Noyer said thoughtfully, "So, you want me to replace the government official on the escort ship to make infiltration easier?"
Christine nodded, "After we infiltrate the fleet, we'll create an opportunity to help you reach the lead ship. There's a powerful communication Den Den Mushi on board. We must cut it off to ensure safe operations for the Revolutionary Army soldiers outside."
Afterward, they discussed many details — timing, personnel intelligence, and specific locations.
Lucci and Blueno now understood. The people cooperating with Noyer's group were the Revolutionary Army.
CP9's existence was unknown to even most of the Revolutionary Army's upper ranks. Although Christine was vigilant, she didn't detect Lucci's identity.
Noyer had dragged him here to completely implicate him. Having already robbed the Heavenly Tribute, what reason was there to return to the government?
Lucci clearly hadn't thought of this. He was merely surprised that Noyer was cooperating with the Revolutionary Army. During the infiltration, Blueno and Lucci's abilities and experience would prove useful.
While Noyer and the Revolutionary Army chatted enthusiastically, Enel was having a blast elsewhere.
Conis had one arm linked with Kalifa's. With her other hand, she held a thin string connected to bubbles floating in the air, filled with clothes, bags, and similar items.
They say shopping is a woman's nature, and in this matter, they can display amazing stamina. Kalifa and Conis had been walking for hours without rest, still enthusiastically charging ahead.
Following behind, Enel and Wyper — brothers in misery — were about to go crazy. Mighty Logia and Zoan ability users, driven nearly mad by this mental torture.
Why were the two following Conis and the others? Because they were strapped for cash. Under Enel's persuasion, they pooled their money to buy a pack of Sabaody's specialty bubble gum, and then…
And then… that was it. No piggy bank for the kids.
The two sisters didn't stop until the sun rose overhead. They finally headed to a restaurant to eat, bringing their minions along.
At the mention of food, Enel perked up.
As soon as he entered the restaurant, he found a seat and shouted, "Boss, I want meat!"
After ordering, Enel settled into his seat and waited expectantly, knife and fork in hand.
Just then, noisy sounds came from the neighboring table, annoying everyone in the restaurant. Enel looked over in displeasure. Who was making such a racket?
At one table, the surface was covered with colorful delicacies. Several men were wolfing down food without any table manners.
The one eating most fiercely appeared to be their leader. He wore an orange hat with a trendy necklace around his neck. He had freckles on his face and looked like a cheerful young man.
Seeing how young he was, Enel felt contempt rise in his heart.
At this age, only that guy Noyer was a monster. As for other people… hmph!
Enel's negative trait kicked in again — his innate arrogance and pride making him feel superior to others.
This young man leading his underlings was none other than Ace, who had arranged to meet with Noyer. Ace and his pirate crew had been waiting on the island for three full days. Finally, Noyer and his group had arrived.
Watching that crew eat so enthusiastically, Enel's appetite was stirred. When the food arrived, he buried his head and started eating.
Soon Ace noticed Enel. This guy ate really fast!
He wouldn't be outdone either. He grabbed plates with both hands and frantically shoveled food into his mouth.
Enel and Ace inexplicably became competitive with each other. People in the restaurant watched them, dumbfounded. If Noyer were here, he'd definitely find this scene familiar.
The two made complete fools of themselves, watched by everyone in the restaurant. Their companions covered their faces with their hands.
Wyper sighed. How embarrassing.
Meanwhile, beside Ace, Mihar wanted nothing more than to shove his head under the table.
The two men's gazes suddenly met, revealing expressions of mutual sympathy.
The restaurant bustled with activity, while outside on the street, the crowd fell silent as cicadas in winter. For some reason, ordinary people retreated to both sides of the road, not daring to speak as they watched the figures walking down the street.
Three people dressed flamboyantly and bundled up tightly walked over, surrounded by bodyguards. To display their noble status, even their hairstyles were styled very high. They wore bubble helmets on their heads. The leader was older, and the two beside him appeared to be his children.
Well… they were also Sabaody Archipelago's specialty bastards — World Nobles, the Celestial Dragons.
As Celestial Dragons enjoying all noble privileges, they were called Saint.
Saint Rosward walked with his children, holding an iron chain. At the other end of the chain was a collar fastened around a muscular man's neck. The man's body was covered with wounds, his eyes vacant as he crawled numbly on the ground.
Holding the slave's leash, Saint Rosward half-lowered his eyes, looking with disgust at the people around him.
"A bunch of trash with lowly bloodlines!" he shouted unabashedly. Those who heard could only dare to be angry but not speak out.
His son, Saint Charlos, with his pig brain stuffed into his bubble helmet, drooled and said carelessly, "Father, let's hurry up. I heard there's a mermaid among the auction items this time!"
