Chapter 14: Chapter 13 Aizen's Backstage
Aizen had departed from the island, his supplies secured, Bailey pocketed, and Kaido's general whereabouts noted. The soft sound of the ocean accompanied his solitary voyage, the ship gliding gracefully through the restless waters of the New World. The chaos he left behind on the island was already far from his mind.
For Aizen, this was a small step in a much larger game. Every move had a purpose, every action set the stage for what was to come. His calm demeanor betrayed no sign of doubt—only quiet confidence.
But as Aizen sailed into the horizon, his ripples in the New World began stirring storms elsewhere.
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High above the turbulent seas, the **Flying Pirates**' floating fortress drifted among the clouds. At its helm stood **Golden Lion Shiki**, his imposing figure dominating the bow of his ship. His wild mane of golden hair mirrored his feral presence, while his intense gaze seemed to pierce through the endless sky.
Dr. Indigo, Shiki's eccentric scientist and loyal advisor, approached with hurried steps, his peculiar appearance highlighted by his mismatched outfit and awkward gait.
"Shiki, we've got a situation," Indigo announced, his voice tinged with urgency.
Shiki didn't flinch, his eyes locked on the horizon. "A situation? Tch, what now? Don't tell me another rookie pirate group bit the dust. That happens every day in the New World."
Indigo hesitated, his clownish demeanor briefly faltering. "It's... different this time. One of the pirate groups under our banner has been wiped out. Completely."
Shiki finally turned, his piercing eyes narrowing. "Wiped out? Which group?"
"The Bahid Pirates," Indigo replied. "Their leader, Bahid, was killed along with his entire crew. All reports point to a single individual—a young man."
At this, Shiki's expression darkened slightly. "A lone rookie? Bahid was nothing special, but his ties to us should've been enough to keep small fry in line. Who was it? Roger's crew? Whitebeard's men?"
Indigo shook his head. "No. It wasn't anyone from those camps. From what we've gathered, it was someone entirely unknown. A boy. No crew, no reputation, nothing."
Shiki's lips curled into a sinister grin. "Interesting. A no-name dares to use my fleet as a stepping stone? Either he's got a death wish or he's someone worth noticing."
Indigo continued cautiously, "He's... unusual. From the accounts, he took down Bahid and his men without breaking a sweat. The tavern owner said his demeanor was calm, almost elegant, like he was toying with them. And his strength... it didn't come from brute force. It was something else."
Shiki laughed, the sound echoing across the deck like thunder. "Elegant, you say? Sounds like the boy's got a flair for drama. Let him have his fun. If he's worth my time, he'll come find me eventually. If not, the New World will chew him up like the rest."
"Should we send someone after him?" Indigo asked.
Shiki waved a dismissive hand. "No need. If he's smart, he'll avoid me. If he's stupid, he'll come looking for trouble. Either way, the outcome will be the same."
The Golden Lion turned back to the horizon, his golden mane catching the wind. "Still... keep an eye on him. If he's got the gall to challenge my name, I want to know everything about him."
Indigo nodded and retreated, leaving Shiki alone with his thoughts.
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Far away, Aizen stood at the helm of his modest ship, the map he'd obtained from the tavern owner spread out before him. His sharp eyes scanned the markings, the faintest trace of a smile tugging at his lips.
"Lembongan Sea, is it?" he murmured. "Kaido, it won't be long before we meet."
The wind picked up, carrying his ship further into the uncharted chaos of the New World. Unconcerned with the brewing storm behind him, Aizen's mind was already calculating his next steps.
In his hands, even chaos was a tool to be wielded.