Chapter 204: The Lion In Twilight
Days and months cycle endlessly,
This was already the eighth day, the battle still continued, but after such a long grind, even an iron staff would be worn into an embroidery needle, let alone a seventy-something old man. No matter how invincible you were in charging battles in your youth, in old age you still end up wetting your shoes while urinating into the wind.
Being able to persist this long was already enough for the Golden Lion to be proud of.
“Lion’s Majesty: Imperial Palace Scroll.”
The rainwater falling from the dark clouds reversed upward, transforming into the form of a lion that fiercely pounced toward Prince Elus. The same move had been used countless times, and the Golden Lion knew full well that this technique couldn’t harm Prince Elus in the slightest; he didn’t even hope for it to land a decisive blow.
As long as it could block that scorching, burning explosion shockwave, that would be enough.
After fighting for nearly eight days and seven nights, the Golden Lion had roughly figured out Prince Elus’s array of techniques. The first was manipulating that special power called ‘spiritual pressure,’ proficient in both ranged and close combat, truly difficult to deal with, with no apparent weaknesses—only head-on confrontation would work.
The second was the ‘free chain manipulation’ ability, which was relatively easy to understand. To be precise, the Golden Lion had personally killed an enemy who used this ability back in the day.
The third was more complex. Based on his observations, this ability altered or granted specific targets properties or energies they originally lacked, such as infusing a designated area of air with immense heat to cause expansion and explosion, or making gravity-lost chains regain gravity…
The fourth was the ability to open doors in the air, also the one that made the Golden Lion feel the most helpless. Once Prince Elus ducked into the world within that door, all of his attacks lost meaning.
The fifth… there was no fifth. These four abilities alone already left the Golden Lion struggling to cope; if there were even a few more, he felt he wouldn’t have lasted this long.
To be honest,
The Golden Lion was completely baffled about what kind of ability user Prince Elus really was. The appearance of that ‘free chain manipulation’ ability made him realize that Prince Elus’s powers were likely not from a single Devil Fruit. Could it be a replication fruit?
“Boom!!!”
An explosion rang out, the scorching shockwave evaporating the rain lion, with the residual force spreading toward the Golden Lion.
Fortunately, when crossing Reverse Mountain, the Golden Lion had taken a detour and peeled off a massive chunk of land from the Red Line, using it as a weapon in battle. This was precisely why Whitebeard’s Tremor-Tremor Fruit was called the strongest Paramecia Devil Fruit, while the Golden Lion’s Float-Float Fruit didn’t receive such treatment.
To unleash combat power, the Float-Float Fruit required external objects. Without sufficiently massive external objects, it was hard to manifest that destructive power.
The Tremor-Tremor Fruit didn’t need such hassle—just smash it right in. Whether mountain or sea, it could shatter everything in minutes.
“Lion’s Majesty: Earth Barrier.”
The Golden Lion waved his hand, and massive chunks of rock lifted from the crimson land block, assembling in mid-air into a thick stone wall that completely blocked the explosion’s residual force. The high temperature capable of evaporating rainwater wasn’t enough to burn through the rock.
“Lion’s Majesty: Meteor.”
The assembled stone wall cracked open again, crimson rocks blasting out like cannonballs.
Seamlessly transitioning between offense and defense, natural and effortless, as if innate.
The Golden Lion’s mastery of the Float-Float Fruit had reached the pinnacle; ‘awakening’ had been achieved decades ago. However, different Devil Fruits awaken differently. The Float-Float Fruit’s awakening gave the Golden Lion the ability to create true Skypiea islands—people die, but the islands don’t fall.
Otherwise, did anyone really think floating a dozen islands year-round took no effort?
When old, one must cherish stamina consumption even more.
“Bala.”
Prince Elus countered attack with attack.
Countless ultra-fast Balas fired in rapid succession, so fast they appeared as a sweeping crimson flood, instantly shattering all incoming rocks.
“Golden Lion, out of strength? Your attacks are getting softer.” Prince Elus smiled and teased. This wasn’t entirely nonsense; after nearly eight days and seven nights of fierce battle, even he, a twenty-something youth, felt some fatigue. The Golden Lion’s offensives were indeed weakening—that was fact.
“Wave Slash: Thousand Cuts Valley.”
The unyielding Golden Lion responded most directly with majestic sword qi.
The dark clouds were torn open with dozens of rifts by this wave slash, as if the sky itself had cracked. Sunlight poured through these rifts onto Loguetown below, creating the bizarre spectacle of pouring rain and blazing sun coexisting, leaving an indelible impression on Loguetown’s residents.
