One Piece: With Sign-in System

Chapter 119: 119: The News That Shook the Seas (Part 1)



Above the floating island of Strong World.

The legendary wielder of the Float-Float Fruit, Golden Lion Shiki, stood in his golden kimono. A steering wheel was embedded in his head, and his legs had been replaced by the famed swords Oto and Kogarashi. With a cigar clenched in his teeth, he was inspecting the results of experiments involving feral beasts enhanced by unique components derived from plants.

Beside him stood his assistant, Dr. Indigo, dressed in a white lab coat.

"How long until these beasts are ready for deployment?" Shiki asked.

"Approximately two years," Indigo replied.

"Two years, huh… Good! When the time comes, I'll use this power to deliver a gift to the World Government and the Marines! Gyahahahaha!"

Golden Lion Shiki burst into maniacal laughter.

"The East Blue, that weak and pathetic sea, will be the first to meet its end at the hands of the mighty Golden Lion!"

Suddenly, his arrogant laughter stopped abruptly as he turned his head sharply in a specific direction.

"Hm?"

Dr. Indigo, puzzled, asked, "What is it?"

"It seems we have a guest."

A powerful aura radiated from Shiki, befitting a true legend.

"A guest?" Indigo tilted his head in confusion.

They were in the sky—who could possibly show up here?

"You stay here. I'll go check it out."

Shiki floated out of the laboratory and into the open air.

Under the night sky, his sharp gaze quickly spotted a figure several kilometers away, standing calmly on the ground of the floating island. It was a young man clad in black, with a long black blade at his side.

Their eyes met across the distance.

Ron smiled faintly at Shiki. Then, with a swift motion, he unsheathed the black blade at his waist and swung it toward the pirate.

A jet-black slash, over a hundred meters long and imbued with the power to cleave mountains, shot through the air toward Shiki.

"Interesting!"

It had been far too long since Shiki had encountered a worthy challenger. Excitement glimmered in his eyes as he raised one of his sword-legs, Oto, to intercept the strike.

The two slashes collided violently, and the ground beneath them was shredded by the sheer force of the clashing sword auras, creating a web of deep cracks.

After several seconds of deadlock, Ron's black slash was severed in two. Shiki's counterattack continued its forward momentum, pushing toward Ron and leveling the ground in its path.

Faced with Shiki's devastating flying slash, capable of cleaving through miles of ocean, Ron's eyes gleamed with exhilaration.

He made no move to dodge. Instead, he swung the black blade Shusui straight at the incoming attack.

"Whirlwind Dance."

With a sudden whoosh, a crimson-tinged black sword aura erupted from around Ron, expanding outward in a circle and colliding with Shiki's attack.

The two forces clashed fiercely, grinding against each other before dissipating into nothingness. The aftermath left a crater dozens of meters deep in the ground ahead of Ron, with massive cracks radiating outward.

"Oh?"

Shiki landed gracefully on the top of a hill a thousand meters away, crossing his arms over his chest. His golden kimono fluttered in the night breeze as he looked at Ron on the plain below with a grin.

"To think you could block my slash… Impressive."

"You dare draw your blade against me. Do you even know who I am?"

"The legendary flying pirate, Golden Lion Shiki."

Ron held Shusui casually in one hand, looking at Shiki with a calm smile. "So what?"

"Gyahahahaha!"

Shiki burst into laughter. "You've got guts, brat. I'll give you that!"

"Is that so? I don't think I'm being arrogant at all," Ron replied with a smirk.

"You've been missing from the seas for over twenty years. Do you really still have the strength you once had in your prime?"

Shiki's expression darkened slightly, and his eyes narrowed. "You're welcome to find out for yourself."

"I intend to," Ron said with a grin.

The ground beneath him caved in with a thunderous crash as his figure vanished in an instant. The shockwave from his leap sent debris flying in every direction.

Ron appeared directly in front of Shiki, swinging his blade at the pirate's neck with lightning speed. Shiki, still with his arms crossed, raised his left leg in response. The blade Kogarashi, serving as his leg, clashed fiercely with Ron's black sword Shusui.

The sound of steel meeting steel echoed through the night sky as the two combatants faced off, their sword auras colliding in a brilliant display of power and skill.

As the sword energies and intents from their strikes clashed and intertwined, razor-sharp waves of sword energy spiraled outward, tearing through the air with terrifying sharpness.

The collision of their Conqueror's Haki created golden and crimson lightning that crackled and illuminated the surroundings. Rings of pressure rippled outward, spreading a suffocating sense of dominance and an overwhelming aura. Everyone on the floating island, from researchers to the mutated beasts, collapsed under the immense weight of the confrontation.

The floating island itself trembled violently, cracks forming across its surface.

Biting down on his cigar, Shiki the Golden Lion's expression turned serious as he sensed the Conqueror's Haki radiating from Ron. His eyes sharpened as he fixed his gaze on the young, black-haired swordsman in front of him.

"Well, well… Who would've thought you'd possess Conqueror's Haki, boy? State your name."

"It doesn't matter whether you know my name," Ron said with a faint smile. Wielding the black blade, he met Shiki's wooden prosthetic leg, reinforced with the famed sword, Kiku, head-on. Shockwaves erupted from their collision as Ron's long black hair fluttered in the chaotic wind.

"But I can tell you this… you're going to die here."

A smirk spread across Ron's face.

"The power of the Float-Float Fruit? I'll be taking it for myself."

April, 1517 of the Sea Calendar

Marine Headquarters, Marineford

Returning from a mission in the West Blue, Vice Admiral Gion heard that Hina, who had been sent to the South Blue to hunt down pirates, had returned. Taking advantage of their simultaneous downtime, the two decided to spend their break together on Sabaody Archipelago, known for its bustling entertainment and leisure industry.

