Kahn, who disappeared as if by teleportation, did not leave the auction house directly but appeared in the back area where the slaves were held.
At this time, Hancock had already arrived at Island No. 1 and used electric fields and radio waves to block the signals of all Den Den Mushi, causing the surveillance Den Den Mushi to lose contact with their hosts and fall asleep.
**Boom!**
Kahn, seeing the situation, appeared in the back area and immediately released his Conqueror's Haki.
The invisible wave of power, under Kahn's deliberate control, only enveloped the back area, stunning all the slaves inside, including Koala.
After killing the Celestial Dragon, Kahn didn't have time to comfort Koala. Instead, he quickly put her to sleep.
Using his Observation Haki to read the hearts of everyone in the back area, Kahn identified the person holding the key to the collar bombs and successfully obtained it.
In fact, even without the key, Kahn, who hadn't yet mastered internal Haki, could use telekinesis to control the explosion timing of the collar bombs.
That's what he did when he saved the three Boa sisters.
But this time, Kahn wasn't going to do that.
He wanted to leave no trace.
When he saved the three Boa sisters, he used telekinesis to control the collar bombs. If he did the same thing this time, it would be hard not to arouse suspicion.
After witnessing the auction house's careful handling of the Devil Fruits, Kahn no longer underestimated the mastermind behind it.
As the "Cross Family" began to develop in the underworld, he might encounter the owner of the auction house. Kahn didn't want to give them any ammunition to undermine his image and credibility.
After unlocking Koala's collar bomb with the key, Kahn instructed Hancock through the air, "Hancock, have Mary take Scarlett, Viola, Sonia, and Mansherry into the castle. Then come join me with Mary."
After speaking, Kahn picked up Koala and disappeared from the back area.
Meanwhile, Hancock, who had initially received Kahn's call, used the electric field to teleport to Island No. 1. She was about to head to the back of the auction house to retrieve Koala but suddenly turned into a bolt of lightning and returned the same way.
By the time Kahn reunited with Hancock and the others, he was already on Island No. 5.
Scarlett and Viola, who had rushed from the speciality area to the illegal area, were also there. Even though Scarlett was an ordinary person and Viola was not physically strong, they managed to get there quickly.
In fact, Kahn didn't even need to go to them.
As long as they were within his perception range, he could use telekinesis to lift them up and bring them to him.
Not only them but also their ship on Island 44.
If Kahn moved quickly enough, he could wrap the sailboat with telekinesis, fly to a height of 7,000 meters, or sink into the sea and quietly leave the Sabaody Archipelago before the Marines arrived.
But Kahn didn't do that.
Because some battles need to be fought.
Assaulting or killing a Celestial Dragon is the greatest crime.
In the original story, Luffy beat Saint Charlos to the ground. If Bartholomew Kuma hadn't intervened, and if Marine Admiral Kizaru, who upholds "ambiguous justice," wasn't the one dispatched, or if Luffy wasn't the grandson of the Marine hero and the son of the most wanted criminal in the world, the consequences would have been dire. Most importantly, the timing of the incident coincided with the upcoming Summit War with the Whitebeard Pirates, preventing the Marines from mobilizing additional forces.
Even if Luffy had escaped, the Foosha Village and even the Goa Kingdom might have been targeted by the Five Elders to stabilize the image of the Celestial Dragons.
Not only that but the Straw Hat Pirates would have been relentlessly hunted.
This highlights the difference between having and not having a background.
Kahn has no such background. If he sneaks away, the World Government will hunt him down. To restore the godly image of the Celestial Dragons, the Marines might attack his island of Morlaix and even launch a Buster Call on his birthplace, trying to force him out.
If Kahn retaliates by destroying Marine branches and allied countries, it will only lead to an escalated siege by the World Government and Naval Headquarters.
If Kahn really destroys Marine branches and allied countries, he won't face just an Admiral but the strongest combination of Admirals and Marine heroes.
At that point, in the eyes of Naval Headquarters, Kahn would be on the same level as an out-of-control lunatic like Douglas Bullet, and the most suitable place for him would be Impel Down.
On the other hand, if Kahn chooses to fight instead of flee, the outcome will be different.
As long as Kahn survives or escapes from an Admiral, the wrath of the World Government will be directed at the Admiral instead.
Afterwards, the World Government and Marines won't target Kahn's hometown or the Island of Morlaix.
Because... Kahn accounted for it!
The World Government and Naval Headquarters cannot cover up the incident at the auction house or the killing of the Celestial Dragon.