Facing the Golden Lion’s strong assault,
A cyan-white Moonlight Sword also formed in Prince Elus’s left hand.
He held swords in both hands, swinging them in mid-air.
“Wave Slash: Thousand Cuts Valley.”
Sword qi wave slash not inferior to the Golden Lion’s met it head-on. This time, unlike before where it shattered on contact, the equally matched sword qi collided and canceled each other out. The scattered residual sword qi fell toward Loguetown below, swept away by gusts of dragon-snake-like winds.
“Ha! You’ve finally learned it.”
Prince Elus smugly raised his chin.
This was the reason for his fierce battle with the Golden Lion for nearly eight days and seven nights. If not for stealing the Golden Lion’s unparalleled two-sword style swordsmanship, the Golden Lion—unable to use Haki—wouldn’t have lasted so long against him.
Swordsmen on this sea were innumerable.
Hawkeye, the acknowledged world’s greatest swordsman, was the peak all swordsmen had to surpass. One of the Four Emperors, Red-Haired, also had swordsmanship not far below Hawkeye’s. Navy’s Three Admirals’ Kizaru Borsalino could exchange a few swordsmanship moves with Silvers Rayleigh. But these swordsmen all without exception used one-handed swords, or one-sword style.
Beyond that,
Swordsmanship also had two-handed swords, or two-sword style, this vast branch.
As for three-sword style, four-sword style, six-sword style, or even eight-sword style… these styles with at most one or two practitioners were best left unmentioned. Without comparable opponents, they could only compete against the entirety of swordsmanship, unable to rank internally like one-sword and two-sword styles.
Two-sword style, or two-handed swords, had no shortage of renowned swordsmen.
Among pirates, Whitebeard Pirates had two captains who were two-sword style swordsmen: Fifth Division Commander “Rapier” Vista and Thirteenth Division Commander “Water Buffalo” Atmos. The Navy had G2 Branch Commander Vice Admiral Gumir and Headquarters Vice Admiral Strawberry…
However, these few weren’t truly at the pinnacle of two-sword style. The Golden Lion was the true great swordsman standing at the peak of two-sword style. He dominated the sea, hailed alongside Pirate King and Whitebeard as the three legendary pirates—not just because of the Float-Float Fruit, but also because his mountain-sea-cleaving swordsmanship was part of the legend.
Prince Elus had previously used one-handed swords.
But he wasn’t a pure swordsman; he used one-handed swords because his sword-training master did. He had no stubborn attachment to it. Seeing the Golden Lion’s imposing swordsmanship, the tempted Prince Elus couldn’t resist and started imitating it.
Eight days and seven nights of real combat had roughly imitated the Golden Lion’s swordsmanship.
Of course, this was built on Prince Elus’s own swordsmanship attainment in one-handed swords not much inferior to the Golden Lion’s. Even so, it took eight days and seven nights of unfeigned real combat to merely imitate the basics. Moreover, he vaguely felt the Golden Lion had long noticed his swordsmanship imitation.
During these days of fierce battle, the Golden Lion’s every sword use seemed deliberately demonstrative, like teaching Prince Elus his swordsmanship…
“Hmph! Kid, good eye.”
Stolen swordsmanship didn’t anger the Golden Lion; instead, he smugly approved, thinking Prince Elus had great taste. Even if Prince Elus used the stolen swordsmanship against him, it didn’t matter. He even involuntarily thought that losing to his own swordsmanship would be a fine end.
Once this idea emerged, it immediately rooted deeply in his mind.
Arrogant, haughty, supremely self-centered… these described the Golden Lion perfectly. But mistaking him for a reality-blind fool would be a grave error. The Golden Lion saw clearly: he wasn’t Prince Elus’s match.
He had known this fact not long after the war with Prince Elus began.
The reason he held out until now
was simply refusal to admit defeat.
Just like back then, he refused to believe Roger would be captured by the Navy. Knowing full well one man couldn’t breach Navy Headquarters, he still charged solo into Marineford just to confirm Roger’s capture.
Unwilling to believe, refusing to yield—like a stone in a latrine, both smelly and hard… that was the Golden Lion.
However,
No matter how stubborn, he couldn’t withstand time’s erosion.
Twenty years ago, he had the spirit to escape Impel Down; he was only in his fifties then… Twenty years passed in a flash, and now he was over seventy. Though far from Whitebeard’s pill-jar decrepitude, he knew best that he had grown old.
