Capture Shirahoshi as a Slave?
The Holy Land Mary Geoise – the "Social Plaza".
This is the most solemn place to welcome guests before the opening of the Reverie.
The square is paved with white stones, symbolizing "purity and order," and surrounded by flowerbeds adorned with red and gold Roses. Kings, nobles, and envoys from more than fifty countries around the world gathered here, with melodious music playing, creating a solemn and magnificent atmosphere.
The arrival of the Ryugu Kingdom undoubtedly became the focus of the entire event.
Shirahoshi's dazzling pink hair shimmered like flowing pearls in the sunlight, drawing countless gazes wherever it went.
"Is that the legendary Mermaid Princess...?"
"Just like in the legends, she's otherworldly beautiful..."
Whispers rippled through the crowd, while photographers' Photo Transponder Snail flashed like rain.
Just then--
"Giggle--!"
A shrill laugh shattered the silence.
A hovercar pulled by two slaves slowly drove into the square.
The golden car body reflected a dazzling light. Inside, a fat, ugly man adorned with jewels was half-closing his eyes, a nauseating smile playing on his lips.
--Celestial Dragons Saint Charlos.
He was dressed in a long robe adorned with gold thread and jewels, breathing rapidly, and holding a diamond-encrusted cane in his hand.
The two slaves under the cart knelt on the ground, crawling forward expressionlessly.
When his gaze swept across the crowd and finally settled on Shirahoshi, he froze.
Immediately, a hideous look of ecstatic joy appeared on that greasy face.
"Oh my god--isn't that the legendary Mermaid Princess?!"
"Haha! Now... my collection is finally going to be perfect!!"
He licked his lips, his gaze greedy and lewd, completely ignoring the shocked expressions of the nobles around him.
--But this scene was not entirely unexpected to onlookers.
In the past two years, due to the secret break between the Navy and the World Government, the privileges of the Celestial Dragons have been partially tightened.
Ordinary Celestial Dragons were forcibly restricted from traveling, and with Fish-Man Island now under Roy's protection, no one dared to capture the Fish-Man Race anymore.
However, in the world of the Celestial Dragons, "slaves" represent a symbol of status and power.
The rarer and more valuable the slaves one owns, the more noble that person is.
Among them, the Fish-Man slave is the ultimate symbol of status.
Although Saint Charlos was stupid and greedy, under his father's strict control, he had not dared to cross Roy's bottom line for the past two years.
Especially after the recent incident where Sakazuki and Kuzan caused havoc at the Holy Land—
Hearing that several Celestial Dragons had died on the spot, he was so frightened that he dared not move.
However, now...
The tall, elegant, and dazzling "giant mermaid girl" was right outside his door, within arm's reach.
He looked around but didn't see Roy.
That long-suppressed greed finally spiraled out of control.
"Roy? Hmph, he's not here... Haha, it's fate!"
Upon hearing this, the CP0 member standing nearby immediately changed his expression and hurriedly whispered a dissuasion:
"Your Excellency Saint Charlos! This is the eve of the Reverie; any loss of composure will—"
"Shut up!!"
Saint Charlos suddenly drew his golden pistol and pressed it directly against the CP0 officer's forehead.
"Say one more word and I'll chop you up and feed you to the slaves!!"
Cold sweat trickled down CP0's forehead, and in the end, he could only swallow the advice that was about to come out.
As Saint Charlos's ear-piercing laughter echoed, he, accompanied by several fully armed guards and CP0, marched recklessly toward the Ryugu Kingdom's ranks under the watchful eyes of countless princes and nobles.
At that moment, the entire "Social Plaza" fell into complete stillness.
"Hey, hey... what is he trying to do?!"
"Shh--! Don't make a sound! That's Celestial Dragons, we can't afford to mess with him!!"
The nobles and king whispered among themselves, some with faces full of fear, others gritting their teeth in silence.
Despite their anger, no one dared to take a single step.
Shirahoshi was gently bowing to the guests when she heard the commotion behind her and instinctively turned around.
The gilded hovercar was already parked in front of him.
The fat, ugly Celestial Dragons on the bus was looking down at her, his oily face almost touching her eyes, his mouth drooling as he grinned.
"Hehe... so beautiful... so beautiful!"
"It's more beautiful than any of the fish in my collection!!"
He reached out his large, ring-covered hand as if it were a toy, and actually grabbed at Shirahoshi's hair.
"?!!"
Shirahoshi gasped and retreated in alarm, while Neptune's face turned ashen in an instant!
"Stop--!"
A furious roar echoed across the plaza, and a golden Trident swept out in an instant, only to be blocked by several CP0 guards. Sparks and Haki exploded in the air.
"Your Majesty, please wait!"
"The other party is Celestial Dragons —do not act rashly!"
Their voices, though respectful, carried an undeniable chill.
Neptune's temples bulged with veins, his eyes wide with rage, and the murderous aura he exuded caused the ground to tremble slightly.
But he knew that even the king had no right to lay a hand on the Celestial Dragons.
"This is... Celestial Dragons... We can't interfere..."
A low murmur arose from the crowd. A king of the West Blue clenched his teeth, his knuckles turning white, yet he dared not take a step.
Saint Charlos's laughter grew even more unrestrained; he spread his arms wide, as if reveling in the unspoken fear of the crowd.
"Haha!! I am the god of the world!!"
"You mere Fish-Man —why won't you let me touch you?!"
His thick fingers almost touched Shirahoshi's hair. Neptune roared and raised his Trident again, but the CP0 agents around him instantly drew their swords and surrounded him. The atmosphere in the square had almost reached its limit.
--Just when everyone fell into a silence of helplessness and anger.
"Click--chachacha."
A crisp sound broke the silence, as if someone was deliberately chewing loudly.
"Hey--who's making all that noise, barking like a dog?"
That familiar, rough, and somewhat impatient voice came leisurely from behind Shirahoshi.
With the sound of footsteps, an unusual aura slowly spread out.
The nobles and reporters all turned their heads, only to see a figure swaggering out—
White hair, a cloak, broad shoulders like a mountain, Senbei in one hand, and that perpetually smug, punchable expression on his face.
"Wow, this is quite a scene! The meeting hasn't even started yet and they're already putting on a 'slave show'?"
Garp's tone was casual, but the subtle sense of oppression in his laughter made the CP0 and Guards in the square tense up.
Behind him, Ace and Luffy stood side by side.
Unlike Garp's casual demeanor, neither of them wore a smile.
Ace's fist slowly ignited with crimson flames, the firelight flickering, reflecting Saint Charlos's greasy face in his dark pupils.
Luffy's Marine Cap was tilted slightly, casting a shadow that obscured his eyes.
He didn't speak, but his calm, indifferent gaze sent a chill down Saint Charlos's spine.
They had already heard from the escort mission that Shirahoshi was someone Roy treated like a younger sister.
That means that, in their hearts, she is their sister.
And now, in broad daylight, someone actually dares to try and kidnap their "sister" as a slave right in front of them?
Ace and Luffy took a step forward side by side, the sound of their shoes scraping against the ground particularly clear in the deathly silent square.
At that moment, Saint Charlos was still smiling smugly, unaware that he was facing one of the most dangerous people in the world.