A head of golden hair flowed all the way down to its waist like a lion's mane. A ship's wheel was bizarrely embedded in its head, and its legs looked as though they were forged from steel, gleaming with a dark metallic sheen.
Its expression was stiff and emotionless. Red lights flashed continuously in its eyes as its head turned left and right, seemingly identifying and assessing the people before it.
"Restricted Zone No. 5. Intruders detected. Intruders detected!"
The mechanical voice ground out from its mouth.
Almost at the same instant, its floating body dove downward, the blade in its hand slashing down mercilessly.
Buzz!
A crescent-shaped slash swept across twenty to thirty meters of space, arriving above the Straw Hats in the blink of an eye.
Zoro's pupils shrank. Launching himself upward, he swung his swords with all his strength.
Clang!
The powerful slash collided with Zoro's blades, producing the sharp screech of metal striking metal. The overwhelming force behind the strike instantly changed his expression, and a second later, his body shot downward like a cannonball.
Boom!
He crashed into the ground, leaving a large crater beneath him.
"Zoro!" Usopp screamed in terror.
"I'm fine!" Zoro took a deep breath, wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, and stared ahead grimly.
"Intruders. Intruders," the mechanical voice echoed through the air. "By Second-Level Authority Order: Kill without mercy. Kill!"
A chilling wave of fear spread through the Straw Hat crew.
"What the hell is that thing?"
"Nami!" Luffy shouted seriously, clenching his fists as he instantly entered combat mode.
Usopp trembled, raising his slingshot to aim at the mysterious figure diving toward them.
The crew had arrived in Skypiea not long ago. After learning about this forbidden area from the residents of Angel Island, they had entered out of pure curiosity. Robin, meanwhile, had been drawn in by the neatly placed Poneglyph standing at the entrance.
But after exploring the ancient ruins and traveling another two or three kilometers deeper inside, this mysterious figure had suddenly appeared to block their path.
"Golden Lion Shiki!" Nami cried out in shock. "One of the Three Legendary Pirates who once stood alongside Pirate King Roger and Whitebeard! How could he be here?"
"On Roger's level?" Everyone froze for a moment.
Excitement flashed in Luffy's eyes beneath his straw hat. Zoro silently tied his bandanna around his forehead, while Sanji lit a cigarette, put it to his lips, and took a deep drag. At that moment, all three of them shared the exact same thought.
But Robin frowned. "No, something's wrong. He doesn't seem human." Then her eyes suddenly flashed. "And he's already dead!"
Everyone turned toward her in surprise.
"Watch out!" Chopper shouted.
In an instant, "Golden Lion Shiki" was already upon them. This time, however, lightning crackled from his eyes. A bolt shot out, piercing straight through Usopp.
"USOPP!" Luffy's face changed drastically.
Everyone turned around in shock to see Usopp smoking all over, his eyes rolled back white. With a thud, he collapsed to the ground, completely unconscious.
"AAAAHHH!" Chopper screamed, fury blazing in his eyes.
Luffy's expression darkened completely. His figure blurred as he charged forward, but to his surprise, the opponent's reactions, strength, and even Rokushiki techniques were all exceptional.
The two immediately clashed at high speed. After more than a dozen exchanges, the enemy landed a punch squarely on Luffy's face, sending him spinning through the air.
"Damn it! This thing is way too strong!" Zoro's expression changed as he rushed in from the side.
Sanji sprinted forward as well, leaping into the air to deliver a vicious kick toward its head. At this moment, the Straw Hats' three strongest fighters were going all out, each realizing just how terrifying the enemy before them truly was.
Robin clasped her hands, activating the power of the Flower-Flower Fruit. Golden Lion Shiki had been about to press his attack, but Robin's ability briefly halted his movements.
Clang!
In that split second, Zoro and Sanji's attacks landed. But both of them were stunned as the sheer recoil made them wince in pain.
"Steel!"
"This thing isn't human at all!"
The two immediately understood. Luffy sprang back to his feet as well, his face filled with caution.
At that moment, blue light flashed in Golden Lion's eyes. Another bolt of lightning shot out, piercing straight through Nami. She collapsed to the ground smoking, completely unconscious. Only now did everyone truly realize the horror of the enemy they faced.
"He's definitely not the real Golden Lion!" Robin took a deep breath and spoke quickly. "Luffy, this may be connected to that missing Marine!"
"It's a robot!" Zoro and Sanji exchanged glances, instantly reaching the same conclusion. No human body could be made entirely of steel.
Just then, a second bolt of lightning shot toward Robin. Sanji's expression changed dramatically. Without hesitation, he threw himself in front of her.
