Reactions from All Sides

The pirate ship slowly approached the vessel said to be laden with gold, silver, and jewels.

The ship was deathly quiet, with only the sea breeze brushing against the sails. The pirates warily scanned their surroundings, faintly sensing an ominous presence.

When they boarded, the sight before them made their hearts shudder. Guards lay sprawled all over the deck, yet there were no signs of a fight whatsoever. It was deeply strange, as though they had collapsed before they could even resist.

The pirates' expressions turned grave. They knew that whatever had happened here was far from simple.

Remaining alert, they continued deeper inside.

In the depths of the cabin, they found a beheaded corpse. The cabin where the body lay was lavishly furnished; taking any single item from it would be enough to live without worries for the rest of one's life.

Yet they could not feel happy. The corpse sent chills down their spines.

"We've been tricked." Kuchi's voice was cold and furious. "This isn't our target. Someone set a trap for us."

The pirates looked at one another, anger and helplessness tangled in their hearts. They understood that they had become pieces on someone else's chessboard. A moment of greed had dragged them into this deadly trap.

But amid their anger, the pirates also felt a powerful thrill of vengeance. No one in this world did not hate the Celestial Dragons; they simply did not dare to act.

And now, a Celestial Dragon had died right in front of them. How could they not be excited?

Even as they savored the satisfaction, they swore they would never let the treacherous enemies who had framed them get away. They had to make the culprit who had forced them to take the blame die without a burial place!

Afterward, the pirates recorded the situation aboard the ship and reported it to their captain.

"Commodore, there really is a great deal of treasure on the ship." The pirate showed no excitement, only deep unease. "But there's also the corpse of a Celestial Dragon."

Golden Lion narrowed his tiger-like eyes. "A Celestial Dragon?"

Just like his epithet, "Golden Lion," Shiki possessed golden hair that trailed all the way to the ground like a lion's mane. His sideburns and beard were golden as well, and his long sideburns made him resemble a lion even more.

"Yes, Commodore. It seems we've been set up." The man spoke bitterly.

"Zehahahahaha! I never thought someone would dare scheme against me. Looks like the fear I've brought to this world still isn't enough." Golden Lion threw back his head and laughed, but his eyes were terrifyingly cold.

"Take me to see that Celestial Dragon." He leaped fiercely from the bow, then drifted lightly onto the Celestial Dragon's ship.

"I don't know what kind of deep grudge this was, but this Celestial Dragon died horribly."

Even the pirates shook their heads at the Celestial Dragon's miserable state.

Among those pirates, however, some revealed smug smiles upon learning the news. They realized they could use this incident to spread their name.

It was easy to imagine that this operation would cause an enormous uproar across the world. They could become famous overnight through it.

But these people had not expected that this attack was not merely about obtaining mountains of gold, silver, and jewels. It was also a challenge to the authority of the World Government. Once the World Government set its sights on them, their days ahead would not be easy.

Meanwhile.

Atop the Red Line, in the Holy Land of Mary Geoise.

Mary Geoise was the Holy Land of the World Government, home to the world's most noble Celestial Dragons. Its city walls soared into the clouds, its palaces were magnificent and grand, and its towering spires pierced the heavens. Anyone who came to this land would be awed by the city's majesty.

Yet the atmosphere within the Holy Land was somewhat strange today.

The Celestial Dragons received shocking news throughout the streets and alleys of Holy Land Mary Geoise.

A ship loaded with gold, silver, and jewels had been attacked, and one Celestial Dragon aboard had been brutally murdered. Every guard on the ship had also been killed.

The news rapidly spread through Holy Land Mary Geoise, stirring up a tremendous commotion.

The reason was obvious. When their lives were threatened, the panic and fear in their hearts would be magnified without limit.

The Celestial Dragons were the privileged class of the World Government. They considered themselves above all others and had never feared anyone.

Yet at this moment, they felt a rare sense of fear and helplessness.

Within the palaces of Mary Geoise, several Celestial Dragons wore grave expressions and exchanged glances frequently. They realized that this attack was not merely an ordinary act of piracy, but a serious challenge to their privileged status.

"We must respond to this incident, or there will be more and more attacks against Celestial Dragons in the future!"

"What have the Five Elders decided?"

"Golden Lion's Flying Pirate Crew isn't easy to deal with. They fly through the air, so it's difficult for us to determine their exact location."

Those with ulterior motives wanted to completely shatter their arrogance, and they had succeeded. With all sorts of practical problems entangled together, the Celestial Dragons had been thrown into a passive position.

But they could not possibly act according to their opponent's wishes.

"Let's wait for the Five Elders' arrangements."

"..."

The Celestial Dragons of Mary Geoise felt fear unlike anything they had ever known.

Meanwhile, the pirates involved in this incident laughed in the darkness. They knew this operation would shake the world, and they would become famous because of it.

Marineford.

Amid the quiet peace, Sengoku finally had a little time to rest. He had finally torn a small opening in the bag of rice crackers inside his desk.

"Buru buru... Buru buru..."

Sengoku, holding a rice cracker between two fingers, frowned. Looking at the snack in his hand, he struggled inwardly before ultimately putting it back.

"Hello... This is Sengoku."

"Fleet Admiral Kong, what is it?"

Steel Bone Kong let out a heavy sigh. The World Government had sent him news that a Celestial Dragon had been killed and ordered him to act immediately.

He knew this order could not be avoided. Although he personally did not care whether the Celestial Dragons lived or died, as an institution under the World Government, he had to obey.

Hearing Kong's sigh, Sengoku's face showed a hint of confusion and unease.

"Sengoku, I've received orders from above. A Celestial Dragon died near the Sabaody Archipelago, and they want us to investigate this incident." Steel Bone Kong's voice was stern and heavy, revealing the pressure in his heart.

"What?! A Celestial Dragon was actually killed?!"

Sengoku's brows furrowed slightly. He knew what this meant, and he understood Fleet Admiral Kong's predicament. But faced with the pressure of the World Government, he knew there was no use in running from it.

"Yes, Fleet Admiral. Understood. I'll depart immediately to investigate." Sengoku's tone was resolute. The consequences of this incident were unfavorable for them, so they could only do their best.

Fleet Admiral Kong nodded and disconnected the Den Den Mushi, silently praying that everything could be resolved smoothly.

He knew this investigation would be a journey filled with challenges and danger, but he also believed that with Sengoku's strength and ability, he would certainly be able to give those above an explanation.

Elsewhere, Sengoku's expression kept changing. He could not understand why Golden Lion had chosen to attack a Celestial Dragon, especially in a place as close to Mary Geoise and Marineford as the Sabaody Archipelago.