Celestial Dragons Are Human Too

"River, code name Daytime Tiger!"

That was the first line Rob Lucci saw in the top-secret, S-rank file his superiors had sent him.

It was a strange code name. When he first saw it, he did not understand its significance, but he soon realized the mountain-heavy weight that name carried.

It was heavy enough to crush this elite CP squad.

"Former Marine Admiral."

The second line made Lucci's pupils constrict and sent a shock through his heart.

An Admiral! Who could have imagined that? Even more incredible was the fact that a fighter of Admiral caliber could be virtually unknown to the world.

He had carried out missions for so many years, yet from the start of his career until now, he had never heard of him.

"In the old era, he fought Whitebeard and Roger. He was hailed as the Marines' strongest fighting force, a man who alone could stand alongside those two legendary pirates!"

"Proficient in swordsmanship, Taijutsu, and Haki. Possesses extraordinary overall strength. An extremely dangerous and vicious individual."

"Once wreaked havoc at the World Government, in Sea Circle Calendar 149."

The intelligence ended abruptly there. Clear tear marks ran across the document, showing that someone responsible had removed the rest.

That meant even an intelligence operative like him was not authorized to access those classified details.

"The above information is highly classified. Burn after reading. It must not be disclosed to outsiders!"

The warning at the end of the report was emphatically marked in large, scarlet letters.

"Phew!"

Recalling what he had just read, Lucci's gaze grew even graver.

"The mission must be carried out immediately, so we need to leave right now!"

He spoke in a low voice to the team members before him.

They had spent several years undercover on the Pluton mission. Whether behind their assumed identities or as comrades, they had formed deep bonds.

Lucci truly did not want any of them to die.

Even if that was a possibility they had to face in this line of work.

"Then let's head out right away. Once we've dealt with the target, we can hurry back!"

"Come to think of it, I haven't finished my work yet."

"I've still got a screw to put in, too."

"What a pain, getting interrupted by a mission like this."

Muttering under their breath, they all began changing clothes. Kalifa adjusted her glasses and remained rather quiet. The grave look on Lucci's face told her something was wrong.

Perhaps this mission would be far more difficult than they imagined.

Rob Lucci said nothing more. Apart from him, none of the others knew the intelligence on River. They only knew the broad outline of the mission.

A former Marine Admiral, an individual shrouded in the utmost secrecy, yet their superiors had ordered them to go and eliminate him.

And success or failure did not matter.

That meant their purpose was merely to serve as an advance force and probe the target's strength.

Pawns, then?

Rob Lucci sneered inwardly.

Anger rose from deep within him, making his expression even colder.

Sending an entire CP9 squad just to deal with a former Marine Admiral!

There's pressure, sure, but with our strength, we might still have a chance.

His eyes flickered as those thoughts ran through his mind.

This opportunity would also let him make a clear assessment of just how far he stood below the world's very best.

Time passed, and before long, evening arrived.

Half of the crimson sun hung above the horizon, casting red light across the rippling sea in the distance. A few seagulls flapped their wings as they swept past ahead.

The sea breeze felt so pleasant that it made one want to hum.

It was a truly beautiful scene of sunset and evening glow.

"Are we going to Mock Town, Boss? That's a gathering place for pirates, all of them vicious-looking types!"

"Pretty much every rookie who comes to these waters from the Four Blues gathers on that island."

Foxy clicked his tongue in wonder.

"It's a real mixed bag. You'll find every kind of person there. There's even..."

At that point, he suddenly lowered his voice to a whisper.

"I also heard that some big shot from the New World has extended his influence to that island."

"He secretly controls some underworld forces there. Quite a few pirates have already pledged themselves to him!"

River raised his eyebrows with interest. "Oh? Do you know who it is?"

Foxy shook his head. "No idea. A pirate like me might be able to throw his weight around in the first half of the Grand Line, but in the New World, I'd just be cannon fodder. I wouldn't last a day."

"I know even less about big shots like that. All I know are the Four Emperors whose names shake the world."

River laughed. "You certainly know your own limits!"

"Heh heh, knowing your limits is the most important thing if you want to stay alive!"

"That's why I submitted to your overwhelming presence without hesitation, Boss!"

Foxy chuckled.

Suddenly, a grotesque masked face leaned over and glanced at Foxy, cutting his laughter short. A fine sheen of sweat appeared on his forehead.

"Doflamingo has forces in Mock Town."

Crocodile spoke in a low voice.

"Doflamingo?"

River paused, then laughed.

"Now there's a familiar name."

Crocodile looked slightly taken aback. "You know him?"

River shook his head, but fell rather quiet. Only after a long while did he sigh softly. "I knew his father."

"He was a very likable man."

After a pause, he looked toward the sunset ahead.

"Suddenly, I find myself missing him."

Crocodile was even more surprised. This man actually knew Doflamingo's father?

"Saint Homing!"

"My friend!"

"I never even got to give you a proper farewell."

The quiet words slipped from River's lips.

Crocodile went rigid, his pupils contracting sharply beneath his mask. In that instant, he was utterly stunned.

"Saint?!"

Crocodile naturally understood the significance of having "Saint" in one's name.

"That man was a Celestial Dragon?"

Drawing a deep breath, Crocodile spoke quietly.

"A Celestial Dragon?"

River heard him and gave a soft chuckle.

"Celestial Dragons are human too!"

That was also the belief Homing had upheld. It was precisely because of it that the two had become friends after a chance encounter and tried to work toward their shared dream.

Yet those words sent a violent shock through both Crocodile and Foxy beside him, leaving them staring at him in astonishment.

In this world of rigid, clearly defined social ranks, such an unremarkable statement carried tremendous power.

It was no different from the cry Chen Sheng and Wu Guang had raised during their uprising: "Are kings, nobles, generals, and ministers born to their stations?"

Night soon fell, and the ship's forward pace quietly slowed.

Over the dark sea, a few fish occasionally leaped out of the water, landing with splashes.

As the night deepened and the sky grew darker, faint snores began drifting from Foxy's Ship beside the warship.

Under cover of darkness, a lone small boat slowly approached.

Seven hazy figures could just be made out standing at its bow and stern.

A murderous chill quietly spread across the sea.

After a full day of pursuit, the members of CP9 had finally arrived.