Hearing the Golden Lion's invitation, Lind almost lost his composure.
After all, if he followed the Golden Lion, he'd probably have to stick by his side most of the time, and it would be difficult to have his own territory under his control.
What Lind wanted most was to become a division commander in the Rocks Pirates. The division commanders under Rocks had a high degree of freedom—so long as they followed orders when Rocks needed them, they could do whatever they wanted the rest of the time. Rocks wouldn't interfere at all.
However, turning down the Golden Lion's offer outright felt a bit inappropriate.
In the end, Lind's desire to settle down won out. Besides, Rocks probably wouldn't want the Golden Lion's crew to grow too powerful.
"Uh… Captain Shiki, shouldn't a decision this important be run by Captain Rocks first? After all, inviting me aboard is ultimately his call."
Lind knew that Rocks wouldn't care about Shiki appointing a vice-captain, but Shiki didn't know that Lind knew this.
Shiki assumed Lind was simply unaware of how the Rocks Pirates operated and didn't want to offend Rocks, so he laughed heartily.
"You make a good point. Don't worry, I've got the authority to handle this. Come with me to Hachinosu and meet the boss—once we're there, I'll talk to him about making you my vice-captain."
"Alright then! Where's your ship? Bring it along, and we'll head back to Hachinosu together!"
Seeing Lind still hesitating, Shiki waved his hand decisively, opting to settle the matter back at Hachinosu.
"Got it, Captain Shiki! I'll go fetch my ship right now!" Lind was quick to respond, grateful that Shiki had dropped the direct recruitment talk.
"No need for all that trouble—just tell me where your ship is, and we'll fly straight there!"
With a grand gesture, the Golden Lion showed his confidence in his own strength.
That was just who he was—the Fuwa Fuwa no Mi's abilities were absolutely broken in this regard. If Lind had tried using his psychokinesis for the same thing, anyone he carried would probably end up crippled.
"Then I'll have to trouble you, Captain Shiki. I'll take you there now!"
—
Ten thousand meters above sea level, two ships sailed through the sky in a steady formation.
On the deck of the slightly larger vessel in the lead, Shiki and Lind sat at the bow, each raising a cup of wine.
"Lind, my brother, there's something I'd like to ask of you."
The Golden Lion suddenly spoke, looking… slightly embarrassed.
"Captain Shiki, just say the word! Whatever it is, Leave it to me!"
Lind was already feeling tipsy—this body of his had never had alcohol before, and after being force-fed drink after drink by Shiki, he was well on his way to being drunk. He agreed to help before Shiki could even finish speaking.
"Jihahahaha! That's the spirit, Lind! It's nothing major—remember that shout you gave in front of my ship earlier? Could you come up with one for me? Make it grand and heroic!"
Seeing how readily Lind agreed, Shiki didn't hold back anymore.
"Don't worry, Captain Shiki! I'll design you a war cry that's mighty, imposing, and brimming with heroic spirit!"
Lind sobered up slightly upon hearing Shiki's request—this would take some thinking. But since he had already agreed, and it wasn't anything too difficult, he didn't dwell on it.
Hearing Lind's promise, Shiki was overjoyed. He raised his cup and laughed heartily.
"Good man! Loyal brother! Let's have another drink!"
"Cheers!"
One cup after another, Lind quickly drank himself into a complete stupor.
He had no recollection of how he got back to his room. By the time he woke up, nearly ten hours had passed.
"Lind, my brother, you need to work on your alcohol tolerance. At this rate, you'll be laughed at on Hachinosu! Even the ladies can drink better than you."
Lind had barely woken up when he heard the Golden Lion's voice. He frowned slightly—after all, Shiki was right. This body of his really couldn't hold its liquor.
'Well then, don't blame me for cheating.'
Lind smirked to himself.
His two and a half years of survival on a deserted island had left him with a vast reserve of knowledge—including two types of plants that could help sober him up.
It might not be the most honorable approach, but as far as Lind was concerned, he only needed to be true to himself.
With these two plants, he was confident he could dominate the drinking tables on Hachinosu.
Just as Lind was getting out of bed, before he could even step outside, the Golden Lion strode into the room.
"Lind, remember that speech you promised me yesterday?"
"Can you have it ready before we get back? I want to show those bastards on Hachinosu just how imposing I, Golden Lion Shiki, really am!"
"No problem! How long until we reach Hachinosu? Just give me a few days."
Hearing Shiki's request, Lind felt a headache coming on. But since he had already agreed, he braced himself and took on the challenge.
"Brother, however long you need, that's how long we'll take to get there!"
Shiki's confident words made Lind sigh in relief.
"Captain Shiki, three days will be enough. Don't worry—I'll give you a battle cry that'll leave you completely satisfied!"
"Now that's my brother! No rush—Hachinosu is still a ways off. I'll give you a whole week to perfect it!"
Overjoyed, Shiki clapped Lind on the shoulder, his tone full of excitement.
"Alright, take it easy, Lind. Rest up. If you need anything, just come find me—I won't bother you anymore!"
Satisfied with Lind's response, Shiki left the room, waving his hands excitedly as he walked away.
Who knew? Maybe he was already envisioning his grand entrance and special effects, planning to make a big scene on Hachinosu a week from now.
—
A week later.
Five thousand meters above Hachinosu, Lind and Shiki made their final preparations for the grand entrance.
"Captain Shiki, today is your moment. I'll let you have this one—I won't steal the spotlight."
Lind had thought about it long and hard. In the end, he decided to let the Golden Lion take center stage.
If Whitebeard, Charlotte Linlin, or any of the other big shots got annoyed, he wouldn't stand a chance in a fight against them.
"Jihahahaha! Lind, your speech is perfect! Just watch—I'll leave Hachinosu in awe today!"
"Whether it's Newgate or Linlin, in my eyes, they're nothing more than fodder!"
"I'm off!"
Shiki's face was full of excitement as he spoke.
After days of brainstorming with Lind, he had become just as obsessed with his battle cry.
"Go get 'em, Captain Shiki!"
Lind stood at the bow of the ship, ready to watch the show.
As their pirate ship drew closer to the island, a burst of Conqueror's Haki suddenly erupted, enveloping Hachinosu—accompanied by a bold, arrogant voice:
"The Golden Lion roars at the seas, and all creatures weep and hide."
"Breaking the winds, cleaving the waves, all corners of the world bow before me."
"Thousand Cut Valley, storms arise—who can stand against the tide?"
"Swift Sword, Swift End—if you seek defeat, step forth."
"Even if I must bear the weight of a thousand islands, even if I must drag a fleet with one hand, I, Shiki, remain invincible in this world!"
"People of Hachinosu— I, Shiki the Golden Lion is back!"
TN: Damn Poem
With golden hair billowing behind him, standing high above Hachinosu, Shiki radiated an overwhelming presence.