Starting as a pirate, he rose to become the strongest Shinigami in Soul Society.

Chapter 161 The Tumultuous Events on Flying Star Island!

In Shakky's Bamboo Bar Tavern in the Sabaody Archipelago.

Rayleigh was sitting on the sofa, holding a newspaper, looking at the news with a complicated expression.

"Major Events on Flying Star Island!"

Legendary Pirate Shiki the Golden Lion Has Fallen!

Newly promoted Navy Admiral candidate Bane shattered all doubts about his strength on the high seas with a powerful punch!

Following Whitebeard, another top-tier pirate has fallen. Does this signify the arrival of a new era?

Bane: In this new era, there are no ships that can carry these old guys!

The newspaper, as thick as a palm, published more than a dozen reports on the incident.

"Vice Admiral Bane, a newly appointed candidate for Marine Admiral, encountered the legendary pirate Shiki the Golden Lion while vacationing on Flying Star Island in the New World. Upholding the justice and honor of the Navy, Vice Admiral Bane launched an attack before Shiki could land on Flying Star Island."

As is well known, since the Navy Headquarters recently announced a series of officer reshuffles and appointments, there have been persistent doubts on the strength of the newly appointed Admiral candidate, Vice Admiral Bane. Many believe that although Vice Admiral Bane is powerful, he was still outmatched and completely overwhelmed by Kaido of the Beasts, who is known as the strongest creature, during the Marineford War. Therefore, many people question whether Vice Admiral Bane is qualified to serve as an Admiral candidate, a position representing the Navy's top combat power.

Faced with such doubts, Lieutenant General Bane never responded with a single word. However, in the Flying Star Island incident, he used his powerful fists to shatter those doubts!

Below this text were two photos.

One photograph shows Bane punching a fallen island from below.

The other photo, taken from a perfect angle, captures the moment when Bane punches Shiki through the skin.

I don't know how the World News newspaper managed to take such a photo.

"It is reported that the Navy Headquarters has decided to codename Vice Admiral Bane as 'Black Fist,' which seems to be a continuation of the legacy of the previous Navy Admiral, 'Black Arm.' (This information is unverified; please refer to subsequent announcements from the Navy Headquarters for confirmation.)"

"The fall of yet another great pirate—does it signify that the turmoil in the New World is intensifying? The Navy previously vowed to completely quell the Great Pirate Era and shift its strategic focus entirely to the New World. Now, not long after, the legendary pirate Shiki the Golden Lion has fallen to the Navy's powerful fist. Does this mean that the Navy's strategy toward the New World is about to unfold?"

"The position of one of the Four Emperors is vacant. Shiki the Golden Lion was originally a highly anticipated candidate, but now that he has fallen, could King Naoki of Beehive Island be the biggest winner?"

After reading the newspaper word by word, Rayleigh sighed with some emotion and said, "That guy Shiki is dead too."

"Wouldn't it be better to just remain a legend? After nearly twenty years, you still have to come out of the woods. Maybe they're right, it's a new era now, and there's no ship that can carry you old guys anymore." Shaki lit a cigarette, exhaled a puff of smoke, and said in a similarly complicated tone.

Isn't she also a remnant of the old era?

After a slight pause, Shakky looked at Rayleigh and said, "So don't follow his example. Once you've retired, don't cause any more trouble, understand?"

"I don't have that kind of free time. I still need to get the coating applied later," Rayleigh said, waving his hand dismissively.

The Holy Land, Mary Geoise.

Pongel Castle, a place of power.

The Five Elders were also discussing this matter at the moment, with some newspapers and internal intelligence documents sent by the Navy on the table.

"According to Bane's self-report, Shiki's strength is completely different from what we imagined. It seems that nearly twenty years of wasted time have left him with a legendary name but no legendary substance," said Satan Saint, picking up his teacup and taking a sip.

Neither the Navy nor the World Government will reveal Shiki's true situation to the outside world, because the stronger Shiki is, the greater the shock that will be generated if he is killed by the Navy.

