"Oh, oh, oh, oh, it's the Candle Man!"
Luffy laughed loudly as he pointed at the man sitting atop the massive lion's head.
"Huh?"
Mid laughter, his finger suddenly shifted toward the enormous beast beneath Shirogai, his eyes widening in delayed realization.
"Whoa!!! That lion is huge!!!"
"No way, you're only noticing now?"
Bon Clay and Buggy spoke at the same time, waving their hands helplessly.
As Luffy excitedly moved closer, Bon Clay quickly grabbed his arm, lowering his voice.
"Straw Hat, something feels wrong about him. We really should not get any closer. Let's leave while we still can."
"Huh? But aren't you friends?"
Bon Clay hesitated. He looked at Luffy's sincere expression, then clenched his teeth.
"Stay here. I'll go first and see what's going on."
He stepped forward.
"Little 3, you're here too? What a coincidence!"
Bon Clay waved energetically, performing exaggerated Okama dance steps as he approached Galdino atop the lion. His movements looked carefree, but his body was tense.
Shirogai remained silent, his gaze calm and unreadable.
As Bon Clay drew closer, his heartbeat began to race. His instincts screamed danger.
It felt like walking toward a colossal beast shrouded in darkness.
Get away.
Every fiber of his being warned him.
His steps slowed, sweat forming at his temples.
Human Demon Fist heightened one's instincts. Bon Clay's mastery had sharpened his perception far beyond ordinary fighters.
Shirogai observed him quietly.
"Bon Clay's instincts have improved," Shirogai thought calmly. "He can sense danger now."
The pressure he unconsciously exuded was enough to make seasoned fighters retreat. Realizing this, Shirogai subtly restrained it.
Bon Clay finally exhaled, feeling the suffocating pressure lessen.
"Little 3… long time no see."
"Yo, Okama!"
Shirogai grinned strangely in Galdino's appearance.
"Heh heh, Bon Clay."
At the same time, a familiar voice echoed directly in Bon Clay's mind.
Bon Clay staggered backward, nearly falling.
"You're not Galdino!"
His eyes widened in shock and excitement.
"You are Shi…"
Before he could finish, memories flooded his mind.
---
Not long ago, inside Impel Down.
"They say there are five Emperors now! The Fifth Emperor is called The Plunderer, Shirogai Yamikuro! A bounty of five billion Berries, alive only!"
A newly imprisoned pirate spoke with fervent admiration.
"They say he fought two Admirals at once and neither side won!"
"Five billion Berries?!"
The prisoners gasped.
"And that was before he even built a crew!"
Someone scoffed.
"The Marines said he was once a Marine pretending to be a pirate."
"Nonsense," the admirer spat. "Would the Marines announce something so stupid?"
Nearby, Bon Clay danced in circles, listening carefully.
"That man… could it be him?"
The realization shook him.
---
Back in the present, Bon Clay's eyes shone.
"So it really was you… Shirogai Yamikuro."
Shirogai smiled faintly.
"Your Human Demon Fist has grown stronger. You did not waste your time."
Bon Clay spun happily before kneeling and bowing deeply three times.
"Thank you. You showed me a wider world."
Shirogai accepted the gesture calmly.
"Those who follow their beliefs without being swayed deserve respect."
---
At the gates of Impel Down.
"Stop! Shichibukai require authorization!"
Blackbeard Marshall D. Teach stepped forward, laughing darkly.
"Zehahahaha! Relax. I'm on your side."
A black shadow stirred beneath his feet.
---
Deep below, Newkama Land.
Emporio Ivankov leaned back, watching the monitor.
"So the Fifth Emperor is here. Hee-haw!"
"He doesn't match the wanted poster," a subordinate muttered.
"He can disguise himself," Ivankov replied. "Like that little imitator near him."
Ivankov's eyes narrowed.
"Dragon warned me about him."
Suddenly, the lion's head on the screen was empty.
"He's gone!"
Before Ivankov could react, a voice spoke behind him.
"Teleportation Fruit. Combined with Observation Haki, it allows precise movement."
Ivankov struck instantly.
"Newkama Kenpo, Death Wink!"
Crack.
Pain exploded through his foot.
He stumbled back, stunned.
"Impossible…"
Shirogai stood calmly.
Ivankov attacked again.
"Newkama Kenpo, Face Spectrum!"
Blades of motion struck relentlessly.
The crowd cheered as Shirogai was blasted into the wall.
Ivankov gasped, then laughed.
"I tricked you!"
The wall melted into wax.
"During the second strike," Shirogai said calmly, appearing beside him.
____
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I hope y'all age gracefully.
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