dictated two captains, as their combined strength was the greatest.
The reason was simple:
Elbaf's Strongest Combination Technique—Supreme Might!
"Hmm?"
Gurd looked up toward the third floor.
Aside from Boss Kaido, there was another incredibly powerful, unfamiliar presence.
Not Auntie Linlin.
"Page One, do we have guests?"
"It's the Golden Lion!"
Golden Lion? Shiki?
Gurd was surprised.
What the hell was that old bastard doing on Oni Island?
Third floor, grand banquet hall entrance.
Clang! Clang!
Golden Lion, accompanied by a gorilla and a scientist, twisted his body and strutted in with a dance step that disowned all relatives, finally sliding backward into the hall.
"Hey!"
The two men and the gorilla spun around simultaneously, stretching their arms out in a ridiculous blooming pose, looking like a hype squad.
The Beasts Pirates' executives stood frozen.
Was this ridiculous guy really the legendary pirate who once cornered Roger—the Flying Pirate, "Golden Lion" Shiki?
Aside from the comedic trio, the Flying Pirates had brought several other executives, especially a man dressed similarly to King.
The former Impel Down Head Jailer—Shiryu of the Rain!
After Blackbeard's death, the remnants of his crew scattered in all directions. Shiryu received an invitation from Golden Lion and joined his ranks.
Twenty years ago, he had once crossed paths with Golden Lion. Back when Golden Lion was imprisoned, Shiryu had served as the deputy chief jailer.
Like Blackbeard, Golden Lion was a man he admired. Most importantly, under Golden Lion's banner, he would have room to fully utilize his abilities.
In the current New World, there weren't many viable options to pledge allegiance to.
The Beasts Pirates were already packed with strong fighters, leaving no position he desired. Big Mom's crew was bound by blood ties, making it impossible for outsiders to become core members.
Aside from the Beasts and Big Mom, Golden Lion was arguably the best choice—especially since he was actively recruiting new subordinates at the moment.
"Kyaha ha ha!"
After his usual theatrics, Golden Lion strode into the main hall and took the first seat to Kaido's right.
"Kaido, have you made up your mind?"
"Hold on, Shiki."
Kaido's expression was icy.
Golden Lion's purpose in seeking him out was to claim Hachinosu Island!
As the Pirate Paradise, Hachinosu Island held a sacred status in the hearts of pirates, irreplaceable by any other island.
Though many pirates regarded Golden Lion as their equal, there were just as many doubts—after all, two decades had passed, and even Whitebeard was now dead.
The times had changed!
"Golden Lion" Shiki!
"Demon Heir" Bullet!
"Lord of Five Peaks" Wang Zhi!
"World Destroyer" Byrnndi World, and others.
After Whitebeard's death, the old legends from twenty years ago began emerging one after another, each acting as if they ruled the world.
And then there were the rookies of the Worst Generation, who were equally formidable.
If Golden Lion could take control of Hachinosu Island, the Flying Pirate Crew's influence would skyrocket, and Golden Lion would solidify his position as one of the Four Emperors.
But the same effect could be achieved by any other "silver-tier" contender.
Everyone coveted Hachinosu Island!
Currently, the island was in the hands of the Beasts Pirates. No matter how much other factions desired it, none dared to act recklessly.
If this were the Beasts of the past, the silver-tier contenders would have already made their move. But now, the Beasts were different—they had the backing of the Hoenn Government!
A terrifying organization that even dared to confront the World Government head-on, their deterrent power had surpassed that of the Beasts Pirates themselves.
Especially Hoenn's Supreme Commander, Gurd!
Just yesterday, the World Government had issued a new bounty.
"God of Earth" Gurd—bounty: 5,120,000,000 Berries !
Surpassing Whitebeard's 5,046,000,000 and second only to the Pirate King Roger's 5,564,800,000, it ranked as the second-highest bounty in pirate history!
Kaido took a swig of liquor, his eyes flickering toward Gurd's bounty poster on the table. The glaring figure of 5.1 billion made him deeply uncomfortable.
A whole billion higher than his own bounty!
At their level, a difference of a few billion in bounty didn't mean much—higher bounties simply indicated a greater threat to the World Government.
But he was the captain!
How could the captain's bounty be lower than his subordinate's?!
And it wasn't that he was ignoring Shiki—he just didn't have the authority to decide! Hachinosu Island had been secured by Gurd. Whether it could be sold was Gurd's call!
CRACK!
The liquor jug shattered in his grip.
Kaido's rage surged.
Why did it feel like he was being humiliated as a captain?!
The more he thought about it, the angrier he got. The angrier he got, the more he thought about it!
"Uro ro ro ro!!!"
Kaido suddenly stood up, roaring furiously.
"Where's Gurd?! Bring him here now!"
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
Bowls and plates cracked, windows and doors exploded!
The pirates covered their ears, enduring the agony of the sonic shockwave.
Oh no, Boss Kaido is furious!
Thud!
The sound of footsteps reached their ears.
The Pirates turned to look at the door, their faces lighting up with joy.
It's Lord Gurd!
The savior has arrived!
Within the crew, the only one strong enough to stop Boss Kaido is Lord Gurd!
"Big Brother Kaido, who made you angry?"
Gurd entered the hall, his eyebrows rising at the sight of the shattered tables and chairs. Who the hell dared to piss off Big Brother Kaido?
Angering Big Brother Kaido meant angering him too!
Gurd's face darkened as he glared at Golden Lion.
"Was it you, Golden Lion?!"
"Huh?!"
Shiki looked utterly bewildered.
What did this have to do with him?!
(End of Chapter)