บท 16: 16. Beating The Celestial Dragons
"Even idiots have their limits," muttered Jewelry Bonney, observing the scene before her. Even the supernovas lurking in the shadows felt a cold sweat trickle down their spines.
Challenging the Celestial Dragons openly in the street was a bold move. Given the Dragons' arrogant demeanour, conflict was inevitable. And with the Straw Hats' formidable strength and rebellious nature, it was certain that the Celestial Dragons would be overthrown.
If the Celestial Dragons were attacked, repercussions would ripple throughout the Sabaody Archipelago.
"The Straw Hat Pirates probably lack even this basic sense," Apoo remarked from his hiding spot behind a chimney.
"Are you trying to provoke me?" Luffy and Zoro's voices cut through the tense silence, echoing clearly in the quiet street.
Saint Charlos, seated upon his slave, his face contorted in rage beneath the soap bubbles, felt deeply insulted by the civilians' comparison of him to a street performer and a courtesan. This was an affront to his lineage, the blood of the Celestial Dragons.
With a snarl, Saint Charlos raised his golden pistol, aiming it directly at Luffy's head.
Luffy's smile faded instantly, replaced by a chilling intensity in his eyes.
"Did you make up your mind when you raised that gun?" he asked, his voice devoid of its earlier joviality.
Luffy lowered his head slightly, his gaze piercing, reminiscent of the moment when Shanks faced down a bandit king with a gun. In truth, he had harboured resentment toward the man before him for some time.
The people around him felt an indescribable mix of fear, resentment, and anger towards the Celestial Dragon. Even Camie, Xiao Ba, and Pappagu behind him were consumed by an abyssal fear as the Celestial Dragons raised their pistols.
"Rot in hell, scum," Saint Charlos sneered, his face twisted with cruelty as he pulled the trigger.
Boom. Bullets flew.
Yet, Luffy walked toward Charlos, calmly dodging the bullets with a slight turn of his head.
"No way, Straw Hat," Jewelry Bonney's heart raced as she watched.
Bang, bang, bang. Three more shots whizzed past Luffy's ear, but he continued his steady advance.
Before long, Luffy stood before the Celestial Dragons, his sharp gaze sending shivers down Charlos's spine. Fear turned to rage in an instant as if the superior had been affronted.
"Dispose of him at once!" Saint Charlos barked, and several men in black suits moved to obey.
"Yes, Lord Charlos," the men in black suits obediently replied.
Just as they were about to move forward, a menacing aura swept over them, causing several to collapse to the ground, eyes rolled back.
Meanwhile, Zoro took a sip of wine and calmly observed the scene. Though he often clashed with Luffy, he was fiercely protective of his captain. When Luffy faced off against Charlos, Zoro made sure no one dared to interfere.
"Let me ask you something. When you raised that gun, did you decide to face the consequences?" Luffy's gaze bore into Charlos.
The Celestial Dragons before him evoked the strongest emotions Luffy had felt since awakening his Haki. The fear and resentment in the air were palpable and overwhelming.
"You scum! I am a Celestial Dragon! You dare to defy me, kneel!" Charlos bellowed, his superiority complex intact despite running out of bullets. He lunged at Luffy, but Luffy effortlessly dodged, the pistol grazing past him.
With a raised fist, Luffy made his move.
Capone Bege broke out in a cold sweat while Law watched nervously, a mix of anticipation and anxiety evident in his eyes.
"No way," Apoo muttered in disbelief from his vantage point on the roof.
Boom. Luffy's punch shattered the soap bubble in front of him.
"Fly high for me," Luffy commanded, feeling the impact of his fist against his target's face.
The force behind the blow was tremendous. A shockwave rippled out from Luffy's fist, cutting through the air with a white streak that seemed to split the entire commercial street. White circular waves emanated from the impact point, creating a sonic boom.
Even without activating his second gear, Luffy's strength was formidable.
"Ah, sending scum like that flying is so satisfying," Luffy remarked, withdrawing his fist and adjusting his straw hat with a broad smile.
"It's weak, but it doesn't seem like an acrobat, does it?" Zoro pondered, perplexed by the scene before him.
Unable to perceive emotions, Zoro mistook the Celestial Dragons' appearance and the reactions of the onlookers as unique to Sabaody.
"But it doesn't matter. Such weaklings."
Zoro yawned, taking a sip from his wine bottle. The warm sunshine of Sabaody beckoned him to find a cosy spot for a nap.
"What's going on? Why's it suddenly so quiet?" Luffy questioned, sensing the unusual atmosphere.
Around them, the kneeling civilians looked up in shock while the distant supernovas stood frozen in disbelief.
"The Celestial Dragons got beaten?" The stunned silence was broken by a cacophony of voices.
"Run!" Someone shouted, and in an instant, the civilians scattered, fleeing for safety.
Soon, only Luffy and a few supernovas remained in the once-bustling street.
"I'm finally free. You're pirates. Get out of here," a weak voice spoke beside them.
It was the slave, the man who had been used as a mount by the Celestial Dragons.
The man, tall but emaciated, bore welts and fresh blood on his face.
"Are you alright? Your injuries look severe," Luffy inquired, concern evident in his voice.
"I'll be fine. Death will be a relief for me soon," the man replied calmly, no longer kneeling but sitting on the ground in a relaxed manner. "You should flee. If you confront the Celestial Dragons, Admirals will come to this island. You won't stand a chance."
"Celestial Dragons, Admirals... Oh yeah, Shakky mentioned them. But why talk about dying? We have top-notch doctors. Don't worry, you won't die from your injuries," Luffy reassured with a grin.
The slave man looked at Luffy, taken aback. "You're not like other pirates."
"It doesn't matter. This collar is about to explode. Without the key, it can't be removed," the man explained solemnly.
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