In fact, in the history of the Soul Society, the status of the Five Great Noble Families was also quite aloof.
For a long time, they were equivalent to the gods of the Soul Society.
But with the development of the era, the power of the Five Great Noble Families was gradually restricted.
After all, nobles who exercise unlimited power cannot allow the world to develop, and a developing world will not permit the existence of nobles who can exercise unlimited power.
They are the Five Great Noble Families now, but in the past, they might have been the five great slave owners.
During that period, they might have been like the Celestial Dragons, standing above all secular laws.
But at least now, they have restrained themselves a lot.
Although they still control power in secret, if anyone breaks the law openly, they still have to face judgment.
The five surnames, including Kucihki, Tsunayashiro, and Shihōin, have been passed down for a million years, but the history of the Five Great Noble Families is only a few thousand years old, precisely because they have entered a new era along with the world.
Rukia also belongs to the new era, so she finds it somewhat difficult to understand the existence of the Celestial Dragons.
In her view, the Tsunayashiro family among the Five Great Noble Families was already lawless enough.
"Actually, it's hard to say who is worse."
Beltz said indifferently that the most significant characteristic of Bleach is the long passage of time.
The World Government has only been established for eight hundred years.
In eight hundred years, how many people could they have tormented?
The Five Great Noble Families have existed for a million years; eight hundred years versus a million years—what a ridiculous comparison.
Even if Kibutsuji Muzan were involved, the number of people killed over a million years would be an astronomical figure.
"Let's go."
After the Celestial Dragons left, Beltz walked out with Rukia.
Fortunately, he wasn't like the main character's group; wherever Luffy went, a conflict would break out.
If Luffy were here, someone would inevitably offend a Celestial Dragon and then be shot by them.
Then Luffy would step forward, punch the Celestial Dragon away, and summon a Marine Admiral.
If it weren't for the Golden Lion, he really would have considered taking action against the Celestial Dragon.
Not necessarily to kill the Celestial Dragon, but to hypnotize him and turn him into his own slave.
But there are more important things now, so he would let him off the hook for now.
Before meeting Shiki, he had to adjust his condition to its peak, so he didn't even use Psychological Invisibility.
If the negotiations with the Golden Lion broke down, they might have to fight.
Golden Lion Shiki was drinking in a tavern, his twin blades resting on the table as he devoured meat and gulped down wine.
There was no one else in the tavern besides him; it was unclear whether he had cleared the place or if others were too afraid to enter upon seeing Shiki.
"Hmm?"
When Beltz opened the door, the Golden Lion turned around and saw him.
"Humph, you're certainly slow enough!"
The Golden Lion said coldly, "You'd better give me an explanation that satisfies me."
"Wait for me outside."
Beltz instructed Rukia and then walked inside.
He sat opposite Shiki without fear and said, "I'm a very busy man."
"Forget it, just because you actually dared to show up, I won't hold it against you."
Shiki suddenly burst into laughter again: "Come! Drink!"
This guy is like a lunatic...
Beltz complained inwardly, but he didn't refuse. He poured himself a bowl of wine and drained it in one gulp.
"Hmm, this wine has a kick!"
Beltz said, putting on an act.
"At least you have some taste," the Golden Lion said, then added fiercely, "Tell me, where are the ancient weapons!"
"I actually only know the approximate location. I can tell you, but I have a condition."
"You're really a lot of trouble," the Golden Lion said in a low voice. "But I can forgive you. Tell me, who do you want to kill? Even if it's Roger or Newgate, I can help you!"
"No, no, no, it's not that extreme." Beltz broke into a cold sweat. "I have no grudge against them, why would I want to kill them?"
"I just want to ask you to teach me Haki."
"Huh?!" Shiki was stunned. He had imagined many conditions Beltz might have, but he never expected it to be this.
"Are you joking?"
The Golden Lion couldn't help but ask. "Would lying to you benefit me?" Beltz shrugged. "You don't know Haki?"
"Only the basics."
Shiki thought back to his previous fight with Beltz. The kid did know Haki, but his application seemed different, and his usage was indeed crude.
"Ji-ha-ha-ha!!" the Golden Lion laughed again. "You brat are quite interesting! Fine, I'll teach you!"
"I may be a mobster, but I never go back on my word! As long as you tell me the location of the ancient weapons, I'll teach you Haki! I'll definitely turn you into a super pirate of this era!"
"When the time comes, if the two of us join forces and use the ancient weapons, we can dominate the entire world!"
