Even if they weren't directly affected, the murderous aura emanating from them was so thick it was almost viscous.

Kuro twisted his wrist and swung [Hanashu] in another direction.

"One-Sword Style..."

...

On the other side of the island, connected to the floating sea, several pirate ships were docked at a natural harbor, and on the land ahead, there was a small town.

There are no ordinary people in the town, only pirates.

Or rather, it was all Golden Lion who invited the various pirate crews.

They were among a few who were stationed on this small island, waiting for the legendary great pirate, Lord Golden Lion, to give them orders.

"I heard that the operation is about to begin. Dr. Indigo has declared that the production and stockpiling of SIQ is nearing completion. In a few days, we will declare war on the World Government and the Navy."

In one of the buildings in the town, several captains were talking together.

"As expected of Lord Shiki, the legendary pirate. He does things differently from others. He's going to destroy the East Blue!" A captain took a sip of his drink and exclaimed.

"Hahaha, we'll be joining in too! We're so excited! That damned World Government, that damned Navy, we'll teach them a lesson!"

"Cheers to Lord Shiki!"

"cheers!"

A captain wearing a tricorn hat had just raised his glass when he suddenly felt a jolt, his eyes bulged, cold sweat poured down his back, and his body began to tremble uncontrollably.

Not only him, but the other captains looked similar to him; some were so weak that their eyes rolled back and they collapsed.

"This is..."

As the captain in the tricorn hat tried to stand up, his eyes rolled upwards. A surge of intense fear and a feeling of suffocation overwhelmed him, causing him to gasp for breath. The wine glass in his hand fell to the ground along with his body.

Click.

Kuro sheathed his sword and used his Observation Haki to sense the entire floating island group.

"You're not coming over here? Are you too arrogant, or are you simply unable to notice? If it's the latter..."

Kuro's eyes flashed with a hint of ferocity. "Then you really are old!"