Chapter 9: House Arrest for a World Noble!
As soon as the news of Sakazuki, Borsalino, and Kuzan's official promotion to Admiral Candidate was announced, information about the three immediately attracted attention from countries around the world. The titles Akainu, Kizaru, and Aokiji also spread across the seas.
If it were ordinary people becoming Admiral Candidates under normal circumstances, it wouldn't cause too much of a stir or draw excessive attention.
The problem was that after the events of Roger's execution and Shiki's capture, the Marines were currently in the 'spotlight', and their every move was amplified.
Most crucially, all three of them were top-tier Logia Users, which was what surprised people. Furthermore, each of them stood around three meters tall, making their extraordinary potential obvious to anyone with a brain.
Especially the Kings of the various countries under the World Government, they could fully envision that within the next few decades, the Marines would possess three Marine Admirals who were top-tier Logia Users!
West Blue, Ilusia Kingdom.
Two Headquarters Warships, much larger than branch warships, escorted an extremely luxurious and pure white Ship, slowly sailed into the Port of this country. The White Sails, imprinted with the World Government Symbol, billowed in the sea breeze.
At this time, King Shuendaruka had ordered all other ships in the entire Port to evacuate, ensuring that the arrival of the World Noble would be met with the cleanest and most spacious appearance possible!
Meanwhile, he himself led all the Nobles in the country waiting at the Dock, watching the Ship dock with reverence.
Hundreds of the strongest and most capable Soldiers, armed with swords, stood solemnly at their posts, their gazes fixed forward, maintaining order within several hundred meters.
Not long after, the luxurious Ship finished docking, four long, wide wooden planks slid down from the deck and were joined together.
Two individuals wearing Attendant Uniforms immediately laid a layer of brightly colored soft Red Carpet on the wooden planks, connecting perfectly with the Red Carpet under King Shuendaruka's feet. Immediately after, a large number of Spear Warriors clad in Full Plate Armor quickly disembarked in two teams, taking over the security of the entire Dock in an instant.
Regarding this, neither King Shuendaruka nor the other Nobles, great or small, had any objections. They simply focused their gaze on the most esteemed individual.
A Celestial Dragon!
A blond man, wearing a Transparent Bubble on his head, a white jumpsuit, and a Golden Cloak, allowed the sturdy Slave beneath him to slowly carry him down the Red Carpet. Behind him followed two government members in black suits and Leather Boots.
"Eh, isn't that Captain Onar?" A Noble's face changed, and he whispered to the person beside him.
"Yes, it's him, 'Black Tiger' Onar of the Tiger Claw Pirates!"
"Didn't he make a high-profile announcement two years ago before entering the Grand Line? How... how did he become a Slave?"
"I remember his Bounty Amount was as high as forty-three million Berry..." The Nobles who recognized the Slave's identity exchanged whispers, filled with surprise and uncertainty.
"Cough cough!"
King Shuendaruka glared back at them with displeasure, then adjusted his attire and stepped forward, bowing respectfully to greet him.
"A most warm welcome to the supreme 'Descendants of the Creators', Saint Roswald, upon your arrival at the Ilusia Kingdom. I am King Shuendaruka!"
The latter, sitting cross-legged on Captain Onar's back, glanced at the surrounding environment and the welcoming Nobles, and snorted coldly, "A King is one thing, but since when do low-level Nobles have the right to stand before a Celestial Dragon?"
"Ah, yes, yes, this is my mistake!" Shuendaruka was momentarily stunned but quickly reacted, apologizing profusely. He then turned around and shouted at the assembled Nobles, "What are you waiting for? Quickly kneel and pay homage to the great Saint Roswald!"
The faces of the Nobles, big and small, stiffened. After all, they were accustomed to being arrogant in their own country. Just then, the elderly Duke standing at the very front knelt down without hesitation, touching his head to the soft Red Carpet.
With him taking the lead, the others also reacted, one after another, mimicking the old Duke and kneeling down on either side.
Seeing this scene, King Shuendaruka breathed a sigh of relief in his heart, while also mentally praising the old Duke.
"Not bad."
Saint Roswald nodded, very satisfied with the attitude of these Nobles, and his impression of this Kingdom improved significantly.
"Let's go, I'm tired of sitting on this Ship. Let's eat something first."
"Yes, yes, I have already ordered the best chefs in the entire country to be ready. This way, please!"
King Shuendaruka turned sideways and extended his hand, gesturing for Saint Roswald to go first. The latter didn't stand on ceremony, stomping on the back of Captain Onar's head beneath him, and headed towards the Royal Palace on the island, with dozens of Nobles kneeling on either side.
[Purupuru, purupuru]
However, just as he reached the other end of the Red Carpet and was about to step onto the clean, flat stone path, the sound of a Transponder Snail came from behind him. This caused Saint Roswald to subconsciously turn his head, because he knew it was the Dedicated Line Den Den Mushi from Holy Land Marie Geoise.
Indeed, the government member on the right took out a small white-gold Transponder Snail from his suit jacket pocket. As he took down the Handset and connected the call, the Transponder Snail's appearance changed, and it began to speak.
"Five Elders command: All Celestial Dragons currently outside are to return to the Holy Land immediately upon receiving this notification. There shall be no delay!"
"Repeating: Five Elders command: All Celestial Dragons currently outside are to return to the Holy Land immediately upon receiving this notification. There shall be no delay!"
Saint Roswald's face changed, filled with anger. He had only just arrived here less than two minutes ago. But just as he was about to question it, the Transponder Snail closed its eyes.
For a moment, the entire atmosphere became strange. Even King Shuendaruka was stunned, not knowing what to say or do.
What's going on?
"Saint Roswald, what do you think?" The CP member holding the white-gold Transponder Snail asked softly.
"Hiss—hoo—"
Saint Roswald's face was ashen. He hesitated for a moment, then took a deep breath and jumped directly off the Slave Captain, striding towards his luxurious Ship.
"Go back!"
Although he was a Celestial Dragon, the Five Elders were also Celestial Dragons, and of the highest rank. He had no choice but to obey such a direct command. However, he would still ask questions upon his return.
Suddenly, he stopped and said to the bewildered King Shuendaruka, "This Slave is yours. You're very good!"
"Uh, thank... thank you, Saint Roswald!"
King Shuendaruka watched with surprise and uncertainty as the Celestial Dragon boarded the Ship again. Five minutes later, even the Holy Guard Soldiers withdrew completely. Ten minutes later, the luxurious Ship and the two Headquarters Warships set sail once more.
Holy Land Marie Geoise, Pangaea Castle, Room of Authority.
"Lord Imu, according to your Divine Oracle, all Celestial Dragons have been ordered to return. Within a maximum of seven days, all Celestial Dragons will be gathered in the 'Land of the Gods'."
Im listened to the Transponder Snail's report and nodded coldly.
"From now on, without my permission, no Celestial Dragon is allowed to leave the 'Land of the Gods' on their own. Otherwise, their status as World Noble will be directly revoked, they will no longer enjoy any Privilege, and they will be imprisoned in the Prison within Mary Geoise!"
"Yes, we shall obey your will."