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The sky above the Vistonio Sea was eerily calm, broken only by the distant cries of seabirds and the occasional roar of mutated beasts. Suspended high in the air, Shiki's floating island cluster loomed like a surreal mirage—a testament to the power of his Float-Float Fruit. The islands hung motionless against the azure backdrop, their sheer size and majesty evoking a sense of awe from those who dared approach them.
The Flight Begins
Two enormous black eagles, each with wingspans stretching over ten meters, descended gracefully onto the warship. Their demeanor was docile, almost cat-like, as they patiently awaited Ichiji and his companions to mount their backs.
"Not gonna lie," Cavendish remarked as he climbed aboard one of the eagles alongside Law and Pod, "your disgusting ability does come in handy sometimes." He adjusted his cowboy hat adorned with a fluffy feather, his aristocratic charm fully restored. His golden hair shimmered under the sunlight, framing an open white shirt that revealed chiseled abs, while Durandal rested comfortably at his hip.
"Disgusting ability?" Law raised an eyebrow, glancing at the vast expanse of ocean below. A mischievous smirk tugged at his lips. "Next time I'll wake up early and prepare you some raw fish for breakfast..."
"You bastard—!" Cavendish snapped, veins throbbing on his forehead. Without a care for his princely image, he grabbed Law by the collar, teeth clenched. "Haven't you gotten rid of that damn cat yet?!"
Over the past few days, Cavendish had devised a makeshift solution to prevent Hakuba from wreaking havoc during the night. He now bound himself with chains before sleeping, keeping the key close so he could unlock it in the morning. It wasn't ideal, but it worked—barely.
Unfortunately, someone had decided to play a cruel prank on him recently. While transformed into Hakuba overnight, they'd placed a plate of fish beside his bed. When Cavendish woke up, his face was smeared with fish oil and stank of seafood. He nearly lost his mind, though thankfully, the fish had been cooked.
Now, just the sight of fish made him nauseous—but ironically, his alter ego, Hakuba, craved it even more.
"You did this, didn't you?!" Cavendish accused Law, pointing an accusatory finger.
"It wasn't me," Law replied flatly.
"Liar! It absolutely was!"
Their bickering escalated quickly, with both men looking ready to throw punches.
Nearby, Delia—an adorable maid dressed in pristine white—turned away discreetly, stifling giggles behind her hand. It was clear she was the culprit behind Cavendish's torment.
"Enough, you two!" Ichiji barked, stepping onto the second eagle alongside Akainu and Bern. With a commanding tone, he ordered, "Let's move out!"
The eagles spread their massive wings, creating powerful gusts of wind as they took flight. Carrying Ichiji's group, they soared toward the floating islands with astonishing speed.
A Playful Confession
As the eagles ascended higher, Wensin turned to her younger sister, Delia, with knowing eyes. "You wouldn't happen to be the one teasing Cavendish, would you?"
Delia grinned impishly, twirling a strand of hair between her fingers. "Well, someone has to put that narcissistic fool in his place. Maybe next time I should leave another plate of raw fish?"
"I… I want fish too…" Beppo piped up innocently, tilting his head.
"Shut up, you big dummy!" Delia shot back, flashing sharp little fangs. Her glare softened slightly as she saw Beppo bow deeply in apology, his bear-like face radiating guilt.
Wensin and Isabel exchanged exasperated looks. Was this polar bear really supposed to be part of such a fearsome crew?
Approaching the Floating Islands
As the group neared the towering islands suspended thousands of meters above sea level, the true scale of Shiki's power became undeniable.
"The sheer magnitude of his abilities is staggering," Burn muttered, gazing upward with wide eyes. "No wonder the Marines feared him so much."
Indeed, imagining these colossal landmasses crashing down from such heights sent shivers down their spines. Even if the strongest Marine forces could withstand or destroy one falling island, what about two? Or three? Or ten? Thousands of soldiers would perish instantly, buried alive beneath the rubble.
"Your Highness, I finally understand why you're willing to take such risks targeting Shiki," Bern said, voice trembling with excitement. "With this kind of power combined with Germa's resources, we could establish an unstoppable aerial kingdom within no time."
Akainu nodded gravely. "Indeed... The Float-Float Fruit holds immense strategic value."
Ichiji's blood boiled with anticipation. His gaze burned with determination as he declared, "They've likely spotted us. Prepare for battle!"
Inside the Palace
Meanwhile, atop the highest floating island, Shiki lounged lazily on his throne, puffing on a cigar. Hearing reports from his subordinates, he raised an eyebrow in mild surprise.
"What? Someone found us?" Shiki asked, his voice laced with amusement.
"Yes, sir," a suited bodyguard reported hastily. "They're riding two massive black eagles and heading straight for us!"
"Massive black eagles, you say?" Shiki chuckled, rising from his seat. Despite his advanced age, his presence commanded respect. His golden mane and beard framed a face marked by wisdom and ferocity. Below his knees, where his legs had once been, twin blades served as prosthetics, clinking sharply with every step.
"Jajahaha! It's been ages since we had visitors!" Shiki laughed heartily as he entered the surveillance room. On the monitors, he observed the approaching eagles and their riders. His grin widened, revealing predatory intent. "After all this time, it's about time we had some entertainment. I was planning to capture a few pirate crews for fun anyway…"
"Hold off on attacking for now," Shiki instructed calmly. "Let them board first."