Don't Stop, My Lord

Hearing Gawain's words, Gion nodded thoughtfully.

As for Shalria...

She automatically filtered out anything she couldn't understand, all while continuing to swing Gawain's arm and shouting excitedly.

"You're so bad, Brother Gawain! A slave worth over a billion, and you just killed him like that. It's so stylish—I love it!"

"Heh."

Gawain rolled his eyes, then pulled his hand from Shalria's embrace. Shalria unwillingly tried to pounce on him again, but Gawain held her shoulders and said,

"Shalria, calm down for now. I have something important I need your help with."

"Huh?!"

Shalria was both startled and delighted. She hurriedly asked Gawain expectantly,

"I can actually help you? That's wonderful! Just say the word—what do you need me to do?"

"Don't you like buying slaves? The favor I need is related to that."

"Oh, Brother Gawain, are you running out of money to buy slaves?

Don't worry, I still have lots of Beli. If you want some, I'll have them carry it over for you!"

"That won't be necessary."

Gawain shook his head.

"I just hope that when you buy slaves, you'll try to purchase higher-quality ones, slaves like Jebul.

Shalria, what do you think of those criminals in Impel Down with extremely high bounties?

If possible, talk to your people and try to open up a channel with Impel Down so you can gain the right to buy stock from them."

At that, Gawain smiled and patted Shalria on the shoulder.

"If you can bring out those Impel Down criminals and turn them into slaves, you'll be the coolest woman in all of Mary Geoise.

You should know that Impel Down has never sold slaves to the outside world!"

"Wow!!!"

Shalria's eyes filled with little stars. She seemed to have already imagined herself riding an Impel Down limited-edition mount, inspiring envy, jealousy, and hatred from countless fellow Celestial Dragons.

As for what kind of slave market Impel Down was, why its slaves weren't sold, or how much they would cost if they were...

Questions like that were completely outside Shalria's scope of consideration!

Seeing Shalria lost in thought, Gawain smiled and took her hand.

As he stroked the little hand of this girl, whose heart was clearly as venomous as a snake's yet who was innocent as paper in certain respects, Gawain spoke to the already flustered Shalria.

"I'm not only interested in the prisoners of Impel Down. I'm also very interested in their current vice warden. If you can secure a stable supply channel from Impel Down and prove to me that its prisoners can become commodities rather than remain imprisoned forever...

Then I really will be very happy."

"Don't worry! I'll have people look into it as soon as I get back. Even if I have to throw tantrums, roll around on the ground, cry my eyes out, or play dead, I'll buy slaves from Impel Down!"

As soon as she finished speaking, Shalria immediately wanted to leave. She couldn't wait to ride an Impel Down slave.

Seeing Shalria turn away, Gawain quickly grabbed her wrist.

"Don't rush off. My Vivre Card isn't finished yet. Once it's done, keep a corner of it."

"Huh?!!"

Shalria's already rosy face instantly flushed crimson with excitement. Tilting her head, she murmured,

"Th-This... is this exchanging Vivre Cards?"

Shalria's little hand trembled twice. Lowering her head and twisting her fingers together, she said expectantly,

"All right. After I get back, I'll bring you a piece of my Vivre Card too, and give it to you~."

"Mm, it's settled then."

At that moment, Gawain's smile was permanently etched into Shalria's mind.

Even after Shalria returned to Mary Geoise, she continued wearing a bashful expression, constantly muttering under her breath.

"How can there be a fellow Celestial Dragon as handsome as Gawain?"

Once she had muttered enough, she began taking action—gathering information, contacting channels, and making a scene.

And so, something that gave the Marines an enormous headache arose.

That very afternoon, Saint Rosward's family appeared at Marine Headquarters.

Rosward himself was arrogant and overbearing, looking every bit like a father who spoiled his daughter to death as he demanded that the Marines hand over Impel Down prisoners.

Meanwhile, Shalria held up Charlos, who was already covered in injuries, and continually yelled at Sengoku. She declared that if they didn't grant her the right to purchase Impel Down limited-edition prisoners, she would beat her own brother, Saint Charlos, to death on the spot...

That entire afternoon, Charlos was filled with grievance, Marine Headquarters was in a state of panic, the three Admirals had all gone out on official business, and Vice Admirals swept across the seas in groups. Countless pirates cried out that they had never seen such an outrageous lineup—four twos and two jokers—just to catch people.

As for Sengoku...

After helplessly promising Saint Rosward's family three prisoner purchase slots every month...

Sengoku hid in his office and dyed his hair again while Garp was away in the East Blue.

As for Impel Down...

After Magellan put down the Den Den Mushi, Shiryu beside him immediately sneered and cursed,

"Those damned Celestial Dragons. Tch."

