Holy Land Mary Geoise.
"Report! The…the…the…Celestial Dragons were knocked out at Sabaody Archipelago!" a young Marine soldier sprinted into the office, breathless and shaken.
"What did you say?" Fleet Admiral Sengoku asked, disbelief in his voice.
The young Marine saluted sharply and repeated, "Fleet Admiral Sengoku, the Celestial Dragons were knocked out by Straw Hat Luffy at Sabaody Archipelago!"
"Nani!!?" Sengoku slammed his palm against the large table, rising with authority, "Is that brat at it again? He's always causing trouble! What's wrong with that family?"
Ever since Straw Hat Luffy set sail, he had been a headache for the World Government — from sheltering the fugitive Kalifa to now knocking out a Celestial Dragon.
Luffy's grandfather was Garp, a Navy Hero notorious for ignoring orders. His father was the leader of the Revolutionary Army, the most wanted criminal in the world. And now Luffy himself had crossed the line in the gravest way — attacking a World Noble.
The last time a World Noble was assaulted, it involved someone else from the East Blue, and the fallout had been intense. This meant another major incident, and peace in Marineford would be hard to maintain.
Sengoku gripped the edge of the round table, his face troubled. If this wasn't handled properly, he'd face a storm of criticism from the World Government and the Celestial Dragons themselves.
The young Marine continued, "At Sabaody Archipelago, besides Straw Hat Luffy and his crew, there are also Eustass Kid with several of his companions, Big Eater Bonney and her crew, and a total of twelve pirates with bounties over 100 million berries!"
Seeing that Sengoku remained silent, the Marine added, "Fleet Admiral Sengoku, this is not just another incident of a Celestial Dragon attack — this is the second time, following the earlier hit-and-run… this one involves a Straw Hat Pirate."
Sengoku rubbed his temples and waved the Marine off, "Yes, yes, you can go now."
He fully understood the seriousness. If this situation wasn't managed correctly, the fallout could crumble the Navy's reputation and destabilize the World Government itself.
"Hoo‑hoo,"
"Slurp,"
In the corner of the office, a tall Marine in a yellow‑striped suit sipped tea with calm indifference.
"No matter what, if we do not act against those who lay hands on a World Noble, it probably won't do," he said, voice flat but edged with a hint of helplessness.
Sengoku turned toward him, "Kizaru."
This tall Marine was Admiral Borsalino, often called Kizaru, known for his lightlike Logia abilities and unhurried demeanor. He stood, stretching with easy grace.
"I'll go. I'll be back soon. Please rest assured," Kizaru said, then walked out, unmistakably moving into action.
The young Marine beside him watched in wide‑eyed astonishment: As expected, an Admiral was heading there immediately!
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Sabaody Archipelago.
"Run! The Marines are coming!"
"What a bunch of lunatics!"
"Get off Sabaody Archipelago fast! An Admiral is coming!"
The news of Luffy attacking a World Noble spread across the island like wildfire, shaking the entire archipelago.
It was widely known that the last time a World Noble was attacked, Admiral Kizaru was sent in response. Marine Admirals were the strongest enforcers of the Navy — nearly unmatchable in battle.
If an Admiral arrived, these bounty hunters and scavengers knew they could be wiped out before even striking a blow.
At Auction Hall 1, aside from a few guards, only Eustass Kid and members of the Straw Hat Pirates remained.
On the display stage lay a person in ornate white garments, body pierced and bleeding, face contorted in agony.
It was Charlos Saint, one of the most arrogant of the Celestial Dragons.
Following the trail of evidence, it was clear that Straw Hat Luffy was responsible.
Luffy had known about the abhorrent nature of the World Government and the privileges of the Celestial Dragons. But seeing their cruelty firsthand made his blood boil.
Charlos Saint had not only snatched people off the street and shot innocent civilians, but he had also targeted Camie, the mermaid friend of the Straw Hats.
That outrage was enough.
Filled with righteous fury, Luffy punched Charlos Saint with all his strength, sending him flying!
Behind them, the remnants of the Donquixote family's human‑trafficking network still operated on Sabaody Archipelago, even after their personal defeat. Slavery was rampant here, hidden under layers of status and immunity.
Luffy's crew, along with Eustass Kid's group, watched the aftermath unfold in grim silence.
On the main stage, inside a large glass tank with a section broken open, someone was trapped — a green‑haired mermaid wearing a collar.
It was Camie.
In front of the tank stood an old man with white hair, carefully examining her collar.
"I'm going to take this off now, are you ready, little girl?" the old man said gently.
Camie froze, uncertain.
But she sensed something sincere in his actions.
"Hey, Mister, don't mess around," Pappaggu, wearing his little hat, cried desperately from the seats. He knew that forcing that collar off without the key would trigger a violent explosion, killing Camie instantly.
"A collar's explosion would be fatal!" Chopper shouted, voice breaking with fear.
"It's over, it's over!" Brook said in his dramatic fashion, even though skeletons couldn't sweat.
"Hey, Luffy, stop him!" Carina yelled.
Luffy responded with a calm but determined wave of his hand.
"I can feel his strength — he's strong, stronger than me. He should be fine," Luffy said, sensing through his Observation Haki that the old man's presence was formidable and not malicious.
To remove such a collar safely, one had to use Armament Haki to destroy it from within, and Luffy could sense that this man was capable.
"Hey, Luffy, that collar will explode if messed with! Camie will die!" Kalifa said anxiously, adjusting her glasses.
Just then, a clicking sound echoed — the timer on the collar had begun.
"It's too late!" Brook cried out again.
"It's going to explode!" Chopper yelled, panic rising.
"Camie!" Pappaggu ran forward, tears streaming down his face.
Luffy's fists clenched, eyes steady but tense.
Though he could use Armament Haki Ryuo himself, he knew even that wouldn't guarantee success. And yet he trusted the old man — he could sense his aura, and it was not hostile.
And just as the tension peaked…
Bang!
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