Merely enduring eight days and seven nights, he already felt weakness and pain throughout his body, constantly reminding him of his decline.
Better to die under this kid’s sword than quietly in bed someday.
The Golden Lion pulled out a cigar from his bosom, lit it, and wisps of smoke drifted in the wind.
“Sokachio Prince Elus… I admit you’re truly strong. In less than eight days and seven nights, you’ve learned my swordsmanship… Now show me your true abilities! I’m the Golden Lion—I can’t tolerate any more holding back!”
“So you noticed… Now it feels like I owe you a favor. Since you want to see it, I’ll show you! In return for learning fine swordsmanship from you! Witness my true power—honestly, even I don’t fully know how strong I am now!”
Prince Elus gripped his two Moonlight Swords tightly.
The valve opened.
The previously restrained spiritual pressure erupted unrestrained in its most violent form, like a heavenly river bursting its banks, endless river waters cascading down. The tangible spiritual pressure formed a dark green ocean suspended high in the sky.
Below,
Loguetown’s residents were truly suffering.
That massive stone in the sky was scary enough, then the sky turned sieve-like, raining while sunny, making people wonder if the world was ending. But now no need to think; the ocean-like spiritual pressure poured down, like everyone took a brick to the back of the head. Town residents, Navy, pirates—all dropped like harvested wheat.
Only a few could still stand.
Dragon, Smoker, Buggy, Robin, Luffy, Zoro… and Sanji. Speaking of, Straw Hat Pirates now had five: only Nami and Usopp fainted. Their caliber was exceptional. Luffy needless to say—raised under Garp’s education, his mental will tough as steel cable.
Zoro also trained from childhood in Koshiro’s dojo and faced Hawkeye head-on before.
Sanji… Prince of Jermma Kingdom, no ordinary man.
“…Getting too serious?”
Even Dragon shook his head. The Golden Lion… long past his prime. He heard from his father: Haki-less Golden Lion was still not to be underestimated, but ultimately not that heaven-swallowing Golden Lion. Nearly twenty years unappeared after escape spoke volumes.
The current Golden Lion had fallen from his peak throne.
Rising stars like Prince Elus had already replaced the once-dominant figures.
Since Prince Elus got serious, this battle of unknown start time should soon end.
“Golden Lion?! Really… Golden Lion?”
Smoker was still baffled.
He glanced at the crimson land block overhead, eyeing ghost-struck Buggy suspiciously. If Dragon said it, despite opposing sides, he wouldn’t doubt veracity. But Clown Buggy… this infamous East Blue guy—how did he recognize the Golden Lion?
As for Straw Hat Pirates… whatever, can’t control them.
He pulled out his Den Den Mushi, only to find even it knocked out by the terrifying spiritual pressure. Reporting to headquarters impossible for now.
“Miss Nami, Miss Nami? Damn it!”
Sanji supported fainted Nami, gritting teeth glaring at the overhead crimson land block.
Zoro pried open Usopp’s eyes, confirmed just fainted, relaxed—then vigilantly eyed Dragon, Smoker, Robin, etc. As for Buggy… his companions all out, he alone couldn’t stir waves.
“Zoro, Sanji, watch Nami and Usopp. If situation turns bad, escape immediately. I’ll stay to cover retreat.”
Companions down, Luffy’s excitement instantly doused like cold water. The calmed captain showed reliability, shouldering captain’s duty.
“Got it.”
“I’ll protect Miss Nami with my life.”
Zoro and Sanji spoke simultaneously, then disdainfully glared at each other.
————
“Hey, Golden Lion.”
Prince Elus didn’t rush to act.
“Killing you like this is no fun… How about this: I’ll help remove that thing on your head, then… kill you.”
“Can’t remove it! Taking it off would kill me instantly.”
“Relax, I’m not so boring as to settle you that way—that’d be too dull. I have ways to keep you from dying so quick. You’ve seen so many of my abilities; you should know I’m no ordinary person, right? So? Dare to bet?”
“Kyahahahaha!!!!”
The Golden Lion roared with laughter.
“Kid, if you really can, go ahead and try!”
“Quick, just one pull.”
Prince Elus strode forward; the Golden Lion truly let him approach. Even as Prince Elus reached for the rudder on his head, he didn’t move—until Prince Elus gripped the rudder embedded in his skull and silently wished to the Hogyoku.
Thus,
A miracle occurred.
Like the prophesied hero pulling the holy sword from the stone.
