In a certain sea area of the New World, or rather, in the sky, strangely shaped islands floated high in the air.
On the sea below, an enormous pirate ship, no less massive than the Rocks Pirates' ship, was docked at a nearby port.
At the bow stood a giant golden lion figurehead. Its owner was none other than the Golden Lion - Shiki.
Compared to Shiki's mobster days, the Golden Lion of today had already carved out his own legend. He had become the captain of the Flying Pirates, the Admiral of the Golden Lion Grand Fleet, gathering more than a dozen pirates under his command who had made names for themselves in the New World.
These floating Sky Islands were all created by the power of Shiki's Float-Float Fruit. Any inorganic object he touched with both hands could float in midair like this, requiring almost no stamina from him.
The reason Shiki's ship still remained on the sea was simply because he adhered to some peculiar pirate principles. For example, that a pirate ship ought to be docked on the sea.
Unless there was an emergency, he would not casually use his Devil Fruit ability.
"Admiral, you were on the same ship as him back then?"
One of Shiki's subordinates held up a newspaper in his hand. Whether it was the Marines or the World Government, the photographers under their command were a special breed of elite talent.
They were adept at lurking and can stealthily infiltrate the midst of various influential figures without being noticed.
They were adept at seizing opportunities, always finding a unique angle to capture eye-catching photographs.
The photo of Nereus showed him standing in Mariejois on a rainy night, with the Marines hesitating and at a loss in the distance, perfectly serving as the backdrop for Nereus.
Sometimes these photographers even forgot to remove the lens cap. But regardless, when there were vacancies among Cipher Pol agents, recruiting from the photography department might not be a bad idea.
"Yes. That guy… he was a complete monster back then. Aside from Rocks, no one's strength could compare to his."
When speaking of it, the Golden Lion showed little emotion.
He would never voluntarily mention that he had joined the Rocks Pirates after losing a Davy Back Fight.
But if his subordinates brought it up, he wouldn't avoid the topic either. It wasn't exactly shameful. After all, having sailed on the same ship as a monster like that was something that gilded a pirate's résumé.
"He's always had that habit, seems like he was born with a grudge against slave traders… Let me warn you: don't go doing the kind of low-level things only third-rate pirates would do.
Offending that guy out at sea is not a wise move.
Back then, someone mocked him, saying he only made small trouble. If he had guts, he should go free all the slaves in Mariejois. Who would've thought… he actually went and did it."
Golden Lion took the wine handed to him by a subordinate. There was a trace of reminiscence in his voice. Rocks had been dead for two years now, and what he spoke of dated even further back.
"First seize a throne, then strike Mariejois… Nereus, perhaps I underestimated your ambition. Do you want this world too?"
Shiki muttered to himself, his gaze growing firmer.
"That won't do. This world… belongs to me!"
Shiki knew Nereus was powerful, but he didn't believe himself incapable of fighting him. As long as they weren't near the sea, he believed he could match the man blow for blow.
"Admiral, who was it that mocked him back then?"
While Shiki was imagining their future battle for the world, the subordinate beside him suddenly asked that question, and it was precisely that question that made Shiki choke.
The one who had called Nereus's actions playing house back then… was himself.
In Shiki's eyes at the time, Nereus and Whitebeard had both belonged in the same category of childish fools.
"Who would remember something like that? How many years ago was it? Tell everyone to get ready. This time, we're definitely taking that b*stard down!"
Back when he was still a mobster, Golden Lion and Silver Axe had never gotten along. Now, out on the seas, they were even more openly rival opponents.
Perhaps influenced by the "big event" caused by Nereus, Shiki decided to completely eliminate Silver Axe and swallow up everything he had.
Meanwhile, aboard another ship that the Golden Lion had once considered home to another childish fool—the Moby Dick of Whitebeard.
"Newgate, look at this. You two were companions once, right?"
"We were on the same ship. That's all. We weren't that close."
Polo Gram handed the newspaper to Whitebeard. Having admired him greatly back in the day, he had invited Whitebeard aboard his ship after the God Valley Incident ended.
During the two years he spent alongside his "idol," Gram eventually disbanded his own Polo Pirates and directly joined Whitebeard's crew.
On this ship, there was even another Merfolk - Neptune.
After leaving Fish-Man Island, Neptune encountered Whitebeard. While Neptune was strong enough to handle some trouble in the water, it wasn't enough to deal with the crises of the New World.
In the end, he accepted Whitebeard's invitation and boarded his ship, effectively receiving Whitebeard's protection.
"Neptune, want to take a look?"
"No need. I've already seen it. He truly is more capable, able to bring back our kin trapped in Mariejois…"
Neptune sighed. He couldn't deny that fact. At the same time, he didn't fully understand why his father had insisted on making such a choice while sitting on the throne.
From the perspective of Fish-Man Island, the security Nereus could provide was far beyond what the old royal family could ever match.
Yet even if it had been his father's own decision, there were things Neptune couldn't come to terms with, leaving him feeling conflicted.
"So what do you think?"
"What do I think? This is Fish-Man Island's own matter. Everything that's happened can't be undone. If you ask what I think… I just hope that under his rule, Fish-Man Island can reach that ideal future."
Although Whitebeard wanted to ask, if Nereus failed to achieve that, what would Neptune do then? But in the end, they had known each other for many years, and he chose not to voice the question.
In another distant sea area, through special Homies created by the Soul-Soul Fruit and various sweets transformed by the Cook-Cook Fruit, Whole Cake Island had already come into existence.
"Mama, it's news about that man… Do you want to see it?"
Katakuri held the freshly delivered newspaper, hesitating over whether to hand it to Charlotte Linlin.
After everyone went their separate ways following the God Valley Incident, Nanamo had left directly with Nereus, completely crushing Charlotte Linlin's intention to take that daughter with her.
That incident, coupled with Kaido's sneak attack to steal a Devil Fruit from her, left Charlotte Linlin in a foul mood for quite some time. Since then, Katakuri and the others avoided mentioning Nereus's name in front of her.
After all, when Charlotte Linlin lost her temper, her children were the ones who suffered. As a result, on this side, Nereus was treated almost like "He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named"…
"Did he do something big again? Then bring it here and let me have a look."
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