Tremors

By now, news of the Celestial Dragons being killed had spread throughout the entire Sabaody Archipelago. An unknown nobody named Augustus D. Sal had killed two Celestial Dragons, while the newly risen Supernovas, the Straw Hat Pirates, had been accomplices.

Panic swept across the Sabaody Archipelago, and countless pirates scrambled to leave the islands. After all, an admiral's arrival was nothing short of a disaster for ordinary pirates.

Even ordinary civilians wanted to leave the Sabaody Archipelago for the time being. A major battle was about to erupt on the islands, and if they stayed, they might lose their lives.

When the news arrived, three people on the island who had crossed paths with Sal were equally stunned. Old Luke had already packed his bags and planned to leave the Sabaody Archipelago to lie low for a while, since he had guessed that Mr. Sal might do something big.

Drake, the Marine undercover agent, knew Sal was that person because he had investigated Sal's background. At this point, even if he got dragged into it, he had nothing to say. The justice in his heart also wanted to eliminate pests like the Celestial Dragons.

Jewelry Bonney, on the other hand, was eating meat as she cursed.

"I knew that bastard was insane! He actually dared to kill Celestial Dragons and drag me into this! Boys, prepare to set sail. There's no time for coating anymore. That damned lunatic better not let me see him in the New World."

Holy Land, Mary Geoise.

Sengoku the Buddha, the Fleet Admiral of the Marines, held his head with an utterly grim expression. The killing of Celestial Dragons was the biggest incident in twenty years. The last person who had dared to do such a thing had been the former former ruler of the seas.

The Marineford War was only a week away. There could be no mistakes now.

Sengoku cursed under his breath.

"That bastard Garp's bastard grandson, how did he dare lay hands on a Celestial Dragon? What is wrong with that whole family? And where did that lunatic Augustus D. Sal come from? He actually killed two Celestial Dragons."

Kizaru, seated nearby, said nothing and merely sipped his tea.

Though the reporting lieutenant colonel could see that his superiors had a massive headache, he still forced himself to continue.

"Fleet Admiral, two Celestial Dragons have been killed, and another has been taken hostage. The Five Elders demand that you act as soon as possible."

"..."

Kizaru set down his cup and rose voluntarily to offer his services.

"Fleet Admiral Sengoku, I should make a trip there. Pirates these days are truly frightening."

Sengoku nodded with a dark expression, then instructed him.

"Have the science unit bring several Pacifistas. Sweep through the pirates of the Sabaody Archipelago. I don't want to hear bad news from there while we're fighting Whitebeard."

Sabaody Archipelago, auction house.

The purple-clad host clutched his wound as he made a call from his office. Once the Den Den Mushi's expression changed, he hurriedly said,

"Doffy, please help me. Help me quell the chaos at the auction house. A madman named Augustus D. Sal killed two Celestial Dragons inside the venue, and a pirate called Straw Hat attacked a Celestial Dragon as well. Help me recover the losses, and I'll be grateful. You're one of the major bosses too."

The Den Den Mushi took on the appearance of someone wearing glasses and let out a sinister laugh.

"Sorry, my friend, but the human trafficking business is outdated. The era is calling to me now. The Marines have issued a mandatory summons for the Shichibukai. The Shichibukai will fight the Whitebeard Pirates. This is a war that will decide the future's course. Fufufufufu."

As the laughter faded, the Den Den Mushi hung up, leaving the host with a face full of despair.

Inside the auction house, once Sal spoke Rayleigh's full name, everyone stared in shock at the utterly unremarkable old man.

Kid said incredulously,

"The legendary Dark King Rayleigh, the Pirate King's right-hand man, is actually such an ordinary old geezer? And it looks like he wanted to auction himself off?"

Rayleigh walked over to Camie the mermaid and said with a smile,

"Don't treat me like some important figure. Everyone on the island calls me Coating Rayleigh. I'm just an old geezer now. Don't move, young lady. A mermaid who longs for freedom has no need for chains."

As Rayleigh activated the Ryuo technique of Armament Haki, the chain easily snapped open. With a casual toss, the explosive chain detonated in the corner.

After dealing with the chain, Rayleigh passed Sal and went to Hachi to inspect his injuries. Though he had many questions for Sal, this was no place to linger.

Franky also found the key and began removing the slaves' chains one by one.

Luffy stood where he was and asked Rayleigh. He was curious why Rayleigh had wanted to see him.

"Old man, why did you say you wanted to see me?"

Though Rayleigh wanted to speak with Luffy, he would not do so in front of everyone.

"We'll talk once we're outside. If we don't leave now, an admiral will be here soon."

The word "admiral" made everyone tense up. Sal chimed in from the side.

"Move quickly. Let some strong young men draw the Marines' attention head-on, while the slaves leave through the back door. Otherwise, the Marines will capture them again."

The three Supernova captains headed for the entrance at the same time. As captains, they naturally took the lead.

Sal watched them walk out. Logically speaking, the three of them should have crushed the handful of Marines present. The opposing Marines only had a single Headquarters commodore leading them. With just that force, they had dared to capture Rayleigh. They were truly bold.

Forget Rayleigh—even a single Supernova pirate crew might not necessarily lose to that force.

Suddenly, Sal noticed several gazes fixed on him. Nami asked curiously,

"Aren't you going out to fight? You were the one who suggested this plan."

Almost everyone nodded in agreement, and even Robin added from the side,

"Besides, you were the mastermind behind killing the Celestial Dragons."

"..."

Sal could only laugh heartily, trying to muddle through it.

"I said strong young men, and I'm not a strong young man."

A sudden system notification made his pupils constrict.

[An SS-rank individual, one of the Five Elders, has developed negative emotions toward the host. Initial hostility. Experience increased by 10000 x3]

[An SS-rank individual, Sengoku, has developed negative emotions toward the host. Initial hostility. Experience increased by 10000]

[Level increased: Level 38 (2360/9000)]

Ever since news of the Celestial Dragons' deaths had spread, the system had occasionally displayed experience notifications. Together with the experience from the Five Elders and Sengoku this time, his level had jumped eight levels in a row.

What surprised him even more was that the Five Elders were only SS-rank. It seemed there were not many SSS-rank individuals in the entire world.

The increase in level once again brought a qualitative change to his strength.

[Host: Augustus D. Sal]

[Age: 26]

[Level: 38 (2360/9000)]

[Strength: Intermediate (Colonel)]

[Constitution: Intermediate (Colonel)]

[Agility: Intermediate (Colonel)]

[Fruit: None]

[Techniques: Top-tier]

[Armament Haki: Beginner]

[Observation Haki: Intermediate]

[Conqueror's Haki: Peak]

[Weapon: Ace]

The changes to his attributes unlocked a top-tier Supreme Conqueror's Haki technique: Conqueror's Coating. Sal clenched his fist. He could estimate that his current body could barely use Conqueror's Coating.

Though the backlash would still leave him seriously injured, at least he would not die on the spot.

However, Sal would not be foolish enough to use Conqueror's Coating now. He believed that before long, he would be able to unleash all of his Conqueror's Haki without any side effects.