"Dominating the world isn't that simple." Beltz shook his head but didn't say much more, only adding, "If you want to know the location of the ancient weapons, then go to Wano."
"Wano?"
Upon hearing this, Shiki immediately frowned.
He actually had a slight connection to Wano; his clothing and the weapons in his hands both had elements from there.
So he knew some information about Wano.
It was a closed country of samurai, and it was said that there were very powerful samurai within its borders.
"Is the information reliable?"
"Believe it or not, but I can tell you clearly that the Kozuki Clan of Wano understands the ancient script, and they also possess a stone tablet recording ancient history. If you don't believe me, you can go to Wano and see for yourself."
Normally, Wano has natural barriers that ordinary pirates cannot cross.
Well, let alone ordinary pirates, even the most powerful of great pirates might encounter danger when entering Wano.
As long as someone guards the waterfall, it truly can be said that one man can hold the pass against ten thousand.
But these so-called natural barriers were like a joke to Shiki.
He can fly!
"I will certainly go see for myself." The Golden Lion took a deep look at Beltz and added, "But you must come with me!"
"If you dare to lie to me, I'll let you know just how painful the consequences will be!"
"Of course, I'll go with you." Beltz looked indifferent. "After all, you're going to teach me Haki."
"Humph, then let's go now!"
"Fine, and let's bring my two friends along too. How about it—hostages delivered right to your door."
Shiki took another deep look at Beltz; he found that he really couldn't quite see through the man in front of him.
"Follow me."
Shiki stood up, opened the door, and walked out.
Beltz followed closely behind and said to Rukia, who was standing somewhat bored at the door, "Let's go, we're following this gentleman to our final destination."
"Ah—"
Rukia looked at the tall Golden Lion and couldn't help but swallow hard.
"This guy... is a monster, isn't he?"
"What a powerful aura."
"Even her older brother's aura wasn't as terrifying as this guy's."
"There's one more, but he's at the inn. Once we pick him up, we can set off."
By this time, the entire Lawless Area was in chaos.
Clearly, Lu Feld had discovered that Vegapunk was missing and was sending people to search for him.
But even if Lu Feld had ten thousand times more courage, he wouldn't dare cause trouble for the Golden Lion, so the three of them passed through without any hindrance.
They soon reached the Bubble Park. There were also Lu Feld's men in this area, but Beltz still walked boldly to the inn and picked up Vegapunk.
As soon as Vegapunk came out and saw the Golden Lion, he was shocked: "Underworld Shiki?!"
"Hmm?" Shiki heard this, looked over, and frowned slightly. "You are..."
He felt like Vegapunk looked a bit familiar, but he had no real memory of him.
At this time, although Vegapunk's reputation as a genius had begun to spread, he wasn't yet that famous.
In fact, Vegapunk hadn't been with MADS for very long, the lineage factor research wasn't finished, and the World Government hadn't recruited him yet.
Normally, it would be another twelve years before he joined the World Government.
Under the World Government's advancement, his fame would skyrocket, and he would suddenly become the super-genius scientist five hundred years ahead of the world.
For now, he had some renown, but not enough for a expert like Shiki to specifically remember him.
But Vegapunk certainly recognized Shiki, and he began to admire Beltz a bit.
After all, Shiki had previously said he wanted to capture that Azure Dragon, yet now the two were walking together so peacefully.
Either Beltz had strength comparable to Shiki's, or the two shared similar interests.
He had some concerns in his heart.
After all, he knew something of Shiki's character from the newspapers; he was a heinous pirate. If Beltz was also a villain for associating with such a person, then he...
But in the end, Vegapunk chose to trust Dr. Clover, believing that someone with Dr. Clover's character wouldn't lead him astray.
"He is Vegapunk, my friend."
Beltz didn't let Shiki dwell on it and instead said, "Let's go. We still need to buy some things on the way."
"Doctor, is the materials list I asked you to prepare ready?"
"Yes... it's ready." Vegapunk somewhat hesitantly handed the list to Beltz.
Beltz glanced at the contents, which included many instrument names he didn't understand at all.
"Shiki, how about doing me another favor?"
Beltz said to Shiki again. "Don't push your luck, kid," the Golden Lion glanced at Beltz and said. "I haven't even confirmed if your information is true yet."
"I can trade another piece of information for it," Beltz said. "What is it?" Shiki's tone was airy, but he was already extremely curious.
"This kid was no ordinary person; he might really know some earth-shattering secret."
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