After saying that, Shiryu tightened his grip on the great blade Raiu and continued with a cold laugh.

"No criminal here should gain freedom because of those damned Celestial Dragons, Magellan.

Rather than hand them over to the Celestial Dragons, hand them over to me. I'll make sure they're put to good use. Hahaha!"

"Enough, Shiryu!"

Magellan frowned.

"Since it is an order from the Celestial Dragons, even Fleet Admiral Sengoku has no power to refuse. Fortunately, it isn't many—only three per month.

Besides, they won't truly be free. They'll become slaves of the Celestial Dragons. For them, that may be a punishment even more terrifying than Impel Down!

And you, Shiryu, no matter your reasons, I will not allow you to continue slaughtering those prisoners!

This is a prison, not an execution ground. If I discover you engaging in similar behavior again, I will personally arrest and imprison you, then carry out your execution!"

Meanwhile, at the largest and most luxurious residence on Tree Island No. 79 of the Sabaody Archipelago.

Gawain was repeatedly sprinting across the enormous courtyard.

Honestly, Gawain wasn't merely drenched in sweat. He was practically about to cry.

Not because he was exhausted enough to cry, but because too much sweat had rolled into his eyes, making them ache unbearably.

At the edge of the courtyard, Gion wore Kompira at her waist and held a wooden sword in her hand, watching Gawain expectantly.

Whenever Saint Gawain, the Celestial Dragon feared by others like a tiger, slowed down even slightly, Gion really did strike him!

Smack!

With a sharp crack, pain shot through Gawain's back as he tried to slow down to a jog, and he staggered straight to the ground.

"Fuck!"

Gawain was so exhausted that he was nearly unconscious. He had even blurted out one of his old catchphrases from before he transmigrated.

Though he had clearly fallen, he wasn't upset in the slightest. After only a brief start, he happily threw himself flat onto the ground.

In that brief instant of lying down, Gawain was already blissfully content. The old saying didn't lie: nothing felt better than lying down!

Unfortunately, before he could enjoy even two seconds of comfort, Gion immediately leaped forward. Extending her long, fair hand, she directly dragged Gawain back up.

"My lord, you are still far from done. Continue."

"I..."

"If you can still speak, then you are still nowhere near your limit. My lord, I want you to continue!"

Gion directly shoved Gawain forward!

All around them, the guards assigned to protect the residence were drenched in sweat. They looked at Gion as if she were some kind of monster.

That was a Celestial Dragon! How could she dare torment him like this? Couldn't she see that His Lordship had asked to rest many times already? He had even given an order!

Gion paid no attention to those guards who had long been trained into loyal dogs by the Celestial Dragons. Holding the wooden sword in both hands, she began jogging beside Gawain.

As she ran with Gawain, Gion continued explaining,

"In this world, there is only one kind of strength: your body!

Whether you rely on Devil Fruit abilities or forsake fruits to specialize in Haki, you need a powerful body and incomparable stamina as your foundation.

Thirty-three years ago, during the God Valley Incident, the battle between Garp, Roger, and Rocks lasted an entire four days. Four days and four nights without sleep or rest—the clashes of Haki and Devil Fruit abilities never ceased for a single moment!

Twenty-two years ago, Shiki and Roger fought for three days and three nights in the Edd War. It only ended when a disaster at sea destroyed Shiki's fleet!

Nineteen years ago, Shiki stormed Marine Headquarters alone and declared war on both old men, Garp and Sengoku. He held out for a day and night before finally being defeated and captured.

Look—battles between the strong are measured in days and nights!

The key is stamina. Your body is the weapon most worthy of your trust, my lord!"

At that, seeing Gawain's steps become increasingly unsteady, Gion directly swung her wooden sword and lightly struck his thigh.

She had indeed struck lightly, but when it landed on Gawain, the force nearly made him leap from the pain.

After crying out miserably, Gawain quickened his pace and actually rushed forward another stretch.

Only when Gawain truly had no strength left did Gion press him to the ground.

She showed no courtesy, directly taking off Gawain's linen short-sleeved shirt and applying ointment to the spots she had struck with the wooden sword.

As she applied the ointment, Gion said coldly,

"My lord, you have the heart of a raging tiger, strategies hidden within, and ambitions for the world, but mere words cannot make me believe in your determination!

With such astonishing Conqueror's Haki potential, as long as you make up your mind, your strength will certainly improve at an incredible rate!

Rather than be your guard, Gion would rather be your blade and watch you personally shine across the world!"

After saying that, Gion sat on Gawain's back and patted his shoulder.

"Rest ends here. Your muscles are no longer twitching, which means you can continue training!

My lord, don't stop!"