Chapter 53
"Tsuru here," Tsuru answered calmly as she picked up the Den Den Mushi.
The snail blinked before the voice of one of the Five Elders echoed through the receiver.
"Where is Sengoku? Why isn't he the one picking up the call?" Saturn's displeased voice asked sharply.
Before Tsuru could answer, Sengoku suddenly lunged toward the Den Den Mushi with a furious expression.
Garp grabbed him from behind immediately, wrapping an arm around his shoulders and pulling him back.
Even Garp was surprised by how angry Sengoku looked.
"Sengoku isn't feeling well," Tsuru replied calmly. "You may speak with me."
A brief pause followed.
"Hmph."
Another Elder spoke next.
"Send Garp and Kuzan to Sabaody Archipelago. The Holy Knights will be descending there."
Jupiter's voice was cold and commanding.
"Clear all people from Sabaody Archipelago. We want the island empty."
"No civilians should remain there."
Garp's eyes suddenly narrowed.
A memory flashed in his mind.
The shadowy figure from God Valley… the being that turned rocks into demonic monsters with a wave of its power.
His fists clenched unconsciously.
"Don't tell me…" he muttered quietly.
The room fell heavy with tension as the weight of the orders sank in.
"Understood," Tsuru replied calmly, though even she felt uneasy.
The call ended.
For a moment, silence filled the room.
Sengoku rubbed his forehead tiredly.
"Garp. Kuzan. Leave immediately and evacuate everyone from Sabaody Archipelago."
His voice carried exhaustion.
"Things just became a lot more troublesome."
Garp shot him a dangerous glare.
"You don't understand, Sengoku."
His voice was unusually serious.
"You have no idea how big this mess has become."
Without waiting for a reply, Garp turned and walked out of the office.
Kuzan blinked lazily before following him.
Tsuru and Sengoku exchanged confused looks.
"Why did Garp react like that?" Sengoku muttered.
Tsuru frowned slightly but didn't answer.
---
Meanwhile, at Sabaody Archipelago, the atmosphere was completely different.
Ren, Yamato, Hancock, and Shirahoshi were eating outside a large restaurant.
Because of Shirahoshi's enormous height, sitting inside the building wasn't possible.
Instead, several tables had been brought outside for them.
People gathered nearby at a distance, staring in amazement.
Hancock was the most beautiful woman in the world.
Shirahoshi, meanwhile, was the most beautiful mermaid.
Seeing both of them together was a sight that left everyone stunned.
Yamato, Ren, Shirahoshi, and Hancock happily enjoyed their food while waiters kept running back and forth bringing more dishes.
Even waiters from nearby restaurants came over carrying plates.
After all… Ren was a Sea Emperor.
No one wanted to risk angering him.
Meanwhile, reporters were busily taking pictures of the massive stone statue placed in the center of the island.
The statue looked exactly like Admiral Sakazuki.
News had already reached Morgans.
"Kahahahaha!"
Big News Morgans slammed his desk in excitement.
"Sakazuki defeated and turned to stone by Boa Hancock!"
"The new Emperor placing that statue in the middle of Sabaody Archipelago!"
He flapped his wings excitedly.
"Ren, you truly are the king of big news!"
"Kahahahaha! Spread it across the entire world!"
---
Back at Sabaody, Ren and the girls were still eating when an old man slowly walked toward them.
He carried a bottle of wine in one hand.
Without hesitation, he casually sat down nearby.
The onlookers gasped in horror at the old man's boldness.
Then someone recognized him.
"T-that's Dark King Rayleigh!"
"The vice captain of the Roger Pirates!"
Reporters immediately started clicking photos rapidly.
Ren looked at the old man and smirked.
"Hey old man, wanna fight?"
He stretched his arms lazily.
"I just got a little stronger."
Rayleigh's mouth twitched.
Little? You call that little? Fuck you.
He cursed silently in his mind.
Yamato's eyes suddenly lit up.
"Dark King?! Roger's vice captain?!"
She instantly grabbed her Kanabo with excitement.
"Hey! Fight me!"
Battle lust burned brightly in her eyes.
Rayleigh shuddered slightly.
Damn it… why did I come here?
