"That's it… we're screwed. There's no way we can get out of this," Usopp muttered, knees knocking as his slingshot trembled in his hands. His eyes darted to the bloodstained floor. "Two Celestial Dragons… dead, just like that!"
Lucas exhaled slowly, his shoulders easing as though a weight had finally been lifted. His expression was calm, almost relieved. "Feels like chains I've carried for years just broke," he murmured.
Trafalgar Law chuckled, his tone sharp and amused. "Ain't that something. Not only did you attack Celestial Dragons… you killed two of them. Right at the front doors of Marine HQ." His grin widened. "You've turned the world upside down."
"Guys, quick! We gotta take Camie and get out of here before the Marines show up!" Luffy shouted, fists clenched, urgency blazing in his voice.
"Too late, Straw Hats," Law replied coolly, tipping his hat. "The Marines are already here."
"Huh!? Who are you? And what's with the bear?" Luffy blurted, pointing at Bepo with wide-eyed confusion.
Law smirked. "This is Marine turf. You're surrounded."
Nami's voice cracked, panic rising. "We're finished! If they catch us, it's over!"
Usopp screamed, clutching his head. "We're dead men walking! They'll execute us on the spot!"
Chopper's voice quivered. "Wait… does that mean this was a trap?"
Law shrugged, his tone casual but edged with amusement. "Not for us, at least. I don't know who the Marines wanted to ambush, but I'm sure they never expected you guys to actually murder two Celestial Dragons." He chuckled again. "You seriously made my day."
Robin's eyes narrowed, her voice calm but firm. "Luffy… this man's a pirate. He's one of the rookies. Trafalgar Law."
Before anyone could respond, a scream tore through the hall.
"Camie, no!" Sanji cried, his voice raw with desperation.
Sharlia, the last surviving Celestial Dragon, staggered forward, her face twisted with rage. She raised a pistol, aiming directly at Camie. "Die, you stupid fish!" she shrieked, finger tightening on the trigger.
But before the shot rang out, her body crumpled. She fainted, collapsing to the floor in a heap.
"This auction's a bust," a calm voice said. "Well… at least I stole their money."
Rayleigh stepped onto the stage, bottle of booze in hand, his presence commanding yet casual.
"You stinky old man! Were you here just to get money?" a giant bellowed, tearing through the paper backdrop of the stage. The guards froze, their faces pale.
"How did that old man and giant get free?" one whispered.
"Sh-should we capture them?" another stammered.
"But we weren't trained for that!"
"Huh!? Rayleigh!" Hachi gasped, patched up by Chopper but still weak. His eyes widened. "Is that you? It's been a while!"
Rayleigh's gaze softened as he looked at Hachi. "What are you doing here? And those wounds…" He turned to Camie, then the fallen Celestial Dragons, piecing together the story. "I see… you must've gotten yourself into a real mess. And these kids helped you out."
Rayleigh's eyes narrowed, a subtle glint flashing. Suddenly, every guard in the hall collapsed, unconscious, their bodies hitting the floor like dominoes.
The Straw Hats gasped.
"That Straw Hat…" Rayleigh said, his voice deep and resonant. "It suits a strong man. I've been wanting to meet you, Monkey D. Luffy."
Chaos erupted outside. Pirates screamed, scrambling to flee.
"This is awful! The entire archipelago is done for!" one shouted.
"Those damned Straw Hats… they really killed two Celestial Dragons!" another cried.
"They've doomed us all!"
The panic spread like wildfire. Word raced across the archipelago—Marines would descend in force.
Inside, the Straw Hats watched in awe as Rayleigh casually removed Camie's slave collar. He tossed it into the air; it exploded mid-flight, harmless sparks raining down.
"Hey, hey! What was that!?" Franky shouted, eyes bulging. He had been searching for keys and missed the moment. "The collar's gone!"
Rayleigh handed keys to the other captives. "Guess I won't need these anymore."
Nami's voice trembled. "How did that old man knock out all the guards at once?"
Brook muttered, his tone eerie. "Maybe he used some kind of demonic power… or magic… or a Devil Fruit."
Luffy's eyes gleamed with curiosity. "Lucas, what kind of guy is he?"
Hachi, still weak but smiling faintly, answered. "It's called Haki. I don't know much… but it's not magic. It's power."
Suddenly, a Marine's voice boomed through a megaphone transponder snail.
"Attention criminals! You are fully surrounded! I repeat—there is no escape! Surrender now! Two Admirals will soon arrive. There is no hope of escape!"
Nami shrieked, clutching her head. "Two Admirals!? We're doomed!"
Usopp collapsed to the floor, wailing. "We're going to die! This is the end!"
Brook flailed dramatically, his voice high-pitched. "Yohohoho! My soul's already halfway to the afterlife!"
The Straw Hats braced themselves, hearts pounding, as the storm of battle loomed closer.