Black was slightly surprised.
Whether in Mary Geoise or sailing across the high seas, he had always been an almost transparent figure low-profile among the Celestial Dragons, unremarkable in the eyes of the Marines. Who would take the initiative to contact him through a Den Den Mushi?
Though puzzled, Black still picked up the receiver.
"Moshi moshi?"
The Den Den Mushi's features shifted, molding into a stern face that bore a resemblance to Golden Lion Shiki's sharp contours.
"Saint Black, forgive the disturbance."
The voice on the other end was grave.
"Orders have come from Marineford. All high-ranking officers are to return immediately. At the same time, word from Mary Geoise states that the Five Elder Stars hope you will temporarily return to the Holy Land."
Black paused.
That tone… something major had happened.
"Vice Admiral Gumiel," Black asked calmly, "do you know what occurred?"
There was a brief silence from the other end, as if the speaker found the matter difficult to articulate. Finally, he replied:
"Your Highness, according to intelligence from the New World, Fleet Admiral Kong encountered the great pirate known as the Red Earl Patrick Redfield."
"The two fought for ten days and nights. Although Vice Admiral Garp arrived in time and successfully arrested Redfield, Fleet Admiral Kong has remained unconscious since the battle."
"I see… so that's what it was."
Black exhaled quietly. For a moment, he had thought history itself had shifted.
The game had never clearly stated the exact year Redfield was captured by the Marines, and Black had not paid particular attention. After all, someone like the Red Earl proud to the bone would never submit to anyone. Even if he were later freed from Impel Down, it would not change his nature.
Still, he hadn't expected the clash to escalate to this extent.
"Although the records described Redfield as the victor, they never detailed the damage on both sides," Black mused inwardly. "If Kong has yet to awaken, then he must have been gravely wounded."
"And Redfield couldn't have emerged unscathed either. A top-tier powerhouse who truly wished to retreat would not have been captured so easily by Garp unless both sides were pushed to their limits."
After a brief pause, Black spoke into the Den Den Mushi.
"In that case, prepare to return."
This was far more than a simple duel.
Kong, as Fleet Admiral, represented the highest military authority of the Marines. For him to fall in a one-on-one confrontation with a pirate was a severe blow to Marine prestige and by extension, to the authority of the World Government.
The psychological impact would ripple outward.
The Great Pirate Era had begun only a year ago, ignited by Gol D. Roger's final words. Countless pirates were already flooding the seas like migrating fish. If word spread that even the Fleet Admiral could be struck down by a single pirate, fear of the Marines would inevitably weaken.
And where fear faded, so too would reverence for the Celestial Dragons.
It would not be strange if reckless pirates, emboldened by the news, attempted to attack a Celestial Dragon's fleet.
Even if Black himself remained unharmed, such an incident would further erode the Government's authority. That was precisely why the Gorosei were recalling any Celestial Dragons traveling abroad.
Having understood this, Black had no intention of being defiant.
If they wanted him back, he would return. Obedience cost nothing.
"Stella," Black ordered, "relay the command. We are returning to Mary Geoise."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Stella bowed and went to instruct the Slaves to adjust course.
Perona blinked her large eyes at Black, her expression brimming with curiosity and excitement.
"Are we going back to the Holy Land? I've always wanted to see it. They say it's where the gods live!"
"It can be called the dwelling place of gods," Black replied lightly, "but Mary Geoise isn't as wonderful as you imagine. When we arrive, behave yourself. If you're seized by another Celestial Dragon's guards, I won't be responsible."
He deliberately let a trace of menace enter his tone.
It was not entirely an empty threat. Within his own estate, he could indulge Perona's antics. Outside, among other Celestial Dragons, decorum had to be maintained.
Robin added quietly, her voice calm yet serious:
"The Holy Land, Mary Geoise, is the seat of the World Government. Countless officials reside there. The inner city is exclusively for the Celestial Dragons."
"As descendants of the Twenty Kings, they legally possess absolute privileges. We must be cautious in both words and actions."
"If we offend one, the lightest consequence is enslavement. The heaviest… execution."
Her matter-of-fact explanation genuinely frightened Perona. Her eyes misted over as she stared at Robin in disbelief.
Why would this older sister only slightly taller than herself say something so terrifying?
Perona rushed forward and clung tightly to Black's leg.
"Ah!? It's that dangerous? Then can't we just not go back?"
Black couldn't help laughing.
"So now you're afraid? Weren't you the brave one who argued with me every day?"
For the past month, Perona had been fearless, constantly talking back to him. Seeing her panic now was unexpectedly amusing.
"But… but those are Celestial Dragons!"
Black crouched and pinched her cheeks on both sides.
"Wuwuwu… it hurts! Let go, you big bully!"
The stinging pain distracted her from her fear. The spirited Perona quickly resurfaced.
Black raised an eyebrow.
"Little girl, have you forgotten? I'm also a Celestial Dragon. Be careful, or I'll make you a Slave."
Perona froze.
Over the past month of playful quarrels and bickering, she had almost forgotten Black's identity and the fact that she herself had originally been forcibly taken aboard his ship.
How had things become so… normal?
Her small mind filled with oversized question marks.
Still, that didn't stop her from stubbornly retorting.
"Hmph! I'm not scared of you, bad guy!"
"Are you really a Celestial Dragon? You're not pretending, are you?"
She eyed him suspiciously.
Seeing Black's hand rising again, Perona immediately covered her reddened cheeks and fled.
In truth, it wasn't only Perona who harbored doubts.
Robin felt something similar though not about the authenticity of Black's identity. With CP agents guarding him and a Marine warship escorting nearby, his status could not be false.
What puzzled her was that this Celestial Dragon seemed… different.
Perhaps her gaze lingered too long.
Black, who had reclined onto a lounge chair, opened one eye.
"What is it?"
Robin quickly shook her head.
"I was only thinking about something, Your Highness."
Assuming she was still adjusting to her new circumstances, Black did not press further. He closed his eyes again, though his thoughts were far from idle.
The ability card obtained after defeating the young Borsalino had granted him the power of the Glint-Glint Fruit. However, because he already possessed a powerful foundation, it had not significantly enhanced his overall combat strength. As a result, his growth over the past few months had slowed.
Still, he was unbothered.
There were at least twenty years before the world reached its final upheaval. There was no need for haste. Steady progress was sufficient.
Unless something unexpected occurred, he would not need to act personally in the near future.
"This voyage brought Aramaki into my camp," Black reflected. "With him as a combat force, many plans can finally move forward."
While confined within Mary Geoise, numerous schemes had remained impractical. Now, with capable subordinates, the pieces could begin to shift.
On the other side of the deck, Robin trailed after Perona and approached Stella, who was supervising the Slaves as they adjusted the sails and set their course back toward the Red Line.