The vast rift in the clouds was a spectacular sight, seemingly stretching without end.
It was an extraordinary phenomenon caused by the clash between two powerful individuals who had mastered Advanced Conqueror’s Haki.
I wonder if I have the potential to awaken it.
Dæmon stared at the divided sky thoughtfully.
The floating platform carried everyone through the clouds before finally returning to the deck of Rocks’ Fury.
Shiki glanced back and said, “I’ll bring Rocks back.
The rest of you stay here.” Stussy released the two Celestial Dragons.
The siblings sat beside each other, staring fearfully at the ruthless pirates surrounding them.
At that moment, their status as Celestial Dragons offered them no sense of security.
Dæmon approached them and calmly asked, “What are your names?
Which family do you belong to?” “I-I am Saint Gregory Topman, and she is my sister, Saint Alexia Topman,” the man hurriedly answered.
“Please don’t kill us!
You want Devil Fruits, don’t you?
Our family will give them to you!” The Topman family?
Dæmon remembered that one of the Five Elders also carried that name.
The Elders’ full names were rather difficult to remember.
He recalled Saint Jaygarcia Saturn most clearly—the one who could transform into a gigantic spider-like creature.
Stussy chuckled.
“They’re descendants of Saint Topman Warcury, the Warrior God of Justice.
It seems we were quite fortunate.” Dæmon immediately remembered him.
Right.
Warcury—the Elder with the large mustache who transforms into a monstrous boar.
“You have a Den Den Mushi on you, don’t you?” Gloriosa asked.
The snake coiled around her body slithered down her arm toward the captives.
The two Celestial Dragons trembled and did not dare move, allowing the snake to search their clothes.
A moment later, it pulled a portable transponder snail from Gregory’s pocket.
Charlotte Linlin narrowed her eyes at the siblings.
“Make the call.
Contact the elders of your family and tell them to prepare the ransom!” At the same time, a deafening explosion came from below.
Boom!
Even above the clouds, they could feel the aftershocks of the battle between the two top-tier fighters.
Dæmon left the negotiations to the others and walked toward the edge of the ship.
Unfortunately, the clouds blocked his view.
All he could see was an endless white sea, while the battle below remained hidden.
The violent explosions continued.
Wave after wave of Conqueror’s Haki swept through the sky.
An ordinary person would have lost consciousness long ago.
Dæmon remained unaffected.
These were only distant aftershocks, and his demonic nature protected him from their influence.
Kaido had begun teaching him Haki several days earlier.
Dæmon had tried practicing it, but he had yet to make any progress.
Suddenly, two figures broke through the clouds and landed on the deck.
Rocks sheathed his sword and immediately ordered, “We’re retreating.
Garp and I won’t be able to determine a winner anytime soon.
If we continue fighting, reinforcements from Marine Headquarters will arrive.” …
“This is troublesome.” Back in Grove 24 of the Sabaody Archipelago, Garp stood atop a pile of ruins and gazed into the sky.
Through his Observation Haki, he could sense Rocks and the others rapidly moving away.
He could no longer catch them.
His only choice was to contact his superiors.
…
Marine Headquarters was less than half an hour away from the Sabaody Archipelago by ship.
On the highest floor of the fortress-like headquarters building, Fleet Admiral “Steel Bone” Kong roared furiously into a Den Den Mushi.
“Are you an idiot, Garp?!
You allowed the Rocks Pirates to kidnap two Celestial Dragons right in front of you!” Garp’s helpless voice came through the receiver.
“What was I supposed to do?
Half of the Rocks Pirates suddenly descended from the sky.” “Rocks…
That bastard again!” Kong rubbed his forehead in frustration.
“More than ten years ago, he killed an Admiral during the World Conference.
That position remained vacant for years, and now he has set his sights on the Celestial Dragons!” “What should we do next?” Garp sighed.
“They’re demanding ten Devil Fruits as ransom.” “Ten Devil Fruits?!” Kong gasped in astonishment.
Where was he supposed to find so many?
If the Marines possessed ten unclaimed Devil Fruits, they would have already used them to reward talented and promising officers.
“This is beyond my authority,” Kong finally said.
“I’ll contact the World Government and ask how they wish to proceed.” After ending the call with Garp, he immediately dialed the private number of the Five Elders.
The call connected moments later.
Before Kong could explain the situation, a cold snort came through the receiver.
“This is a major failure by the Marines.
You will be held responsible, Kong!” “Saint Warcury…” Kong paused after recognizing the voice.
“My apologies.
It appears you have already been informed.” “Rocks and his crew contacted us directly,” Saint Warcury replied angrily.
“I have agreed to give them five Devil Fruits.
Regardless of what methods you use, bring Gregory and Alexia back safely.
Do you understand?” “Yes!” Kong did not dare argue and could only accept the order.
…
Aboard the flying Rocks’ Fury, Linlin pouted and kicked Gregory.
“It seems you aren’t as valuable as you claimed.
The World Government is willing to provide only five Devil Fruits.
They’ve cut the ransom in half.” The Celestial Dragon siblings trembled and did not dare respond.
Dæmon also felt that the World Government was being rather stingy.
The Celestial Dragons undoubtedly possessed far more than five Devil Fruits.
They were even willing to feed them to slaves for entertainment, yet they would provide only five to ransom two members of their own kind.
Rocks did not appear bothered.
