Caelan returned to the Wind Rider, and just as he was preparing to set sail, he received news from Gecko Moria.
"The Celestial Dragons really are filthy rich. They just bought a few more Devil Fruits. I heard there are two Mythical Zoan and one Logia among them."
"Damn it, I really want to snatch one!"
Moria's eyes were bloodshot with envy as he sighed.
The thought of such rare Devil Fruits being fed to slaves by the Celestial Dragons made his heart ache.
If those Fruits had gone to him, he could easily cultivate a few more fighters on the level of the Seven Warlords.
The speaker had no intent, but the listener did. Caelan had taken it all in.
"If you're that jealous… then let's take them!"
"Caelan-sama, I was just kidding!"
Moria waved his hands in a panic, clearly terrified.
He had been speaking casually, but this monster actually took him seriously!
"Moria, I'm not joking."
Caelan stared at him, deadly serious.
"Those Celestial Dragons are trash, but their status is protected. If we touch them, the World Government won't let us go!"
Moria surrounded Caelan, trying his best to reason with him.
"Haha. And yet you're happily using the shadows of CP9? You think the World Government's going to let you off?"
Caelan sneered, disdain in his voice.
The moment he wiped out CP9, he had already become a sworn enemy of the World Government.
And besides, he didn't recognize so-called 'world nobles.'
"I'm being hunted from all sides anyway. Might as well make it worth it!"
A fierce glint flashed in Caelan's eyes. He had already made up his mind.
"Robin, Nami, are you in?"
Nami and the others looked at Caelan. They could feel his imposing aura. He didn't even take the Celestial Dragons seriously.
"Let's do it."
Robin spoke first, her voice steady and unwavering.
After all, Caelan had defied the World Government for her sake. No matter what he decided to do, she would support him.
"Let's do it!"
Nami, usually the cautious one, also spoke up.
Caelan had saved her entire village. She couldn't bear to turn away from him now.
"Let's do it!"
Vivi answered loudly.
As the princess of Alabasta, she should have been more rational.
But Caelan had promised to protect Alabasta. She had no reason to hesitate.
Kalifa and Tashigi exchanged glances before responding together.
"Let's do it!"
Although they had once served the World Government and were still slightly conflicted, they had made their choice.
Besides, it was just the Celestial Dragons. Why not?
Perona also silently stood beside Caelan and voiced her determination.
"I'm in too."
Gritting his teeth, Moria finally gave in to Caelan's resolve.
Following a boss like this, he had no choice but to go all the way.
His worn-out ambition was suddenly reignited in the face of Caelan's madness.
"Alright!"
"Where are they? Let's go kill them!"
Caelan nodded with satisfaction as he looked at the united group.
"They're at another port. They left not long ago. We can still catch up!"
Moria pointed in the direction they had gone.
Soon, the Wind Rider and Moria's ship charged toward the Celestial Dragons like mad beasts.
As they approached, Caelan spotted CP0 agents in white uniforms standing guard on the deck.
"Stop! The Celestial Dragons are aboard this ship!"
The CP0 agent shouted, attempting to drive Caelan and his group away.
If it were anyone else, they would've already fired a cannon without hesitation.
But this agent was mindful of intelligence and recognized both Caelan—on par with the Four Emperors—and Gecko Moria, a former Warlord of the Sea.
"Haha. I'm here to beat up Celestial Dragons."
Caelan paid no attention and sped up instead.
"Damn it!"
The CP0 agent cursed internally, feeling like the sky was collapsing.
For years, no one had dared lay a hand on the Celestial Dragons. Their so-called 'divine authority' had intimidated countless pirates.
But those who did dare to attack were all absolute monsters, beyond reason or restraint.
And without a doubt, Caelan was one of them.
The ship was already on the brink of destruction.
Before Caelan could even board, the CP0 agent picked up a Den Den Mushi and contacted the Five Elders.
…
Main Hall, Holy Land Mariejois
The Five Elders had just received a report from Kizaru: Rayleigh had been successfully handed over.
The five old men lounged lazily on sofas, red wine glasses clinking. Their mood was excellent.
"A mere 3.8 billion Berries for the Pirate King's right hand. What a bargain!"
Saint Mars swirled his wine glass, closing his eyes in delight.
"Every time we captured a pirate of this level in the past, we had to deploy top-tier forces. The cost in manpower and resources was like a war. Even if successful, it often came at a huge price."
Saint Saturn was just as sentimental.
Even now, their elite troops were being whittled down. Training new ones cost time and treasure.
"But now we don't have to worry. With Caelan working for us, everything's easier."
Saint Warcury said smugly.
Anything that could be solved with money wasn't a real problem.
With over 170 member nations paying tribute, they held the greatest wealth in the world.
"If this keeps up, he'll start hunting the Four Emperors next, right?"
"Which one will it be? Charlotte Linlin? Kaido? Or Whitebeard?"
Saint Nasujuro leaned back into the sofa, speaking comfortably.
"No matter who it is, we profit. Even if it's 5 billion Berries, give it to him!"
Saint Saturn waved grandly, filled with bravado.
"Hahaha. Bounty hunters like him are just tools we use."
At his words, the other Elders burst out in laughter.
"Cheers to our hero!"
The five raised their glasses in celebration, openly mocking.
Just then, Spandine entered, eyes red.
"Reporting to the Five Elders, two days ago, Caelan wiped out the CP9 unit near the Florian Triangle."
Spandine knelt before them, his voice trembling.
The Five Elders, who had been brimming with joy, suddenly froze, all eyes fixed on Spandine.
"Impossible! You must be mistaken!"
Saint Saturn erupted, releasing an oppressive aura that nearly crushed Spandine.
"Two days ago, my son Spandam led all senior CP9 agents to the Florian Triangle to capture Nico Robin, the 'Devil's Child' aboard Caelan's ship."
"Afterwards, I discovered my son's Vivre card had turned to ashes. I investigated everything and concluded that it was Caelan's doing."
Spandine spoke slowly, his voice strained under the pressure.
"Impossible! Absolutely not!"
Saint Saturn roared in denial.
Caelan's position was too important. He couldn't believe it.
If Caelan remained a bounty hunter, he would be the World Government's sharpest weapon—eliminating unruly legends one after another.
But if Caelan turned against them, he would become a powerful enemy—one who required at least two Admirals to restrain.
Just then, another Den Den Mushi rang. Saint Nasujuro impatiently picked it up.
"Five Elder Stars, Caelan has attacked the ship of Saint Charlos. He has..."
The voice abruptly cut off with the sound of a body hitting the floor.
Then, silence.
Saint Nasujuro crushed the Den Den Mushi in his hand, his face ashen.
(To be continued.)
***
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