"Sengoku, do you need me to go?"
After hearing the conversation between Kizaru and Sengoku, Akainu stood up. Although his expression remained calm and his tone steady, anger was already boiling inside him.
Akainu, who upheld absolute justice, would never tolerate such lawlessness. Pirates running rampant, especially Elior and his crew, who had captured the Celestial Dragons and openly challenged the authority of the World Government?
For Akainu, such actions were unforgivable. Absolutely intolerable.
"Sakazuki, take action! I fear that Borsalino will struggle to handle two opponents of admiral-level combat alone. And there is also Shiryu, whose combat power is nearly at that level!"
"Not easy to deal with!" said Vice Admiral Tsuru.
"That young man's name is Elior, right? There's a high chance he has the same level of power as an admiral!"
"Hmph! Borsalino and I are more than enough to handle them! A bunch of scum! They won't be allowed to run wild on the Sabaody Archipelago!"
Akainu's tone finally betrayed his anger.
"Regardless, this is a crucial moment. We are about to go to war with the Whitebeard Pirates, so be cautious, Sakazuki!"
"I know what I'm doing, Sengoku."
...
"Is this guy a monster?"
Kid, who had just taken down a Pacifista alongside Law, was utterly shocked by Elior, who was manhandling Kuma.
Elior's power, at this moment, was beyond his comprehension. He had to admit to himself that it was simply unimaginable.
What he couldn't accept was that Elior was clearly younger than him—and not just stronger, but far, far stronger. And the way he was overwhelming Kuma, it was obvious he wasn't even using his full strength!
"Monster!"
Law was even more shaken than Kid.
"With people like him, plus Bullet and the others, the world is bound to be in turmoil."
Rayleigh frowned, looking at Elior in the distance with concern. At the same time, he subtly moved, preparing to take Luffy away.
"Uncle, what about the Celestial Dragons?"
Sentomaru, standing behind Kizaru, asked worriedly. In his mind, protecting the Celestial Dragons was his duty. After all, he commanded all the Pacifistas, and that power had been granted to him by the Celestial Dragons themselves.
Many other Marines also felt the pressure. They feared that if the Celestial Dragons accused them of incompetence, they could be punished—or worse, enslaved. That would truly be a fate worse than death.
"Elior, what do you intend to do by capturing the Celestial Dragons?"
Kizaru's tone was still laid-back, but the unspoken demand was clear. Though the Celestial Dragons hadn't spoken, their eyes were filled with the expectation that Kizaru would save them. One of the primary duties of an admiral was to protect the Celestial Dragons.
"Kill these people immediately, or I will have the Five Elders tear you apart and throw you into Impel Down!"
Saint Charlos, the most heavily injured among them, suddenly found his courage, emboldened by Kizaru's presence, and roared in rage.
Bang!
In response, Elior kicked him in the stomach. The force wasn't particularly strong, but it was enough to make Charlos almost vomit.
"Aaaahh…!"
The overwhelming pain made him scream, tears rolling down his face.
"He actually struck a Celestial Dragon in front of an admiral!"
The hidden reporters swallowed hard, frantically snapping photos. This was the biggest news of the era!
Elior's actions shattered their worldview. Someone was actually standing up to the Celestial Dragons?
"What do I mean?"
Elior smirked, showing no fear as he faced Kizaru.
Bullet and the others grinned as well. Their encounter with Elior was a match made in heaven.
"You guys are insane!"
Kizaru sighed.
"Release the Celestial Dragons immediately, or your fate will be worse than death!"
Sentomaru, who was more straightforward than Kizaru, made his stance clear.
At that moment, Elior crouched slightly, placing his right hand on the ground. Instantly, an enormous surge of ice energy erupted.
Boom!
A thick tsunami of ice spread out in a 100-meter radius, freezing everything in its path. Kizaru and the others were caught off guard by the sudden surge of ice.
"Let's get down to business."
Elior turned away as Crocodile used a sand-formed whip to drag the three Celestial Dragons like prisoners.
Everyone knew exactly what Elior meant.
What they were about to do next would be unprecedented.
Everyone admired Elior's boldness and madness.
"There's going to be a war soon, so endure it while I handle my business."
Elior's voice echoed as he walked away.
The three Celestial Dragons trembled, fully aware of what the demon before them was planning.
"Let me go! I can give you limitless wealth!"
Charlos was so terrified that he wet himself.
"Please! I'll do anything! Just let me go!"
The other two Celestial Dragons also broke down, begging for mercy.
At this moment, these so-called gods, who had been raised in arrogance from birth, had abandoned all dignity.
Their groveling was more pathetic than that of a dog.
But Elior ignored them.
What were the Celestial Dragons to him?
To Elior, they weren't even human.
"Heh, I'm looking forward to this more and more."
Shiryu grinned wickedly. His hatred for the World Government was endless, and he was eager to see what Elior would do next.