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...
On the visual screens across Sabaody Archipelago, the image of Noir slashing a Celestial Dragon's head froze, burned into the minds of the onlookers.
Shock filled every face. A Celestial Dragon, a being considered above all others, had been brutally murdered. And now someone was demanding a ransom for the rest.
The initial shock gave way to unbridled joy. This act of defiance was met with cheers!
No one in the world held any affection for the Celestial Dragons.
Or rather, everyone hated them.
But their absolute authority kept people in check. No one challenged them. Now, witnessing Noir's audacious actions, many couldn't help but admire him.
Noir couldn't see the reactions on the visual screens, but he could imagine the Marines' response.
He removed his blood-soaked gloves, glancing at the corpse on the ground. "Hang the body. We're leaving."
The crew, seeing Noir's ruthless efficiency in executing the Celestial Dragon and hearing his bold declaration, felt their respect for him deepen.
His loyal followers obeyed without question, rolling up their sleeves and getting to work.
Shalria, pinned to the ground by Noir, watched as her father's headless body was strung up on a tree. Tears welled up in her eyes.
She thrashed wildly, trying to break free from the ropes, but Noir slapped her back down.
As she tried to rise again, he plopped down on her arched back, nearly sending her face-first into the dirt.
Noir looked at her coldly, a cruel smile twisting his lips. "Do you want to end up like your father?"
Shalria met his icy gaze, then glanced at the mangled corpse, a shiver running down her spine.
The simple act of killing her father right before her eyes had silenced her completely.
Noir's voice dripped with mockery. "A pampered Celestial Dragon, used as a chair, her father murdered… don't you want revenge?"
Shalria, struggling to breathe under Noir's weight, could only manage a hateful glare.
He shrugged off her look. He'd faced down far more terrifying, hateful glares from far more dangerous enemies. What was a spoiled Celestial Dragon to him?
Ignoring her glare, he patted her back condescendingly, making her tremble.
"Until the ransom arrives, you'll be my temporary chair," he said with a satisfied smirk. "I don't mind getting a little dirty."
Shalria's eyes widened in terror. "No!" she cried.
But her resistance was futile, both physically and verbally.
The execution of one Celestial Dragon had sent a chilling message to the rest, finally silencing these self-proclaimed descendants of God.
....
After a swift regrouping, Noir and his crew departed the island on a modified warship. Not long after they left, several heavily armed Marine ships arrived.
It was the same familiar man, Kizaru, forced yet again into overtime. He wearily disembarked to assess the situation.
He soon found the headless corpse dangling from a tree.
Kizaru flipped open the cover of the Den Den Mushi on his wrist and reported to headquarters, "I've arrived at the destination. Only Saint Rosward's body remains."
The Den Den Mushi transformed into the face of an old man, his teeth gritted in anger as he heard Kizaru's report. "That damned Devil! He anticipated we would track him..."
Kizaru stifled a yawn. "So… what now?"
Just then, a Marine rushed over, holding something in his hand. "Admiral! We found a Den Den Mushi under Saint Rosward's body!"
Kizaru took the Den Den Mushi, scratching his forehead. "What's this for?"
As if on cue, the Den Den Mushi in his hand rang, startling Sengoku, who was on the other end of the communication.
"Borsalino, answer it. Let me speak."
Kizaru obediently complied, picking up the receiver and holding his wrist Den Den Mushi close to the mouthpiece.
Noir's cheerful voice boomed from the other end. "Moshi moshi? Who is this?"
Sengoku's voice was firm and unwavering. "Devil Noir, I order you to release the Celestial Dragons immediately!"
Noir, now miles away, sat on the deck of the ship, staring at the Den Den Mushi in surprise.
Sengoku was personally handling this?
The old man wasn't to be underestimated in terms of combat strength, but wasn't he supposed to be a desk jockey?
Meanwhile, a certain errand-running admiral, barely able to keep his eyes open, held the two Den Den Mushis, utterly indifferent to the conversation.
Over the transponder snail, Noir was in his element, talking trash with impunity. Since it wasn't a face-to-face confrontation, he could be as arrogant as he pleased. "I refuse! What are you going to do about it?"
"Come and Catch Me If You Can!"
Of course, it would be best if they didn't send that violent grandpa Garp...
Sengoku, his round glasses nearly falling off his face, seethed with barely suppressed rage. "The Marines will never negotiate with you, greedy pirate!"
Noir, nonchalantly crossing his legs, responded to Sengoku's outburst. "I don't care whether the Marines agree or not."
Sengoku was momentarily speechless, then he understood.
Under normal circumstances, the Marines and the Government wouldn't tolerate any pirate's demands, resorting to brute force instead.
But there was one exception: anything involving the Government's dignity and the Celestial Dragons!
Years ago, Doflamingo had hijacked the Heavenly Tribute, threatening the interests of the Celestial Dragons. He'd negotiated with the Government and secured his position as a Warlord.
In other words, the Marines might be stubborn, refusing to compromise with pirates at any cost, but the World Government was different.
With the World Government as their superiors, Sengoku and the Marines could never disregard the safety of the Celestial Dragons.
Therefore, Sengoku had to capture Noir quickly. Otherwise, the World Government might decide to negotiate with him directly.
Though Sengoku doubted that even the often-compromising Government would tolerate the brutal murder of a Celestial Dragon, he couldn't take any chances.
The weight on Sengoku's shoulders grew heavier, but his voice remained firm as he addressed Noir. "I will find you, Devil Noir!"
Noir picked at his ear. "That title is so boring. Can't you come up with something more interesting Like Devil King?"
Sengoku's anger turned into a humorless laugh. "You won't have any more titles soon enough!"
Unfazed, Noir tapped his head. "I almost forgot! Make sure you keep that Den Den Mushi safe."
"When you're ready to make a deal, contact me. I'll give you the location for the exchange."
Before Sengoku could respond, Noir continued, "Don't even think about trying to track the signal. I've already blocked it."
Without giving Sengoku a chance to speak, Noir abruptly hung up.
Sengoku closed his eyes, the weight of the situation pressing down on him like a mountain.
One Celestial Dragon dead for each day that passed… if Noir was serious…
Sengoku dreaded the thought of the Five Elders berating the Marines over the phone.
...
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