Islands floated silently in the clear, boundless sky.
These islands hovered so high above that it was nearly impossible to notice them from the sea. Even if someone happened to glance up and see them, they would likely mistake them for mere clouds.
Unlike traditional sky islands composed of clouds, these islands were made of genuine rock and soil.
By any logical standard, they shouldn't have been able to float in the sky at all.
Yet here they were, suspended in the vast sky, defying gravity itself.
Some terrifying force had freed them from the pull of gravity, allowing them to embrace the endless sky.
At this moment, on the largest and highest of these floating islands, in the center of a wide wooden castle, stood a vast training ground.
The training ground was surrounded by sturdy fences, and within it, ferocious beasts were engaged in brutal combat.
Some were massive and incredibly powerful. Others moved like lightning, swift as the wind. Still others had razor-sharp claws and fangs capable of tearing through solid ground with ease.
Above them, Shiki floated in mid-air, quietly observing the carnage below.
"Begin, Dr. Indigo," he said calmly, holding a Den Den Mushi in his hand.
Puh-puh-puh-puh.
A flatulent-like sound came from the other end of the line.
Moments later, a massive gate at one side of the training ground creaked open.
"Roar!"
A colossal crocodile burst through the gate.
This crocodile was over thirty meters long—a true behemoth. Its crimson eyes glowed with menace, and as its claws struck the ground, the sheer force of its movements caused the earth beneath it to crack.
It roared and charged directly at the other beasts on the field.
The monsters it targeted, of course, were not about to back down.
A giant elephant, even larger than the crocodile, let out a piercing cry and charged at the crocodile like a locomotive.
However, the next moment, something unbelievable happened.
The smaller crocodile directly rammed into the elephant's leg, breaking its bones. Amid the elephant's wails, the crocodile sent it flying.
After sending the elephant flying, the crocodile had no time to stop. A gorilla—a somewhat lean one—nimbly leaped onto its back, swinging its thick fists and pounding relentlessly on the crocodile's back.
But such attacks were meaningless to the crocodile. With just a roll, the gorilla was thrown off its back.
Then, with a sweep of its thick tail, accompanied by the sound of bones snapping, the gorilla's body bent unnaturally as it flew into the air and crashed heavily into the distance.
Slaughter.
This crocodile was on a completely different level from the other monsters, easily slaughtering all the beasts on the field.
"Gahaha!"
Shiki laughed heartily. "Good! Excellent!!"
"After using the IQ extract, it's been strengthened to this degree? As expected, even among beasts, there are differences in power!"
Many years ago, he had visited an island teeming with violent beasts.
On that island, he discovered a plant called IQ. It was by consuming this plant that the beasts became so ferocious.
Shiki then devised a plan.
He would use IQ to create even more potent drugs, crafting stronger and more fearsome beasts.
Then, he would use these beasts to destroy the East Blue!
Although the perfected drug was not yet developed, he had already found even stronger beasts.
Perhaps.
The plan could be moved forward? Shiki thought.
Perhaps the IQ drug didn't need to reach the originally intended level. With the strength of these ferocious beasts from Rusukaina Island, enhanced just a little further, his goal could already be perfectly achieved?
Raising his hand casually, the ground twisted once more. Chains made of soil and rock, resembling snakes, emerged and bound the rampaging giant crocodile completely. Then, the beast was tossed back into its previous cage.
Shiki flew back to his castle and entered the central laboratory.
"Dr. Indigo, if we cultivate these monsters I brought back to the level where they can execute our plan, how much time can we save?"
Shiki asked.
The one being questioned was a strange man with clown-like makeup and a blue afro hairstyle.
He looked more like someone who had escaped from a circus than a scientist.
This peculiar guy gestured wildly, making nonsensical sounds. His fluffy shoes squeaked repeatedly against the ground, producing noises akin to flatulence.
Shiki's eyebrows furrowed lower and lower until he could no longer bear it. "You idiot! Can't you change your shoes?!"
