The Government Ship That Caught Their Eye

"Move at top speed. I want to get back as fast as possible."

Saint Rasgard, having changed into a fresh set of clothes and a new mask, strode up to the guards and imperiously issued his command.

"We're already moving as fast as we can, Saint Rasgard," a guard answered tremblingly.

"How are those three from Cipher Pol No. 2 doing now?" Saint Rasgard asked with a frown.

The guard seemed to recall something and shuddered all over before forcing out the words, "My lords have broken bones all over their bodies. They might... not be saved..."

"Useless trash, all of you! Three against one, and you ended up like this? How am I supposed to trust those useless fools with my safety in the future?" Saint Rasgard cursed furiously, his entire mind occupied with his own safety. He did not care in the slightest about those men who were on the verge of death.

"We've already contacted the Holy Land. The higher-ups of Cipher Pol are on their way back to meet us," the guard said, not daring to provoke him further and able only to offer some good news.

Sure enough, upon hearing that, Saint Rasgard immediately beamed.

"Good, good, good! Did you tell those people in the Holy Land about Jack?"

Unable to fathom the Celestial Dragon's ever-changing moods, the guard answered in a pleased tone, "We did. I heard the Five Elders will personally look into this matter."

"You dog! Who told you to spread this around? I can handle this myself!" Saint Rasgard roared, his eyes wide as he kicked the man to the deck.

Still unsatisfied, he kicked the man again and again.

"I won't do it again! Please spare me!" the man begged repeatedly.

But it was useless. Instead, his cries stirred Saint Rasgard's interest. He simply pulled out a whip and lashed him with all his strength.

Before long, the man fell silent, lying motionless on the deck.

"Interesting!"

Saint Rasgard suddenly laughed. He greatly enjoyed the feeling of standing above others and holding their lives in his hands. Only then could he briefly forget what had happened earlier.

"Will you dare make decisions for me again in the future?"

The guards froze at his words before swiftly dropping to their knees on the deck.

"You know this, my lord. We've always listened to you. We will forever obey your orders and would never dare show the slightest disrespect."

"That man was just trying to be clever. We weren't familiar with him at all."

Saint Rasgard's eyes brimmed with arrogance. This was the power authority had granted him. These people's lives and deaths rested on a single thought from him.

"I like the looks in your eyes..."

After saying that, he walked into his incomparably luxurious cabin.

Unlike the cabins occupied by the guards and Cipher Pol, his quarters were decorated with all manner of precious treasures. Even the carpets were stitched together from the furs of rare and exotic beasts.

More than ten boxes of various sizes were scattered across the carpet. Through the gaps in their lids, one could see that they were filled with dazzling jewels. Even the little that showed was enough to lend the cabin an overwhelming air of luxury.

Saint Rasgard took off his clothes, then leaped forward and crashed onto the soft bed like a sow diving into water.

Outside the cabin, on the deck.

"Hoo..." The guards all let out long breaths.

"That bastard almost got us all killed!"

Though they served as Celestial Dragon guards, their status was not much higher than that of slaves.

Looking at the Celestial Dragon's tightly shut door, they each pulled out a cigarette, lit it, and eased their stress.

They all made their living guarding Celestial Dragons, and everyone wanted to climb higher. But the fate of those who failed lay right before their eyes.

Staying by a Celestial Dragon's side was dangerous, but the benefits were obvious. In the eyes of the Celestial Dragons, they were nothing. Yet in the eyes of commoners, they became people no one dared offend.

And as long as they understood the Celestial Dragons' intentions, even the danger would disappear.

This was a privilege only those who stayed beside Celestial Dragons could enjoy.

"Remember to keep an eye on the surroundings. We're the only ones escorting the ship right now, and who knows when the big shots from Cipher Pol will arrive."

"As long as we make it to Mary Geoise safely, the rewards definitely won't be small."

"You're overthinking it. In this world, no one who dares cause trouble for the Celestial Dragons has been born yet."

After thinking for a moment, the man added, "Except for that lunatic from before."

The mention of that lunatic puzzled them. How had that man dared? He had even dared strike a Celestial Dragon, and what was even stranger was that the Celestial Dragon had endured it.

Could it be... that Celestial Dragons could be afraid too?

The instant that thought surfaced in their minds, they threw it away. Such a thing was impossible.

Even someone like Rocks, who dreamed of ruling the world, had never laid a hand on the Celestial Dragons.

After eight hundred years of rule, the World Government had established the authority of the Celestial Dragons in the heart of every person in this world. No one could resist it.

Anyone who dared face the authority of the Celestial Dragons was either on the verge of madness or... not from this world.

"Captain, I cracked an encrypted message."

"Oh? Let's hear it." A blond man sat in a seat covered in beast hide, polishing the two swords in his arms.

"The message says that a ship loaded with gold, silver, and jewels will pass near us. It seems to be money sent by a certain kingdom to Mary Geoise to bribe the Celestial Dragons," the crewman replied.

"Then the guards probably aren't very strong, right?" Golden Lion grew interested. "That's good news. If it's not far from us, let's head over there."

"But I'm worried this information might be a trap..." The crewman was clearly much more level-headed.

"Scared of shit!" Golden Lion sheathed his swords. "I'm Golden Lion. So what if it's a trap? We'll just charge straight through it."

"Whoa! As expected of Boss Golden Lion!"

"Mighty! What Haki!"

The crewmen cheered one after another. Since forming their pirate crew, they had yet to suffer a single defeat.

It was money being delivered to the Celestial Dragons, but not the heavily guarded Celestial Tribute. It would be enough for them to live lavishly for quite some time.

They could even use this chance to spread their pirate crew's name even farther.

Pirates with the same thoughts were all heading toward the same place. They all had the same target.

"Rumble!!!"

The waves grew violent. In an instant, the winds and clouds shifted, and the previously clear skies became covered in dark clouds.

Something enormous seemed to be rolling and swimming through those clouds.

On the sea, the guards stopped their work and curiously looked into the distance. Their eyes were full of annoyance, as the sudden storm had slowed their progress considerably.

"How did the weather change so suddenly?"

The guards smiled helplessly and quickened their movements. "Stop complaining. Keep control of the heading and get back to work..."

In a corner they had failed to notice, a man with golden braids silently watched their movements.