In Area 67 of the Red Mangrove District, the remaining guards gathered cautiously, lifting the silver-haired boy lying in the sunken pit and placing him on flat ground.
Nearby, the mangled corpses of Saint Charlos, Saint Rosward, and Shalulia Palace were arranged together in a pile.
The sight of the blood-soaked mound, mixed with soil and gravel and emanating a nauseating stench, left the guards who had removed their masks expressionless and numb.
The Rosward family they had been protecting—the Celestial Dragons, gods above the clouds—were dead.
Although they were still alive, the guards knew all too well the fate that awaited them.
Faced with this inevitable future, the surviving guards no longer felt fear, anxiety, or hesitation.
One of them removed their heavy armor and retrieved bandages and a medical kit, silently tending to the unconscious naval youth and the CP leader, who was barely clinging to life.
The CP leader's right hand was still embedded in Dafirons' chest, gripped tightly by Dafirons' left hand, preventing its removal. The leader himself had fallen unconscious from excessive blood loss.
As for Dafirons, he had long since died, his heart shattered.
In his restored human form, Dafirons had died with his left hand clutching the CP leader's wrist and his right hand supporting himself on the ground. A radiant smile remained on his face, his lifeless eyes fixed on the direction of the South Sea.
"Bring a blade! Sever his wrist to retrieve the captain's hand!" one of the guards shouted.
"What about this one? Can this navy junior officer survive?"
Several guards turned to the young naval officer lying on the ground, his body riddled with deep wounds and drenched in blood.
They had never seen anyone survive injuries of this severity.
Large portions of his flesh were missing, and no matter how they bandaged him, the bleeding wouldn't stop. The horrifying dents and wounds on his body made their scalps tingle.
"He must survive! At all costs, we have to save him and the captain!"
"Even though our deaths are certain, witnessing their unparalleled courage and conviction makes it all worthwhile."
"Men with such courage don't die so easily! Bring the Den Den Mushi; I'll contact Navy Headquarters and have them send someone over. What was his name again?"
Someone quickly brought over the Den Den Mushi.
"News of the Rosward family's death has already been reported to the Holy Land. It's only a matter of time before Shabondy is sealed off by the Holy Land's guard forces, right?"
One of the guards glanced at the unconscious Roxia. "We all know what kind of people those in the Holy Land are. This brave young naval officer cannot fall into the hands of those cold-blooded beasts. Inform the Navy and have them take him away as soon as possible!"
"What about the captain?" another asked, worriedly glancing at the CP leader, who had lost his left arm.
"The captain won't make it out," another guard replied, a pained expression on his face. "Every CP member has a tracking device implanted in their body. Once you're CP, you're CP for life."
The guards fell silent, sitting on the uneven grass.
"Bloop bloop."
"Bloop bloop."
At Marineford.
Inside the Fleet Admiral's office at the top of the Fortress of Justice, the incessant ringing of a Den Den Mushi awakened Sengoku from his midday nap on the sofa.
"Who is it? Can't an old man get some peace? Finally, Roxia isn't causing chaos here at Marineford," Sengoku muttered, stretching and rubbing his tired eyes.
Click.
"Moshi moshi, Sengoku speaking."
Sengoku glanced at the Den Den Mushi's unfamiliar face.
Since the caller had the qualifications to contact his office, Sengoku wasn't too surprised. After all, as Fleet Admiral, almost all World Nobles had access to his direct line.
Protecting these lofty Celestial Dragons was part of the Navy's duty, after all.
"This is Fleet Admiral Sengoku of the Navy, correct? Hello, I'm a guard under Saint Rosward."
"By the way, does the Navy have a headquarters officer named Rorschach, a junior officer?"
"Rorschach?" Sengoku paused, startled by the inquiry.
Why was a guard under Saint Rosward asking about Rorschach?
Could it be that troublemaker had caused an incident in Shabondy again? And worse, offended the untouchable Celestial Dragons?
A wave of unease swept over Sengoku. Clearing his throat, he responded gently, "Yes, Rorschach is indeed a junior officer at Headquarters. Did he offend Saint Rosward? If so, I apologize on his behalf. Rorschach is still young and impulsive. If there's been any disrespect, I ask for Saint Rosward's forgiveness…"
"No. Rorschach fought bravely against the pirates who attacked Saint Rosward's family. We witnessed his unyielding courage firsthand."
