"Ma'am, really, there's no need for this. You've already done enough. Please, keep it for yourselves."
"Oh, nonsense! We're not rich, but we can spare a few eggs. Take them, child. Don't make me chase you!" the elderly woman insisted, firmly shoving a basket of eggs into Eli Winters' arms.
Big Pan and the others were in the same predicament each one surrounded by grateful villagers trying to force gifts upon them.
It had started simply enough. The Silver Dragon had docked near a small seaside village just in time to witness a group of pirates raiding the place. Without hesitation, Big Pan and the crew jumped in to help, swiftly wiping out the raiders. The villagers, overcome with gratitude, treated them like heroes feeding them, thanking them, and stuffing their hands with every local specialty imaginable. Refusing was impossible; politeness didn't stand a chance against their enthusiasm.
It took every ounce of strength Eli and his crew had to finally escape the sea of gratitude. When they made it back to the ship, Eli immediately ordered Dorte to set sail before someone decided to gift them an entire cow.
"Whew… those villagers were way too passionate," Big Pan said, looking genuinely relieved.
"Yeah," Chiyo Mochizuki added with a teasing grin, "one old lady even asked if Filina had a boyfriend."
"Chiyo! You're making that up!" Filina's face turned crimson as she lunged forward, tickling Chiyo mercilessly.
"Hahaha! I give up! I give up, Filina please! Hahaha!" Chiyo laughed uncontrollably, tears streaming down her cheeks.
Filina smirked in victory. "That's what you get for teasing me."
Eli smiled as he watched the crew's antics, warmth filling his chest. "All right, since we've been given so many local goodies, let's have a feast tonight!"
That evening, the Silver Dragon's deck became a lively banquet hall once again. Food, laughter, and the clinking of glasses filled the air and by the end of it, three crewmates were sprawled on the deck, drunk and snoring.
The next morning, Eli woke up rubbing his aching head. After washing up, he headed to the deck, only to find Filina and Reiju already there, calmly fishing.
"Where's Big Pan and the others?" he asked.
"Probably eating breakfast," Filina replied with a chuckle. "Oh you'll love this. Chiyo went to grab some ingredients from the storage room earlier, and guess who she tripped over? Big Pan! He rolled out of his bunk in the middle of the night and somehow ended up sleeping right at the door!"
Eli blinked. "The storage room? That's halfway across the ship. How does anyone even roll that far in their sleep?"
After breakfast, prepared by Chiyo, Eli and Big Pan decided to join the fishing session.
"How's the catch today?" Eli asked as he cast his line beside them.
"Not great," Filina pouted. "They're not biting."
Reiju nodded in agreement, twirling her fishing rod. "Honestly, I'm tempted to just release some poison into the water. Maybe that will get their attention."
Eli shot her a look. "Don't even think about it."
"Hey, boss! I got one!" Big Pan suddenly shouted.
"Lucky fisherman," Eli, Filina, and Reiju said in unison, rolling their eyes.
Big Pan pulled up his line, grinning widely at the massive fish flopping on the deck. "Not bad! This one's easily a hundred pounds!"
"Damn lucky fisherman," came the trio's synchronized reply.
As they laughed and fished, the lookout Simon's voice crackled through the ship's communication system.
"Captain! Reporting there's a large fleet ahead! Looks like… the Navy!"
Eli's eyes lit up. "The Navy, huh? Interesting. My first time seeing a full fleet."
He set down his rod and walked toward the bow, his crew following close behind.
Far ahead, four Marine battleships were escorting a luxurious golden vessel the kind that only the highest of nobles would travel in.
Inside that lavish ship sat a bloated man with a glass dome over his head a Celestial Dragon. His whip snapped through the air before he tossed it aside with an irritated snort. "Useless! That woman didn't even last a morning!"
Standing nearby was his butler and bodyguard, a member of CP9 named Avali.
The CP9 agent beside him dared not comment; Avali's power was infamous.
The Celestial Dragon Saint Dedeos grumbled, and another CP9 agent, Jodi, stepped forward with an ingratiating smile. "Please don't be upset, Saint Dedeos. We'll be arriving at the Goa Kingdom soon. Once there, I'll personally find you several… suitable women."
Dedeos's face softened. "Good. Jodi, you're much more useful than the rest. When we return, you'll serve directly under me."
Jodi bowed low. "It's my honor, Saint Dedeos."
In truth, he was cursing his luck serving a Celestial Dragon was the last thing anyone sane would want.
Feeling bored, Dedeos stepped out onto the deck with his entourage. Every Marine they passed bowed deeply, saluting. The Celestial Dragon ignored them, his chin raised high as if the very air were beneath him.
"Vice Admiral Bardock," he said coldly, "how long until we reach the Goa Kingdom?"