Everything flowed smoothly. The Golden Lion felt relief on his head; long-term burden vanished. The sudden clarity intoxicated him. He deeply inhaled the cigar’s fragrant smoke—heart drunk, probably this feeling!
“Really… removed!”
The Golden Lion’s eyes widened.
Then,
“Wave Slash!!!!!!”
Swinging his beloved sword [Yama] on his right leg, a mountain-sea-cleaving strike heavily hit Prince Elus’s vertically blocking Moonlight Sword, shoving him far back. Though both wave slashes, this one’s power multiplied several times.
“Golden Lion, is this your thanks?”
Prince Elus smiled and asked.
“Right, kid. For removing my rudder… I’ll kill you with my all!!!” Golden Lion snorted two smoke trails, fiercely waving—his crimson land block lifted entirely, smashing toward Prince Elus at astonishing speed.
“As expected… incorrigible great pirate! No mercy at all!”
Prince Elus shook his arm; the Moonlight Sword in his right hand reformed. “But now the favor’s repaid. I can finally fight unrestrained—plus no worry of harming residents below… Simply exhilarating!!!”
“Wave Slash: Thousand Cuts Valley.”
Amid the roar,
Twin swords unleashed a thousand majestic domineering sword qi strikes in mid-air; the small-island-sized crimson land block was sliced into thousands of evenly sized rocks.
“Good momentum. My swordsmanship is indeed world-class.”
Amid the shattered rock swarm, the Golden Lion flashed like lightning to Prince Elus’s face, grinning like untamed lion. [Yama] and Deadwood—famous swords on his feet—wound with ultimate Armament Haki and… top-tier Conqueror’s Haki.
“Wave Slash: Moon Lion!!!”
Ten meters away, the Golden Lion unleashed one of his strongest techniques.
Developed after clashing with Mink Tribe strongmen in New World and witnessing moon lion form, possessing supreme close-range burst power.
Prince Elus had seen this before, but Haki-less Golden Lion vs. Haki-wielding were worlds apart. This hunting-lion-like fierce man was the legendary great pirate Golden Lion.
“That’s more like it, that’s more like it!”
Prince Elus laughed joyfully.
Twin swords crossed in strike.
“Wave Slash: Mountain Shatter.”
Also a Golden Lion-developed technique, named for once close-range shattering a great mountain.
Sword qi collided in void, instantly like heaven-earth shattering.
Even atmosphere wailed.
Gale howled across sky, sweeping all dark clouds clean. Clouds over Loguetown vanished, leaving thousands of similar-sized rocks suspended, and two battling men.
“Lion’s Majesty: Meteor Swarm.”
“Lion’s Majesty: Water Dragon.”
The Golden Lion went all-out. Regaining lost power after twenty-plus years, fatigue from nearly eight days seven nights drowned in peak excitement.
Battle,
Battle,
Fight to the death!
Even if burning his remaining life.
“Chains: Elastic Augment: Thousand Star Hang.”
Prince Elus dueled swordsmanship with Golden Lion, while thousands of chains generated on arms and legs, augmented with elasticity, snaking to all directions to bind every falling crimson rock block.
As for the water dragon rising from sea below.
“Air Door, open.”
Chains substituted hands-feet, opening massive portal in air, precisely swallowing incoming water dragon, not a drop left.
Now, Prince Elus ignored remaining below spectators, mind set on killing Golden Lion, fully immersed in long-absent slaughter, savoring battle’s thrill and joy!
“Chains: Hardness Augment: Dragon Whip.”
No courtesy without return fire.
Facing fully powered Golden Lion, Prince Elus no longer suppressed self, launching decisive sharp counter. Hardness-augmented chains lashed at opposite Golden Lion—mountain-sea sword qi couldn’t sever them. Even Golden Lion maximized Float-Float Fruit mobility, ghost-like dodging chain lashes.
Dared not body-block, even now wielding Armament Haki.
But his intuition, his Observation Haki told him: blocking that chain lash wouldn’t end well!
“Wave Slash: Heavenly Yaksha!”
Two wave slashes deflected incoming chains.
Battle entered white-hot phase.
Prince Elus and Golden Lion unleashed all methods; every sword every move aimed to kill.
…
Loguetown, square.
Dragon stone-faced, woodenly watching sky-battling duo.
He was bewildered.
Moments ago he judged full-power Prince Elus would quickly crush Haki-less Golden Lion; next second, somehow Haki-restored Golden Lion proved him wrong with fiercest assault.
“What the hell is going on?”
Dragon felt his brain insufficient. Golden Lion inexplicably regaining Haki was one thing, but what about Prince Elus?