At last, the clown-like scientist stopped pacing in place and dramatically waved his hands, gesturing with exaggerated seriousness.
"Oh!"
Shiki's eyes lit up. "You're saying—"
He clenched his fist in frustration. "I can't understand any of this! Is there anyone who knows sign language?!"
"In terms of the monsters' strength, reaching our standards should be relatively easy. It won't take long," Dr. Indigo finally said.
"You can talk?!"
Shiki roared and punched the clown in the head in irritation.
The clown's head drooped instantly but sprang back like a jack-in-the-box in the next second.
Both he and Shiki struck a dramatic pose, each extending one hand diagonally toward the sky as if making a grand entrance.
"Hohohohoho!"
Nearby, a large gorilla in a pink suit clapped its hands with an enthusiastic huffing sound.
"Huh?"
Shiki stared at the gorilla in disbelief. "Mom?!"
Dr. Indigo slapped Shiki on the shoulder. "Didn't you say you're a lion? Where did this monkey mom come from?"
"Clang! Clang!"
The two of them struck another synchronized entrance pose.
The surrounding researchers were already used to this sight.
Their boss, Shiki, just loved to show off.
It was at this moment.
"Boss Shiki! Something is approaching!"
Someone suddenly shouted.
"Hm?"
Shiki instantly snapped back to a serious demeanor and turned around in surprise.
In the sky, a golden dragon with wings spread wide was flying toward the floating islands ahead.
"How incredible," Ian couldn't help but marvel. "The power of the Float-Float Fruit completely created an artificial cluster of floating islands. It's even more massive than the actual Sky Islands."
These islands were even surrounded by seawater! The Float-Float Fruit's ability could manipulate seawater too!
So, why waste time and effort on building a beast army? What's the point?
If you wanted to cause destruction, couldn't you just drop an island from the sky?
And if that wasn't enough, creating a giant wave to submerge a target island would be effortless.
Ian really couldn't understand Shiki's logic.
While pondering this, Ian flapped his wings and flew diagonally upward toward the floating islands.
He had come alone. All his companions were left behind on the Golden Dragon.
After all, the opponent was the legendary Golden Lion Shiki. Even though he was undoubtedly weaker than in his prime, Ian still felt it wasn't worth risking his friends' safety.
From what he remembered of the original story, Shiki's subordinates weren't exactly impressive.
Even if he couldn't win, escaping would be easy.
Ian prided himself on his steady and cautious approach.
Soon, Ian spotted Rusukaina Island floating in the sky.
Aside from being airborne, the island didn't look much different from when it was on the sea. Ian's Observation Haki clearly sensed that the beasts on the island were still running wild as usual.
Shiki hadn't relocated them elsewhere.
This is a good thing. Later, there won't be any need to go through the trouble of collecting them again.
But how am I supposed to move this island back afterward?
Ian let out a soft sigh. I'll still need to rely on Shiki.
Even if I defeat that guy, I'll have to spare his life.
Shiki, was this also part of your plan?
Oh, found it. It should be right here.
Ian flapped his wings and hovered high in the sky. In front of him was the largest of the islands.
He could already clearly see the massive cluster of buildings at the center of this island.
This must be Shiki's lair.
Using Observation Haki to scan the area, he immediately detected a massive presence within one of the buildings.
"Well then," Ian muttered to himself, "let's say hello first—"
"Wave Slash!"
From high in the sky, the air was suddenly torn apart. A clear, golden slash came hurtling toward him.
Ian sluggishly turned his head, only to find the slash already striking his chest head-on.
It seemed someone else greeted him first.
The pirates here sure are rude.
Crack.
The powerful slash struck Ian's chest but shattered instantly, like an egg smashing against a rock.
Seriously.
Ian raised a hand to scratch his chest. A slash without even Armament Haki? That actually made me feel a bit itchy.
**********
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