Empowered by the Devil Fruit, even on his very first use, the strength Tesoro displayed was far beyond what the two guards could withstand. In just a few swift movements, he bound them tightly with chains, stripping them of any ability to resist.
By sheer luck, he even found the keys to the collars on their bodies and unlocked the collar around Stella's neck.
For the first time, the two lovers held each other tightly in an embrace.
The people gathered in the plaza, even those nobles who had long been involved in human trafficking, felt it in that moment—the kind of happiness that belonged only to lovers.
But that feeling certainly did not extend to the Celestial Dragons, nor to Kizaru.
"Hey, hey!"
Kizaru stared at Yemu in shock, his tone turning serious.
"If the intelligence the Marines received is accurate, then that Devil Fruit ability… wasn't it the one belonging to the treasure hunter you defeated in Water 7? Don't tell me you actually—"
He didn't finish the sentence. The implication hidden within was simply too unbelievable, something that absolutely could not be allowed to spread.
Yemu, on the other hand, looked thoroughly amused. He neither denied it nor confirmed it.
"Hahaha, who knows?"
With that, his figure flickered as he returned to his companions.
Flare couldn't help herself. Her eyes sparkled, her cheeks slightly flushed as she spoke.
"You know… you were actually pretty cool just now…"
"Really? I think so too."
If Kizaru was merely shocked, then Saint Chatham and his son were outright furious, especially Saint Chatham himself.
From the moment these criminals appeared, his dignity as a Celestial Dragon had been challenged. And now, some lowly commoner had dared to snatch away the slave he had set his sights on.
Saint Chatham roared at the black-clad CP agents and the armored guards behind him.
"What are you all doing?! Go grab that slave back right now! And that lowly trash, kill them both!"
"As you command, Chatham-sama!"
To them, the Celestial Dragon's orders were absolute. They immediately charged toward Tesoro and Stella, who were still holding each other.
Tesoro was startled and quickly moved to shield Stella behind him.
"Don't be afraid, Stella. I absolutely… absolutely won't let anyone take you away from me."
"Mm, I believe you."
A smile called happiness bloomed on Stella's face.
However, before the Celestial Dragon's guards could even reach them, an overwhelming pressure crashed down on their bodies. Their minds went blank, their eyes rolled back, and they collapsed unconscious on the spot.
The CP agents were simply too powerful. Tesoro, who had only just obtained his Devil Fruit abilities, was no match for them.
"T-this…"
The sight stunned everyone.
Saint Chatham was completely shaken. His son stared wide-eyed at the guards who had suddenly fallen, then looked at his father with a blank, foolish expression.
"Dad, why did they all faint?!"
Only a few people, including Kizaru, understood what had just happened. Their gazes all turned toward Yemu.
"Conqueror's Haki?!"
Tesoro and Stella looked on in astonishment, utterly confused by what they were seeing.
Just then, Yemu's voice rang out.
"Hey, Tesoro, right? What are you standing around for? Are you waiting to run after the Marines show up? Take your lover and get out of here!"
Only then did Tesoro understand. He didn't know the details, but it was obvious that this savior-like man had stepped in once again.
He gripped Stella's hand tightly and looked at Yemu with deep gratitude. The two of them knelt together before him.
"Thank you so much, Captain Yemu. Stella and I will never… never forget this kindness. The power you've given me, I'll repay it tenfold, a hundredfold, a thousandfold, even ten thousandfold in the future."
"Stella, let's go!!!"
"Mm!"
With that, Tesoro grabbed Stella's hand and ran toward the exit of the shopping street.
Seeing this, Saint Chatham's face filled with panic and rage. But with all of his guards already down, he could only shout at Kizaru.
"Borsalino, stop them for me!"
Kizaru put on a very obedient expression. His body began to glow with golden light as if he were about to move, but his words told a different story.
"Oh, no problem, Chatham-sama. But if I go after those two and these pirates make a move on you, I might not make it back in time to save you."
"What?!"
Saint Chatham's face turned pale with fear, and he hurriedly spoke up.
"Wait, don't go! If you leave, who's going to protect us? Damn it!"
The golden light around Kizaru instantly faded, and he returned to his usual lazy posture.
"As you command, Chatham-sama."
At this moment, Yemu glanced around at the civilians who had been kneeling for so long and spoke calmly.
"How long are you planning to kneel there? Are you staying to watch a fight between pirates and the Marines?"
Only then did the crowd snap back to their senses. Forgetting entirely that Celestial Dragons were present, they turned and ran without a second thought.
Before long, the once-bustling shopping street became eerily deserted, the ground littered with debris and fragments.
Just then, three figures descended from the sky and landed on either side of Kizaru.
"Ara ara ara, looks like we arrived just in time."
Kizaru looked at Kuzan beside him, utterly speechless.
Kuzan's speed couldn't compare to Kizaru's Devil Fruit, but with his elemental abilities, he wasn't much slower either.
Yet more than ten minutes had passed before the three of them showed up, which made it obvious they had been watching the whole thing from the sidelines.
Momonga in particular gave it away. That awkward expression of his, one that couldn't lie, said everything.
But what could Kizaru say?
"Yeah, perfect timing."
Not wanting to waste any more time here, especially with the end of the workday approaching, Kizaru turned to Momonga.
"Rear Admiral Momonga, please escort Chatham-sama and his son back. They can't stay here any longer."
Momonga froze for a moment, his expression turning awkward. This was clearly dumping trouble onto him, but what choice did he have? He was a Rear Admiral, and Kizaru was a Vice Admiral. Rank decided everything.
However, Saint Chatham was extremely dissatisfied with Kizaru's words.
"I'm not leaving! Borsalino, Kuzan, you Marines, arrest these criminals right now! They let my slaves escape, so they'll replace them!"
"Is that so? Very well. But Saint Chatham-sama, the battle that follows may destroy the entire island. If you don't leave now, even you could be in danger."
"What?! You bastard… hurry up and send us back to the Holy Land Mary Geoise, now!!!"
And so, under Momonga's escort, Saint Chatham and his son were forced to leave in fury and resentment.
Seeing this, Yemu spoke up as if catching up with an old acquaintance.
"Long time no see, Kuzan."
"Ara ara ara… I really wish I didn't have to see you. Every time we meet, nothing good ever happens."
Kuzan scratched his head with a troubled look.
Meanwhile, Gion, standing nearby, looked at Yemu with clear interest.
"What an interesting man. Kuzan wasn't wrong. You're completely different from ordinary pirates."
As a Rear Admiral with considerable strength, Gion was no ordinary woman. Yet everything she had just witnessed stirred an unfamiliar tenderness in her heart.
Love really was the most beautiful thing in this world, something that made people long for it.
Unfortunately, Yemu had no intention of lingering.
"You too, Rear Admiral Gion. A woman as beautiful and powerful as you is rare indeed. But this isn't the time to chat. Since you're not here to fight, then we'll be taking our leave."