Garin's sneer shook loose burning fragments from the eaves:
"Did you hear that, Saint Christopher?"
"Even beasts can tell you're abnormal!"
He leveled his blade at Tiger, the edge humming with Haki:
"After I deal with this inferior creature, I'll settle our score properly."
"You won't be settling anything!"
Christopher had already stepped in front of Garin, his long saber spinning to deflect the incoming strike:
"For eight hundred years, all you've done is cling to 'bloodline' and 'divinity' while rotting from within!"
Tiger now understood the man before him was no ordinary Celestial Dragon, but a rare anomaly who stood against his own kind.
He fell silent for a moment before asking in a low voice:
"Why are you helping us?"
"Why?"
Christopher suddenly laughed, his voice nearly swallowed by the thunder of collapsing buildings:
"Look around you!"
"Among those escaping Slaves are children branded before they could even speak, women blinded for daring to raise their heads before a Celestial Dragon!"
"You still need a reason for this?!"
"Enough!"
Garin's patience snapped as a violent surge of Conqueror's Haki erupted from him, blasting debris outward:
"Letting them live is already mercy!"
"Lowly insects should kneel before the descendants of the gods this was decided from the beginning!"
"Without us, they wouldn't even deserve to exist!"
Christopher's expression hardened as his own Conqueror's Haki burst forth to meet Garin's, splitting the air between them:
"Without you, they would live far better!"
He turned slightly toward Tiger:
"You should leave. Your ship is waiting."
"And leave you here alone to face someone clearly this dangerous?"
Tiger stepped forward, positioning himself beside Christopher, his stance set for Fish-Man Karate:
"Don't misunderstand I don't trust Celestial Dragons."
"But right now, the one in front of us is the bigger problem."
A cold light flashed in Garin's eyes as Armament Haki gathered along his blade:
"How touching..."
"A traitor and a fish joining hands?"
"You think the two of you can stop me?!"
Christopher raised his saber, its edge gleaming with killing intent:
"You talk too much, Garin."
"I've wanted a real fight with you for a long time."
...Meanwhile, at Red Port.
The Revolutionary Army had meticulously planned their assault, using Karasu's abilities to scout defenses and preparing for a fierce battle.
Yet reality defied expectations they advanced almost unopposed, pushing straight toward the control tower.
"Something's wrong."
Dragon raised his hand, halting the advance as his Observation Haki spread outward:
"Red Port shouldn't be this lightly defended."
Even so, they had no choice but to continue.
The steel pathways reflected the distant flames of Mary Geoise, the air thick with the scent of salt and smoke.
Before the elevator control tower stood a lone figure.
A massive greatsword was embedded in the ground before him, its pitch-black blade radiating a chilling aura.
Former Marine Admiral of the same generation as Sengoku and Zephyr the "Iron Wall" Horn.
His hair had long since turned gray, his face aged by time, yet the pressure he exuded remained overwhelming.
"Scum of the seas."
Horn's voice was heavy, like iron striking stone:
"You thought you could exploit chaos to seize this place? How laughable."
The Revolutionary Army advanced in formation.
At the front stood Dragon and Emporio Ivankov, with Belo Betty gripping her flag, Lindbergh adjusting his gear, and Morley and Karasu flanking the sides.
Behind them, countless soldiers gathered, forming a tense standoff.
Rayleigh blended quietly within the ranks, his presence concealed.
He had no intention of drawing attention yet his priority was rescuing Hancock and the others.
"Admiral 'Iron Wall,' step aside."
Dragon spoke calmly:
"What you protect is nothing more than a rotten cage."
"I once served in the Marines. I have seen their crimes with my own eyes."
"The Marines should stand for justice don't cling to a lie."
Horn let out a cold laugh, his gaze sweeping across them:
"A pack of ignorant fools. Do you even understand what justice is?"
"Those who betray order deserve to be crushed beneath it."
"Especially you… traitor of the Marines Monkey D. Dragon!"
Betty's grip tightened around her flag as it snapped in the wind:
"No matter how hard your blade is, it can't extinguish the fire in people's hearts!"
"Fire?"
Horn scoffed:
"With trash like you?"
"A rabble of commoners dreaming of toppling the World Government?"
Lindbergh muttered under his breath, finger tightening on the trigger.
Ivankov placed a hand on his shoulder:
"Stay sharp stick to the plan."
Dragon lifted his hand, silencing the group, his gaze locked onto Horn:
"Your loyalty is commendable."
"But your blindness is tragic."
"Blindness?"
A flicker of anger crossed Horn's face:
"I protect order!"
"And you are nothing but criminals spreading chaos!"
Indeed, many within the Marines shared such beliefs.
Even knowing the Celestial Dragons' corruption, they clung to the idea that a flawed order was better than none.
Until that system collapsed entirely, they would fight to preserve it.
Betty finally stepped forward, unable to hold back:
"Order? You mean the kind where Celestial Dragons treat people like livestock?!"
"Your justice is soaked in blood!"
Horn slowly lifted his greatsword, its tip pointing directly at her:
"Girl, your mouth is more irritating than your strength."
Dragon tilted his head slightly and murmured:
"Follow the plan. Stall him."
"Once we take control of the elevator, the freed Slaves will flood down from Mary Geoise."
"Many of them are strong."
"With your ability, you may be able to turn the tide."
"But until then…"
"Be careful."
Belo Betty grinned, eyes blazing:
"Don't worry, Leader. Leave it to me."
Dragon gave a small nod, then issued rapid commands:
"Lindbergh secure the control room."
"Morley keep the route open."
"Karasu cut off communications."
"Ivan prepare to receive the escapees."
Seeing their movements, Horn swung his blade.
A massive slash roared forward like a charging army:
"Splitting up?"
"You fools don't underestimate a Marine Admiral!"
Dragon stepped forward, shattering the attack with a single punch:
"Move!"
In an instant, the Revolutionary Army scattered like a breaking tide.
Betty planted her flag firmly, standing alone before Horn, her spirit surging:
"Come on, old man!"
"Let me see just how unbreakable your 'Iron Wall' really is!"