“If they’re only giving us half the ransom, then we should return only half of the hostages.” A cruel grin spread across his face.
“We can cut off their legs before sending them back.” “Jihahaha!
That’s a good idea,” Shiki agreed.
Whitebeard had no desire to participate in the conversation, while Stussy shook her head.
“There’s no reason to mutilate them.
We could exchange one hostage and keep the other.” The siblings grew even more terrified as they listened to the pirates casually discuss their fate.
Dæmon finally stepped forward.
“Allow me to say something reasonable.” Everyone turned toward him.
“If we honor this agreement and return both hostages, future negotiations will be much easier.
A business can’t continue without trust.” Everyone stared at him strangely.
Does he even realize what he’s saying?
Kaido could hardly believe it.
They were still negotiating their first ransom, yet Dæmon was already thinking about the next kidnapping.
Still, Kaido liked the idea.
“Worororo!
He has a point.
Celestial Dragons are valuable.
We can capture them and exchange them for ransom whenever we need more Devil Fruits.” The others stared speechlessly at the two newest members.
Had they just turned kidnapping Celestial Dragons into a long-term business?
Rocks grinned.
“Then it’s settled.
We’ll return both of them.” He paused and looked around the deck.
“However, five Devil Fruits can purchase only five glasses of wine.
How do you intend to divide them?” Everyone present except Kaido wanted immortality.
Rocks would certainly claim one glass, leaving only four.
Shiki, Whitebeard, Streusen, Linlin, Gloriosa, and Stussy were left to compete for the remaining servings.
The six stared at one another, dangerous lights flashing in their eyes.
It seemed they might begin fighting at any moment.
Dæmon secretly shook his head.
No wonder the Rocks Pirates will collapse two years from now.
Although the crew was currently unrivaled, its members pursued their own ambitions.
The slightest conflict was enough to make them turn on one another.
As long as Rocks remained alive, he could suppress everyone through his overwhelming strength.
After his death, none of them would submit to anyone else, so they would inevitably go their separate ways.
“I understand that you’re eager, but there’s no need to rush.” Dæmon stepped forward with a smile.
“Five Devil Fruits can produce five bottles of the Elixir of Immortality.
Each bottle contains four servings, giving us twenty glasses in total.
That will be enough for everyone.” Normally, customers received only one glass per Devil Fruit.
This time, however, Dæmon was giving them every serving as a discount to his new crewmates.
“Well done!
As expected of our brewer.” Rocks laughed and turned toward the others.
“There’s no need to fight anymore.
You should all thank Dæmon!” The dangerous atmosphere immediately disappeared, and harmony returned to the crew.
…
The following day, somewhere in the New World, a Marine warship drifted across the sea.
Admiral Sengoku stood at the bow, gazing at Shiki as he floated in the air ahead of the vessel.
“The ransom is ready,” Sengoku called.
“Where are the Celestial Dragons?” “Jihahaha!
Show me the Devil Fruits first.
I don’t trust the Marines!” Shiki laughed wildly.
He would soon obtain the Elixir of Immortality and an immortal body.
Since Rocks had entrusted him with the exchange, he had to ensure everything proceeded smoothly.
Sengoku looked toward Vice Admiral Tsuru.
She held a treasure chest in her hands and opened it for Shiki to see, revealing five differently shaped Devil Fruits.
“The Devil Fruits are here,” Tsuru said.
“Release the hostages, and they will belong to you.” Shiki narrowed his eyes and used Observation Haki to examine the warship.
The only combatant aboard who truly concerned him was Admiral Sengoku.
Should I simply rob them?
After considering it, Shiki dismissed the idea.
As long as the transaction succeeded, he would obtain immortality.
If he ruined everything out of greed, the others would never forgive him.
Snap!
Shiki snapped his fingers.
The two Celestial Dragons descended from Rocks’ Fury, which remained hidden high above the clouds, and floated beside him.
“Give me the Devil Fruits first.
Then I’ll release them!” “That’s impossible,” Tsuru replied calmly.
“If you don’t trust the Marines, why should we trust a pirate?” The two sides remained deadLocked, neither willing to give in.
Finally, Sengoku suppressed his humiliation and issued an order.
“Tsuru, give him the chest.” “Sengoku…” Tsuru hesitated before reluctantly nodding.
“Understood.” The exchange proceeded smoothly.
Once Shiki received the treasure chest and confirmed that the five Devil Fruits were genuine, he released the two Celestial Dragons.
“Jihahaha!
Thank you for the gifts.
Just wait—the next time you see me, you’ll be amazed!” Laughing wildly, Shiki rose into the sky and disappeared among the clouds.
The Celestial Dragon siblings landed aboard the Marine warship, and several Marines immediately rushed forward to free them.
Alexia began shouting the moment she touched the deck.
“Too slow!
You useless trash!
The Marines are completely worthless!
You allowed me to be captured by pirates!” She raised her injured hand.
“My wrist is broken!
Bring me a doctor immediately!” Sengoku’s lips twitched, but he still ordered someone to summon the ship’s doctor.
He then turned toward the male Celestial Dragon.
“Saint Gregory, did those pirates do anything else to you?” “No.” Compared with his arrogant sister, Gregory was far calmer.
“They only wanted Devil Fruits.
It seems they intend to use them to brew wine.” “Brew wine?” Sengoku and Tsuru exchanged bewildered glances.