If he saw right,
In this short time, Prince Elus used multiple abilities: chains, air door… plus widely known ones. What… monster? So many abilities unlike any single Devil Fruit?
Could it be,
Prince Elus wasn’t Zoan Mythical Zoan ability user, but replication fruit user?
But never heard replication fruit could copy Zoan Devil Fruits?
“…Sokachio Prince Elus!!!” Dragon stared upward at youth wielding beautiful moonlight-like twin swords, thoughts swirling, pondering much—but too much needed time to sort.
However,
His intuition faintly told him: Revolutionary Army befriending Eckmond Kingdom was undoubtedly correct.
The future,
Might change massively because of this.
Smoker… honestly, though he withstood Prince Elus’s spiritual pressure and Golden Lion’s inadvertent Conqueror’s Haki, his eyesight far below Dragon’s. Without mastering Observation Haki, meat-eye sky-gazing was unclear.
Unfortunately rushed out fearing square pirates escape, no telescope brought.
Robin, Buggy, Straw Hat Pirates similar state.
Robin’s ability theoretically saw far, but she dared not attach eyes to sky rocks that could shatter anytime—though not truly blinding, it’d hurt, some abilities even feedback to body.
Buggy could fly head high—height-limited but clearer view. Pity this coward dared not risk.
Straw Hat Pirates needless: Luffy, Zoro, Sanji lacked vision extension. Zoro worst—as swordsman keenly sensed both sky fighters wielded superb swordsmanship, yet couldn’t see clearly.
Heart itchy like cat-scratched, restless state obvious.
Dragon noted Zoro’s state.
Standing square so long, Luffy hadn’t noticed his father… felt guilty. For Revolutionary Army cause, left son to grandfather’s care—so now unrecognizable on sight.
“Go up and see! Wind… will protect you.”
Whirlwind rose from flat ground.
Straw Hat Pirates’ five plus Robin all lifted airborne, wind-borne rising high. Closer, they finally clearly saw sky fierce battle.
“Hey, Zoro, Sanji, Robin, you okay?”
Sudden sky-lift, Luffy checked companions’ safety before excitement.
“Fine, Miss Nami’s breathing all normal.” Sanji hugged Nami tight, resolved to meat-shield with body.
“No issue here.”
Zoro gripped still-unconscious Usopp, tensely scanning—falling from such height… teeth ached. Don’t mention carrying Usopp; even solo drop, dared not guarantee safe landing.
“Damn, what’s going on?”
“Don’t panic, that lord means us no harm.” Robin soothed Straw Hat Pirates’ tension.
“You say no harm, so no? Who are you? What’s your aim approaching Luffy?” Zoro’s intuition razor-sharp; short contact sensed Robin deliberately neared Luffy.
Robin eyed Zoro—sharp guy.
“I won’t harm you. That deep green-coated man below is Luffy’s father.” Robin calmly revealed Dragon-Luffy relation.
“Eh? Luffy’s father?”
“Real or fake?”
Zoro and Sanji stunned.
“Huh? My old man?”
Luffy dumbfounded too.
“Luffy, you don’t recognize your own father?” Zoro speechless.
“…I know my old man, but saw him few times very young, then never again… That’s him?” Luffy looked down at square-standing Dragon, shocked face wearying Zoro and Sanji.
“Luffy, that guy… really your father?”
“…Yeah, Grandpa and Macky Sis showed me Dad’s bounty poster…”
“Bounty poster? Your dad’s a pirate too?”
“Nah, seems… called Revolutionary Army or something.” Luffy squinted long, “Looks like bounty poster, feels like Dad!”
Zoro went quiet, temporarily silent.
Head up, focused on sky Black Prince-Golden Lion battle.
Roughly grasping situation, Straw Hat Pirates temporarily eased worries, eyes to sky, observing rare battle.
————
Time ticked by; sun at sky zenith headed homeward.
Prince Elus-Golden Lion slaughter grew fiercer.
Regained Haki couldn’t reverse Golden Lion’s decline; brief resurgence fleeting. Eight days seven nights consumption real—not erased by momentary mental high. Once excitement passed, fatigue and pain surged like rising tide.
His right hand gone.
Directly whipped off by Prince Elus’s [Chains: Hardness Augment: Dragon Whip]; Armament Haki couldn’t withstand. Golden Lion severed mangled right at root, clenched muscles staunching blood, continued selfless slaughter with Prince Elus.
