For example, the small fry officers under the Golden Lion's command, and those D-whatever trees used to repel and fend off the fierce beasts...
He didn't remember any of them.
But there's one thing he was quite sure of: inside the Golden Lion's stronghold, besides pirates and fierce beasts, there were also many villagers residing!
They were originally living well on the Blue Sea, but their homeland caught the Golden Lion's eye, turned into his base, and from then on, the entire island was lifted into the sky, enduring endless hardship and oppression.
So...
"Kuzan, your task is to take care of those civilians for me. Even if the Golden Lion's subordinates come to interfere, with your capabilities, you should be able to handle them with ease!"
After throwing out these words.
Shano laughed loudly, stomped fiercely with his right foot, the ground underfoot suddenly cracked, his figure shot out like a rocket, stepping on Moonwalk, heading straight to the top of the sky.
"..."
Aokiji looked up, watching the figure gradually disappearing into the sky, remained silent for a moment, shrugged his shoulders.
Prioritizing the protection of civilians?
This guy... really.
Obviously a pirate, at least in the eyes of the world, still a pirate, why have this sense of responsibility, making him as a Navy unable to refuse.
Well then.
He wasn't particularly diligent by nature. Since the hardest job has been taken over by someone else, there's no need to compete.
This time going out might as well be a pure vacation for relaxation...
...
Swish!
With ascending height, the surrounding temperature swiftly plummeted.
Shano continuously passed through dense layers of clouds, finally, after breaking through the last barrier of clouds, the view in front opened up dramatically.
Moonlight like water illuminated the massive cluster of islands suspended ten thousand meters in the sky.
The central main island was majestic and grand, surrounded by more than a dozen small Floating Islands, like stars surrounding the moon, and in the very center of the main island, one could see a large area of brightly lit buildings.
Ancient in style, resembling a royal palace.
"Found it."
Shano slightly spread his Observation Haki, sensing that rebellious and wild powerful aura, he spread open his arms, laughing freely:
"Shiki, come out!"
This voice was loud and hearty, like rolling thunder, echoing throughout the night sky.
More than a hundred cloaked figures suddenly surged out from all directions. Judging by the attire, these were all members of the Golden Lion's Pirate Gang, each armed fiercely.
"Bold! Who are you!"
"Dare to trespass into Lord Shiki's territory, are you prepared to risk your life!"
"I'm Captain Ironhook Xianong, with a bounty of seventy million Belly. State your name!"
Leading was a three-meter tall brute with a mohawk, wielding Dual Blades resting on his shoulders, raising his head with a grim look:
"Hmm? Just a young brat coming specifically for..."
The voice abruptly ceased.
"You, you..."
The brute widened his eyes in shock, staring at the black-haired youth under the moonlight, his hands trembled involuntarily, unable to maintain the posture with the Dual Blades on his shoulders.
"There's no mistake, you, you are that World's No.1 Sword Master, with a bounty of over 3.2 billion Belly Sea Emperor, Shano!!!"
Shano?
Upon hearing this name, and confirming the familiar face, the rest of the pirates instantly paled, inhaling sharply.
A person's name, the shadow of a tree.
Among ordinary people, perhaps many aren't aware of this, but as fellow adventurers at sea, how could they not have heard of this name, the most dazzling and prominent figure in the past year, utterly unmatched!
Clang!
Some dropped their weapons to the ground, others' legs weakened, directly sitting down, while others turned to flee...
There's one commonality.
No matter how much they admire the Golden Lion, facing such a top-tier powerhouse standing at the pinnacle of the sea, none could muster even a slightest thought of resistance!
"What a joke!"
The mohawk brute barely managed to stand firm, angrily shouting, but the beads of sweat on his forehead and the tremor in his voice betrayed him:
"A prominent figure like you! Aren't you supposed to be in the New World? Why would you appear here!"
"You're so noisy."
Shano slightly frowned, glancing at him, "I'm looking for the Golden Lion, not interested in wasting time with you small fry."
Boom!
Without any visible action, an invisible Supreme King Haki suddenly erupted, like a tsunami sweeping past.
In an instant, these hundreds of pirates fell to the ground in unison, the lead mohawk brute persisted for barely a second or two before also fainting with eyes rolling back.
Shano gracefully landed, walked past the fallen pirates, striding towards the palace.
In the blink of an eye, the palace gates were near, but Shano suddenly stopped, raising his head to gaze at the balcony atop the palace.
There, a tall figure with golden hair was looking down at him, the cigar in his mouth flickering uncertainly in the night.
"Zehahaha... You're here, Kaido!"
Golden Lion Shiki spread his arms, his arrogant laughter resounding in the night sky:
"I knew you wouldn't be content, after all, our grievances from back then haven't been fully settled yet! But you, alone, dare to chase all the way from the New World to here, you might be underestimating me too much!"
"What Kaido!"
Beside him, his deputy and chief scientist Indigo shouted angrily, punching the Golden Lion's head forcefully, "Are your eyes failing you! Take a good look, it's Shano, that World's No.1 Sword Master Shano!"
Is that so?
The Golden Lion scratched his head in confusion, stretching his head outside the railing for a closer look.
"So it really is you, brat!"
He blew out a smoke ring, grinned hideously, "If it were Kaido and Lingling chasing me, I'd be a bit apprehensive, but you?"
"Don't be misled by external praises, thinking you can be on the same level as me! You're just a snot-nosed brat, when I was dominating the seas, you were still playing in the mud! Why, you escaped a beating on Cake Island, so you specifically chased to East Sea to court death?"
"I can't help it, the East Sea is my hometown, I can't sit by and watch it be ruined by you."
Shano shook his head slightly, leisurely saying, "Those who are left behind by the times indeed only know how to rely on age and say empty words, though you've managed to say one right thing."
"What?" The Golden Lion's grin widened.
"We are indeed not on the same level."
Swish!
As the words fell, Shano's figure vanished from the original spot, leaving only a remnant in the air.
Such quick speed!
A crimson glint flashed in the Golden Lion's eyes, but before he could react, an overwhelming impact already charged at him!
"Galaxy... Impact!"
Shano's fist, entwined with black-red lightning, punched out!
A terrifying and violent ring-shaped airwave burst forth, instantly sweeping through the perimeter of the palace, tearing it into countless fragments!
What move is this?
The Golden Lion's pupils contracted violently, his wrinkled face trembled, even though he tried to block with his prosthetic Dual Blades in the first instant, he was still a step too late.
Boom!!!
The fist force pierced through the gap in the Dual Blades, penetrating the Golden Lion's chest, surging waves continued unabated, directly shattering the palace behind!
Boom!
At this moment, the entire giant Floating Island trembled violently.
The palace complex, unable to withstand the violent impact, instantly collapsed, bricks and rubble scattered in all directions, dust soared to the sky, obscuring the sun!
"Cough!"
The Golden Lion spat out a mouthful of blood, his body flying backward like a broken kite, crashing into the ruins, smashing through dozens of remnants, eventually embedding deep into the ground, creating a bottomless pit!
"I thought it would be a tough battle."
Shano slowly retracted his fist, standing in mid-air, gazing down at the ruins below, somewhat disappointedly said:
"It turns out you're... really this weak?"