Rayleigh frowned: "Tell me your plan. This is no small matter, and I'd like to continue my retirement life."
Hera began: "When the Celestial Dragons are about to arrive, Issho, you'll pretend to be a wandering powerhouse and take the initiative to provoke Rayleigh. The fight will attract CP0's attention, and then I'll take the opportunity to shoot that person."
Rayleigh and Issho listened intently: "And then?"
Hera shrugged innocently: "And then that's it. The Celestial Dragon is dead, you two put on a show for a few more moves, fighting further and further away, while I run back to the Marine Base. Then I'll come out from there to sweep away the Slave Traders and just catch a high-bounty pirate as the culprit to give the World Government an explanation."
"As long as the commotion you two make is big enough, leave the rest to me."
Shakky listened to Hera's plan with some helplessness: "How can you be so sure you can run away after killing a Celestial Dragon? CP0 aren't useless."
Hera smiled: "That's easy, I'll just give you a demonstration."
With that, the City of Devouring Time spread out. Under Hera's control, dark shadows surged onto her body, twisting into a completely different shell that covered her. In the next second, the shadows dispersed, and Hera had already appeared elsewhere.
"How about it? We can kill a pirate with a higher bounty first. I'll use the shadows to mimic him firing the shot, and after killing the Celestial Dragon, I'll leave the scapegoat's body there while I return to the Marine Base myself."
"While there are some risks this way, given your strength and threat level, I don't think the World Government will make things too difficult for you. It's just an accident, isn't it?"
Rayleigh frowned deeply. He felt something was off; could such a simple plan really succeed? Beside him, Hancock was somewhat excited: "Uncle Rayleigh, hurry up and agree to her. At worst, we can return to my Amazon Lily Kingdom. I don't believe those Marines would dare attack us there."
When Rayleigh looked up again, he had made up his mind and asked Issho: "So, what do you think, young man? If you want me to go all out, can you handle it?"
Issho's expression was solemn, but with his heart of benevolence and justice, he couldn't turn a blind eye to a chance to change the evils of the Sabaody Archipelago. He nodded: "Then at that time, I shall trouble you, Lord Pluton."
Hera also breathed a sigh of relief. With these two cooperating, the plan was as good as settled. In her memory, even Luffy could land a punch on a Celestial Dragon; with her planning against an unsuspecting target, shooting one shouldn't be difficult. The one to arrive afterward should be Kizaru. Her uncle usually didn't care about anything, but Sengoku would probably have a headache for a while.
Seeing that everyone agreed, Hera also relaxed: "Next, we just need to find a scapegoat."
Issho said: "In that case, leave the choice of scapegoat to me." His vast Observation Haki swept across the entire island, searching for a lucky target. To take the blame for killing a Celestial Dragon, even dying would be worth it, Hera couldn't help but think, and then she was amused by her own thought.
Issho quickly found a target: a pirate ship full of slaves was heading towards Grove 5. Their Captain perfectly met Hera's requirements. "I'm going out for a bit; I'll be here on time in a few days."
Issho picked up his Blind Cane and left the tavern.
Rayleigh stretched his muscles: "What a fine opponent. Where did you find such a powerhouse?"
Hera replied: "I originally wanted to convince Momousagi to come find you, but who knew I'd just pick up a powerhouse on the side of the road."
Rayleigh didn't press further upon hearing this. He didn't believe Hera's explanation, assuming she just didn't want to tell him, so he didn't ask more.
The Empress on the side couldn't sit still: "Don't you need my help? I can also participate in the plan."
Hera shook her head, then as if remembering something, said: "No need. You are still the Empress of the Amazon Lily Kingdom; it would be too obvious if you were involved. At that time, there might be a few accompanying slaves who need your care."
In Hera's original plan, there was no step for saving slaves, but she suddenly thought of two tragic women. She wondered if the Celestial Dragon coming this time would be the one she was thinking of, and if she'd have a chance to save them in advance.
At this moment, Hera suddenly remembered the mark on the Empress's back. After her Fourth Bullet was enhanced, she should be able to reverse the time of just the skin on her back to make the Hoof of the Soaring Dragon disappear. So she said to the Empress: "Let me see your back; I should have a way to help you erase the Celestial Dragon's brand."
The Empress's expression changed: "How do you know about this? I clearly haven't told anyone."
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