Michael silently gazed at the sky.
The overwhelming aura before him was on par with that of the Whitebeard in his prime…
The thrill of clashing with a true powerhouse, the exhilaration of facing prey—it all sent waves of excitement surging through his nerves.
A cruel smile slowly curved across his lips.
"Old man… no, Golden Lion, I owe you an apology."
"I admit, though you're a bastard who deserves a thousand cuts… you're more of a real pirate than Roger or Whitebeard ever were!"
Golden Lion blinked for a moment—then grinned fiercely.
"Then do your damnedest to kill me, Michael!"
"Mm."
Michael smiled and nodded calmly.
"I'm here to kill you."
...
"You see, you're Navy people, and we're not particularly eager to pick a direct fight with the Marines…"
Bullet stood at the front, looking at Stella and Crocodile.
"So why don't you just leave now? We absolutely won't chase you."
"Impossible."
Stella shook her head. "Guarding this place is our duty."
"Tch, if you're gonna fight, then hurry the hell up already."
Crocodile shot Bullet an impatient glance, bit down on a cigar, lit it slowly, and exhaled a puff of smoke.
"Bullet, you weren't this kind of guy when you were younger, were you?"
Bullet didn't answer. From the eyes of these two female Marines, he couldn't sense even a hint of retreat or fear—
Instead, their battle intent burned bright.
"Then… prepare to die."
No sooner had Bullet spoken than the Flying Pirates behind him started stirring restlessly.
But in that very instant, everyone's Observation Haki was suddenly activated.
Both sides instinctively looked upward.
On the floating island high above, a massive dark-red aura faintly shimmered into view—
The terrifying presence of Conqueror's Haki.
"So this is… the monster that Michael is fighting?"
Stella murmured as she looked toward the island.
"That's Golden Lion's aura… That old bastard still has it in him." Crocodile chuckled and shook his head.
He'd thought he was already strong enough by now, but compared to such a monster—
He still wasn't even close.
Even from this far away, he could clearly feel that crushing pressure.
Let alone standing face-to-face with Golden Lion and fighting him head-on.
"Hey, beauties, don't go losing focus now!"
The first to make a move was the only woman among the Flying Pirates—Catarina Devon, the Moon Hunter.
Under her lead, the entire Flying Pirates crew launched a full-scale assault toward Stella and Crocodile.
...
"See that? That floating island in the distance!"
A Marine warship was racing through the Navy's exclusive sea route toward Egghead Island. By now, Egghead could faintly be seen on the horizon.
Garp frowned and pointed ahead—
At Golden Lion's floating island.
"Mm… that's one hell of a battle happening there right now."
Zephyr stood beside Garp, frowning deeply.
"That aura… is it Golden Lion's?"
"Who else could emit such a powerful, wildly unique Conqueror's Haki but that old monster himself?"
Garp laughed. "It's been a long time since I've felt that!"
"If I remember right, ever since the Battle of Edd War, Golden Lion has barely used his Conqueror's Haki, hasn't he?"
Zephyr asked calmly. "When he attacked Marineford back then, did he use it?"
"No."
Garp shook his head.
"That ship's helm stuck in his head has long prevented him from using Conqueror's Haki…"
"Then now… what kind of opponent could drive Golden Lion to make such a desperate, life-on-the-line decision?"
"Wait—are you saying he pulled the helm out of his skull!?"
Garp gasped.
Just imagining it made his scalp tingle.
"There's only the two of us here—drop the act, will you?"
Zephyr scoffed, brushing Garp aside.
"Who else but Michael could push Golden Lion to that point? Especially on Egghead of all places!"
"Ahem! The old man didn't say anything!"
"Enough, make your fleet move at full speed! Golden Lion's crew are some of the most dangerous bastards alive!"
Zephyr snorted.
"Forget Vegapunk's safety for now… Did you forget who's stationed on Egghead!?"
"...Crap! My prized disciple is still there!"
Garp suddenly snapped to realization, spinning around and sprinting toward the stern.
"Where are you going!?"
"I'm gonna throw a few Galaxy Impacts for extra acceleration!"
...
"Against a true monster like you, I can't be bothered with any more testing."
Having ripped the helm from his skull, Golden Lion's face was streaked with blood—but he looked oddly exhilarated.
Using his Float-Float Fruit, he slowly rose into the air.
Kogarashi and Oto floated in a steady orbit around him before finally settling into his hands.
"Oto and Kogarashi… it's been far too long since they've tasted a real battle. Can you feel it? Even they're trembling with excitement before you."
"They, like me… are thirsting for the blood of a worthy foe!"
Michael opened his eyes.
The Holy Light, Judgment Flame, and Flame of Wrath alternated and intertwined around him.
His brow remained furrowed.
Michael could feel that while Golden Lion's aura climbed to even greater heights…
His life force was ebbing away faster and faster.
Michael was certain—
Even if he didn't fight him, within ten, maybe twenty minutes at most, Golden Lion's life force would completely vanish, and he would die.
In other words, all Michael had to do was unfurl his wings and toy with him like walking a dog…
And before long, the legendary pirate Golden Lion would perish right here.
But…
Doing so would be far too boring.
Michael raised Myōjō, his gaze calm as he looked upon the blood-soaked, feral face of Golden Lion.
"Enough talking, Golden Lion. You know full well the state of your own body, don't you?"
"So I'll give you the most exhilarating battle of your entire life!"
"I promise, this fight will be worthy of the name Golden Lion!"
"Consider it… a send-off."
Golden Lion froze for a moment—then burst into wild laughter.
"Hahahaha! Michael! For the last man I meet in this life to be you—that's a damned blessing indeed!"
"Lion's—Thousand Slashes Valley!"
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