Nero was so speechless that she felt Kuma was in pain. For her first time as a teacher, shouldn't she teach something practical?
The rules of survival on the sea, the ways to handle situations, and the proper use of legal quantities all had their intricacies, especially since Kuina was her first official disciple.
"Do whatever you want, because you are Nero's disciple. Celestial Dragons? Tell him you don't eat beef."
That could work, but then she would only raise a top-tier Celestial Dragon, so Nero had always been very careful about this aspect.
There are no true fools on the sea; idiots don't live long... except for Celestial Dragons.
Nero and her group just happened to encounter such idiots. Even if their flag wasn't raised, people were standing on the deck! Were they all blind?
Or did beating up a little kid give you guys confidence? Thinking that my ship was the same, to be blown up just like that?
Are these Celestial Dragons crazy? Why do they keep bothering me? The incident at Sabaody Archipelago was one thing; I was a Four Emperors back then.
But now? I'm also a Celestial Dragon. Even the Gorosei are polite to me. Yet you pigs are still targeting me? Do you insist on making me lose face?
"Hmm... sometimes..." Nero tried to mediate, but after thinking it over, she decided against it. She could teach her disciple anytime, but if she didn't vent this anger, she would be unhappy for the rest of her life.
"It just so happens we ran into some idiots. I'll give you a chance to witness the Worlds Greatest Swordsman's slash!"
Nero raised Primal Fire. Kuina clutched her pounding heart, watching this scene excitedly. This was the first time she had seen Nero make a move.
It wasn't a conventional slash. Nero uncharacteristically used both hands, unleashing this strike when the cannonball was about to hit, just three feet in front of her.
"Nicuss's Spear — Majestic Country!"
The cannonball was not cut or deflected; it instantly turned into dust. A curved void appeared on the calm sea, and the strike, with undiminished momentum, slammed towards the Celestial Dragons' cruise ship.
Eighty percent of the cruise ship instantly vanished, as if by a spatial trick. A circular void appeared in the middle, leaving only a small portion of the bow and stern.
And this strike seemed to pierce to the end of the world. Ten seconds later, its remaining power began to dissipate. Seawater rushed in, and the wreckage of the Celestial Dragons' cruise ship began to sink.
'So powerful! So powerful! So powerful! So powerful!'
Kuina screamed madly in her heart, yet not a single word escaped her lips. Her eyes, however, twinkled like stars.
This was Nero's slash, the strongest slash in the world! Was there truly a swordsman in the world who could withstand this strike?
After the excitement, Kuina suddenly realized: A Celestial Dragon, a World Noble, was just killed like that?
After Hathaway's teachings, she was no longer a country bumpkin who knew nothing. She understood the status of Celestial Dragons in the world.
World Nobles, whose lives, when threatened, even required the deployment of the Marine's highest combat power, an Admiral.
Even if Nero was also a Celestial Dragon, was it really okay to kill a Celestial Dragon so nonchalantly?
Kuina asked worriedly, "Won't there be problems after this?"
Nero looked at Kuina with surprise, watching her until she became a little uncomfortable, then awkwardly said, "Hmm, one person's actions, one person's responsibility."
"Killing them all... would still be a bit too much. Even if the other party is an idiot, their family still... Hmm!"
"Huh... Wait... Is there a problem with our conversation?" Kuina didn't quite understand what Nero was saying.
"I mean, is it okay for you, Master, to just kill a Celestial Dragon like that? Where did your thoughts go?"
"Phew—that? I thought you were reminding me, hinting that I should eliminate the root, and deal with his family as well."
Nero patted her chest. She had wondered why this idiotic disciple suddenly became so mature.
She had thought that the so-called coldness of adulthood she taught her had been grasped by analogy, but it turned out she was just worried about this small issue.
"Hmm, it's fine! The rest is just waiting for his family members to apologize to me. If someone dies, these idiotic Celestial Dragons' brains will basically be briefly invaded by wisdom."
"Eh? They're the ones who have to apologize?" Kuina was dumbfounded, her image of World Nobles once again weakened.
"Of course! After all, I was the one attacked first, so an apology is only natural, right?"
Nero was confident. If no one apologized, she wouldn't mind destroying Mary Geoise... No! No! Nero slapped her forehead. Had her way of thinking become so absurd?
Because of one Celestial Dragon, she wanted to... let the flames ignite, leave hideous claw marks on the Red Line, and bestow upon them the wails of despair... Nero's breathing grew more rapid, like she had tasted a fine wine, a tempting flush appearing on her cheeks.
No!!! Don't think about it, don't think so specifically!
"Hmm, never mind! Let's skip this topic. Let's land quickly! I'm a bit thirsty!"
"What the! It's so unclear. Master, you're too willful!" Kuina pouted, expressing helplessness at Nero's impulsive personality.
"Urusai! If I'm not willful, what kind of Emperor would I be?"
"Hai~ Hai!" Kuina replied perfunctorily, "Then I'll go inform Teacher Hathaway."
Nero ignored her, her eyes already looking towards Foosha Village. She had to admit that Hathaway's judgment this time was correct; her condition was getting worse and worse.
A strong premonition told her that there must be something on the island ahead that could alleviate her current state.
Nero, with her back to Kuina, now looked towards Foosha Village, her eyes unknowingly stained with a blood-red hue... After the golden rose approached Foosha Village, Kuina saw the shore lined with people.
Fear and reverence were written on everyone's faces, and some people even seemed a little sad?
Recalling the small boat that had just been destroyed by the Celestial Dragons, Kuina felt she had guessed the truth.
The young girl, facing such gazes, instinctively lowered her head. Although she had done nothing, she felt a sense of awkward shame.
Nero, on the other hand, showed no change in expression: "I'm thirsty. Someone take me to the best tavern here."
The air solidified, and no one spoke. They, of course, recognized Nero's identity, not to mention having just witnessed that powerful strength.
"The... the village only has one... tavern. If you don't mind, I can take you there."
Seeing a young, beautiful barmaid with a headscarf step forward, Nero's expression visibly brightened.
"Hmm, it's fine! I'm not that tactless. Sincere hospitality is all that matters."
Seeing that Nero was still polite, Makino, the barmaid, relaxed her expression considerably and raised her hand in invitation: "Don't worry, the tavern is this way. Please, everyone, come and rest your feet."
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