"Rogers Daren, Admiral of the North Blue, Supreme Commander of the North Blue Marines, Captain of Marine Headquarters—at your service, Saint Xildes-sama."
Captain Darren's voice was laid-back, calm, and magnetic as it echoed through the silent street.
The blood-covered man stared blankly at the tall, imposing figure before him, completely still.
Gion, Tokikake, and the others were equally stunned, exchanging glances in disbelief.
Darren... had stopped that bullet...
He had stopped the Celestial Dragons from firing.
Yet, for some reason, both Gion and Tokikake let out a quiet sigh of relief.
"North Blue... Admiral of the North Blue?"
Saint Xildes was momentarily stunned. The overwhelming presence of the Marine made his back break into a cold sweat. With a fierce but hollow tone, he growled,
He paused, then suddenly let out a crazed roar.
"You dare defy a Celestial Dragon!?"
Darren suddenly laughed.
His eyes narrowed, and a sly grin curled on his lips like that of a cunning fox.
"No, Saint Xildes-sama. I had no intention of stopping you."
"I just happen to think..."
Without warning, Darren turned sharply and lashed out with a brutal kick.
His gleaming black military boot slammed hard into the man's abdomen.
The sheer force of the blow was so intense the man couldn't even cry out. He flew back like a severed kite, tracing a bloody arc through the air before crashing down over ten meters away.
Whether he lived or died was unclear.
Everyone watching drew a sharp breath.
Gion and Tokikake's eyes were bloodshot, and a surge of uncontrollable fury boiled up inside them. One gripped the hilt of their sword, the other tensed every muscle, both on the verge of action.
But before they could move, Momonga stepped in front of them. With a cold expression, he spoke in a low voice,
"Do you want everyone on this island to die because of your stupidity?"
The chill in Momonga's voice and the severity of his words hit them like a bucket of ice water, sending shivers down their spines.
Their trembling, bloodshot eyes flickered, and their breathing grew ragged. But despite the fury coursing through their veins, they forcibly relaxed their tense bodies.
If they made a move here and provoked the wrath of the Celestial Dragons, Saint Xildes-sama would unleash his fury on the entire Batia Island.
And by then, it wouldn't be just one civilian's life on the line.
Everyone on this island would be dragged to the grave with them—all because of their recklessness and rage.
They clenched their teeth so hard it was a wonder they didn't shatter.
Even Saint Xildes-sama himself looked on in stunned disbelief, unable to grasp what the Marine Captain was thinking.
At that moment, Darren withdrew his foot and said with a cheerful smile:
"There's no need for Saint Xildes-sama to dirty his hands dealing with a pariah like that, is there?"
Saint Xildes-sama was briefly stunned, then a smug grin spread across his face.
"Hahahaha! Very good! You truly live up to being a watchdog of the Celestial Dragons—so obedient..."
Darren replied with a smile that didn't reach his eyes.
"Serving the great Celestial Dragons and the esteemed World Government has always been our duty as Marines."
Not far away, Gion and Tokikake were seething, their eyes bloodshot, chests heaving with barely suppressed rage.
Darren stepped forward, leaned close to Saint Xildes-sama, and lowered his voice.
"Saint Xildes-sama, with your status and stature, there's no need to waste your time on these lowborn trash."
"You rarely grace the North Blue with your presence. The Marines here have prepared a modest gift for you. I hope you won't refuse it."
"This is a token of the North Blue people's admiration and hospitality toward the great and holy Saint Xildes-sama—and a small personal gesture from me as well."
As he spoke, he clapped his hands. Within seconds, Mayor Hunter came trotting over, grinning ear to ear, followed by a dozen militiamen carrying heavy crates.
"Greetings, Saint Xildes-sama!"
Mayor Hunter bowed repeatedly, his face smeared with a sycophantic smile. Google seaʀᴄh NoveIꜰire.net
Saint Xildes-sama didn't spare him a glance. He simply narrowed his eyes at Darren, then stepped forward and casually pried open one of the crates.
A dazzling, multicolored gleam burst from the crack—it was packed with gold and silver treasure.
At last, a look of satisfaction appeared on Saint Xildes-sama's face.
He closed the lid and looked at Darren with newfound appreciation, bursting into laughter.
"Darren, was it? Excellent. I like you."
"With your talents and capabilities, staying in the North Blue as just an admiral is a waste."
Though Celestial Dragons were nobles of the world, wielding unimaginable power, even they often lacked money.
The World Government's provisions for each noble were fortunes that common folk could never imagine, yet for the indulgent, depraved, and extravagantly wasteful Celestial Dragons, it was never enough.
Darren smiled and shook his head.
"It's all for the sake of justice and the Marine cause. No matter the post, so long as you do your part, that's what matters."
"North Blue may not match the excitement of the Grand Line, but I grew up here. I'm deeply connected to these waters."
"Saint Xildes-sama, a World Government official arrived at the port two minutes ago. For your safety, I suggest departing for the Holy Land as soon as possible."
Saint Xildes-sama nodded at that.
"True enough... The air in the North Blue reeks of filth and vulgarity. It's repulsive."
He cast a look of disdain at the surrounding buildings, their blue roofs and whitewashed walls, and scoffed.
"And this architectural style... a pathetic imitation."
Sweat streamed down Mayor Hunter's forehead as he forced a smile.
"Saint Xildes-sama is absolutely right! I'll order a full redesign immediately!"
Wiping nothing, he spun around and barked at the militiamen.
"Hey! Move faster! Get Saint Xildes-sama's gifts to the port!"
Darren gestured politely.
"Then... right this way, Saint Xildes-sama."
Saint Xildes-sama smiled and started walking, but suddenly halted as if remembering something.
Gion and Tokikake's faces instantly went pale.
He cast a greedy glance at little Lia, whose face was ghostly white, then turned to Darren with a smile full of sinister amusement.
"Arrest my bride and bring her with me to the Holy Land. Once we arrive... we'll be wed!"
As the words left his mouth...
The smile on Darren's face... slowly vanished.
p@treon com / PinkSnake