His daughter, Saint Shalria, wearing sunglasses with a scarf around her mouth, waved her small fan and said in a bad mood, "The Fish-man I bought last time died within a few days. But after cooking him, I let his companions taste him. The looks in their eyes were hilarious!"
Saint Charlos sniffled with disdain, "Fish-men aren't fun. Mermaid women are more interesting!"
As he spoke, his gaze swept toward the street. He spotted Enel and the others eating. When he looked through the glass into the restaurant and saw Kalifa sitting beside Enel, his eyes lit up.
Saint Charlos pointed toward the restaurant and laughed without restraint, "That woman's not bad. I'll take her back to play with!"
Saint Shalria glanced disdainfully, "How filthy!"
Seeing his father say nothing, Saint Charlos pulled out a golden gun and aimed at the people beside Kalifa.
First and foremost — Enel, who was eating his meal!
He said excitedly, "Well then, let's get rid of all the trash in her way first!"
Bang!
Without hesitation, he fired. The bullet passed through the crowd, shattered the restaurant's glass, and shot straight toward Enel's temple.
The crowd on the roadside looked toward the restaurant in horror. People in the restaurant scrambled under tables in fear. Their movements were so swift, they were clearly well-practiced.
But Enel casually lifted a hand from his food and effortlessly caught the bullet between his fingers — just ten centimeters from his temple.
With a gloomy expression, he used the profanity Noyer had taught him and roared, "What the fuck are you doing, you motherfucking bastard! Do you want to die, piece of shit?!"
Enel let loose a torrent of curses, his loud profanity instantly reaching everyone's ears.
Everyone present was stunned speechless. That long-eared guy was actually cursing at a Celestial Dragon? Did he have a death wish?
Saint Charlos shouted back in disbelief, "How dare you curse at me?! I'm a Celestial Dragon of the highest nobility!"
"Screw your nobility!"
Enel's body instantly crackled with lightning. He crashed through the restaurant wall with a thunderous boom, charging toward that obese creature.
Saint Charlos frantically fired several shots in succession. Enel ignored them completely, his gaze fierce as he shaped his palm into a blade, the sound of electric chirping ringing sharply.
Learned from Noyer —
◆ Chidori ◆
The sharp lightning blade in Enel's hand pierced through flesh. Crimson blood sprayed, instantly staining half his face red.
But he hadn't struck Saint Charlos. His target was the slave being led by the father. The moment Enel charged, the slave's muscles mechanically responded, throwing himself in front of Saint Charlos.
Enel hesitated for an instant, but thrust forward anyway. He pulled out his blood-soaked arm, expression blank as the man collapsed to his knees.
The man's lips trembled. A voice faint as a mosquito's buzz reached him: "My daughter is in his hands… I'm sorry… Thank you…"
The slave, with a gaping hole in his chest, died at Enel's feet with his eyes open.
Enel had never seen someone wear such an expression before dying — that look of relief in his final moments.
Inexplicable irritation surged in his heart.
When people are killed, bullied, abused — they should be angry! They should seek revenge! What was this pathetic expression supposed to mean?!
The slave's appearance reminded Enel of experiences from his past. The aura emanating from him became completely different.
If his temperament at the start had been arrogant and haughty, his presence now contained nothing but pure killing intent.
The way he looked at Saint Charlos was the look of someone gazing at a dead man.
Saint Charlos was crushed to the ground by the fierce killing intent. Still, he refused to accept it, shouting: "You want to kill me? No! Impossible! I'm a Celestial Dragon, a god! If you lay a hand on me, you'll pay the price!"
Saint Shalria's elegant composure finally cracked, her legs trembling. Saint Rosward's face turned iron-blue as he screamed for help.
The terrified crowd had already scattered in panic, while the Celestial Dragons' lackeys closed in.
Enel sneered at Saint Charlos, "You're a god?"
The image of Noyer defeating him with overwhelming force replayed vividly in his mind.
Enel curved his lips into a disdainful smile, "Do you know what people like you are called?"
Saint Charlos's disgusting features scrunched together as searing lightning spread across his body, Enel's cold laughter ringing in his ears.
"A frog in a well…"
Lightning descended, blasting Saint Charlos into the ground. The hard surface exploded into a massive crater.
In the pit lay an unconscious fat man, his clothes and protective gear completely blown apart. His bright red flesh, protruding white bones, foul-smelling fat — all his ugliness was exposed to the air.
Charlos had been struck beyond recognition. Rosward finally couldn't hold back, crying out in anguish: "My son!!"
Enel exhaled, the violence in his heart slightly eased. His head turned unconsciously to look behind him.
