On the Radiant Eclipse, Stussy picked a room for herself, lounging lazily on a chaise.
She absentmindedly stirred her coffee.
"What a pity," she muttered.
Her mind drifted back to the conversations she had just had with the crew members on board. They were all quite warm and kindhearted. Through them, she had learned more about Kuke, gaining deeper insight.
To Stussy, the Sun and Moon Pirates didn't seem like typical pirates. They didn't steal wealth, nor did they conquer territories—completely unlike Big Mom's pirate crew or the brutal underworld she was used to.
For Stussy, who was always walking on thin ice in the New World, this was a rare chance to relax.
"They trust people too easily. You all think I'm not really a pirate?" Stussy sighed softly to herself. Didn't they understand how much the World Government wanted them dead? And yet they dared to let her board the ship so easily—they were far too naïve.
From the moment she boarded, Stussy knew she held the fates of Kuke, the Sun and Moon Pirates, and everyone on board in her hands. All she needed to do was relay their intended course to the World Government, and they would be finished.
"Sigh..."
Stussy let out a soft sigh.
Sorry, but I hope that day comes a little later.
...
...
The Holy Land, Mariejois.
Information passed through special channels, quickly reaching the Five Elders. It wasn't Stussy who had informed them—it was another undercover government agent on board the pleasure ship, a spy so well-hidden that even Stussy herself didn't know.
"Stussy has entered the Sun and Moon Pirates."
The Five Elders shared satisfied smiles, feeling as though everything was under control.
"All that remains is for Stussy to find out more about Kuke's abilities, and determine the Sun and Moon Pirates' future route. After that, it will all be over."
They couldn't see any possible way for the Sun and Moon Pirates to turn the tables. A few short months, a year or two at most, and they would be eradicated.
Feeling pleased, the Five Elders called Fleet Admiral Sengoku at Marine Headquarters.
"Prepare for battle," was all they said.
Sengoku immediately understood.
"As expected from the Five Elders," he praised respectfully.
The Five Elders looked proud, as if to say, "Of course. We are the rulers of the World Government. When we make a move, success is guaranteed—failure is not an option."
"It's only because you Marines are useless," one of the Elders said.
Sengoku could only respond with a forced smile.
...
...
Time passed to the next day.
The eye-catching pleasure ship, along with the Radiant Eclipse, had both left the port, disappearing from the view of the citizens of the Goa Kingdom.
"Even Kuke himself wouldn't want to face the Celestial Dragons, huh?" someone murmured.
"Makes sense. If given the choice, anyone would leave after hearing the Celestial Dragons were coming. It's better to avoid trouble than to confront it."
"But Lord Kuke was the first to invade the Holy Land!" another argued.
"He only freed the slaves; he didn't directly attack the Celestial Dragons. It's not the same thing, is it?"
The citizens shook their heads and let go of those thoughts.
They saw a huge, luxurious ship approaching on the inland river, escorted by three East Blue warships. A Celestial Dragon had arrived in East Blue, and the entire East Blue Navy was to serve him, with everything centered around the Celestial Dragon.
"They're here!" someone exclaimed.
The citizens quickly hid their emotions, bowing to the ground, their faces pressed into the dirt, hiding their expressions.
Even three-year-old children, innocent and unaware, were forced down by adults, their mouths covered to prevent any accidental insults to the Celestial Dragon.
Everyone trembled.
"Lord Dracula Roswald! Welcome to the Goa Kingdom," the king groveled, approaching the Celestial Dragon.
A fat man with an ugly face, wearing a bubble helmet—Dracula Roswald—sat on a palanquin carried by eight beautiful women.
"Not bad," he said, satisfied as he looked at the neatly kneeling citizens.
The eight women trembled under the weight. Without much strength, carrying this "pig" was extremely difficult for them. Yet they dared not show any signs of struggle—that would be disrespectful to a "god."
Instead, they were forced to put on looks of delight, as if carrying the Celestial Dragon was a great honor. Any woman who failed to display such enthusiasm had already been thrown into the sea by the Celestial Dragon before.
"Let them raise their heads," Dracula Roswald ordered.
"Yes!"
The king turned and ordered, "All women, raise your heads!"
The citizens kneeling on either side of the street complied.
The men clenched their fists secretly. Once again! Once again, they were being treated like livestock.
Their heads pressed to the ground, they gritted their teeth in anger. None dared to make a move.
The women, their makeup beautifully done—a compulsory requirement—raised their heads in fear, their tearful eyes wide open.
Dracula Roswald's gaze roamed over them with abandon, as if he were choosing a concubine.
"Her!"
He pointed at one of them.
The woman trembled, her beautiful face paling instantly. The family beside her felt their hearts breaking.
"Her!"
"And her!"
Wherever the Celestial Dragon pointed, the women lost all hope. Their empty eyes and rigid bodies were forcefully lifted by the Celestial Dragon's guards.
Their fate was to be taken by the Celestial Dragon, becoming slaves. When he grew bored of them, they would either die somewhere in the vast ocean or live forever in the hellish confines of the Celestial Dragon's domain.
The selection continued.
From the port to the kingdom, the entire capital was silent. An oppressive atmosphere hung over the impeccably clean city.
"What an ugly species," someone muttered.
In the tower above, Kuke turned to Stussy, whose body was tense beside him.
"What do you think?" he asked.
...