Chapter 12: - 12: Sparring
Outside a bar in the lawless zone of the Sabaody Archipelago...
The notorious Golden Lion, Shiki, extended an invitation to the musician and seasoned fighter, Brook, hoping to recruit him as a crewmate.
"Shiki, the up-and-coming overlord of the New World, the Rocks Pirates, will soon dominate the era. You might not realize it yet, but you could end up on the losing side against Rocks. Who knows? You might even be forced to submit to him," Brook said, his hollow eyes glinting with mischief.
He wasn't entirely serious—mostly, he just wanted to ruffle Shiki's feathers and plant a little doubt in his mind. If he could delay Shiki's inevitable allegiance to Rocks, all the better.
"What?! Submit?! Are you out of your damn mind?! I'm the Golden Lion, Shiki!"
Shiki roared in outrage, glaring at Brook for daring to suggest such a thing.
"You don't want to join me? Fine! But insulting our captain like that—now you've pissed me off!"
Before Brook could respond, a man stepped forward—Scarlet "Bloody Fist," one of Shiki's officers. His metal knuckles gleamed ominously as he charged forward, fists stirring up violent gusts of wind.
"Bloody Fist: Knuckle Strike!"
"I was just offering some friendly advice!" Brook quipped, raising his cane sword to intercept the blow.
Scarlet's full-force punch slammed against the blade—but Brook didn't budge. Not an inch.