A strange light flickered in the Pirate Empress's beautiful eyes as she stared blankly at Luo Xing.
For a moment, she had the overwhelming urge to bury her face in his chest.
But she restrained herself and said softly,
"Those are Celestial Dragons… the nobles of this world. If you kill them, the Marines and the World Government will go completely mad."
Did she hate the Celestial Dragons?
Of course she did.
That hatred was carved deep into her very bones.
Yet despite her pride and disdain for all others, she had never personally laid a hand on them—she had even become one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea.
The Warlords nominally served the Marines.
The Marines were under the World Government.
And the World Government was ruled by the Celestial Dragons.
Which meant that, in a roundabout way, she had become their subordinate.
Why would someone as proud as her—someone who loathed the Celestial Dragons to the core—do such a thing?
Because the World Government was simply too powerful.
Once she made a move against the Celestial Dragons, it wouldn't be just her who suffered—
The entire Amazon Lily would be dragged into hell.
The Pirate Empress was tsundere by nature.
She never said it out loud, but she cared deeply for her sisters, her crew, and her people.
She could not let her personal hatred doom her entire nation.
And for the same reason—
She did not want to drag Luo Xing into danger.
That was why she had spoken just now.
Luo Xing replied calmly,
"When I formed an alliance with you, my condition was to help you wipe out the Celestial Dragons."
"I said it then—and I never take my words back."
Hancock's body trembled slightly.
Complex emotions surged within her eyes—gratitude, emotion, and something deeper still.
Yet she slowly shook her head.
"Now isn't the time."
"You only brought two people and three machines. This place is far too close to Marine Headquarters."
"If you kill a Celestial Dragon here, your identity will be exposed. You could be surrounded by the Marines!"
In her heart now, Luo Xing's safety mattered more than her hatred.
That realization made him genuinely happy.
And because of that—
He wanted to do even more for her.
To completely seize her heart.
His large hand tightened around her clenched fist, feeling the smooth warmth of her skin as he smiled.
"I don't think I've shown you the Anywhere Door yet."
"It's a door that can cross any distance at will."
"But it needs the target's coordinates—which is why I asked you to help record Impel Down's position."
"If the Marines really ignore Whitebeard and mobilize everything just to capture me…"
"I'll simply open the door and return to Wano."
With the Anywhere Door, Luo Xing could attack, retreat, or defend at will.
If Sengoku and the Five Elders truly went mad and abandoned the war just to pursue him—
He would withdraw to Wano.
After the Marines wasted their efforts, he would open the door again, storm Impel Down, and then return to attack Sabaody.
It was nothing less than playing the enemy like dogs on a leash.
Absolute initiative lay in his hands.
With her sharp mind, Hancock instantly understood his plan.
Her eyes lit up, the last trace of worry finally fading.
Then, suddenly, another thought surfaced.
He hadn't only asked her to record Impel Down's coordinates—
He had also asked for Amazon Lily's.
If the Anywhere Door truly allowed him to reach any destination…
Then wouldn't that mean—
He was planning to go to her homeland?
Her heart skipped violently.
Her face flushed red.
At such close distance, he could clearly feel her racing heartbeat.
Her slightly reddened cheeks, peerless beauty, glistening eyes, vivid red lips, and flawless long black hair—
All of it made his heart stir uncontrollably.
His throat rolled once.
Hancock sensed the possessiveness and desire in his gaze.
She felt proud… shy… and faintly uneasy.
Luo Xing released her hand.
If this continued, even he feared he wouldn't be able to hold back.
He stood up and walked straight toward the auction stage.
Hancock stared fixedly at his tall, resolute back, her eyes filled with love and emotion.
This man—
Was willing to kill Celestial Dragons for her.
On the auction platform—
Saint Charlos was reaching toward the young mermaid with a lecherous grin when he suddenly noticed a figure approaching him.
His face twisted in fury.
A filthy lower being dared to look directly at a Celestial Dragon—
And even dared to approach?!
He shouted angrily at Luo Xing,
"What are you trying to do?! Stay away from this Saint!"
"Or I'll have you turned into a slave as well!"
Luo Xing's expression remained calm, a faint smile playing at his lips.