In a cozy café with a view, the two women, dressed in casual attire, sat by the window. After discussing work, their conversation shifted to lighter topics.

Topics like how, during her trip to the East Blue, Hina had thoroughly ridiculed Smoker over an incident from years ago.

"It's been three years already..."

Resting her delicate chin on her hand, Gion gazed out the window and murmured softly.

Hina, her long pink hair draped over her shoulders and sunglasses perched on her forehead, took a sip of her coffee.

Turning her attention back to Hina, Gion smiled and said, "During my trip to the West Blue, I heard some things about him. Want to hear it?"

"I've heard quite a bit about him in the East Blue as well." Hina stirred her coffee absentmindedly.

"That guy really is living up to his word, traveling the world on that ship of his, isn't he?"

"Haha, isn't that a good thing? At least we won't have to face him on the battlefield."

Gion's alluring smile, accentuated by her tear-shaped beauty mark, carried a mesmerizing charm that was hard to resist.

Hina rested her chin on one hand, stirring her coffee with the other. "How long does he plan to stay in the four blues? Is he never coming to the Grand Line?"

"Who knows? If that's the case, we'll have even fewer chances to see him."

Gion's tone carried a hint of regret.

Hina's eyes narrowed in annoyance. "That guy's off gallivanting around the seas with his ship full of beauties, living a carefree life. He's absolutely forgotten about us, his dear sisters! The next time I see him, Hina is going to teach him a lesson!"

Gion chuckled softly, sipping her coffee. "Three years ago, you were just nearly an even match for him. What makes you think you'll fare better now?"

Hina pouted, about to retort, when Gion's expression shifted, a mix of emotion flashing in her eyes.

"His strength has grown significantly. You've heard of Chinjao, haven't you? The 12th leader of the Happo Marines, part of the Chinjao family's violent group?"

Hina nodded.

"The one whose drill-shaped head was flattened by Vice Admiral Garp?"

"That's right," Gion said, her expression thoughtful. "I'm not sure what exactly happened, but Chinjao holds Ron in extremely high regard. In the West Blue, in the Land of Flowers, he won't even tolerate anyone speaking ill of him."

The Traveler's journey through the West Blue stirred up waves as significant as those in the South Blue. The reverence shown by the Happo Marines and Chinjao towards Ron, the ship's captain, had left the West Blue deeply shaken.

"The Chinjao with the drill head... revering him?"

Hina's face was filled with disbelief at Gion's words.

"When he left, his strength was about the same as mine. And in just three years, he's become that much stronger?" Hina exclaimed, astonished.

Gion couldn't help but laugh.

"When he first arrived at Marineford, he defeated Smoker. He was only 11 years old then. By the time he sparred with you, he was already 14. Do you think three years at Marineford wouldn't have honed his skills further?"

Hina froze, her expression blank for a moment.

"You're saying that when he fought me, he wasn't even going all out?"

Gion smiled and nodded.

"That guy... even hid his true strength from Hina! Hina is furious!"

Annoyed, Hina downed the rest of her coffee in one gulp.

"Haha."

Seeing her reaction, Gion's smile deepened.

Hina grumbled, "So, when that guy left Marineford, just how strong was he?"

Placing her coffee cup down, Gion's expression became serious. "About a month before he left Marineford, I had a swordsmanship duel with him. It was through that duel that I came to understand his true capabilities…"

"Ron's... true strength."

Hina's gaze locked onto Gion, her curiosity practically bursting at the seams.

Gion lowered her gaze, her slender fingers gently tracing the rim of her coffee cup as she recalled that battle. Her expression carried a mix of nostalgia and admiration as she softly spoke,

"Back then, his strength was already comparable to a Rear Admiral of Marine Headquarters."

Hina's jaw dropped.

Gion propped her chin on her hand, glancing out the window with a faint smile. Memories of their sword duel replayed in her mind, and a fleeting blush graced her cheeks as her lips curled into a wry grin.

That accidental first kiss they shared during the duel... Was it truly an accident? Or was it deliberate?

No, it must have been an accident.

After all, his mind was entirely focused on training, wasn't it?

Gion chuckled softly at the thought, her sharp gaze shifting to Hina.

Falling for someone like him… it must be exhausting, right?

Twilight…

As the duo strolled down a lively street in the Sabaody Archipelago, the golden hues of the setting sun illuminated their path. Suddenly, the sky above them filled with a swarm of News Coo. Flapping their wings furiously, the birds scattered newspapers across the city.

Gion reached out gracefully and caught one mid-air.

Her eyes scanned the front page, but the moment she registered its content, her pupils contracted sharply. The serene composure that always adorned her face shattered, replaced by sheer disbelief.

"This is..."

"What's wrong? Is there some major news?" Hina leaned in curiously.

Gion didn't respond immediately. She simply handed the paper to Hina. The moment Hina's gaze landed on the headline, her heart skipped a beat, and her hands trembled involuntarily.

[Battle Erupts in the North Blue!]

[The Return of the Legendary Flying Pirate – Golden Lion Shiki!]

[Breaking News: After a Seven-Day Duel in the North Blue, the Traveler Ron Defeats and Kills the Golden Lion Shiki!]

[Golden Lion Shiki – Confirmed Dead!]

Hina turned to Gion, her expression mirroring the shock and disbelief in the other's eyes. For a brief moment, neither spoke, yet their shared silence conveyed the overwhelming magnitude of this revelation.

Across the seas, this bombshell news ignited a storm of chatter.

The name "Traveler Ron," which had already begun to echo through the Four Seas, now surged like a tidal wave, sweeping into the Grand Line and even the New World. The announcement reached the ears of the most powerful figures and legendary forces, shaking them to their very core.


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