At the restaurant table, Kalifa and Conis showed no fear. Their faces bore kind smiles, as if understanding his actions. Wyper still wore his usual expression of not caring whether Enel lived or died, but beneath it he quietly made a gesture.
Seeing the raised thumb, Enel pursed his lips. Then, for the first time ever, a warm smile appeared on his face. He was no longer his former self.
Right! He had so many decent… subordinates!
While Enel had caused a world-shaking catastrophe, Ace — who was watching the spectacle — still hadn't stopped eating.
He swallowed his food, watching Enel and his group with appreciation. If Enel hadn't reacted in time earlier, Ace would have stepped in himself. But the result exceeded his expectations.
And this kind of decisiveness… it was somewhat similar to that buddy of his.
◇◆◈◆◇
News of the attack on a Celestial Dragon — one in uncertain condition — spread across most of the Sabaody Archipelago within minutes. Marine soldiers deployed en masse, swarming toward the scene.
Shops and businesses across the archipelago shut down completely. The Marines' collective mobilization made everyone sense something ominous in the air.
Something big was about to happen!
At Marine Headquarters nearby, in the office of Sengoku — "The Resourceful General" — the Den Den Mushi rang nonstop with calls from Celestial Dragons and government officials.
Attacking a Celestial Dragon was an extremely heinous incident for the government. They ordered Sengoku and his Marines to capture the culprit without fail!
Sengoku sat in his Fleet Admiral's chair, feeling his hair turning white from worry. He adjusted his round glasses and examined the documents in his hands.
"Enel, confirmed Goro Goro no Mi user, subordinate of Devil Man Noyer. Currently no combat record, no bounty."
Caution lined Sengoku's aged face. This Noyer — even his subordinates were this unruly!
The Copy-Copy Fruit user was the Marines' greatest concern. When he received the report on Enel, he was beside himself.
In the Marines' view, the more ability users under Noyer's command, the greater his threat. If they hadn't been advocating for recruiting and capturing Noyer alive, Sengoku would have taken the hard approach long ago.
Now they had to seize this opportunity, resolve it quickly, and nip the danger in the bud!
Sengoku raised his head and looked toward the corner of his office. A man in a yellow suit sat on the sofa with his legs crossed, diligently trimming his nails.
The man's lackadaisical appearance made his head throb. He said, "Borsalino, you go to Sabaody and crush Noyer and his pirate crew!"
Kizaru blew on his nails with a crooked mouth and sideways eyes, humming reluctantly, "Eh? But I came to request leave…"
Sengoku kept a straight face, "Until this matter is resolved, neither you nor I are going anywhere!"
Kizaru scratched his head, "Fleet Admiral, how about having Kuzan go?"
Sengoku felt a surge of anger rush straight to the top of his head. Suppressing his fury, he said, "Kuzan just completed his mission and hasn't returned yet."
Kizaru pondered for a moment, then slapped his palm, "How about sending Sakazuki? He'd be very willing."
Sengoku's liver trembled, his voice trembling with it, "He's in the New World."
"Then how about having Garp…"
Sengoku shot up from his seat, finally unable to contain his roar, "You're going! Right now! Immediately!"
"Yes~"
Seeing he couldn't get out of it, Kizaru — who had been planning to clock out — reluctantly pushed open the door and walked out.
Overtime again…
Sengoku breathed a sigh of relief, then remembered something. He leaned against the office window to look. Sure enough, the Marines' fastest man was moving forward at a leisurely stroll.
Sengoku, like an unscrupulous boss squeezing his employees, roared, "Gah! Turn into light! Run!"
Kizaru pouted reluctantly, placed his palms in front of his chest, and vanished into the horizon as a beam of light.
Finally, an Admiral had been dispatched. If they delayed any longer, even as Fleet Admiral, Sengoku would be blamed by those Celestial Dragons.
◇◆◈◆◇
At this moment on Sabaody, Noyer had just walked out of the Revolutionary Army's small house when he was dumbstruck.
Enel had gotten into a fight with a Celestial Dragon?
Although what that big lug did wasn't wrong… He'd only been gone for one chapter — how had the situation escalated to this point?
◈◈◈
T/N: Comment, give me Power Stones, like and favorite, it all supports me and makes me go foward with this. Appreciate my other stories as well, I guarantee the good work!
If you want 20 chapters ahead of this novel for just $5 or enjoy a large catalog of good novels with excellent translations (free or starting at $1.5): MrBlackWing (you know where to search)
I'm currently translating another project (for $1.5) where the main character travels through various worlds, like Highschool of the Dead, Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress, Darwin's Game, and many more, building a massive harem. It will have smut chapters (+18) and spicy images of the female characters. Check it out if you're interested! :)
That's it and happy reading! (-‿◦)