Because this is one of the largest archipelagos in the world and the centre of many activities.
The whole story will definitely be announced to the world.
If the World Government and Naval Headquarters launch a Buster Call to destroy the island, Naval Headquarters will be completely disgraced, earning the title of "running dogs of the Celestial Dragons" and seriously impacting the soldiers' morale.
If Kahn had retaliated against the Naval Headquarters and the World Government, the world, already harbouring resentment against the Celestial Dragons, would have only applauded and mocked them for their misfortune.
Will the World Government, with nineteen royal families and numerous Celestial Dragons, be ridiculed by the world over one dead Celestial Dragon?
Clearly not.
Therefore, Kahn must fight this battle.
After the fight, his name will spread worldwide, and his prestige and status will rise even higher.
At that time, once the "Cross Family" starts to expand, it will quickly become one of the giants of the underworld.
"It's really scary that someone dared to take a shot at a Celestial Dragon."
While Kahn was preparing for the upcoming battle, a Vice Admiral named Borsalino, Vice Admiral Sengoku, had already arrived at Sabaody Archipelago.
And this Vice Admiral is Kizaru, one of the three future Admirals.
This year's Kizaru is only 39 years old, much like Shanks in the original story, but two years later, his strength has peaked.
The only thing he lacks compared to his future self is combat experience and the use of his Devil Fruit.
However, Kizaru now has an advantage he won't have in the future—youth.
Being young means being physically strong and passionate.
Kizaru, not yet promoted to Admiral, has already begun to show laziness, but it's not as obvious as in the future.
Under Sengoku's command, he is still very obedient.
When he arrived at Sabaody Archipelago, he didn't pretend to have Alzheimer's at a young age but made a phone call as if contacting someone.
**Call out!**
Soon, Kizaru's body turned into countless golden photons and disappeared.
Not long after Kizaru disappeared, five large warships capable of carrying more than a thousand people each passed through the special current at the Gate of Justice and arrived at Sabaody Archipelago.
Leading the warships was Marine Admiral Sengoku's flagship.
At this time, Sengoku, with no soldiers around, was holding a Den Den Mushi and speaking to Marine Fleet Admiral Kong: "Fleet Admiral Kong, you have to be prepared for some criticism this time. I can't fly, so I probably won't be able to stop that monster kid."
"Don't say such foolish things that boost others' morale while destroying our own. Doesn't Borsalino help you? Can't the two of you handle one underage brat?"
Kong, on the other end, cursed: "It's all Garp's fault for suddenly running back to East Blue last month and not returning yet. Otherwise, the two of you together would definitely throw that brat into Impel Down."
"There's no way. That boy Dragon suddenly brought him back a grandson."
Sengoku also smiled and joked, "That rash guy, I wonder if he can be a good grandpa."
"Stop the nonsense and go arrest that lawless brat, or I'll have to work for a few more years. I'm about to retire. Encountering such a thing is really bad luck!"
The Den Den Mushi imitated Kong's unhappy expression and then closed its eyes without saying goodbye, falling asleep with its head down.
Clearly, the call had ended.
"..."
Sengoku, forced to hold back his words, showed a very helpless expression.
After putting away the Den Den Mushi, Sengoku took out another one, put on a serious expression, and ordered in a deep voice: "Begin the clearing operation immediately!"
"Yes, Vice Admiral Sengoku !" X4
The Vice Admirals in charge of the remaining four warships shouted in unison.
The mission to wipe out the pirates and villains on the island was why Naval Headquarters sent five warships, five Vice Admirals, and more than 5,000 soldiers.
Sabaody Archipelago has always been a major stain on justice.
Since pirates have become the mainstream of the world, Naval Headquarters has been trying to eliminate this lawless island.
But because this place is under the domain of the Celestial Dragons, the Marines, acting as their "running dogs," like those stationed near allied countries, can only act upon receiving a rescue signal or if something happens to a Celestial Dragon.
Everyone on the island knows this.
That's why, after the incident with the Celestial Dragon, the villains were so terrified, desperately wanting to flee the Sabaody Archipelago.
Because after so many years, the Marines finally had an opportunity to cleanse the island.
Capturing Kahn was secondary to Sengoku and, indeed, to Kong.
Successfully cleansing this lawless island would make them the biggest winners, even if Kahn escaped.
If they could capture Kahn, it would be a double victory.
If not, they would still be praised as the winners.
Therefore, leaving a blank would be uncomfortable.
Winning and still being scolded—what a headache!
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