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Chapter 31: The Burning Palace! The Collapsing Celestial Dragon
Inside Lulusia Palace.
The once magnificent palace now resembled a scene engulfed in raging flames—many sections had been destroyed along with their walls.
The white-robed CP0 agents who had previously boasted arrogantly now lay sprawled across the ground in disarray.
Fresh scarlet blood continuously gushed from their wounds, sizzling as it met the flames.
The blood pooled and gradually spread outward.
Lotte panted heavily, gripping his sword hilts tightly.
Several wounds marked his body,
But under the regenerative power of Hashirama Cells, they were visibly healing at a rapid pace.
The steel blades of the two swords Lotte wielded now showed signs of melting from the intense flames.
He quickly ceased using Sun Breathing.
These were two blades he had finally obtained for free—he couldn't afford to destroy them after just one use.
He had to admit—these CP0 agents possessed considerable skill.
They had actually forced him to this extent.
Fortunately, through contact with them, his mastery of Rokushiki had improved.
[Ding! Current skill Flame Dance Dual Sword Style experience maxed. Rank has advanced to Proficient!] [Please check Host status.]
After several days of silence, the system voice rang out again.
Lotte raised an eyebrow and reopened his attribute panel.
[Name: Lotte] [Age: 17] [Bloodline Ability: Hashirama Cells (Mastery: 37%)] [Skills: Wood Release (Current Power Limit: A- rank), Three-Color Haki (Proficient 50%), Flame Dance Dual Sword Style (Proficient 20%), Sun Breathing (Mastery 20%)] [Inventory: None] [Combat Power: 6500–9000] [Overall Evaluation: Host's strength approaches Elite Vice Admiral level. With Sun Breathing burst active, Host can briefly reach near ordinary Seven Warlords standard, but further effort is required to truly contend.] [Special Remark: At the pinnacle of the seas, unrivaled in the world! With me, Host, the heavens shall bow!]
Lotte glanced at the attribute panel.
When he saw the special remark, he nearly lost control of his facial expression.
What was this damn system doing—praising him or roasting him?!
Suppressing the urge to beat up the system, Lotte shifted focus to the other stats.
After the battles with King Neptune and now the CP0 agents, his strength had visibly surged.
This was due not only to Wood Release improvement
But also the top-tier talents the system had granted him from the beginning.
Otherwise,
Lotte's progress would never have been so effortless.
Celestial Dragon Kamael Saint stared dumbfounded at the scene.
He never imagined that his CP0 guards
Would lose to a mere kid!
The remaining royal family members retreated in terror, taking several steps back. Even the strongest shield of the Celestial Dragons—CP0—couldn't stand against these pirates. Just how terrifying were they?!
This was impossible!
Had pirates become this frightening?!
Whitebeard gazed at Lotte with deep emotion.
Just a few months ago, this kid had barely even learned Haki.
Now his strength had far exceeded expectations—he would likely become a cadre in no time.
In the entire history of the Rocks Pirates,
No one had ever risen to cadre so young.
The younger generation truly was terrifying.
After finishing off CP0, Lotte turned his gaze to Kamael Saint, a playful smirk curling on his lips.
"Yo, looks like the so-called strongest shield of the Celestial Dragons is nothing special after all."
"I thought you'd be tougher."
With that,
He glanced at the royal family members trying to flee.
"Hand over the location of the Heavenly Tribute you were planning to deliver to the Celestial Dragons."
"If you do, I might just let you dogs live."
His tone carried a chilling edge.
The royal family members shivered instantly, fearfully glancing toward Kamael Saint.
If even a Celestial Dragon like Kamael Saint couldn't stop these pirates,
They had no choice but to obediently surrender the Heavenly Tribute!
Though fear filled Kamael Saint's eyes, he still forced a cold laugh.
"Heh! So you just killed a few servants."
"Do you lowly pirates really not understand the consequences of harming me?"
"Get out of here now! Otherwise, neither the Marines nor the World Government will ever let you bastards off!"
As the words fell,
Everyone—royals and Lotte alike—looked at Kamael Saint as if he were an idiot.
After all, the Rocks Pirates had just forced even the Marine Fleet Admiral to retreat.
Using the Marines and World Government to threaten them...
Did that actually work?!
And with CP0 already defeated... he was still acting so arrogant!
Wasn't this just suicide?!
Even Lotte and Whitebeard hadn't expected a Celestial Dragon to be this foolish.
Though Lotte had long known the temperament of Celestial Dragons,
He never imagined this one would still mock them while on the brink of death.
Whitebeard's eyes gradually turned icy as he sneered.
"Gurararara! This guy's brain doesn't seem to work too well. To have lived this long—must be thanks to his Celestial Dragon status!"
"But I don't buy that crap!"
"Since you dared say those words, it looks like you're tired of living!"
He slowly tightened his grip on Murakumogiri.
Rumble rumble!
The entire massive palace shook violently once more.
The already cracked walls shed heavy debris that crashed to the ground.
After all, Whitebeard had zero goodwill toward Celestial Dragons. If not for the exorbitant Heavenly Tributes they demanded,
His homeland would never have become barren wasteland!
Lotte also sneered coldly as he sheathed his dual swords. Branches suddenly surged from the ground,
Instantly wrapping Kamael Saint tightly.
Lotte had never been one to hold grudges.
Because usually, he settled them on the spot.
Once Kamael Saint was bound, he shivered violently. Hearing the killing intent in Whitebeard and Lotte's words, his face filled with utter shock.
How dare these people?!
Didn't they know the consequences of harming—let alone killing—him?!
As a Celestial Dragon... was he really going to die here?!
Thinking this,
Kamael Saint's voice trembled with fear.
"N-no... no... no! Please spare me!"
"All the treasure and women here can be yours—even this entire kingdom! Just please let me go!"
"I'll give you anything you want!"
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