Three days later, the Sabaody Archipelago.
Dragon Soul walked through the bustling streets with an arrogant, swaggering gait, looking like he owned the place. Kenshin followed casually behind him.
"We're going to a specific place first," Dragon Soul said, his back to Kenshin.
"Where?"
"You'll know when we get there." Dragon Soul's lips curled into a slight smile. He wanted to see the Thousand Sunny. That dream ship, carrying the hopes of the Straw Hat crew and countless fans—he wanted to see it with his own eyes.
According to his memory of the plot, the Sunny should be docked at Grove 17. It had been left in Rayleigh's care, and since the coating process took three days, it would have definitely moved from Grove 41 by now.
"Let's head to Grove 17."
Though confused, Kenshin followed. Despite the world being in a state of unrest after the war, Dragon Soul and Kenshin possessed enough strength to avoid unnecessary trouble. They arrived at Grove 17 without a hitch.
Sure enough, a ship with a sunflower-shaped figurehead gradually came into view, featuring the iconic straw hat on its Jolly Roger. Looking at the freshly coated Thousand Sunny, Dragon Soul felt a wave of emotion wash over him.
He was looking at the real Thousand Sunny. This world was incredibly real; bit by bit, he had truly integrated into it. He was a part of this world now, with no sense of detachment.
"That's the Straw Hat crew's ship, isn't it?" Kenshin recognized the mark. After all, it was a very distinct symbol.
"Yeah... the ship of dreams..." Dragon Soul murmured.
"What?" Kenshin asked, not catching the quiet remark.
"Haha, nothing. Let's go one more place." Dragon Soul retracted his gaze. Seeing the Sunny felt like completing an important ritual. Kenshin noticed the shift in his mood, even if he didn't quite understand why Dragon Soul had gone out of his way just to see a ship.
As they walked, Dragon Soul found the scenery increasingly familiar. Suddenly, it clicked—these were the same streets where the Celestial Dragons acted with such reckless tyranny. However, he figured the Celestial Dragons wouldn't dare show their faces here after Luffy's punch had likely left them with permanent psychological scars.
Dragon Soul was looking for a tavern to ask where the local thugs hung out—not because he wanted trouble, but because he needed it. The Magic Protector was nearly out of energy, and he couldn't afford Magic Stones yet. The System hadn't issued any new missions either; if he didn't know how temperamental the "Dog System" was, he'd have checked to see if it was even still there.
BANG!
A gunshot rang out ahead, snapping Dragon Soul out of his thoughts.
"Holy crap, speak of the devil!" Dragon Soul's eyes widened. The man standing ahead, holding a smoking pistol with an insufferable air of arrogance, was none other than a Celestial Dragon.
This guy is still here? Hasn't he learned his lesson from Luffy yet?
"Saint Charlos, please do not upset yourself over such a minor insect. Let me handle this trash for you," a精壮 (sturdy) flunky with a small mustache said, bowing with a fawning, oily smile.
"Mmm..." Saint Charlos nodded, looking satisfied. The snot nearly dripping into his mouth made the onlookers feel a collective surge of disgust, yet no one dared to utter a word of protest.
Because he was a Celestial Dragon!
In this world, they were the "Creators"—noble, untouchable, and divine. They viewed the world as their backyard and its people as their toys or slaves. Even though the common folk were filled with silent resentment, very few had the courage to resist, and even fewer had the ability.
Behind them stood the entire World Government and the Navy's greatest power! To offend a Celestial Dragon meant facing a Navy Admiral. That single fact crushed the will to resist in 99.9% of people.
"It was clearly your fault!" a young boy cried out, blood trickling from a wound on his forehead. "This uncle was just standing in your way by accident, he didn't mean it!"
"You brat, do you want to die? Why are you back again!" The flunky kicked the boy without mercy. "Do you have any idea who this is? Blocking his path is a one-way trip to the grave!"
"You..." The boy was furious but couldn't find the words. He wasn't stupid; he could tell this man's status was terrifyingly high. But he couldn't bring himself to look away like everyone else.
"Hehe..." Saint Charlos gave a dull-witted laugh, clearly pleased with his lackey's words.
Encouraged, the flunky grew even louder. "This is Saint Charlos, a noble Celestial Dragon! A nameless pirate daring to block his path? Dying so easily is far too good for him." He stomped hard on the bearded man lying motionless on the ground. "Saint Charlos, I think we should take him back as a slave."
"Mmm..." Charlos nodded and gave a casual wave. He had so many slaves that one more or less didn't matter; it was all about his mood.
"Right away!" The flunky's eyes lit up, eager to prove his worth. He leaned down and patted the bearded pirate's face. "Looks like you're still useful. Enjoy your new life. Hahaha..."
Cough—SHING!
Suddenly, the "unconscious" pirate lunged upward. A hidden dagger appeared in his hand and plunged straight into the flunky's chest!
"Ugh... gah..." The lackey stared in disbelief, unable to even scream before he collapsed and went still.
"AHH!" The bearded pirate roared, eyes bloodshot, and charged at Saint Charlos with the knife. "A-Mei, I've avenged you!"
BANG!
Before he could get close, a figure blurred through the air and sent him crashing to the ground. A man dressed in black appeared, his eyes cold and terrifying.
"The 'Super Rookie' Straw Hat Luffy has already been executed. That is the fate of those who raise a hand against a Celestial Dragon! You shall die too!" The man in black drew a pistol and fired directly into the pirate's head.
BANG!
"Ah, Xiao Lang, thank goodness you're here. That really gave me a fright," Charlos said, his voice trembling slightly. He felt uneasy; lately, there seemed to be more people resisting him than usual. But his fear was quickly replaced by rage. He was a god of this world; resistance was unacceptable.
Nearby, Dragon Soul and Kenshin watched the scene coldly. But when they heard the man in black claim that Luffy had been "executed," their eyes narrowed, and the look they directed toward the black-clad guard turned dangerously sharp.