What... is that?
Shiki's eyes widened, a flicker of confusion flashing across his face.
Countless white threads twisted and coiled together, rising into the sky like a colossal fountain from the direction of the voice.
From a distance, it looked like a white volcanic eruption, spewing upward in a continuous surge.
As the threads reached their peak above the island, they suddenly scattered, cascading down like a sky full of shooting stars—thousands upon thousands of white lines blanketing the sky, falling rapidly in every direction.
He didn't know what those threads were, but in that instant, a bone-deep chill surged up from the soles of his feet, shooting along his spine and seizing his brain. His scalp tingled involuntarily.
He didn't know what was happening, but one thing was absolutely clear...
He couldn't stay on this island any longer.
He had to escape—before those white threads reached the ground!
The moment the thought formed, Shiki sprang into action!
But—
"Told you not to even think about running."
A sharp blast echoed behind him. Shiki's heart skipped, and he instantly turned, slashing his blade.
Clang!!
His Meito clashed with a descending dragon claw, sparks exploding on impact.
"Get out of my way! I'm not in the mood to play with you!!"
Shiki roared, blood vessels bulging in his eyes as both swords unleashed a barrage of wild, furious slashes!
Blades rained down like a storm, but Daren met them head-on, sneering coldly.
They clashed directly!
Steel bit into flesh. Claws tore through skin.
Shiki's Armament Haki-infused blades could breach the defense of Daren's "Indestructible Body."
But at the same time, his own body couldn't withstand Daren's crushing dragon claws!
Slash!!
Oto carved into Daren's side, tearing open a deep wound.
A dragon claw raked across Shiki's cheek, blood spraying from the fresh gashes.
Their eyes were both dyed red with fury.
"Momonga!!"
Daren let out a thunderous shout.
"30 Million Volts: Kairai!!"
High above, Momonga had already locked into position. Veins bulged across his forehead as he gritted his teeth, arms wide—pushing the power of his Devil Fruit to its limit.
Dozens of blue lightning bolts burst from his body, surging downward in a blinding storm aimed at the battlefield below.
With Daren's physical resistance to electricity, Momonga didn't need to hold back. There was no need to aim—just bombard!
Boom! Boom! Boom!!
Thunderbolts exploded across the ground, lighting up massive fireballs and kicking up clouds of smoke and ash.
...
The next instant—
Shiki's charred, flame-wreathed form burst out of the chaos like a crazed demon, streaking toward the island's edge at breakneck speed.
The descending threads in the distance had already fallen past halfway—less than ten meters from touching down!
Shiki's bloodshot eyes bulged from his sockets as he raced forward, blood pouring from his mouth.
He could make it!
With his speed—he could definitely make it!
A gleam of hope flared in his eyes, pulling a twisted grin onto his lips.
As long as he got off this island, found a place to heal... he could come back and slaughter them all!
That Marine brat's Indestructible Body was a pain to deal with—sure.
But that was only because Shiki was in such terrible shape right now.
He could do this...
He just needed to get out of here...
His gaze burned with a feral red glow.
Ten meters!
Five!
Three!!
So close!!
His grin deepened.
He was going to escape!
One meter!!
"Jihahaha—!"
He burst out laughing without thinking.
But just then—
A violent gust exploded behind him, and from the swirling dust, a pitch-black, three-fingered dragon claw lunged forward...
And clamped tightly around Shiki's right ankle!
"What!?"
Shiki's grin vanished in an instant. His bloodshot eyes bulged, his face twisted with bitter disbelief.
His right foot was yanked back by a forceful grip, halting him mid-sprint.
And all he could do was watch—helplessly—as the mass of descending white threads, just inches away, reached the island's edge...
Silently.
"No!!"
Shiki let out a piercing scream, eyes nearly bursting from their sockets. He clenched his teeth so hard it felt like they'd shatter, then swung both swords furiously behind him!
Slash!!
A vicious cross-shaped gash split open across Daren's chest, blood spraying outward.
The force of the strike forced Daren to release his grip on Shiki's foot.
With that damn Marine brat momentarily repelled, Shiki spun around, twin blades raised, and slashed down hard at the white threads that now encased the island.
But what happened next defied belief.
Clang!!
The strike—infused with Armament Haki, strong enough to cut through even an Indestructible Body—landed on the threads...
And did nothing.
Not even a ripple. Just a few sparks flew.
Shiki's eyes widened in horror. He couldn't believe what he was seeing.
He looked up along the line of threads, a creeping chill racing down his spine.
The entire island was sealed off.
Not a single gap remained.
A massive, suffocating birdcage had formed around them, clamping shut like a trap from which there was no escape.
The world fell eerily silent.
Drip... drip...
The sound of blood hitting the ground echoed with chilling clarity.
"See that, Shiki?"
Daren straightened up unsteadily, blood streaming down from the wound across his chest.
His face was pale, but his eyes gleamed with savage satisfaction as he sneered,
"This birdcage... is the grave I made for you."
...
"Fufufufufu... he almost made it out."
A cold, mocking laugh drifted down from the sky.
Doflamingo, dressed in his trademark pink feather coat, descended effortlessly from above, hands manipulating invisible threads as he landed beside Daren.
"Godfather Daren-sama... so this is the legendary pirate, Shiki the Golden Lion?"
With a slow flick of his tongue, Doflamingo licked his parched lips, a sinister grin spreading across his face.
His whole body trembled with anticipation.
This was Shiki the Golden Lion.
One of the few pirates who stood at the peak of the seas.
A legend.
That "World Destroyer" Byrnndi World wasn't even qualified to polish Shiki's boots.
If not for Daren's meticulous setup, there was no way he'd have a shot at facing a monster like this—probably not even in the next ten years.
Let alone the chance to bury him with his own Torikago.
"Don't get too close, Doffy."
Daren chuckled softly, eyes narrowing.
"A cornered lion... is the most dangerous of all."