William and Laura Louise continued their conversation long into the evening, with William deliberately revealing numerous critical pieces of information that had eluded Laura's investigation.
He was selective in his disclosures, however. Certain sensitive matters—particularly those involving Gin—remained off-limits. He also strategically interwove fabrications among his truths, such as the elaborate falsehood regarding the royal lineage of Faraise Kingdom that he had once discussed with Aramis.
Since the majority of William's revelations were genuine, Laura found it impossible to distinguish the carefully crafted deceptions embedded within his narrative, especially those that defied easy verification.
Later that night, just as William was preparing to retire, an urgent knock interrupted his evening routine. A steward informed him of an incoming call demanding immediate attention.
"William, my operatives in White Pine Town have spotted Don Krieg alongside Golden Lion Shiki," Sherlock's voice crackled through the Den Den Mushi.
William absently traced his eyebrow with his pinky nail, his mind rapidly analyzing this development. After a moment, he released a cold chuckle. "So he believes victory is already his and has come to inspect his future acquisitions, has he?"
"How should we respond?" Sherlock inquired tensely. "Should we strike now?"
"No," William replied after careful consideration. "The newspapers haven't yet published our story, and public sentiment hasn't had time to crystallize. Without absolute certainty of success, we risk Shiki's escape. We'd lose the element of surprise for any future confrontation, and potentially compromise Kuro and Krieg's positions as well."
"Then what—"
"I'll assess the situation personally," William declared with finality.
"That's far too dangerous!" Sherlock protested, alarm evident in his voice.
"He wants to meet me," William's voice hardened with resolve. "Am I to hide like a coward on my own territory?"
...
William's assessment proved accurate. Golden Lion Shiki had indeed arrived in White Pine Town with the imperious air of one already claiming ownership. His desire to meet William had prompted him to bring Don Krieg along and deliberately make his presence known within William's sphere of influence.
"Captain Shiki," Krieg ventured, "if meeting William is your objective, why not approach him directly? By merely revealing ourselves in this small town, we risk him remaining unaware of our presence. Wouldn't that waste valuable time?"
"If this William cannot detect our presence under these circumstances, then he's unworthy of my recruitment efforts," Shiki replied dismissively, hovering above the ground on his twin sword prosthetics, ignoring the curious stares of local residents. "I require someone capable of maintaining control during a power transition. A man who lacks awareness of activities within his own territory could hardly be trusted to stabilize operations at critical junctures."
"I'll grant him ten days to present himself," Shiki declared, drawing leisurely on his cigar before exhaling a perfect smoke ring. "Should he fail to appear within that timeframe, I'll consider him irrelevant and publicly seize control of his operations myself."
Shiki cast a sidelong glance at Krieg. "In such an event, you'll assume responsibility for this island—consolidating these minor East Blue pirates under my banner to serve my purposes."
"Understood!" Krieg responded with manufactured enthusiasm before cautiously adding, "And if William does make an appearance?"
"Then he possesses some value," Shiki remarked, his attention suddenly shifting toward the town entrance. "I prefer inheriting an intact, functioning enterprise rather than a disorganized mess requiring complete restructuring. My time and resources are too precious for such inefficiency. Ideally, the shipyards should continue operations without interruption on the day of transition, and this town should experience neither civil unrest nor capital flight."
"Isn't ten days rather restrictive?" Krieg questioned hesitantly.
"Not at all. If anything, my timeframe may be excessively generous," Shiki's expression transformed into a knowing smile as he removed his cigar and gestured toward the entrance. "Because it appears our William has already arrived."
At the town's entrance stood a young man with distinctive golden hair, approaching with several companions. His expression remained carefully neutral as he advanced toward them.
"The golden-haired one—that's Morgan William, correct?" Shiki inquired of Krieg.
"Indeed."
"His aura suggests respectable strength," Shiki observed, his gaze shifting to William's entourage. "His companions appear somewhat less impressive. Are any among them his trusted lieutenants?"
Krieg's eyes swept across Aramis and Selkirk before he nodded. "Two of them are."
As they conversed, William and his group closed the distance. William deliberately examined both Shiki and Krieg, his brow furrowing in a convincing display of confusion regarding their association. After a calculated pause, he addressed Krieg directly: "Krieg, explain yourself. Your vessel was reported missing—how have you suddenly materialized here? Where are Kuro and Harden?"
"My sincerest apologies, Lord William," Krieg replied, his tone dripping with barely concealed insincerity as William's gaze darkened. "I now serve under a new captain." He gestured toward the imposing figure beside him. "The legendary pirate who once stood as an equal to Roger and Whitebeard Edward—the one and only Golden Lion Shiki!"
William's expression revealed nothing beyond appropriate surprise—a reaction mirrored perfectly by Aramis and Selkirk. All three, encountering Shiki in person for the first time, displayed precisely the degree of astonishment that would be expected under such circumstances.
"What exactly does this mean?" William's frown deepened as he shifted his attention to Shiki. "Why would the infamous Golden Lion grace the East Blue with his presence?"
"Because this sea, despite its weakness, contains something I desire," Shiki responded with subtle contempt, his lips curving into a sardonic smile. "And nothing brings a pirate greater satisfaction than appropriating another's possessions."
Among William's group were several armed personnel beyond Aramis and Selkirk. Upon hearing Shiki's provocative declaration, their expressions hardened with indignation. Some, emboldened by youthful overconfidence, instinctively moved their hands to their weapon hilts.
Shiki's gaze flickered briefly toward these presumptuous gestures. Then, almost imperceptibly, his eyes became suffused with crimson veins, the temporal arteries at his temples visibly distended, and his pupils contracted sharply.
William perceived no immediate change, but Selkirk and Aramis experienced a sudden, overwhelming sensation—as if their hard-earned mastery of swordsmanship and combat techniques had instantaneously evaporated. They felt exposed and vulnerable, like helpless prey beneath a predator's merciless gaze. Their hearts hammered against their ribcages, every hair on their bodies stood erect, and cold sweat erupted across their skin. The sensation mirrored that of one who had narrowly escaped death's embrace by mere inches.
This paralyzing effect lasted only a fraction of a second before both men regained their composure. The remaining members of William's entourage, however, proved far less resilient.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
In rapid succession, the armed personnel collapsed heavily to the ground, white foam bubbling from their lips as their eyes rolled back in their heads, consciousness fleeing their bodies as they crumpled like marionettes with severed strings.
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