A Step Back Each

"However, to uphold the dignity of the Celestial Dragons, you must handle this matter beautifully." Saint Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro held his long sword in his arms, sharp light reflecting off his glasses.

"Furthermore, suppress the news. At the very least, this matter cannot appear in the newspapers."

"That may be somewhat difficult..." Steel Bone Kong frowned.

The information he had received was that news of the incident had already spread throughout the Sabaody Archipelago. It seemed someone was deliberately controlling public opinion.

"The Navy stationed at the Sabaody Archipelago had tried to suppress the matter before, but it had no effect."

The Five Elders could no longer remain seated. "How is that possible?!"

"The Sabaody Archipelago is filled with all sorts of people, and many forces on the islands are beyond Navy oversight." Steel Bone Kong sounded helpless. "There really is no way..."

The Five Elders deeply regretted it. The Sabaody Archipelago was the most important transit point for pirates, without question. Pirate crews large and small all had informants there.

The state of that island had been caused by their deliberate indulgence. They had never expected it to come back to bite them.

"Do your best..."

The Five Elders knew there was no point in making things difficult for Steel Bone Kong now...

The matter had already become a foregone conclusion. They could only resort to iron-fisted measures and ensure those damned pirates did not entertain thoughts they should not have.

"I will deploy all of Cipher Pol." Saint Jaygarcia Saturn spoke. "They will also help you complete this mission in secret. Golden Lion Shiki's Flying Pirate Crew must be completely annihilated."

This was not making a mountain out of a molehill. In eight hundred years, news of a Celestial Dragon being killed had never spread, which was what had allowed them to maintain their rule for so long.

But now, that number had changed from zero to one. If they did not curb those people's thoughts, they did not dare imagine whether this world would still be theirs to command in the future.

Their status meant they had to consider the entire group of Celestial Dragons. Lord Imu behind them also did not wish for this world to descend into chaos.

If this matter was not handled properly, they too would be punished.

Celestial Dragons were supreme, and they must never be offended. They were the gods of this world!

Some unknown sea.

The sea surged violently as towering Navy warships stood in neat formations, like a barricade stretching across the waters. Their flags fluttered in the wind, displaying their might and authority.

Sengoku stood atop a raised platform, telescope in hand, staring at the battle unfolding in the distant waters.

At the same time, the Navy warships unleashed astonishing firepower. Cannonballs screamed through the air, tearing across the sky as they bombarded the pirates. Thunderous blasts rang through the heavens, accompanied by thick smoke that created an overwhelming sense of pressure.

Golden Lion Shiki's Flying Pirate Crew was being pursued and surrounded by the Navy led by Sengoku.

Cannonballs exploded around the pirate ship, leaving clouds of smoke that were soon swept away by the howling sea wind.

The pirates stood on deck with furrowed brows, watching the approaching Navy fleet around them with tension and anxiety. Beads of sweat dripped from their foreheads.

"Admiral, the Navy is about to surround us!"

Though they were floating in the air, the weather and the Navy's relentless barrage of cannon fire had still forced them into a dead end.

The pirates aboard exchanged anxious looks, their hearts filled with fear and unease. They knew the situation was extremely dangerous. Once the Navy trapped them, there would be little chance of escape.

"We only took some treasure. Why did the Navy deploy so many people to wipe us out?" a pirate who did not understand the situation asked bitterly.

"What can we do? We're taking the blame for someone else. That bastard killed someone—if he had the guts, he should turn himself in! What kind of skill is it to dump the blame on us?!"

Golden Lion Shiki stood at the bow, his golden hair streaming in the sea breeze. "Such is fate."

Even when he had been with the Rocks Pirates, he had never faced a campaign of extermination on this scale. He had not expected to receive such treatment after becoming a captain himself.

The sea wind howled, and the ship rocked unsteadily. The crew kept the cannonballs from reaching the hull, but they knew that once their strength ran out, they would be finished.

Yet continuing to resist gave them a sliver of hope. Giving up meant certain doom, so they chose to fight to the bitter end.

Suddenly, Golden Lion Shiki burst into loud laughter. "Jihahahahaha! Sengoku! You still can't take my life! I am Golden Lion Shiki, the man destined to stand at the pinnacle of this world!"

Not far ahead, massive islands drifted toward them.

"I've been waiting for my trump card to arrive. What are you waiting for, Sengoku?!"

Golden Lion Shiki laughed wildly as he controlled those islands, sending them to float directly above the warships.

His ability allowed him to make anything he had ever touched float, regardless of how far away it was, and command it as he pleased.

"What is that?" The Marines saw something drifting over from afar, growing larger and larger before their eyes.

As the small islands floated in the sky, they blotted out the heavens like black clouds devouring the sunlight. Merely hanging in the air, they exuded immense pressure.

The trees, rocks, and vegetation on the islands swayed in the wind, like furious beasts ready at any moment to launch a savage attack upon the enemies on the sea.

Witnessing this scene, despair rose in the hearts of the Navy fleet's crew. They had never imagined they would face a threat from islands.

Before such overwhelming power, they felt as insignificant as ants, utterly unable to resist.

"Everyone, scatter!" Sengoku roared desperately.

If all those islands came crashing down, they would certainly be wiped out. He had never imagined Golden Lion Shiki possessed such terrifying power.

"Sengoku!" Golden Lion Shiki's voice came from high above. "How about we each take a step back?"

"You let me go, and I won't let these islands fall."

"What do you say?"

His strength had not yet accumulated to its peak, and he did not want to fight the Navy to mutual destruction for now. Given the current situation, each side taking a step back was the best option.

The moment the floating islands hung above the Navy's heads, the Marines fell into a desperate struggle. They stood on deck, watching helplessly as the islands slowly moved until they were directly overhead.

"What kind of insane power is this?" a Vice Admiral from Headquarters murmured, gripping the warship's railing tightly with both hands. "What should we do?"

The officers all walked to the bow, their faces filled with anxiety and helplessness. Golden Lion Shiki's threat had left them at a complete loss.

Meanwhile, Golden Lion Shiki stood at the edge of the pirate ship, madness gleaming in his eyes, as though he held dominion over the entire world.

"Are you still hesitating?" His voice echoed across the sea. "Hesitation will make you pay the price!"

Sengoku knew he had to make a decision quickly, but he simply could not make such a choice...

If he let them leave, the Navy's reputation would plummet. But if he refused Golden Lion Shiki's demand, those islands might fall and bring even more devastating consequences.

"Admiral Sengoku, you don't need to hesitate. We believe in your strength—you can defeat Golden Lion Shiki."

"From the day we enlisted, we Marines were prepared to sacrifice ourselves at any time."

"Go for it without hesitation! We'll take responsibility for our own safety!"