"Father, where are we right now?"
"Charlos, this is the Sabaody Archipelago. Although it's a lower realm where filthy commoners dwell, it's also the place that supplies us with slaves."
"Slaves? I want new slaves!"
Four-year-old Charlos wore a face shaped by generations of inbreeding—a dull, bloated expression that was the epitome of a Celestial Dragon.
"I haven't gotten a new slave in two months!"
"Exactly. That's why we came here personally this time—to see why those filthy creatures haven't been sending us more slaves!"
Rosward snorted coldly.
If the suppliers were really cut off, then he'd just capture slaves himself!
After all, if there's one thing the Sabaody Archipelago doesn't lack… it's lowly people fit to be slaves!
"Your Excellencies, this way please."
Two subordinates responsible for guiding the path bowed and scraped at the front, leading the Celestial Dragons onward.
But their foreheads were soaked in sweat, and every few steps they had to pause to wipe it away.
They had no choice—they were following a route laid out by Michael.
And surrounded by numerous CP0 agents and God Knights, the two of them felt panic creeping in.
Even if the assassins were those high-ranking figures… could they really succeed?
And if they failed, would they be exposed?
"Sh-should we tell the God Knights about this?"
"Damn it! If you wanna die, leave me out of it! At this point, that'd be suicide!"
Although their whispers were nearly inaudible, they still drew the attention of the God Knights.
This organization responsible for judging and protecting the Celestial Dragons was also made up of elite Celestial Dragons themselves.
Unlike wastes like Rosward, they often inherited the superior genes of the original Twenty Kings and possessed formidable combat strength.
Especially in this heightened state of alert, hearing two subordinates whispering was no challenge at all.
"You two… what were you just saying?"
"Is there something you need to tell us?"
From within the God Knights, a black-haired woman appeared silently behind them. Her voice was soft and calm—but laced with an eerie, murderous intent.
"N-no, ma'am! We don't have anything to say. It's just… this road is a bit long, and we were afraid Your Excellencies might get tired."
"Y-yeah… that's right. That's all it was."
The two subordinates swallowed hard, stammering nervously.
She was beautiful—stunning, even—but they felt no appreciation for it.
She was one of the God Knights.
Which meant she was...
A bloodthirsty lunatic who wouldn't blink at killing.
But the next moment, their world tilted—and they dropped to the ground.
It was only then that they realized…
They were dead.
Their heads had been lopped off at some unknown moment.
The woman calmly wiped the blood from her sword.
A sneer of disdain curled at her lips.
She turned around and spoke to the other God Knights:
"There may be an ambush. Protect everyone and return the way we came!"
She didn't need proof. She didn't need to listen to the Celestial Dragons' commands.
This mission was actually led by the God Knights.
And now, she believed those two guides had betrayed them and exposed their route.
"That's the situation. The enemy's target is likely you, Rosward-sama. You should return to the ship at once."
"What do you mean? Someone dares to threaten a Celestial Dragon!?"
Rosward had barely finished speaking when something warm and sticky splashed across his face.
Just seconds ago, that proud God Knight had stood before him—but now, her head had been severed clean off.
A weathered, rugged sword had effortlessly sliced through her neck.
Her wide eyes were filled with disbelief.
Wasn't she the one who always decapitated others?
Back during the God Valley Incident, she'd taken lives with reckless glee...
So this… was what it felt like to be killed?
She wanted to see who had struck her down—and in the final flicker of her fading consciousness, she recognized the man's face.
Seventeen years ago, she'd seen it in the Valley of the Gods.
The right hand of the Pirate King… "Dark King" Rayleigh.
"Rayleigh, you really have no pity for a pretty face, do you?"
Gaban charged forward with twin axes in hand, heading straight for the CP0 agents and other God Knights.
As he passed by, he quipped at Rayleigh.
"These are Celestial Dragons..." Rayleigh shook his head, a cruel smile on his lips.
"They're our sworn enemies—and they owe a great blood debt. How can I possibly pity them?"
With that, he merely narrowed his eyes.
Conqueror's Haki burst forth, sweeping across the battlefield.
The most efficient way to clear out riffraff in the world of pirates—besides the CP0 and God Knight members, every Celestial Dragon's eyes rolled back as they collapsed unconscious.
Rayleigh stepped over the unconscious Rosward and charged toward the CP0 and God Knights being held off by Gaban alone.
Not a single one would escape.
That was how Rayleigh wanted it.
Though in truth, this wasn't his idea.
It was Michael's.
When it came to dealing with Celestial Dragons, that guy was the most terrifying demon of all.
"Rayleigh! Gaban!"
"They were both crewmates of Gol D. Roger, the Pirate King!"
One CP0 agent screamed as he staggered backward. While fleeing, he pulled out a Den Den Mushi, preparing to report the situation to the Five Elders.
But just as the call connected, a slender leg bathed in black light shot into view.
The next instant, he was sent flying.
"Hello?"
On the other end of the Den Den Mushi, the voice of Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro had just begun to speak—only to be silenced as Gloriosa stomped the Den Den Mushi to death.
"CP0… you really are loyal to the Celestial Dragons, aren't you? Even back during the fall of the Rocks Pirates, your hands weren't clean."
Gloriosa chuckled softly, then grabbed the CP0 agent by the hair and hurled him back into the fray.
Seven God Knights.
Nine CP0 agents.
Against three legendary pirates, led by Rayleigh, they were hopelessly outmatched.
Even though some of them were strong enough to be considered elite Vice Admiral level...
They weren't even close.
Even Gloriosa—the weakest of the three—far surpassed elite Vice Admiral tier.
The battle ended quickly.
Thanks to Rayleigh's burst of Conqueror's Haki, they didn't have to waste time chasing down these pigs.
After Rayleigh killed the last remaining God Knight...
Michael finally appeared.
Surveying the brutal battlefield, he saw that both Gaban and Gloriosa bore some light battle wounds.
But Rayleigh looked like he'd just taken a casual stroll.
...Aside from the blood-dripping sword in his hand.
"Alright. Next, it's time to deal with them."
"Let's go. Morgans is already in position."
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