One piece: Establishing a Pirate Family

Chapter 481: Golden Lion Shiki Makes His Move

New World — high in the skies dotted with floating islands.

"Have all the old members of the Flying Pirates returned yet?"

Shiki asked as he glanced at the flamboyant Indigo dancing around beside him.

This eccentric man was one of the prisoners Shiki had picked out during the Impel Down escape.

Pfffft, pfffft.

With a noise that sounded disturbingly like flatulence, Indigo dashed over.

"Boss Shiki, only a small portion of your former crew has returned. Most were killed by the Big Mom Pirates or the Whitebeard Pirates. The ones who made it back are just minor grunts."

Indigo reported bitterly.

After catching Shiki's attention, he had hoped to be entrusted with a major role and use Shiki's strength to fund his experiments.

Instead, he had been stuck handling the Flying Pirates' logistics.

"Boss Shiki, our funds are running low. If we stay on these floating islands much longer, we'll burn through everything."

Indigo grimaced.

As the one managing the crew's finances, watching their money flow out like water each day pained him deeply. If only it were all research funding instead.

With Shiki having absorbed most of the Impel Down escapees—plus his old crew and new recruits—the Flying Pirates now had over 20,000 members.

They threw feasts daily.

If Shiki hadn't plundered a few islands, they'd all have starved by now.

"No big deal. Once we run out of food, I'll just go snatch a few more islands."

Shiki replied nonchalantly.

"Boss, when are we going to fight our way back into the New World?"

Indigo couldn't help but ask.

From the look of things, Shiki seemed completely unbothered—nothing like the fierce lion he once was.

Instead, he appeared content to indulge in luxury.

"No rush, no rush. Let's regroup our old members first. Then we'll plan our return to the New World."

Shiki mumbled drunkenly, holding a wine jug.

"…Fine."

Indigo sighed in disappointment.

Seeing Shiki lost in booze and comfort, he left him alone and returned to his lab.

There, he continued working on a drug he discovered on an East Blue island: a substance he named IQ.

This drug caused wild beasts to mutate and grow stronger—but also made them lose all rationality.

During one test, the beasts went berserk and killed many civilians.

He was caught by Marine Hero Garp, who happened to be patrolling while chasing Buggy the Clown.

Indigo was imprisoned in Impel Down.

He thought he'd spend the rest of his life rotting in that darkness.

But Rockefeller's invasion gave him new life.

He was swept up and dragged away by Golden Lion Shiki.

If Sharo knew about this, he might sigh again about the cruel tricks of fate.

Several days later.

Encouraged by his old crew, the Flying Pirates regrouped.

Shiki finally sobered up and led his 20,000-strong pirate army to charge back into the New World.

Their first target: Charlotte Linlin's territory.

Whole Cake Island.

"What did you say?! That old bastard Shiki invaded my island?!"

Charlotte Linlin bellowed, cake crumbs still on her lips.

"Yes, Captain! Lord Katakuri is doing his best to hold him off, but they're being overwhelmed. He sent me to request reinforcements!"

The trembling grunt delivered the message.

"That bastard Shiki!"

Linlin jumped up from her throne in a fury.

Her enormous body moved with an unnatural speed as she stormed aboard her flagship, Queen Mama Chanter.

"Set sail! I'm going to kill that damn Shiki!"

She roared.

A war between the Flying Pirates and the Big Mom Pirates was about to erupt.

---

Carmine Island.

"So Shiki chose to go after Charlotte Linlin? I thought he'd go straight for the Whitebeard Pirates—that'd be more his style."

On a beach in Carmine Island, two men sat in lounge chairs, soaking up the sun and reading the news.

Red Count read the day's headlines with raised brows.

"Yeah, I thought the same. With Roger dead, the most famous name now is Edward Newgate. I figured Shiki would head straight for Whitebeard. But it seems he's aged."

Sharo said, contemplative.

He recalled the Shiki from twenty years ago—wild eyes, immense ambition, and a hunger to conquer the world. That energy had clearly faded.

"Who do you think will win between them?"

Red Count glanced sideways at Sharo.

"Hmm… Charlotte Linlin probably has the advantage. Shiki's past his prime."

Sharo answered.

"Is that so? Well, let's wait and see."

Red Count replied, setting down the newspaper.

---

Whitebeard Pirates.

"Pops, Shiki's on the move—but he didn't come for us. He's attacking Charlotte Linlin instead."

Marco flew in with the latest intel.

"Hm… That's not like him."

Whitebeard was taken aback after reading the report.

As longtime rivals, Whitebeard knew Shiki well.

After learning his former territory was taken, Shiki would naturally try to reclaim it.

Of the three great pirate factions, Whitebeard's held the most prestige.

After Roger's death, Whitebeard was hailed as the strongest man in the world.

His subordinates were spread across the New World—tens of thousands of pirates under his banner.

In terms of strength and reach, Shiki should've challenged him first.

But instead, he picked Charlotte Linlin.

Whitebeard couldn't make sense of it.

"Tell the Whitebeard Pirates—everyone must stay alert. Watch out for a surprise attack by the Flying Pirates."

Whitebeard ordered suddenly.

He had a theory.

What if Shiki planned to take on both of the other great pirate crews?

Attack Linlin first, then ambush the Whitebeard Pirates next?

It wasn't impossible.

Given Shiki's history, Whitebeard grew more certain this was his plan.

Marco nodded. That sounded likely.

The Whitebeard Pirates went on high alert.

All their crews—especially those in the first half of the New World—pulled back and tightened their defenses, watching closely for an invasion.

Even Whitebeard himself grew uneasy.

Eventually, unable to sit still, he also headed for the frontlines.

At that moment, the New World was in turmoil.

Every faction focused their attention on the first half of the New World.

Shiki's reputation was too enormous—every move he made stirred the hearts of the powerful.

One could say: aside from the Rockefeller Pirates, who remained quiet, everyone else was now in motion, scrambling to gather intel on the escalating conflict.

---

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