Chapter 45: Chapter 45
The next morning, I waited alongside Kuzan at the port, anticipating Sengoku's ship, which was supposed to escort the World Nobles to Sabaody. After about an hour of waiting, I finally laid eyes on a massive government ship, flanked by three marine warships, making its way towards the island.
As the World Nobles' ship made its way into the port, the atmosphere crackled with anticipation. The imposing vessel glided smoothly through the waters, its white sails billowing in the gentle breeze. Flanking the ship were three sleek marine warships, their cannons gleaming in the sunlight, a clear display of the World Government's authority and power.
Onboard the ship, the World Nobles, adorned in their extravagant attire, stood on the deck, surrounded by their entourage of guards and attendants. The Nobles' outfits were opulent, befitting their status as the highest echelon of society. They wore lavish robes adorned with intricate embroidery and jewels, their faces obscured by ornate masks, adding an air of mystery and superiority to their presence.
As the ship docked at the port, the welcoming committee sprung into action. Marines lined the pier, standing at attention, their uniforms crisp and impeccable. Sengoku, the future Fleet Admiral, stood at the forefront of the greeting party, his stern expression softened by a sense of duty and respect.
The moment the gangplank descended, a flurry of activity ensued. Marines and government officials rushed forward to assist the World Nobles and their entourage, ensuring their smooth transition from ship to shore. Despite their disdainful demeanor, the nobles were treated with the utmost deference, a stark reminder of their privileged position in society.
As the World Nobles disembarked, their presence seemed to cast a shadow over the bustling port. Their guards, mostly composed of stoic World Government agents, maintained a vigilant watch, their eyes darting warily to and fro, ever vigilant for any potential threats to their charges' safety.
"Hehe, Kuzan-san, don't you think the Marines currently look like the embodiment of justice?" I mocked Kuzan, who stood by my side as I watched the slaves carrying the World Nobles descend. There were a total of six world nobles, each with a minimum of five slaves serving their every whim.
"Isn't slavery supposed to be banned by the World Government and Marines, Kuzan-san? Aren't you a defender of justice?" I asked Kuzan, who already had an ugly expression on his face from witnessing how the World Nobles were treating their slaves. It was Kuzan's first time coming into contact with World Nobles.
"Ross, shut up. I don't want to hear your yapping for the next three days. I am already at my limit. And why aren't you wearing your officer's uniform?" Kuzan questioned.
"Oh, I am off duty today. I am simply here to spectate and give you moral support," I teased again. I had convinced Garp to let me off the hook after the clash with Mihawk yesterday, and Garp must have thought I would cause some sort of issue, so he immediately agreed to my request.
The World Nobles moved with an air of entitlement, their noses held high as if the very ground they walked upon was unworthy of their touch. Their disdain for those around them was palpable, and the fear they instilled in the locals was evident in the way people averted their gaze and hurriedly went about their business, hoping to avoid attracting their attention.
"Look at them," I muttered to Kuzan, my voice barely above a whisper. "Acting as if they own the world." My hatred for them was etched into my soul, especially after what they put me through at Mary Geoise.
Kuzan nodded grimly, his eyes fixed on the scene unfolding before us. "It's sickening," he replied, his voice heavy with disgust. "to think that such arrogance and cruelty are tolerated."
As the World Nobles made their way through the port, their slaves followed closely behind, their heads bowed and their bodies trembling with fear. The nobles paid them no mind, treating them as nothing more than disposable possessions to be used at their whim.
I harbored a burning desire to create some trouble for the World Nobles, perhaps even discreetly eliminate one of the Celestial Dragons. However, with figures like Sengoku and a few high-end CP agents surrounding the World Nobles, I wasn't sure if I could take them out discreetly.
The World Nobles disdained walking on the same ground as others walked on, so they were being carried on the backs of their slaves, who acted as their mounts.
Kuzan and I stood at a distance, overlooking a part of the security detail. The first casualty of the day occurred just a few minutes after the World Nobles disembarked. It happened when a child, likely separated by the commotion of the approaching World Nobles, failed to kneel because the child was not aware of such customs. Before anyone could intervene, one of the World Nobles simply pulled out his pistol and shot the child in cold blood.
The child's lifeless body fell to the ground, unnoticed by the kneeling civilians who remained silent. Two soldiers callously carried the child's body and dumped it in an alleyway. As I watched this horrific scene unfold, I couldn't help but feel a chill in the air. It took me a moment to realize that the temperature had dropped significantly. Kuzan's unconscious use of his ice fruit powers was affecting his surroundings.
"Kuzan-san, calm down," I said, trying to soothe him. "You haven't seen anything yet. This is just the beginning. The worst is yet to come, and this is who you Marines truly serve." I continued to follow the World Nobles' security detail, dragging Kuzan along with me.
As we followed the World Nobles and their entourage through the bustling streets of Sabaody, it became increasingly clear just how cruel and disdainful they were towards others.
At one point, a World Noble's mount stumbled, causing the noble to almost fall to the ground. Without a moment's hesitation, the noble lashed out at the slave who had been carrying them, striking them across the face with a vicious backhand. "You worthless scum!" the noble spat, their voice dripping with contempt.
