"Boom—!!!" A crimson sword aura flashed. Though the Celestial Dragons' guards were formidable, could they possibly withstand the combined might of three Admirals?
Only the ship carrying Stella remained intact, while all other Celestial Dragon vessels simultaneously exploded.
Amidst the fiery inferno, Rhett leisurely descended onto the deck with Gild Tesoro in hand, humming an improvised tune.
With a casual swing of his Black Tide greatsword, Stella's shackles snapped.
Astrea collapsed onto the deck, her bubble helmet reflecting Rhett: "Y-you know who I—"
"Shh."
Rhett's Black Tide didn't hesitate. "Your bloodline? Spare me the nausea."
"Thud!"
The Celestial Dragon's head burst like a watermelon, yet the blood mist coalesced into a miniature model of a golden city, landing neatly in Gild Tesoro's palm.
A little mental suggestion first, heh—mission accomplished.
News of the Celestial Dragon's death spread like wildfire through the World Government, sending Holy Land Mary Geoise into uproar.
The Gorosei slammed their tables, berating the Marines' incompetence and ordering Naval Headquarters to immediately dispatch an Admiral to suppress the rebel!
"Rhett... as a Shichibukai, you dare publicly kill a Celestial Dragon on Sabaody Archipelago?! This is a slap to the Marines' face." Sengoku's expression darkened, his fists clenching audibly.
Akainu's eyes burned with rage as he stood abruptly: "I knew pirates couldn't be trusted!"
However, Fleet Admiral Kong raised a hand to stop him, turning instead to Kizaru, who was lounging while trimming his nails: "Borsalino, you go. Zephyr, Sengoku, and Garp are all on missions. You're the only one who can reach there quickly."
Kong paused before adding: "Prioritize your safety. Retreat is permitted."
Kizaru slowly looked up with a lazy grin: "Scaryyy~"
With a shrug, he transformed into golden light and vanished from the office.
The night wind on Sabaody carried the scent of blood as Rhett stood atop the smoldering ruins of the auction house, Black Tide resting on his shoulder, crimson eyes gazing down at the kneeling Gild Tesoro.
"How does it feel?" Rhett grinned at him.
Gild Tesoro trembled, clutching Stella—her knees shattered, blood staining her dancer's dress.
His expression shifted from despair to confusion, then to fanatical worship, finally settling on Rhett—the man who descended from the heavens, who shattered the Celestial Dragons and forged his rebirth.
"My king." Tesoro knelt on one knee with Stella in his arms.
Rhett smirked. "Aren't you going to ask who I am?"
"From the moment you saved Stella, I, Gild Tesoro, pledge eternal loyalty. Though I'm weak now, I'll spend my life repaying this debt."
Rhett crouched, eyeing Gild Tesoro, then asked seemingly unrelated questions:
"You hate the Celestial Dragons? Hate this world? Hate your own powerlessness?"
Gild Tesoro's pupils contracted, a hoarse rasp escaping his throat: "...Yes."
"Good." Rhett released him and stood. "But hatred can't kill. Only power can."
He turned toward the harbor, his cloak billowing like bloodied waves.
"Take that boat and leave."
"Run with your woman. Amass wealth, power, strength. Prove to me you're worthy of boarding my future ship."
Gild Tesoro looked down at Stella. Her fingers weakly clutched his collar as she gave a faint but firm nod.
Rhett already knew Gild Tesoro's potential was promising, and keeping him here would only stifle his growth.
He'd once mocked those One Piece fanfics where protagonists slaughtered Celestial Dragons upon arriving at Sabaody.
Now he understood—these Celestial Dragons deserved death. Why spare them when you had the power? Just to endure their filth?
Senpais, I haven't disgraced us transmigrators.
Before long—oh?
Golden light erupted as Kizaru landed leisurely before Rhett, hands in pockets: "Yo~ So scary, Rhett-chan. Killing a Celestial Dragon, huh?"
Rhett grinned, Black Tide on his shoulder: "Vice Admiral Kizaru, long time no see."
"Quite the spectacle~" Kizaru floated midair, observing the blood mist over the sea. "Was it worth it? For two slaves?"
Rhett's smirk widened: "What would a salaried government drone like you know about 'righteous vengeance,' Vice Admiral Kizaru?"
"So mean" Kizaru dramatically clutched his chest. "I'm just doing my job Yasakani no Magatama!"
Countless light bullets rained down, only to slow unnaturally upon hitting the blood mist, vanishing as if swallowed by quicksand.
Rhett raised a brow: "How about letting me go?"
Kizaru adjusted his shades: "Can't do that~ I am a Marine, after all."
Before he finished, golden light gathered at his fingertips—
Another "Yasakani no Magatama!"
A torrent of light bullets poured forth!
Rhett laughed, swinging Black Tide as the blood mist surged, devouring every projectile!
"Mist God Style: Phantom Flash!"
Kizaru narrowed his eyes: "Oh? Scaryyy, Rhett-chan~"
He teleported behind Rhett, leg sweeping out—
"Ever been kicked at light speed?"
Rhett didn't dodge.
"Mist God Style: Mist Hidden Slash!"
"Clang!"
Rhett vanished, reappearing behind Kizaru with a reverse slash—crimson energy tearing through the air!
Kizaru dodged as light, but a piece of his coat was severed. He glanced down, clicking his tongue: "Cheating, aren't we? So dangerous~"
Their battle painted the skies above Sabaody in alternating crimson and gold, the clash of light and mist visible for miles.
Marine ships watched from afar, none daring to approach.
After half an hour, Kizaru suddenly stopped, scratching his head: "Ara? Seems I can't win~"
Rhett jeered: "Terrible acting."
Kizaru shrugged: "What can I do? Fleet Admiral Kong ordered your capture alive."
With that, Rhett's slash sent him flying into a distant Marine fleet, sending up a massive splash!
Marines gaped: "Vice Admiral Kizaru... lost?!"
Rhett scoffed. "What're you shocked about, bubble-tea brains? Even all three couldn't keep me—one's just asking for it."
Kizaru emerged from the wreckage, lazily waving: "Ahhh, so scary I'm injured. Need to recuperate"
Kong spoke calmly into the Den Den Mushi: "Borsalino. Return."
He knew well that Kizaru alone couldn't capture Rhett. Sending all three Admirals was impossible. The Marines only needed to show their stance.
Rhett stood atop the ruined auction house, gazing at the horizon—not for dramatic effect, but because he'd given his boat to Gild Tesoro during his earlier grandstanding.
And now, the battle had destroyed nearly every ship at the harbor. In short—Rhett was stranded!
"Should've kept one." Rhett rubbed his temples, then scoffed. "Whatever. That kid needed it more."
Hoisting Black Tide, he leapt down onto the debris-littered streets.
In the distance, Marines still gathered, but none dared approach the blood-mist shrouded zone.
"No boat... guess I'll visit old man Rayleigh."
Meanwhile, Gild Tesoro cradled Stella as their small boat sailed toward an unknown future. His eyes burned with hunger for wealth and power.
"My king... one day, I'll prove my worth—in my own way."