Dr. Clover and Olvia remained kneeling on the spot, staring dumbfounded at the scene before them.
They had thought they were dead for sure.
But then a legendary God Slayer suddenly appeared, pulling them back from the brink of death, and then began... slowly slicing a Celestial Dragon?
Olvia's gaze fell on the man holding the Black Blade, cold and godlike.
He had saved her.
For a completely unrelated reason—simply because he couldn't stand the Celestial Dragons.
"Doctor..." she whispered, "that man..."
Dr. Clover shook his head, signaling her not to speak.
Beings of that level were not for them to discuss.
…
Meanwhile, at Marine Headquarters, Marineford.
The Den Den Mushi in the Fleet Admiral's office rang.
Kong picked up the receiver, and his expression changed at the voice on the other end.
"What? Raiver is on Sabaody Archipelago, publicly slow slicing a Celestial Dragon?!"
On the other end, the intelligence officer's voice was filled with urgency:
"Yes, Fleet Admiral! A Celestial Dragon somehow slipped out and ran into Raiver...
He's... he's still cutting! Dozens of cuts already!"
Kong fell silent for three seconds.
Sengoku, standing nearby, frowned deeply. "Fleet Admiral, what should we do?"
Normally, if a Celestial Dragon was attacked on Sabaody Archipelago, an Admiral should be dispatched immediately for support.
But the attacker was Raiver.
The man who six years ago left a permanent scar on Kong's chest, killed Admiral Zhu Yan on the spot, severed Admiral Qiongqi's arm, and left Zephyr critically injured and near death.
Just a few days ago, Garp was severely wounded by a single blow from him and is still lying in the Marine hospital.
Sengoku looked at Kong, waiting for his decision.
Kong took a deep breath.
"Damn it... that damned Raiver again..."
He gritted his teeth, but his tone carried more helplessness and apprehension.
If he had to choose an opponent between Rocks and Raiver, he would undoubtedly choose Rocks.
Rocks was powerful, but at least his strength followed a pattern.
His abilities were normal—Haki, Body Technique, Swordsmanship—all within understandable and manageable limits.
Six years ago, Garp and Roger joined forces and managed to defeat him with everything they had.
But Raiver was different.
His Space Ability was too bizarre.
He could teleport instantly, cut through space, become intangible to evade all attacks, and create Space Barriers to block any damage.
Fighting him, you never knew what would happen next.
Kong couldn't help but recall that battle six years ago.
Thirty warships, four Admiral-level combatants, a massive force sent to attack the Situna Kingdom.
And the result?
Zhu Yan dead. Qiongqi's arm severed. Zephyr near death. And a deep, bone-exposing wound carved into his own chest.
Of the thirty warships, almost all were annihilated, with less than one in a hundred survivors.
Since then, he had carried that scar on his chest.
Late at night, the scar would ache faintly, reminding him of that man's terror.
Now, to fight Raiver again?
He didn't dare think about it.
"I'll report this matter to the Five Elders first," Kong sighed, picking up another Den Den Mushi. "Let's hear their opinion."
The call connected.
A stern voice from one of the Five Elders came through:
"What is it?"
Kong reported the situation truthfully.
The Five Elders fell silent for a moment before beginning their discussion.
"What are your thoughts on this matter?"
"In my opinion, there's no need to intervene. We shouldn't clash with Raiver over the life of one Celestial Dragon."
"Agreed. After all, enough Celestial Dragons have died over the years—one more won't make a difference."
"I heard that Celestial Dragon sneaked out?"
"Yes, without any approval."
"Then there's even less reason to care. Consider it his bad luck."
Kong and Sengoku exchanged glances, both seeing surprise in each other's eyes.
This time... the Five Elders were actually being so reasonable?
"Listen carefully, Kong," the voice of the Five Elders turned serious again:
"Your task is to send someone to retrieve the Celestial Dragon's body after Raiver leaves.
Then seal this matter tightly—no information is to spread. Understood?"
"Understood."
The call ended.
Silence fell over the office.
Kong let out a long sigh.
Sengoku also relaxed his tense shoulders.
Good. It was fortunate the Five Elders hadn't impulsively ordered them to besiege Raiver this time.
Mobilizing the entire Marine Headquarters and risking a life-and-death battle for the sake of one Celestial Dragon simply wasn't worth it.
...
Sabaody Archipelago, Area 23.
The screams had lasted for nearly half an hour.
The Celestial Dragon's body was no longer recognizable as human, covered densely with over a thousand knife wounds.
Each cut was terrifyingly precise, the slices of flesh as thin as cicada wings scattered chaotically on the ground around him.
Raiver's swordsmanship had reached a divine level.
Every cut was controlled with extreme precision, removing flesh without damaging major blood vessels or the windpipe.
He even used his Space Ability to slightly slow the Celestial Dragon's blood flow, ensuring he wouldn't die too quickly from blood loss.
This was true slow slicing.
One of the cruelest punishments.
"Please... I beg you..."
The Celestial Dragon's voice was so hoarse it was almost inaudible.
His eyes were bloodshot, his entire body convulsing uncontrollably from the excruciating pain.
"Kill me... just kill me..."
His consciousness had blurred, leaving only the instinct to beg for death.
Raiver looked down at him.
That once arrogant and domineering face was now completely unrecognizable.
Blood covered everything; only his eyes still moved faintly, conveying a final plea.
Raiver's expression remained unchanged.
"The Marine Admirals haven't arrived yet."
"The game isn't over."
The blade fell once more.
Slice—
Another thin piece of flesh flew up and landed on the ground.
Charlos's body shuddered violently, letting out a faint groan.
Ten minutes later.
As Raiver made his 1,203rd cut, the Celestial Dragon's convulsions finally stopped.
His eyes remained open but had lost focus.
His pupils were dilated, his breathing ceased, and his heartbeat fell silent.
Death.
Raiver sheathed his blade, looking down at the unrecognizable mass of flesh and blood at his feet.
"Swine, it seems your Marine Admirals chose not to save you. Perhaps... the World Government has already abandoned you."
He lifted his foot and kicked the Celestial Dragon's corpse aside.
The onlookers who had boldly stayed to watch finally snapped back to reality.
"The... the Celestial Dragon is dead!!!"
Someone screamed.
"Run! Run for your lives!!!"
The crowd instantly erupted into chaos.
Those who had just been enjoying the slow slicing performance moments earlier now scattered like frightened rabbits.
They knew—with a Celestial Dragon dead, the World Government would surely investigate this matter thoroughly.
If they were found to have been present as witnesses, even if not executed, they would be silenced as those who knew too much.