New World, Flying Sky Pirates.
The Flying Lion floated high in the sky, ten thousand meters above, with clouds flowing beneath the ship like a silver ocean.
On the deck, the cadres of the Flying Sky Pirates were gathered, and the atmosphere was solemn and oppressive.
Golden Lion Shiki sat in his gold-inlaid Captain’s chair.
His golden mane wildly danced in the wind, and the hideous scar on his chest was particularly glaring in the sunlight.
“The speed of you guys…” He scanned each cadre present, his brows gradually furrowing.
“Wait…” Golden Lion’s voice was low, and he looked at the empty spot in the crowd below, asking in a puzzled tone, “Where is that fellow, David?”
Hearing Golden Lion’s words, the cadres looked at each other, no one daring to respond.
After all, the Flying Sky Pirates’ internal dynamic was not like Whitebeard’s family-style interaction, nor Roger’s companionship… but a true superior-subordinate relationship.
Finally, the Captain of the First Division, Garvin, bit the bullet and stepped forward, saying in a deep voice, “Fleet Admiral, David… he has been out of contact for dozens of days.”
“Out of contact?” Golden Lion’s pupils suddenly contracted.
He took a deep drag from the cigar dangling from his mouth, crushing the wine glass in his hand, red wine dripping through his fingers.
“You mean… my Captain of the Third Division just disappeared without a trace?
And… you bunch of good-for-nothings don’t even have a single piece of information?!”
The air on the deck seemed to solidify, and the cadres all lowered their heads, not daring to meet Golden Lion’s gaze.
“Fleet Admiral.” The Captain of the Second Division wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and said cautiously,
“The last time David contacted us, he said he found a good place in the New World.
He was planning to catch some special race slaves to sell at Sabaody Archipelago… and then there was no more news.”
“Special race? Slaves? Do you think I want to know these boring things?” Golden Lion’s voice suddenly rose, a hint of brutality flashing in his eyes.
“Damn it, the truth is, my Captain was killed in the New World! And you guys are only telling me now?!”
As he spoke, Golden Lion suddenly stood up, but a sharp stinging pain came from the scar on his chest, causing him to involuntarily raise his hand to cover it.
That scar was left from the battle at G-3 Base back then; although it had long healed, that strike, which almost cut him in half,
left a deep memory for him, especially since then, he would dream of that very strike every night when he slept!
This also caused Golden Lion’s long-healed scar to frequently have phantom pains, and this pain seemed to remind him of that humiliation.
“Fleet Admiral, your injury…” Garvin stepped forward worriedly.
“Shut up!” Golden Lion roared, kicking over the table in front of him, the sound of shattering cups and plates echoing on the deck.
“Find out for me! Whether it’s the Marine or Roger’s men, I want to know who killed David!!”
The cadres, as if granted a great pardon, turned and left, fearing that staying an extra second would make them sacrifices to Golden Lion’s wrath.
When only Golden Lion was left on the deck, his anger gradually subsided, replaced by a cold killing intent.
He slowly walked to the ship’s edge, looking down at the rolling sea of clouds below, his fingers unconsciously caressing the scar on his chest.
“Zephyr… Gern…” Golden Lion’s voice was low and hoarse, dangerous light flickering in his eyes.
“If it was you, this time… I will make you pay the price!”
…
Meanwhile, on the other side,
On the deck of a warship, the sea breeze gently blew, and Libo excitedly spun around.
Then, she looked down and tugged at her Marine uniform, then touched her hat, her pink eyes full of novelty.
“I also have the same clothes as Gern! Haha!”
“Gern! Look!” Libo bounced and ran to Gern, spinning around, “Do I look good in this?”
“You’re very cute!” Gern leaned against the ship’s rail, a slight smile on his lips: “It suits you very well too.”
“Really?” Libo’s uniform was temporarily altered to be smaller, but it still looked loose.
The collar of the shirt was slightly open, revealing the white fur on her collarbone.
Her cuffs were rolled up a few times, her slender wrists faintly visible.
Most striking was her Marine hat on her head; because of her drooping ears, the hat was specially made with two holes, which added a touch of playfulness.
“Miss Libo is truly cute.” The Sergeant stood by, also unable to help but praise with a smile.
“Right, right!” She proudly shook her head, her fluffy drooping ears swaying along, “I’m also a righteous Marine now!”
“No!” She suddenly put on a serious face and cleared her throat: “Sergeant, please address me as Warrant Officer Libo!”
Sergeant: “…”
“Haha!” Watching the Sergeant’s smile freeze in mid-air, Libo chuckled.
Then, suddenly thinking of something, she jumped onto Gern’s back, shaking her head and blinking, “Gern, where are we going next?”
“Of course, we’ll continue our patrol mission.” Gern rubbed her head, “But before that…”
“Report!” At this moment, the signalman rushed over, “Rear Admiral Gern, urgent telegram from headquarters, requesting us to return immediately!”
“Suddenly asking me to return?” Gern’s brows furrowed, “Has something happened? At a time like this.”
“The Fleet Admiral sent an urgent telegram; there’s unusual activity from the Flying Sky Pirates, Golden Lion seems to be assembling his forces…”
“Isn’t Golden Lion Admiral Sengoku’s responsibility…”
“Admiral Sengoku and Vice Admiral Garp have gone to the New World’s Kingdom of Xi’arthur waters to deal with the Roger Pirates!
So headquarters urgently summoned you back.”
“Roger is also causing trouble…” Gern’s gaze darkened, and Libo keenly noticed the change in atmosphere, her ears instantly perking up: “Is something wrong?”
“Nothing.” Gern put away his serious expression and smiled at her, “It’s just that we might have to go home for a bit!”
“Home? Gern’s home?!” Libo’s face was full of excitement.
“You could say that.” Gern raised an eyebrow; the house in Marineford could indeed be called “home.”
“Can Gern’s home also grow carrots?”
“You’re still thinking about your carrots!” Gern poked her puffed-up cheeks, “You easy-to-please little gluttonous rabbit…”
“So, no, then…” Libo pursed her lips, her drooping ears immediately falling down.
“Haha!” Looking at her feigned aggrieved expression, Gern smiled helplessly.
“How could a righteous companion not let you have a place to grow your carrots?”
“I knew it!” Libo instantly showed a sweet smile, rubbing her fluffy cheek desperately into his neck, not caring that her hat brim was askew.
“Gern is the best to Libo!”
Looking at Libo, Gern helplessly turned to the Sergeant: “Full speed ahead, return to Marineford.”
“Yes!” The Sergeant saluted, then turned to relay the order.