Not far away, Straw Hat Luffy, who had been watching the whole time, widened his eyes too. Once the gunshot faded and he saw what had happened, he burst out laughing.
"Hahahahaha!"
"The old guy's fine!"
At that moment, an icy chill crept into the already tense atmosphere.
"You?!"
The female Celestial Dragon, Shalria, stared wide-eyed at the man whose face was almost pressed against hers, panic rising within her.
"What a rotten bunch you are."
"Your entire race."
River spread his fingers. A lead bullet, twisted and deformed by the impact, fell from his palm and struck the ground with a clink.
Then his right hand shot out and clamped around her neck.
"Aah!!"
Shalria screamed in terror.
Everyone watching was stunned by the sudden turn of events.
What was he doing?
A young Marine had actually attacked a Celestial Dragon. It was utterly unexpected!
Saint Rosward, the middle-aged man standing nearby, frantically raised his gun, aimed it at River, and shouted in fury.
"Let go of my daughter, Marine!"
Behind him, the towering slave bound in chains raised his head to look at the scene before him, an unusual gleam flashing in his eyes.
"Put away that toy."
"Otherwise, the moment you fire, I'll consider you my enemy."
River spoke calmly.
Then, utterly disregarding Saint Rosward's threat, he fixed his gaze on Shalria again.
His right hand suddenly tightened. In an instant, Shalria felt herself suffocating. Fear and despair surged through her, making her scream in terror.
How undignified!
To think that an exalted Celestial Dragon could wear such a desperate, terrified expression.
"Pop!"
Suddenly, the bubble burst with a crisp sound. Shalria grew even more terrified. Tears welled in her beautiful eyes, and her gaze turned pleading as she looked at the man before her.
"How is