At this moment, chaos reigned throughout Mary Geoise Harbor.
Let's rewind about five minutes.
Around twenty Celestial Dragons, their heads encased in bubble helmets and their bodies bound tightly with rose vines like wrapped parcels, stood in neat rows on the deck of the Blumarine Jackson. Alongside them, several kings from affiliated nations who had been captured were also lined up on the deck.
Vitt applied an ice rose "facial mask" to one person who had fainted in fright, while Tesoro held a gilded ledger, meticulously recording each captive's "ransom." The Golden Emperor had even thoughtfully included a payment plan option.
"I say…" Enel hovered cross-legged in midair, lightning crackling at his fingertips, "just knock them all down. These ants are too noisy."
"Impossible~" Moria's shadow clone stuffed a struggling Celestial Dragon into a sack. "Hehehe… the living are worth far more than shadows!"
In the distance, CP0 agents formed a circle but dared not step forward. Their leader's mask was cracked nearly in half. He rasped into his Den Den Mushi, "Lord Gorosei! They've actually captured the entire Saint Ice family!"
"You civilians! Do you even know what you're doing?!" one Celestial Dragon roared, trembling in fear.
Enel twitched his ear. Sparks of lightning arced from his fingertips. "Too noisy. Make another sound, and this god will turn you to ash."
Immediately, the Celestial Dragon shut their mouth, pale as death, mumbling inwardly, "I am not afraid of him… I am afraid of Reid. I am only giving Reid face."
Tesoro's gaze swept coldly over the Five Elders. "How long has our captain been inside?"
Saint Peter's expression was as dark as still water. "Just because some adult wants to see Reid does not mean your actions are acceptable. They might just be talking. Your behavior is a provocation to the World Government!"
Vitt chuckled lightly. "Nonsense. We have no other intentions. Once our captain comes out, we will release them immediately and leave without looking back."
Moria's shadow stretched across the ground, wrapping tightly around several CP0 agents attempting to resist. "Hehehe, why not turn them all into zombies? We could use a few guards anyway."
You might wonder where the Knights of God are. Their leader Garling trembled with fury.
The Five Elders exchanged glances. Saint Nasuto stepped forward, voice icy. "Tesoro, I think you misunderstand something. Do you believe that capturing Celestial Dragons is enough to threaten the World Government?"
Moore's notes: The Five Elders' stance toward Tesoro shows slight easing.
Tesoro smiled faintly. "Threaten? No. As our other first mate said, once we see our captain, we will release them immediately."
Above Moore's head, Mada noted: Tesoro shows no fear of authority, boldly resisting and presenting strict conditions.
"We harbor no malice and will not harm you," Saint Peter said.
In truth, how much did they actually care about the lives of these Celestial Dragons? Not at all.
And how much did they care about the kings of the affiliated nations? Not a bit.
But they would not allow the deaths of so many allied kings in Mary Geoise. Had Tesoro and his crew chosen another location, could the Five Elders have been blackmailed?
Mada's notes: The Five Elders retreat and make a concession.
"Pop music!"
"Cousin, how have you been lately?"
Moore frowned in disappointment, jotting in his notes: The Five Elders just farted.
"From today onward, the Shambles Auction House belongs to us," Tesoro said coolly. "This is a 'voluntary' gift from Saint Ice Titanium Corporation."
The Five Elders' faces drained of color.
At that moment, the conference room door slowly opened, and Reid appeared before everyone. Hands in his pockets, blood-mist cloak fluttering lightly in the wind, a playful smile graced his face.
"Captain!" Tesoro breathed a sigh of relief, looking at his captain. "Are you alright?"
Reid scratched his head. "What could happen to me?" He glanced at the bound Celestial Dragons, feigning surprise. "Oh, are these souvenirs for me?"
Tesoro shrugged. "They were too noisy, so we asked them to quiet down for a bit."
Reid nodded. Blood mist formed a small hand, gently patting one of the Celestial Dragons on the cheek. "Remember next time, when you see my people, stay out of their way."
The Celestial Dragon frantically nodded, eyes wide with fear.
Saint Vokuri, one of the Five Elders, could no longer restrain himself. He barked, "Reid! Tell your men to release them immediately!"
Reid smiled, bending down. The small hand of blood mist carefully untangled the rose vines binding the Celestial Dragons, even brushing off dust from their shoulders.
"It's so hot why are you lying on the ground?" Reid feigned surprise. "Get up. Now."
These were Reid's exact words.
The Celestial Dragon froze, unable to move. It saw Reid's devil-like horns and heard his strange laughter. "Hehehe."
"Hehehe, if you don't want to get up, then stay there forever."
The Five Elders stood nearby, their faces so dark they seemed to drip water. Saint Peter's scepter squeaked under pressure, but he only snorted coldly instead of exploding in anger.
"All right. Since the captain is gone, we should leave too," Tesoro said, giving a Celestial Dragon a kick with his foot.
"Lord Celestial, please remember to repay on time."
"Installment payments, interest calculated at market rates," Vitt added with a smile.
The Five Elders gaped as the crew of the Crimson Dawn leisurely boarded their ship, not a word spoken. What could they possibly say? Threaten them? Reid had just walked out of the Flower Palace unscathed; even Imu had not stopped him. What else could they do?
"Blumarine Jackson, set sail!"
The Five Elders told nearby CP0 agents, "Take good care of the affiliated kings you just unbound."
CP0 instantly appeared beside the kings, who were rubbing their wrists after being released.
"Lord Five Elders, you owe us an explanation. We are sovereign rulers of allied nations."
The affiliated kings vanished from Mary Geoise.
In the distance, Sengoku and the three Marine Admirals finally arrived, only to see the stern of Reid's ship disappearing from view, leaving a group of tattered Celestial Dragons standing in the harbor.
Akainu's fists ignited like molten lava. "Those bastards "
Kizaru tilted his mouth, picking his teeth. "Oh~ scary~"
Aokiji rubbed his dark circles. "...Can I go back to sleep now?"
Sengoku took a deep breath, suppressing his anger, and turned to the Five Elders. "This Reid is outrageous. What should we do now?"
Saint Peter shot him a cold glance. "...No one is to spread word of today's events."
Saint Nasuto added, "Especially that little messenger bird."
Yet, as soon as he spoke, Moore flapped his wings and flew away, holding a stack of photos in its beak. One photo's caption boldly read:
"Shocking! Crimson Dawn Captures Celestial Dragons, Five Elders Immediately Surrender!"