The caller's voice carried a deep sense of respect.
"Oh, I see!" Sengoku chuckled heartily, his earlier panic dissipating.
"So Rorschach assisted Saint Rosward? I thought he might've upset the Celestial Dragons. Well, protecting World Nobles is part of our job."
The admiration and gratitude from the caller filled Sengoku with relief and even pride.
"Rorschach did well," he thought, smiling to himself. "Not bad for someone who just reached Shabondy. Already making connections with the Celestial Dragons."
Saint Rosward?
Come to think of it, that old geezer had a rather attractive daughter, didn't he?
"Could it be that Rorschach caught her eye?"
"This boy, already aligning himself with the Celestial Dragons at such a young age. His career is set. The future looks bright, very bright."
Sengoku's grin widened.
"By the way, where is Rorschach now? Is Saint Rosward okay?"
"Apologies, but Rorschach … He's gravely injured and seems to be on the brink of death."
"What?!"
Sengoku blinked in disbelief.
"As for Saint Rosward… there's no point in hiding it anymore. The entire world will know what happened at Shabondy soon."
The calm voice on the other end masked an underlying tension.
Sengoku, a seasoned veteran, sensed the gravity of the situation.
What followed shattered his composure. His long-dormant Conqueror's Haki erupted uncontrollably, a golden storm sweeping through Marineford in an instant.
"Saint Rosward's entire family of three has been killed. Their bodies are so mangled we can't even separate them.
The one responsible is a pirate from the South Sea, the Iron Plunderer Dafirons.
Please send someone to retrieve Rorschach as soon as possible. If he falls into the hands of the arriving CP0, even as a hero who fought off the attacker, he will face unjust treatment.
Hurry, he doesn't have much time left…"
BOOM!
Marineford's skies were swept with golden winds and black-red lightning, Conqueror's Haki spreading like a web across the heavens.
"What kind of joke is this?!"
"Three Celestial Dragons are dead?!"
"Rorschach is dying too?!"
"Can someone tell me what the hell happened at Shabondy?!"
Sengoku's thunderous roar shattered the Fleet Admiral's office doors and echoed across the plaza, leaving every Marine officer and soldier in Marineford wide-eyed and in disbelief.
Swish! Swish! Swish!
As Sengoku's Haki subsided and his roar faded, several swift figures darted through the air, appearing outside his office in an instant.
"Warring States! What did you just say? What happened to that brat, Rorschach ?"
Zephyr, bare-chested and still wearing a respirator, stormed in front of Sengoku, shouting anxiously.
"That's terrifying. I haven't seen Fleet Admiral Sengoku release his Conqueror's Haki in over a decade," Kizaru remarked casually, cleaning out his ears.
Kuzan remained silent, his expression grim.
"Is this really the time for such comments? Three Celestial Dragons have died in Sabaody! The entire Rozwad family has been wiped out!" Sengoku bellowed, his composure breaking.
"Rozwad? Who cares if they die!" Zephyr growled, grabbing Sengoku's uniform with his mechanical arm. "What about Rorschach ? Tell me now!"
"All those Celestial Dragons are trash. It'd be better if they all disappeared! But that brat Rorschach —he can't die. Not before I see him surpass us old ghosts and turn every bone in his body into a black blade!" Garp laughed, his tone gleeful as he picked his nose.
Sengoku's veins throbbed on his forehead as he shoved Zephyr's mechanical arm away and pointed angrily at Garp. "Garp! How can you joke around at a time like this? Do you understand the consequences of this? Three Celestial Dragons, dead—all at once! Do you realize how catastrophic this is?"
"Have you all forgotten God Valley, erased from history?"
"And now the entire Rozwad family has been killed in Sabaody! Imagine what's going to happen to the Sabaody Archipelago!"
"Rorschach …" Zephyr bent over, coughing violently, his face red with exertion. After catching his breath, he smashed through the wall of the office. "Sabaody, huh? I'm going to check for myself."
"That idiot Zephyr! Doesn't he understand priorities?" Sengoku growled, clenching his fists, then turned to Kizaru.
"Borsalino, you're the fastest. Head to Sabaody immediately and ensure Rorschach isn't captured by the government's CP agents!"
"Got it. I won't let CP take my disciple," Kizaru muttered, scratching his cheek as his body turned into a flash of golden light and shot into the sky.