However, in his own account, Bane did not conceal anything, detailing Shiki's situation and speculating that perhaps his old injury from the ship's rudder on his head had caused a significant decline in his strength.

The main theme is humility!

After all, no matter what Bane says, everyone else has to admit that he's awesome!

Even if Shiki is really not as strong as Bane said, you haven't gone to kill him in all these years. Bane did it. Saying something like that is just being modest.

"Regardless of the truth, this punch has firmly secured Bane's position as a candidate for general. When we consider promoting him to general, there will be much less resistance. Overall, he has done a great job and has proven his ability. After that, we can consider arranging for him to handle Nika's matter." Sacred Vochuli nodded.

The fact that Shiki was killed can at most prove Bane's strength, but what the Five Elders value more is that Bane was able to find Shiki, lure him out, and then kill him in public so quickly!

This highlights not only his strength, but also his competence!

Marineford, Naval Headquarters.

Garp was sitting in Fleet Admiral Sengoku's office, newspaper in hand, eating senbei (rice crackers) and laughing loudly, "How about it, Sengoku? Wasn't the person I recommended to the Navy a real talent? It hasn't been long, and he's already taken down Shiki!"

Sengoku smiled and nodded, saying, "That's true. When we promoted him to general candidate, no one objected, but I know that many generals might have had some reservations. But now, no one feels it's inappropriate anymore."

At this point, Sengoku looked at Issho, who was also sitting on the sofa, and said, "I thought he would take you with him, since your abilities are more than enough to counter Shiki."

Yi Xiao gave a simple, honest laugh and said, "That was the original plan, but some changes were made later. Now it seems that the result was as good as expected."

Zhan Guo nodded, but didn't press further. Instead, he changed the subject, saying, "Actually, you don't need to act so distant. I'm not that suspicious."

Yi Xiao paused for a moment after hearing this, then said softly, "Bane said that after this, he might do some things that would annoy you, Marshal, but in the end, you will understand his good intentions. So, in order to leave a suitable opportunity for the future, maintaining the status quo is a good way."

Not a single mistake, not a single poem, not a single post, not a single piece of content, not a single look!

"Angry?" Sengoku raised an eyebrow, pondered for a moment, and said, "As long as he doesn't do anything to betray the Navy, I won't be so petty."

"Alright, alright, stop with the nonsense. The situation is pretty good now, isn't it? Let's leave it at that," Garp interrupted Ikko's conversation with Sengoku.

Then, before Sengoku could speak, Garp continued, "How's the world conscription going? What did Mary Geoise say?"

Mentioning this, Sengoku's expression brightened considerably. He stroked his braid with a smug grin and said, "How could my efforts possibly fail? Mary Geoise has already made concessions; the conscription of officers has been temporarily suspended."

"Hahaha, this is really good news!" Garp said with a big laugh.

Meanwhile, in the Holy Land, Mary Geoise.

Guernica, accompanied by another figure, entered the underground passage that led directly to Pangel Castle.

The figure following behind him had green curly hair, a tall stature, but an inexplicable and unsettling aura.

This person is none other than Aramaki, who rose to prominence and became a naval admiral in the original story due to the global conscription.

Guernica remained as indifferent as ever, not uttering a single unnecessary word along the way, quietly leading Huang Mu to the Hall of Power where the Five Elders resided.

Clearly, this admiral from the original story has somehow been found by CP-0 ahead of time and has been summoned by the Five Elders.

After receiving confirmation from the Five Elders, Guernica pushed open the door to the Chamber of Power and whispered to Aramaki, "Go in, but don't offend the five lords."

At this moment, Huang Mu's eyes shone with excitement, and a slightly excited smile appeared on his lips as he said, "Don't worry, I greatly admire the Five Elders; they hold the highest authority!"

In fact, Aramaki, the former Marine Admiral, is an absolute supporter of the Celestial Dragons and the World Government!

(End of this chapter)