"Ahem," he coughed awkwardly.
"I'm just an old man. No need to fight for no reason."
Yamato instantly deflated like a balloon.
"Tsk. You're not fun."
Rayleigh laughed awkwardly.
Nearby, Hancock was busy talking with Shirahoshi and completely ignored the interaction.
Rayleigh finally looked back at Ren.
"Well… now that you placed Sakazuki's statue here, the Marines are in panic."
He took a sip of wine.
"It seems Garp and Kuzan are coming."
Ren simply laughed.
"You should leave Sabaody, old man."
Rayleigh paused.
"Garp and Kuzan are just appetizers."
Ren's eyes gleamed slightly.
"Someone higher is restless too."
"Once Sabaody is cleared… they'll descend."
Rayleigh stiffened.
His eyes widened.
"Holy Knights?"
"Yes."
Rayleigh's face turned pale.
He wasn't afraid of the Holy Knights.
But he remembered the shadow behind them.
At God Valley he had seen rocks turn into demonic creatures. Roger, Garp, Rocks, Whitebeard, Big Mom, and Kaido had all attacked the shadow together.
It had done nothing.
"No… no way," Rayleigh whispered.
Ren only smiled.
Rayleigh pointed at him.
"You're staying here… knowing that?"
"Of course."
Ren shrugged casually.
"It's the best chance for the girls to fight to their hearts' content."
Yamato and Hancock's eyes immediately ignited with excitement.
Rayleigh sighed deeply.
"You kids are insane."
He stood up and began walking back toward Grove 13.
Ren turned to Shirahoshi.
"You're still young, so don't get involved in the upcoming battle, okay?"
Shirahoshi nodded seriously.
"I will become stronger."
Ren smiled.
"Of course you will."
After finishing their meal, they continued sightseeing.
Hancock and Yamato became busy shopping across the island.
Because of Shirahoshi's size, none of the shops had clothes large enough for her.
So Ren decided to take her to the amusement park instead.
As they walked through the street, a loud arrogant voice suddenly echoed.
"Father! Look! A giant mermaid!"
The voice was filled with greed.
"A mermaid! I want her!"
Another voice laughed loudly.
"Hahaha! Finally, a mermaid slave."
"CP! Capture her!"
The surrounding CP agents went pale the moment they saw Shirahoshi… and Ren standing beside her.
Before anyone could react, Shirahoshi calmly raised her hand.
A drop of water formed above her finger.
Using Fishman Karate, she flicked it forward.
Two sharp water bullets shot forward instantly.
Two holes appeared in the Celestial Dragons' legs.
"AAAAHHH!"
"My legs! My legs!"
"How dare you?!"
Both Celestial Dragons screamed in pain.
The CP agents tried to move—but suddenly froze.
Ren's Haki had completely paralyzed them.
Ren sighed slightly.
"Shirahoshi… you should have gone for the head."
Shirahoshi looked at him with concern.
"But they would die."
Ren smiled gently.
"I like your kindness, Shirahoshi."
"But you need to learn where to show it."
His eyes turned slightly cold.
"They are Celestial Dragons. They treat everyone else as slaves."
"They wanted to capture you as one too."
He shrugged slightly.
"They don't deserve kindness."
Shirahoshi hesitated.
After taking a deep breath, she nodded slowly.
"Fine."
Two more water drops shot forward.
They pierced both Celestial Dragons' heads instantly.
The crowd around them, who had been too stunned to react, finally snapped out of their shock.
"Run!"
"Two Celestial Dragons have been killed!"
"An Admiral will come!"
Someone shouted desperately.
"But didn't the Sea Emperor defeat Sakazuki already?!"
"Idiot! Run!"
"The aftermath of their battles is enough to kill us!"
People began fleeing in panic.
Ren sighed.
"Well… looks like there won't be much fun today."
He looked at Shirahoshi apologetically.
But then suddenly an idea struck him.
"Actually…"
He grinned.
"I'll build an amusement park island for you."
Shirahoshi's eyes widened with excitement.
"Really?"
Ren nodded confidently.
"Yep."
He pointed forward dramatically.
"Once Amazon Lily and Fishman Island are settled…"
"We'll build the world's greatest amusement park."