'To proclaim themselves gods.'
Such arrogance made Zoro's expression darken.
'As expected... Celestial Dragons.'
"Celestial Dragon, red hair..." Vivi suddenly stepped forward under Zoro's protection, studying the man.
"You're from the Figarland family!"
"Figarland Shamrock." The man waved casually at Vivi. "Current Supreme Commander of God's Knights. By orders of Imu-sama and Admiral Blackbeard, you're invited to Mariejois for... discussions."
Shamrock's demeanor toward Vivi differed entirely from his cold contempt for Zoro.
His tone carried traces of actual respect.
Vivi clearly noticed this too.
Frowning, she said, "Mariejois? I have no connection with you Celestial Dragons. When the Nefertari family chose to return to Alabasta rather than become Celestial Dragons, our paths diverged completely."
"But that doesn't change your... bloodline." Shamrock even offered a rare smile. "Come willingly, and I guarantee safe passage for your companions—including that entire Alabasta diplomatic guard."
"What... are you implying?"
"It means you must choose." The dragon-hybrid Celestial Dragon, Saint Charlengom, yawned and rubbed his eyes.
"Your diplomatic guard? They're currently trapped in my dreamscape."
Vivi frowned deeply.
It was clear that the other side had come prepared.
In other words… the World Government and the Celestial Dragons had actually set their sights on… her?
This was utterly unbelievable.
She knew her reputation as the Diplomatic Princess was well-known across the Four Seas and the first half of the Grand Line, but she certainly wasn't important enough to warrant the God's Knights of the Celestial Dragons personally coming to capture her.
No matter how she looked at it, she wasn't significant enough to warrant such attention, right?
"Tch, the thing I hate most about you cultured types is all the pointless blabbering," Zoro suddenly flashed a cruel grin.
"That ability just now… was the power of a Devil Fruit, wasn't it? In that case…"
As he spoke, a surge of Armament Haki erupted from Zoro's body, instantly enveloping him entirely—including his three swords.
Even Shamrock furrowed his brows at the sight of Zoro's full-body Armament Haki coverage.
'This… was the strength of a man with a 49 million bounty?'
'Are you kidding?'
The God's Knights had little understanding—or rather, little concern—for the strength of the younger generation.
And Whitebeard, who had command over them, was well aware of their capabilities but deliberately chose not to inform them.
So, when Zoro prepared to go all out, they suddenly realized…
The man before them might be a fighter who could rival the God's Knights themselves.
"You… are interesting," Shamrock remarked, watching as Zoro transformed into a purplish-black Asura.
Slowly, he drew the rapier at his waist.
"But… this ends here."
With a swift motion, Shamrock unsheathed his sword—and in the next moment, a massive, ferocious three-headed hound appeared before everyone.
A weapon that had consumed a Devil Fruit wasn't exactly unheard of.
Both the Angel Alliance and the World Government had mastered such technology.
But what sent chills down even Zoro's spine was…
The dark-colored Cloud swirling around the three-headed hound—a telltale sign of an awakened Zoan-type Devil Fruit User.
A sword… capable of achieving Devil Fruit awakening!?
Not just Zoro—even the Kozuki sisters and Vivi felt their worldview tremble.
"Since you insist on fighting, I'll give you the battle you desire."
"Go forth, Cerberus."
At his command, the colossal three-headed hound let out a series of incomprehensible barks and growls—before each head spat out a massive blade from its maw.
Simultaneously, the collars around their necks began spinning rapidly until…
Their heads separated from their bodies.
But the detached heads didn't die—instead, they floated midair, moving freely on their own.
"Three heads and three swords... Hah, it's been a long time since I've had such a fair fight."
Without needing Shamrock's command, the three sword-spitting dog heads lunged at Zoro from different directions simultaneously.
Zoro's expression tightened as he reversed his grip on two swords.
"Enma Santoryu: Hyakusanjou Hiryu Jigoku!"
An upward slash collided violently with the dog heads and their blades, creating a momentary stalemate.
Meanwhile, other members of God's Knights had already bypassed Zoro, reaching the Kozuki sisters and Vivi.
"Oh? Aren't these the two little princesses of the Kozuki family? Should we take them along... or dispose of them now?" Gunko frowned, her cold gaze carrying a hint of naive cruelty as she looked at them.
"Personally, I'd say we dispose of them."
"Are you insane, Gunko?" The eldest among them, Sommers, stepped in front of Gunko with a frown.
"Touching descendants of Kozuki Toki... Do you want to face Imu-sama's extreme punishment?"
Gunko froze as if suddenly remembering something, her entire body trembling violently.
The arrows that had been pointing at Kozuki Rin and Kozuki Hiyori instantly vanished into thin air.
Vivi surveyed the situation and finally let out a long sigh.
She prepared to step forward, offering herself to end this sudden conflict.
Truthfully, her heart was heavy with guilt—newly made friends were now embroiled in a desperate battle because of her.
But before she could speak, Kozuki Rin extended her arm, blocking Vivi's self-sacrificing advance.
"Honestly, being underestimated by grandfather is one thing... After all, in his eyes, I'm not particularly impressive."
"But who do you people think you are?"
"God's Knights? Ridiculous."
Kozuki Rin slowly raised her head, her eyes revealing the resurgence of the Lionheart.
With both hands, she flung open her cloak, revealing two long swords at her waist.
One black, one white—both drawn in an instant.
Enma, the destroyer of hell.
Ame no Habakiri, the sky-splitter.
Since he had become she, her previously mediocre swordsmanship talent seemed to have been unsealed...
As if this was her true self all along.
Two years ago, her father Kozuki Oden had entrusted both Enma and Ame no Habakiri to her.
She had long since mastered Enma's tendency to uncontrollably drain its user's Ryou.
Now both arms and blades were completely covered in purple-black, making even God's Knights wary of these two legendary swords from the 21 Great Grade blades.
Kozuki Rin spoke softly, "You said not to touch Kozuki Toki's descendants. I wholeheartedly agree."
"Because the daughter of the Lionheart Princess..."
"Is also a lion."
"Slash Wave!"