Before they set off...
Every member of the Troupe raised their right arm, pressing their wrists against Chrollo's in a gesture reminiscent of a football team's huddle before a big game. The atmosphere was electric.
[Fate Echo Compass] activated. Chrollo placed a mark on the wrists of all twelve members before beginning the mission briefing.
"Shalnark, Pakunoda, Franklin, Shizuku—you're Team One. Your mission is to find the navigation charts and the treasure Shiki has hidden on this island, then deliver them to Nami."
The four of them nodded in unison. Even a genius navigator like Nami needed charts to guide their way. As a relic of the old era, Shiki was bound to have detailed maps of the Grand Line.
"Nami, Machi, and Kortopi—you'll stay here for support. Bonolenov, your job is to protect them."
These members weren't the primary combatants, so they were the best fit for handling the loot and treating any potential injuries. Nami nodded solemnly, while Bonolenov stood before them, looking every bit the dedicated guardian.
"As for Uvogin, Nobunaga, Feitan, and Phinks—standard procedure. Split into pairs and cause as much chaos as possible. Draw their attention away to give Shalnark's team their opening."
The four of them grinned, the anticipation of combat practically radiating off them.
"What about me? What about me?" Bonney asked, noticing Chrollo hadn't mentioned her yet.
"You?" Chrollo said with a playful smirk. "You're coming with me, of course. We can't take on the Golden Lion without our 'Lady' Bonney's help, now can we?"
"Can I just... stay here?"
"Take a wild guess."
"..." Bonney's face fell instantly, looking utterly miserable.
Chrollo's expression turned serious as he addressed the group. "Remember, our ultimate target is a blonde old man with prosthetic sword-legs. If any of you encounter him, use the compass on your wrist to contact me immediately. You are not a match for him."
Chrollo's eyes sharpened. "He's mine to handle."
Everyone nodded. Chrollo looked up toward the massive island at the center of the archipelago.
"Alright then... let the hunt begin."
---
On the largest island at the center of the floating cluster...
Inside the highest building, a man with a golden mane of hair like a lion's lay lazily in a wide armchair, a half-finished cigar clamped between his teeth. His hair was pure gold, a steering wheel was lodged in the top of his head, and his legs had been replaced by two legendary blades.
This was the legendary pirate, Golden Lion Shiki.
"Indigo, how many pirate crews have shown up since the news broke?"
A man sitting below him, wearing a white lab coat, an ugly scarf, and a blue afro, replied, "Lord Shiki, tonight makes the thirty-fifth crew~!"
"Jahahaha! Almost there! Once we have a hundred crews, we'll launch our attack on the East Blue. I'll make the whole world tremble under my heel! Jahahaha!"
Shiki's laughter echoed through the tower.
"Lord Shiki... shouldn't you say 'tremble under your majesty' instead of 'heel'?"
"Whatever, who cares about the details?! Jahahaha!"
The laughter died down as Indigo continued his report. "By the way, sir, there's one small thing."
"What is it?"
"Our surveillance snails just spotted some intruders on the island."
"Oh? How did they find this place?" Shiki looked puzzled for a moment before waving a dismissive hand. "Doesn't matter. Send out some of the mutated beasts to clean them up."
"Great minds think alike, sir."
The two exchanged a devious glance before laughing again. "Jahahaha!"
"Wait, I meant I already sent the beasts out," Indigo added. "But quite a few have already been killed... even our subordinates are being beaten."
"Ga—"
Shiki's laughter cut off instantly. "Why didn't you lead with that?!"
"You didn't ask..."
"Why didn't you lead with that?!" Shiki cleared his throat. "Take me to the monitors."
The two walked through the castle corridors to the surveillance room, where rows of masked men sat behind monitors. Shiki looked up at the screens.
On one screen, a wild man with spiked hair was swinging his fists with primal fury, smashing every beast that lunged at him. On another, a samurai was a blur of steel; every creature that got near him was instantly carved into bloody pieces.
It was Uvogin and Nobunaga.
Shiki's eyes slowly lit up with admiration. "Not bad... that kind of strength would be enough to survive in the New World. Such youthful power... I want them for my crew!"
He turned and headed for the door.
"Sir, where are you going?"
Shiki waved a hand over his shoulder. "My hands are itching. I think I'll go greet them personally."
---
"ROAR—!"
A massive lion, nearly four stories tall, let out a thunderous roar and charged at Uvogin.
"BIG BANG IMPACT!"
BOOM—!
A shockwave of air erupted as Uvogin's fist slammed into the lion's forehead. The beast's entire body went into a spasm, its fur flattened, and it collapsed to the ground, foaming at the mouth.
On the other side, a twenty-meter-long insect camouflaged as a tree trunk dove from the air, aiming straight for Nobunaga.
"Iai: Draw Slash!"
Zip-zip!
Blade-light flashed, and the massive insect was sliced into three pieces. It hit the ground with a heavy thud, dead before it even knew it had been hit. Despite the carnage, countless more mutated beasts were swarming them from every direction.
"You think this counts as making enough noise yet?" Uvogin asked while fighting.
"Tch, don't ask me," Nobunaga replied, leaning on his sword as he looked ahead. Behind them lay a shredded forest and over a hundred fallen monsters. "By any standard, this should be plenty of noise."
"So when do you think this Golden Lion guy shows up?" Uvogin asked impatiently.
"How should I know? Doesn't look like Feitan or Phinks are having any luck either," Nobunaga grunted.
"I really hope he picks our side," Uvogin said longingly.
"What are you planning...?" Nobunaga sensed trouble. "Don't do anything stupid."
Uvogin's battle-hungry grin widened. He punched a lunging beast so hard it exploded, blood splattering across his face. He let out a savage laugh.
"A guy the Boss calls 'top-tier'... don't you want to see what he's made of?"
"Oh, right—you already got to fight a legend, didn't you? Must be nice," Uvogin added with a look of pure jealousy.
"It's not the same. That guy didn't have any killing intent. Plus, the Boss was right there; I knew I wasn't going to actually die," Nobunaga said. "This time... it's for real."
"Isn't that better?" Uvogin's grin grew even more feral. "A fight only counts when you're teetering on the edge of life and death..."
Nobunaga stayed silent because, as much as Uvogin was an idiot, he was right.
Right then, both of them turned toward the same direction. A powerful presence was closing in on them at an incredible speed.
Uvogin couldn't stop the wild, unhinged smile from spreading across his face.
"He's here."
---
Shiki has arrived!