"About a day and a half, Saint Dedeos," Bardock replied respectfully.
"What?! That long?!" Dedeos snapped.
"This is the fastest we can go, sir," Bardock said through gritted teeth.
Dedeos's mood worsened by the minute. He had brought five slaves for entertainment when he left Mariejois, and in just two months, he had beaten all of them to death. The newest one, acquired only that morning, hadn't even survived till noon.
Now, the Celestial Dragon raged like a mad beast firing his pistol wildly around the deck. Bullets tore through wood and railings, even striking several Marines. The soldiers stumbled back in fear, none daring to speak.
Bardock's fists clenched, veins bulging on his forehead. Every part of him wanted to crush this man but killing a Celestial Dragon meant destroying one's life, one's family, and everything they'd ever known. So, he endured.
Just then, a Marine rushed over. "Vice Admiral! There's an unidentified ship ahead!"
Dedeos's eyes gleamed with cruelty. "Sink it. Now."
"Saint Dedeos, it could be a merchant vessel " Bardock began.
"Silence! I don't need your advice!" Dedeos barked.
Meanwhile, on the Silver Dragon, Simon's voice came through again. "Captain, they're preparing to fire!"
Eli grinned. "Oh? Looks like our delivery just arrived."
Big Pan blinked. "Delivery? Boss, that's cannon fire!"
Eli chuckled. "You'll see what I mean."
Moments later, cannonballs streaked across the waves only for Big Pan to swing his massive staff, knocking each one out of the air and sending them hurtling back toward the Navy fleet.
BOOM!
A series of thunderous explosions erupted across the horizon, one battleship engulfed in flames and sinking fast.
Dedeos screamed in fury. "You useless dogs! Go capture them! Now!"
The CP9 agents leapt into action, using Moon Step to dash toward the Silver Dragon but before they could reach it, pale-blue fire burst to life before them.
The flames weren't hot they were freezing. Within seconds, half the agents were encased in ice, frozen midair.
Those who survived stared in horror at the source: a giant azure bird circling above, its wings shimmering with frost.
It was Chiyo Mochizuki, in her three-colored phoenix form. Her Coldflame a fire that froze rather than burned was breathtakingly beautiful and terrifying all at once.
Before the rest could regroup, dark clouds gathered overhead. Rain poured down, and in an instant, lightning struck the ships like divine wrath.
Bolts danced across the deck, sending sailors and agents convulsing. Had Filina not held back her power, the entire fleet would have been reduced to ash.
Bardock barely managed to shield Dedeos with his Armament Haki, saving the Celestial Dragon's life.
"You dare attack a Celestial Dragon?!" Bardock roared.
Eli and his crew descended from the sky, landing gracefully on the deck.
Eli smirked. "Attack? You were the ones who fired first."
Bardock had no answer.
Still trembling, Dedeos screamed, "Filthy peasants! How dare you lay a hand on me! Bardock, capture them at once! I'll make them my new slaves!"
Bardock wanted to cry. If I could capture them, would I still be standing here bleeding?
When he hesitated, Dedeos turned his gun on him and fired. The bullet bounced harmlessly off Bardock's Haki.
"Saint Dedeos," Bardock said coldly, "these people are far too strong. Engaging them could endanger your life."
"Coward! Worthless trash!" Dedeos bellowed, spittle flying. "Jodi! The rest of you kill them all!"
Jodi and the remaining agents charged forward but within seconds, Dorte smashed Jodi's skull with a single punch, and Big Pan crushed Bardock to the deck with his iron staff.
Blood pooled beneath them.
"Eli Winters," Bardock gasped weakly, "please… don't kill Saint Dedeos. If you do, the Navy and the entire World Government will hunt you down."
Eli raised an eyebrow. "Oh? You know my name?"
Bardock managed a bitter smile. "Who doesn't know the infamous Sky Lord, Eli Winters?"
Before anyone could say more, Dedeos started laughing madly, clutching a golden Den Den Mushi. "You're all dead! I've already called for a Marine Admiral! You'll suffer like dogs when he arrives!"
Bardock felt despair wash over him. You absolute idiot…
Eli smiled faintly. "Don't worry. I won't kill him… not quickly, at least."
He lifted his boot off Dedeos's head and then, without hesitation, stomped down on his arm, shattering it. The Celestial Dragon's screams echoed through the ship as Eli methodically broke each limb in turn before tossing him aside like trash.
Even Bardock winced.
"Big Pan, keep an eye on him," Eli said calmly. "I'm going to collect our delivery."
Inside the treasure hold, Eli found mountains of gold and a single gleaming fruit swirling with strange patterns.
He grinned. "A Devil Fruit, huh? Now that's what I call express delivery."
_________________________________________________
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