Golden Lion double-kicked feet,
“Wave Slash: Heavenly Yaksha.”
Two sky-soaring wave slashes struck off two chains.
But Prince Elus controlled more than two; eight special-augmented chains alternately lashed. Red Line-peeled land blocks exhausted; sea-water draw too slow.
Helpless, could only wave-slash block Prince Elus’s chains.
Problem: beyond chains, Prince Elus held swords—two swords.
“Wave Slash: Moon Lion.”
Prince Elus used Golden Lion’s prior technique.
Explosive strike blasted hastily parrying Golden Lion away; a chain heavily whipped his right thigh. Aged frail body shuddered violently, mouth blood uncontainable—gushed out, crimson staining chest and lion-mane-like golden hair.
Right leg horrific: thigh rotted. Without Armament Haki buffer, could’ve snapped left leg too.
Massive blood flowed, staining famous sword [Yama].
“You’re dying soon, Golden Lion.”
Prince Elus sword-chased.
“Kyahahahaha!!! Kid, say that when I’m really dying. Just spitting blood—nothing big!”
Golden Lion met undaunted; his prior mangled right hand shot at Prince Elus’s face, while uninjured left brutally yanked [Yama] from right leg. Hand and foot simultaneous lethal strikes.
Unforeseen Golden Lion tenacity: Prince Elus shattered flying stump but face speckled with blood.
Simultaneously, Golden Lion’s strike sliced his sleeve, breached [Steel Skin] defense, leaving deep bone-visible gash on arm.
His heaviest wound in eight days seven nights.
“Terrifying! Worthy of Golden Lion!” Arm pain brightened Prince Elus’s smile. “Pity couldn’t vie with your true peak self… Truly… regrettable!”
“Kid, you haven’t won yet! Say that after truly beating me, kyahahahaha!!!”
Golden Lion laughed too.
Laughter’s joy evident.
“True, then… end this battle with this move!” Prince Elus gripped twin swords; back-extended chains all dissipated. All mind-will poured into swords; Armament Haki and Conqueror’s Haki fused spiritual pressure condensed around blades.
“Wave Slash: Fearless Lion!!!”
“Wave Slash: Fearless Lion!!!”
Golden Lion roared; hand and foot moved simultaneous, Haki-wound twin swords slashing.
Supreme Haki brilliance lit heaven-earth.
Similar yet different sword qi interwove, annihilated; void erupted steel-friction noise. Tangible sound like countless blades pierced surrounding atmosphere, buzzing. Where sword qi brilliance reached, winds clouds changed color.
“It’s over!”
Moonlight Sword drooped.
Prince Elus softly said.
Same technique, yet verdict rendered.
Blood “splurt” from shoulder cut; Golden Lion’s arms flew skyward. Haki-less arms swiftly minced by scattered sword qi residuals into mush. Only famous sword [Yama] endured with top-tier blade hardness.
Armless, massive-bleeding Golden Lion truly cornered.
Float-Float Fruit power remained, not plummeting.
“Kid, you win.”
Pallid-as-corpse Golden Lion mustered proud smile. “Come! Behead me to boast your feat!”
“No rush. Pirate King beheaded under thousands’ gaze—how could Golden Lion die without witnesses? Below is Loguetown… For you, no better execution stand?”
“Loguetown… Kyahahahaha!!!”
Golden Lion laughed,
“Kid, wreak heaven-earth havoc with your sword!”
“I will.”
“Also, get me down quick.”
Prince Elus kicked Golden Lion downward, landing squarely on Loguetown square execution stand ruins. Originally fine stand ruined by True Chosen One Luffy’s lightning strike—but Golden Lion unlikely to quibble lack of stand.
Just dying in Loguetown like Roger—his life’s greatest fortune?
Prince Elus flew downward.
His aim spot-on: Golden Lion lay in ruins, scant Haki shielding body—not smashed dead, clinging to last breath waiting for Prince Elus to behead him.
“Golden Lion!”
Prince Elus one-hand sword, one-hand apple, stood before Golden Lion.
Apple from nearby fruit shop.
“Rest easy in death!”
Moonlight Sword swung down.
Lion-mane-haired head rolled; scant hot blood sprayed from neck, staining broken execution stand.
Unlike Pirate King’s crowd-watched death, Golden Lion’s end witnessed by notable figures: Revolutionary Army leader, Navy colonel, Pirate King’s former crewman, aspiring new pirate king rookie…
Thus,
Of once-world-shaking three legendary pirates, two completed life’s journey, drawing end curtain at same endpoint.