"Hey! Borsalino! That brat Rorschach is my disciple, not yours!" Garp roared, smashing through another section of the wall and leaping down the fortress.
Sengoku stared at his now doorless, crumbling office, his expression numb with exasperation.
"Buru-buru…"
"Buru-buru…"
The Den Den Mushi on the desk rang urgently again.
"It must be the Gorosei this time," Sengoku sighed, picking it up. He glanced at Kuzan, who was heading out.
"Kuzan! Mobilize all forces in Marineford and head to Sabaody Archipelago. When you reach the surrounding seas, use your powers to seal off the waters. Don't let a single 'criminal' escape!"
Kuzan nodded silently and vanished.
Seconds later, alarms blared across Marineford.
Kuzan's amplified voice echoed across the base, amplified by the communication system.
"All naval personnel, assemble at the inner bay and prepare to set sail. Destination: Sabaody Archipelago!"
Among the gathering marines, Drake's expression darkened.
"Rorschach is in trouble? What's going on? I just saw him earlier today with Hibari and Law, leaving cheerfully for Sabaody, saying they were going on vacation. I hope he's okay. For now, I'll contact Peacock and have her check in with Hibari."
....
Sacred Mary Geoise.
The majestic Pangaea Castle stood amidst a lush and vibrant garden.
A broad, winding avenue led to the depths of the castle, connecting sacred and solemn buildings.
Yet, in this seat of world power, a rare and palpable atmosphere of fear had begun to spread like wildfire.
Armored soldiers patrolled the pristine streets in tight formations.
Celestial Dragons, previously enjoying their leisure with slaves, were escorted back to their homes by CP agents.
Even nobles granted residence in the Holy Land were forcibly sent back to their quarters.
Overseeing this chaotic scene was a burly elder with a Mohawk-like hairstyle.
"Unbelievable. After so many years, an incident of this magnitude happens right under our noses in Sabaody. This is going to give the Gorosei quite the headache," muttered Kong, Supreme Commander of the Marines, arms folded as he surveyed the pandemonium.
At that moment, a soldier approached and saluted sharply.
"Report, Commander! We've gathered all the information on the attacker. Please review it."
Kong accepted the document, his brow furrowing as he read.
"Hmm… so that's it. No wonder they dared to provoke the entire world like this. A grudge from the past…"
"Barthélemy Island… what a tragedy."
.....
Hall of Authority.
The five elders, the Gorosei, sat in the grand hall, their expressions growing darker as they listened to Spandine's trembling report.
The suffocating pressure radiating from them filled the air, making Spandine sweat profusely.
"Bang!"
The staff of Saint Jaygarcia Saturn, the Elder of Scientific Defense, slammed onto the crystal table, shattering it. His face flushed with rage as he shouted,
"What insolence! Such cruel methods! It's been years since anyone dared to challenge our authority so brazenly!"
The Financial Elder, Saint Ethanbaron V. Nasujuro, tossed the files onto a sofa, disdain written across his face.
"Two billion beri bounty, Steel Predator Dafeirons of the Revenge Pirates—Zoan-type Kuma Kuma no Mi: Panda form. This low-level pirate caused such chaos?"
"And why was it Dafeirons, not his more ruthless brother, Aristo the Bloody Avenger?"
"We don't know yet. CP needs to investigate further," said Shepherd Ten Piter, the Agricultural Elder, drawing a Den Den Mushi from his coat.
"Contact Sengoku. Deploy warships and Admirals to seal off Sabaody. Whether it was Dafeirons or not, Sabaody must be purged."
Meanwhile, the Elder of Legal Affairs, Saint Topman Warcury, tapped his chair's armrest and said coldly,
"Before the Navy locks down Sabaody, have CP0 detain everyone remotely involved—marines, pirates, nobles, slave traders, civilians. Interrogate them all! I want to know if there's a conspiracy or if the Will of D is behind this!"
As the heated debate continued, an imposing figure in a black cape entered the hall.
"I agree. This might involve the Will of D."
The elder, with crescent-moon-shaped hair and beard, adjusted his sunglasses and gripped the hilt of his rapier. He glanced at the trembling Spandine before addressing the Gorosei.
"Let me handle this. Let's see how this incident compares to that event from the past."
(End of Chapter)
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