"It's so pathetic, Golden Lion Shiki… are you really this weak?"
Sugisawa Yuuto's words were calm, almost pitiful.
In the original story, the Straw Hat boy could only defeat Golden Lion Shiki thanks to the aura of the protagonist in the stage version. Back then, even the mighty Roger would have had to kneel before that power. Yuuto had assumed that, even if Shiki had regressed to the level of an Emperor, he would still retain top-tier combat strength.
He had thought that Yamato alone might not suffice—but Junye could surely handle him.
Never did he imagine…
Yamato alone could manage Shiki effortlessly.
"The so-called legend… now the only thing left worth noticing is the Lion Fruit ability," Yuuto shook his head, sighing.
Cough, cough.
Golden Lion Shiki spat blood and struggled to rise, forcing himself to stay upright.
"You brat… what are you planning?!" he growled.
"Like I said," Yuuto replied lightly, "the Lion Fruit ability is still useful to you. I only need you for one thing."
"Hahaha… 20… Jieha… jiehahahaha!"
Shiki laughed bitterly, finally realizing Yuuto's purpose.
"You want to subdue me for your own use? Don't joke. Who do you think I am? I am the flying pirate Golden Lion Shiki! When I galloped across the seas…"
Boom!
The Dragon's Might—a power strong enough to counter the fiercest Conqueror's Haki—exploded around him. Shiki's words froze mid-air.
"I don't want to hear your nonsense anymore," Yuuto said quietly.
Under the shadow of the apex dragon, Shiki felt his body and mind trembling uncontrollably. Instinctively, every fiber of him wanted to submit to this incomparable power.
But…
The pride of a legendary pirate would not allow him to yield.
"Thank you for the reminder… it makes me remember the true terror of the Lion Fruit. I hadn't intended to use it yet," Shiki said, a cruel grin spreading across his face.
The moment he spoke, enormous shadows blotted out the skylight.
Yamato and Junye, mid-battle, instinctively looked up.
The island above them expanded in their pupils.
"Boss Shiki—!"
"Captain! Don't you want to—"
"No! Captain Shiki! We'll die too if we stay!"
The Flying Sky Group pirates shouted in panic, scattering in all directions.
But the immense shadow of death loomed like a storm.
"Hahaha! Arrogant brat, even if you kill me, it's too late—we'll descend together!" Shiki roared, his grin widening.
"You foolishly think the fall of an island can challenge the Four Emperors!" Yuuto shook his head. Even as the island trembled, his composure remained.
"Stop your rambling! Die under the weight of your own island!" Shiki's eyes blazed with anger.
He canceled the floating force sustaining the Sky Island.
Boom! Rumble!
Gravity took hold, and the massive floating island began to plummet toward Tu Island, where everyone was gathered.
Runti transformed into a pink dragon, ready to create a flame cloud to support the falling island.
"Stop it, Runti! That's my move!" Yamato called urgently to Junye.
"Of course I know this kind of thing!"
Runti smirked and returned to human form.
"President… now!"
With a cheer from the girl, Yuuto ascended into the air, stepping on nothing but air itself. Black thunder and dark red flames surged from his body.
Ang Ho!!!
Like a colossal dragon roaring into the sky, the Thunder Dragon King and Flame Dragon King phantoms surged from behind Yuuto, merging into his fist.
He swung.
Boom!
The world quaked. Time and space seemed frozen. A light brighter than the sun bloomed…
Next second, silence.
Island. Smash.
Under Shiki's shocked and terrified gaze, his ultimate move—the famed "Island Fall"—became nothing but "Island Smash." The entire floating Sky Island shattered into fine dust, drifting away on the wind. The looming threat above everyone was gone, as if it had never existed.
"Ohhh! President, you're amazing!"
"As expected of the President!"
Junye and Yamato cheered in unison. For once, the two girls who often bickered were united in admiration.
"…."
Golden Lion Shiki stared at the vanished island with a dull expression. A wave of shock swept through his mind and heart.
He understood the truth. He understood the power and terror of a Four Emperors. Even an island was not enough to stop Yuuto. He would not have been surprised if Yuuto could destroy the island—but to reduce it to dust… this was beyond belief.
Even in his prime, Shiki could not have imagined such power. Yet here it was—Yuuto had done it.
Even without the steering wheel beneath his feet, Yuuto's strength rivaled the days of his heyday. Shiki had no power left to resist.
"Golden Lion… what's your answer?" Yuuto asked lightly.
Feeling the sharp gaze of Yuuto, Shiki snapped back to reality.
"I… I… you want me… to be your dog?!"
Boom!
A deep purple gravity pressed him into the ground.
"Legendary pride is troublesome, but forget it. I only want your Lion Fruit ability. Hand it over!" Yuuto said casually.
"Etc…!!"
Shiki shouted, flustered. "I haven't even finished my previous words! You—this is impossible!"