Crackle!
Black smoke immediately rose from his body as he collapsed limply to the ground, unconscious.
"That's the power of the Goro Goro no Mi," Robin said, her voice trembling.
She had once witnessed that man's battles. That terrifying power of thunder, even after a lifetime, she could never forget it. To her surprise, she was seeing that very power on this island.
Could the forbidden zone above Skypiea be connected to that man? If that was true, then they had unknowingly stepped into his territory and might already be standing on the opposite side of him. For Robin, there was nothing more terrifying than that.
"Intruders. Eliminate," Golden Lion Shiki spoke in his mechanical voice.
"What exactly are you?" Robin shouted. "The real Golden Lion Shiki is already dead!"
"You may refer to me as Pacifista. I am PX-5," Golden Lion Shiki replied emotionlessly.
At the same time, he moved again, swinging the blade in his right hand. Zoro's body tensed as he drew his swords to meet the attack.
Buzz!
The air trembled, ripples spreading through the void. Luffy seized the opportunity and launched an attack as well, but PX-5 suddenly turned his head. Lightning burst from his eyes, instantly engulfing Luffy.
"Luffy!" Cries echoed through the deserted wasteland.
Yet when the lightning faded, Luffy was still standing there blankly, completely unharmed.
"Hehe, I'm made of rubber! Electricity doesn't work on me!" he grinned.
But his expression quickly turned serious again. PX-5 was already moving once more, swinging his blade and clashing fiercely with Zoro. The danger was far from over. The enemy before them was the strongest monster they had encountered so far.
Grand Line, G-8 Base
Vice Admiral Jonathan, the commanding officer of G-8, was leisurely leaning back in his office chair. A steaming cup of coffee sat on his desk.
Life as a base commander was ordinary, peaceful, and comfortable. Many high-ranking Marine officers chose this kind of semi-retired lifestyle as they got older, treating it as preparation for their eventual retirement. It was proof enough that being a Marine was far more comfortable than being a pirate.
Pirates spent their youth risking their lives every day, killing and plundering, never knowing when they might die. In middle age, they might gain some status and power to enjoy a few glorious years.
But once they grew old, everyone started eyeing their position, hoping to kill them and take their place. No pirate could escape that fate. Whether it was Whitebeard or Kaido, their later years were anything but pleasant.
"Life sure is comfortable," Jonathan narrowed his eyes and sighed contentedly. Then, remembering something, he muttered, "It'd be even better if Jessica were a little gentler."
Behind him, Drake pursed his lips, clearly trying not to laugh. The bruises from Vice Admiral Jonathan's recent beating hadn't completely faded yet.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Suddenly, frantic knocking echoed from the office door.
Jonathan opened his eyes. "Who is it?"
"Vice Admiral sir, emergency situation!" A Marine's anxious voice called from outside.
Drake stepped forward and opened the door to reveal a visibly nervous Marine.
"Lieutenant Commander Drake! Vice Admiral Jonathan! Someone from Headquarters has arrived!" he said between breaths.
"Oh? An inspector from Headquarters?" Jonathan asked casually. There was usually no need to worry about special inspectors from Headquarters.
"N-No! The sentries reported that the people aboard that ship all have extremely high ranks! We even saw an unfamiliar man wearing Admiral insignia on his shoulders! And Colonel Smoker is aboard as well! One of the Seven Warlords, Crocodile! Doflamingo! And others!"
By the end, the Marine's voice was trembling. He simply couldn't imagine who the leader of that warship was if people like that were gathered together on board.
Jonathan's eyes widened in shock. "What did you say? An Admiral? Crocodile and Doflamingo are on board too?"
The Marine nodded vigorously. "Yes, sir! This Admiral isn't any of the three Admirals we know. Could someone be impersonating one?"
Jonathan didn't answer immediately. Instead, he stood up and headed for the door. "Any identifying marks on the ship?"
"A mark?" The Marine paused before suddenly remembering. "There's a golden scepter mounted on the bow."
Jonathan's expression instantly turned serious, and cold sweat began forming on his forehead. His steps halted, and he slowly turned around.
Drake and the messenger Marine both froze. They had never seen the Vice Admiral look like this.
"Crocodile... So it's that guy." Jonathan swallowed hard and took a deep breath. "Put the entire base on high alert. No one is allowed to let their guard down."
Then he strode toward the exit.
"Let's hope he isn't here looking for trouble."
A man who had vanished for more than ten years suddenly showing up at his base, there was no way Jonathan wouldn't be nervous. Especially because he knew very well that his friend and superior, Akainu, had a relationship with that man that was far below freezing.
(End of Chapter)
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