Above the sea platform of Impel Down, the once-clear sky had darkened under a heavy shroud of storm clouds.
The air was thick, oppressive, and dim. Though it was broad daylight, there wasn't a trace of warmth from the sun.
At the harbor, rows of massive Marine warships were docked in silence.
Here in the Calm Belt, waves and storms never stirred the waters yet this eerie stillness felt even more capable of swallowing men whole.
Just then, on the distant horizon, a peculiar Marine battleship slowly approached.
On the coast, a crowd had already gathered, waiting.
When Rosen arrived, the others instinctively parted, leaving a path open for him to step to the very front.
The one who stood there, commanding the scene, was Warden Dalton, a towering man, more than three meters tall, his dark uniform cinched with a long blade at the waist.
His face was obscured by a black mask, but in his eyes burned both age-old weariness and ruthless sharpness.
Even for Rosen, who stood at a respectable one-meter-eighty, the man's sheer presence was crushing.
At the Warden's side stood Magellan, the current Vice-Warden of Impel Down and wielder of the Doku Doku no Mi.
Dressed in his traditional demonic garb, his monstrous five-meter figure radiated suffocating pressure.
Beside him, leaning with arrogant ease, was Deputy Guard Captain Shiryu of the Rain. A cigar clenched between his teeth, a sword strapped at his side, his expression carried the same unyielding defiance as his stance.
He was the Warden's equal in height, and just as unshakable.
When Rosen reached the front, Warden Dalton's gaze fell upon him.
"Rosen, boy. Don't let that chained lion shake you. He's no ordinary prisoner. Hold yourself firm, or the Marines will look down on us."
Rosen's lips curled into a grin.
"Hmph, don't underestimate me. I've been looking forward to meeting him!"
"Oh? Such courage, eh? Hahaha…" Dalton laughed, though his eyes remained fixed on the approaching warship.
At last, the Marine ship drew alongside the harbor. The gangway creaked down, and a tall, slender figure descended with deliberate calm.
"Well, well, Warden Dalton. Long time no see. This time, we've delivered you quite the monster. Truly terrifying, even by our standards."
"Eh? Borsalino, you're still as lively as ever," Dalton replied. "But speaking of monsters—aren't you one yourself?"
Rosen's heart skipped a beat.
Borsalino… future Admiral Kizaru!
The young Marine officer standing before them was only a "Rear Admiral" for now, but Rosen knew exactly what this man would become.
He focused, waiting for the system's response.
Yet—nothing.
No sound, no prompt.
So the system doesn't recognize him yet… Rosen thought, narrowing his eyes. Looks like this version of Borsalino hasn't fully grown into the monster he's destined to be.
"Though the Golden Lion has already been heavily injured by Vice Admiral Garp and Fleet Admiral Sengoku," Borsalino drawled, "he's still not someone we can afford to take lightly. Truly, a frightening man."
As he spoke, a crushing aura suddenly surged forth.
Rosen's chest tightened—breathing became difficult.
His fists clenched hard as he barely withstood the invisible weight pressing down on him.
Magellan let out a dark chuckle.
"Heh. A little intimidation, is it? Soon to be a prisoner, yet still so arrogant."
From the deck, a harsh sound rang out—chains grinding against wood.
The next instant, a violent gale tore across the harbor.
Rosen staggered, feeling as though he were nothing more than a fragile raft tossed on towering waves, about to capsize.
Around him, the ordinary jailers fared worse—tumbling, swaying, desperately clinging to each other just to avoid being blown away.
"What the hell is this?! Aren't we in the Calm Belt?!" one guard shouted, his voice cracking with fear.
"Jiehahahaha!"
The maniacal laughter sliced through the wind.
And then he appeared.
At the top of the gangway stood a towering figure.
Golden hair cascaded wildly down like a lion's mane. His eyes gleamed with untamed pride, looking down on everyone below him not a shred of defeat in his bearing, despite being shackled.
"So this is the little inn you prepared for me, eh? Looks rather shabby."
"Don't forget I am the Golden Lion! Do you think a place like this can hold me?!"
He turned his mocking glare toward Borsalino.
"Oi, you flashy monkey take a message back to Sengoku and Garp. If those two aren't stationed here, I'll flip this entire prison upside down! Jiehahahaha!!"
The sheer force of his presence sent the guards on shore staggering again, their legs trembling.
"Aiya, just standing here… and his aura alone is this terrifying?" Borsalino raised his hands in a mock-surrender gesture.
"I'll be sure to pass along your words, Shiki-san. But since you're chained up, how about not doing anything too scary, hmm?" he added with a lazy tilt of the head, his eyes hidden behind his glasses.
[Detection: Golden Lion Shiki — Word Tags available for plunder.]
[Commence plunder?]
"Yes…" Rosen's tongue flicked across his lips, eyes burning as he stared at the caged lion.
"Plunder Word Tags!"
[Plunder successful!]
[Congratulations, Host! You have obtained fragments of Golden Lion Shiki's abilities!]
"Acquired: Golden Tag — Advanced Conqueror's Haki!"
"Acquired: Golden Tag — Advanced Armament Haki!"
"Acquired: Golden Tag — Advanced Observation Haki!"
"Acquired: Perfect Tag — Float-Float Fruit Ability (side effects of seawater and seastone removed)!"
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T/N:
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