"Noble Celestial Dragon, no need to be so agitated."
"I merely wish to borrow something from you."
At that moment—
Every gaze in the auction house converged on the two of them.
Borrow something… from a Celestial Dragon?
This man's courage was outrageous.
Even Charlos seemed stunned, his dull mind failing to react.
"Borrow… what?"
Luo Xing smiled.
"Your head."
Clang!
A pitch-black sword light flashed.
Thud—thud—thud!
Charlos's head rolled across the floor like a rotten melon.
His expression was still blank.
He hadn't even realized that his head had already left his body.
Boom!
His headless corpse crashed heavily to the ground.
Fresh blood gushed out, the stench instantly filling the hall.
"Aaaah!!"
A shrill scream erupted.
"A Celestial Dragon is dead! He killed a Celestial Dragon!"
"The Marines will send an admiral for sure—run! Run!"
"If we stay, we'll all be implicated!"
The auction house descended into total chaos.
People fled in panic, trampling over one another.
The murder of a Celestial Dragon—
This was a world-shaking incident!
In mere moments, the once-packed hall was nearly empty.
Luo Xing swept his gaze around.
Aside from his own people, the few remaining figures were all familiar faces.
The Kid Pirates.
And the Straw Hat crew, favored by fate.
He only glanced at them once before walking toward two others.
They were Charlos's father, Saint Rosward—
And his sister, Princess Shalria.
The pair were still frozen in shock, unable to process what had just happened.
Only when Luo Xing drew near did they finally scream in terror.
"Guards! Guards, where are the guards?!"
"Call an admiral! Kill this bastard!"
"Someone murdered my son! We're Celestial Dragons!"
Rosward shrieked hysterically.
Guards rushed over from behind the stage.
Upon seeing Charlos's corpse, they were horrified.
Some shielded Rosward and Shalria, while others hurriedly contacted the World Government.
A Celestial Dragon had been killed—
This was an unprecedented catastrophe.
"Celestial Dragons?"
"They're nothing more than mortals hiding behind glass."
"If a god kills a mortal, what's so strange about that?"
Lightning crackled.
Enel instantly appeared before the guards.
"Thirty Million Volts — Thunderbird!"
A blazing lightning bird tore through them, charring their bodies black.
The remaining guards rushed forward in desperation.
"Three-Sword Style — Dragon Twister!"
A massive whirlwind erupted, sending them all flying into the air.
Zoro sheathed Wado Ichimonji with a grin.
"How could we let trash like you interfere while our king is working?"
With the field cleared, Luo Xing strolled leisurely before Rosward and his daughter.
His gaze was cold and indifferent, looking down from above.
So-called Celestial Dragons—
Before him, they were nothing but pigs and dogs.
Ants to be crushed at will.
Enma flashed.
A single sword light passed.
Father and daughter were beheaded together.
Behind him—
The Kid Pirates and the Straw Hats wore vastly different expressions.
Kid turned to Killer and said,
"Just who the hell is that guy?"
"Killing one Celestial Dragon wasn't enough—he slaughtered all three!"
Kid himself was no stranger to bloodshed.
The reason his bounty exceeded Luffy's was precisely because he had killed too many people.
Killer took a deep breath.
"Captain, no matter what, we can't stay here any longer."
"Once the Marines and World Government hear about this, they'll go insane."
"At the very least… an admiral will be dispatched."
Kid nodded heavily in agreement.
On the Straw Hat side—
Luffy exclaimed in shock,
"I was planning to punch that bubble-head guy myself… and he got killed just like that."
Black Leg Sanji frowned.
"Killing those Celestial Dragon bastards is one thing…"
"But he even killed a woman."
"And he's with the Pirate Empress, the world's most beautiful woman."
"That man's background must be terrifying."
Sanji's code forbade him from harming women—
Even if they were Celestial Dragons.
Even if they were Big Mom.
Franky suddenly shouted,
"I think I know who that guy is!"
"He's probably that legendary figure—Kaido's son-in-law, the Fifth Emperor, Luo Xing!"
"You remember Iceburg, the mayor of Water Seven, right? He's my senior."
"He told me about Luo Xing before!"
"And it was that man who stole my Pluton blueprints!"
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