The Celestial Dragon, after punishing the slave, scanned the surroundings with a cruel glint in his eyes. His mount needed replacing, and he spotted a young mother with an infant child kneeling nearby. With a cold and indifferent tone, he declared, "You peasant, you will serve me from today." The crowd around the trembling mother retreated, realizing her fate was sealed.
As the Celestial Dragon directed his mount towards the woman, Admiral Sengoku attempted to intervene, suggesting they move to the entertainment district for safety. However, his plan was shattered by an authoritative voice. "Oh, the government's dog wants to dictate what we can do?" remarked an old man dressed in extravagant clothes similar to the other nobles.
Sengoku's expression soured at being called a dog, but he couldn't retaliate. This old man held a high position within Mary Geoise, backed not just by status but also strength. Although he was not a powerhouse, he could hold his ground in a fight. It was clear why Sengoku had been personally mobilized as an escort—a significant celestial dragon was among them.
Observing from a distance, I raised my brows in surprise. It was unusual for a world noble to openly insult an admiral, especially considering their role as a deterrent for the protection of celestial dragons in the outside world. Even Kuzan beside me seemed shocked by the disrespect shown towards the admiral. It was evident that this wasn't just any ordinary gathering of nobles; there were powerful figures among them who wielded significant influence.
The old celestial dragon approached the kneeling woman, disregarding Sengoku's presence. The CP agents stepped up to flank the World Nobles, but the old man simply stopped his slave mount in front of the trembling woman.
"Sir, please spare us. I have an infant to take care of," the young woman pleaded, tears and snot running down her face as she remained kneeling on the ground.
"Bang!" A gunshot rang out through the street before anyone could react; even Sengoku was too late to intervene. Blood splattered as the cry of the little infant ceased, its life snuffed out in an instant, leaving the mother in shock.
"Ahhhhhhh!" The shock set in as the mother realized what had happened, her cry echoing through the street, but the celestial dragon showed no emotion other than disdain on his face.
"Now that you don't have an infant to take care of, you can serve my nephew," he chuckled, placing his gun back into his holster.
Contrary to everyone's expectations, the woman did not stay down. With bloodshot eyes, she jumped up, grabbed a spear from a nearby soldier, and plunged it in the direction of the World Noble, aiming to skewer him through the throat. The World Noble was caught off guard, but managed to dodge the attack just in time.
The Celestial Dragon, who originally desired the woman, flew into a rage. "How dare you defy us, you lowly peasant!" His voice boomed with fury, echoing through the street. I knew the woman's fate was sealed the moment she attempted to attack the Celestial Dragon.
"Don't!" Sengoku attempted to intervene, but before he could act, multiple gunshots rang out, piercing the young woman's body. She was littered with bullets, yet her intense hatred and will to retaliate were palpable. Sensing her determination, I subtly directed my Haoshoku discreetly towards the two CP agents who were about to cut her down. They faltered for a moment, providing the opening she needed.
With her last breath, she swung the spear one final time, her target being the other noble who had instigated the tragedy. Despite her lack of experience with the weapon, the spear moved with blinding speed, carrying all the will and hate of a dying mother. It pierced through the air, plunging into the Celestial Dragon's eyes and then through his skull.
I knew I had to act swiftly. I couldn't let those two CP agents survive. Rushing forward amidst the chaos that engulfed Sabaody, I moved to eliminate the threats before my foulplay was revealed. I readied my blade, ready to strike with lethal precision.
With one smooth motion, I drew Sandai Kitetsu and sliced through the two CP agents who had yet to fully recover. Even Sengoku seemed perplexed by my sudden attack on the agents.
"Pathetic!" I sneered, masking my true intentions. "You couldn't save your masters despite being so close to the killer. Such incompetent bastards!" My words were meant to divert attention away from my true motive. Meanwhile, the other CP agents quickly regrouped and formed defensive formations around the World Nobles, who stood shell-shocked as the reality of the situation settled in.
"You bastard! How dare you attack the CP agents?" One of the officers bellowed, ready to rush forward and restrain me. But I simply pointed my blood-stained blade at him, gesturing towards the fallen Celestial Dragon.
"Are you saying that their lives are worth more than the esteemed Tenryubito's life?" I questioned, my disgust evident. "You're all pathetic. Your only duty was to serve and protect the Celestial Dragons, so what use are you alive if you cannot fulfill your sole purpose?"
Sengoku sensed that something was amiss, but the chaos of the situation made it difficult to discern the truth. The deaths of two CP agents, while concerning, paled in comparison to the death of a celestial dragon right under his nose. This incident was bound to have severe repercussions for the entire Marine organization.
Amidst the chaos and confusion that ensued after the death of the Celestial Dragon, the severity of the situation quickly became apparent. The news of the incident was swiftly relayed back to Marineford, where it sent shockwaves through the highest echelons of the Marine hierarchy. The death of a celestial dragon was not just a mere tragedy; it was an affront to the very foundation of the world government's authority.
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