Seven days later. Somewhere in the Grand Line.
Kong was a flawless blue, without a cloud for miles. Sunlight spilled across the azure sea, scattering rippling golden glimmers.
A magnificent World Government vessel was cutting through the waves at a speed far beyond that of an ordinary sailing ship. From high in Kong, one could see the secret behind its acceleration—three burly, heavily muscled men clad only in shorts were half-submerged behind the stern, alternately using Geppo against the sea at astonishing frequency and force.
The powerful recoil continuously drove the government vessel forward like an arrow loosed from a bow, yet the ship remained remarkably steady, demonstrating both the helmsman's superb skill and the precise control of those three "human engines."
On the broad, immaculate deck, an "entertainment" was underway.
A pirate with a bounty of tens of millions of Beli was tightly bound to the main mast with coarse rope. Tears and snot streamed down his face as his whole body shook like a leaf.
"P-please! Spare me! I'll never be a pirate again! I'll give you all my treasure!!"
Shamrock remained expressionless, as though he had not heard the wails at his feet. He elegantly drew the rapier at his waist, sunlight flowing across its exquisite, slender blade.
A cold flash streaked past.
The begging abruptly stopped. The pirate's head rolled across the polished deck, extreme terror frozen on his face. Blood sprayed from his severed neck, but an invisible force knocked it aside before it could stain Shamrock's boots.
The surrounding Cipher Pol agents immediately stepped forward and flatteringly praised him:
"Saint Shamrock's Swordsmanship is truly unfathomable!"
"His control of power was flawless! He did not damage the ship in the slightest!"
"As expected of a noble Celestial Dragon!"
Amid the chorus of praise, several beautiful,