At this time, the World Government also received the news of Golden Lion Shiki's appearance.
The Gorosei immediately gathered to discuss the matter. This was a legendary pirate on par with Pirate King Gol D. Roger and Whitebeard Newgate, and the only man to have ever escaped Impel Down. If they could recapture him, it would greatly restore the World Government's authority.
At Marine Headquarters, Sengoku was on a Den Den Mushi call with the Gorosei.
"Yes, Gorosei, we in the Marines have also received the news."
"I know. Although the man's objective is unclear, it's obviously related to the Duke, Garfield Caesar."
"Understood. I've sent Sakazuki to Aznat, and according to reports, Kuzan, who was on leave, is on Sakazuki's ship. I'll immediately redirect him. Two Admirals and two of the Seven Warlords of the Sea should be enough to capture the Golden Lion."
"However, that's only if Doflamingo and Aeridar can hold off Shiki and Caesar. Otherwise, even if Sakazuki and Kuzan arrive, they won't be able to catch Shiki."
"There's no other way. Even if we send Kuzan, it would be the same. Right now, we can only hope that Doflamingo and Aeridar can hold out a little longer. If not, we have to be prepared to lose two of the Seven Warlords of the Sea at once."
Sengoku was powerless, and the Gorosei knew that with Shiki's true strength, even with Caesar as an accomplice, he could defeat both Doflamingo and Aeridar in a two-on-one fight.
This was proven on Gran Tesoro. Redfield, who was on par with Shiki, fought Doflamingo, Aeridar, and Tesoro at once and still had the upper hand. So why wouldn't the even more infamous Shiki be able to do the same?
So, Sengoku and the Gorosei could only hope Doflamingo and Aeridar would stall for more time, enough for the two Marine Admirals to arrive and salvage the desperate situation.
However, they didn't realize that Aeridar's strength was no longer what it once was—he was now on par with a Marine Admiral, one of the World Government's and Navy's supreme combat forces.
Shiki, on the other hand, had suffered a severe decline in power due to various unhealed injuries and other factors. He was no longer the Golden Lion who once dominated the seas.
...
In a certain sea region of the New World, a Marine fleet was sailing at full speed. The large ocean waves crashed against the hulls. Nearly ten massive warships cruised on the sea, creating an imposing and oppressive presence.
"What?! Golden Lion Shiki has appeared on the battlefield at Aznat Island?!"
Sakazuki stood on the ship's deck, holding a Den Den Mushi. The typically calm Admiral was now shocked.
"The Golden Lion?"
On the other side, Kuzan was roused from his sleep. He sat up, his drowsy expression replaced by a look of confusion as he looked at Sakazuki.
"That's right. You must get to Aznat as quickly as possible," Sengoku's voice came through the Den Den Mushi. "And tell Kuzan his vacation is over."
"Understood," Sakazuki said, his expression sobering but still grim.
"Arara~ How troublesome. I was finally on vacation!" Kuzan, who had been listening, complained with a bitter look on his face, scratching his head. "Golden Lion Shiki, if you were going to hide, you should've just stayed hidden. You're an old man now. It's better to stay a legend. Why come out?"
"Hmph. A wicked pirate like him should be turned to ash by me!" Sakazuki shot a cold glare at Kuzan. His body began to turn red and emit heat, and the temperature around him immediately shot up.
"Well, well, you're a hothead, aren't you?" Kuzan scoffed, not caring.
"Hmph! Pass on my orders! Proceed to Aznat at maximum speed! I don't care if the boilers burn out!" Ignoring Kuzan, Sakazuki commanded in a loud voice.
...
Aznat Island, Fort Respler Battlefield.
Hundreds of meters in the air.
"Slicing Wave!" a loud roar erupted.
Swish!
A huge, golden sword strike flew through the air, radiating a fierce, sharp aura.
Boom!
A shockwave of condensed air pressure erupted and slammed against the golden sword strike, creating a turbulent blast of air.
"Die!"
Shiki flew above Aeridar's head with a roar. A high kick fell, his sharp sword flashing and slashing downwards.
Aeridar raised his arms, which turned shiny and black with a metallic gleam.
Clang!
The kick fell, and the sword slashed against Aeridar's arms, causing a shower of sparks and a visible airwave to burst forth.
Aeridar then flipped over and kicked Shiki in the chest. With a muffled thud, Shiki's chest tightened, and he was sent flying backward.
Pop! Pop! Pop!
Seeing this, Aeridar extended his hand, his thumb hooked on his index finger, and flicked continuously at the retreating Shiki. The air in front of him rippled slightly.
Since Shiki's strength hadn't yet declined to what it would be three years from now, he could use his advanced Observation Haki to sense the attacks being sent through the air.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Shiki flipped over, his feet moving rapidly as his sword sang, easily blocking Aeridar's Impact Guns.
Pop!
Suddenly, Aeridar vanished.
The next moment, he appeared mysteriously in front of Shiki and punched him directly.
"Instantaneous movement, huh? I was already on guard against that."
Shiki's eyes narrowed. He immediately swept his leg out, and the sword on his foot slashed fiercely at Aeridar's fist.
Clang!
An incessant metallic clang rang out. A distorted airwave swept across, and a powerful shockwave burst from their clash, dispersing the nearby clouds.
Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!
Shiki used his feet as hands, performing high-speed swordsmanship. In an instant, his blade was a blur as he unleashed six consecutive slashes. Aeridar countered with his fists, each one carrying a powerful impact. He deflected every single one of the slashes.
The sword vibrated violently, unable to withstand the immense force, and Shiki flipped backward.
Seeing the opening, Aeridar didn't hesitate and rushed forward.
"You damn brat!"
With a savage look on his face, Shiki swept his leg out.
"!"
Instinctively, Aeridar felt a powerful sense of danger and immediately crouched down.
Swish!
A gigantic, golden sword slash flew across the air, disappearing hundreds or even thousands of meters away.
When Aeridar turned to look, the thick layer of clouds in the sky had been sliced in two, revealing the clear sky behind, as if the heavens had been cut open.
"How exaggerated! The sky was sliced open!" Aeridar gasped. "Looks like I underestimated you. A legend is a legend. Even with your strength declining, you're still an old monster!"