"A humanoid with reproductive capabilities…"
"The Celestial Dragons are the descendants of artificial beings."
"They are not the offspring of the creators, but of the created."
"Isn't that ironic?"
Law's expression remained odd as he explained.
Maude's eyes flickered with surprise. Stroking his chin, he pondered deeply, processing this unknown secret.
"Are you certain?"
After a moment, Maude asked.
Law nodded solemnly. "I verified it using the Ope Ope no Mi's abilities. The accuracy is unquestionable."
"Is there a way to make others believe this result?"
"Hmm… A medical report?"
"The World Government could easily turn a so-called 'medical report' into worthless paper."
"…"
Law shrugged, indicating there was nothing he could do about that.
Maude thought for a moment.
"Still, prepare a medical report anyway. It might come in handy later."
"Alright."
Law nodded before leaving the room to assist with preparations for the victory feast downstairs.
Maude walked out onto the balcony, casually straddling the railing. He tapped his gun handle with a finger.
"Bailey, go fetch Lafitte for me. Also, tell him to bring a corpse from the freezer."
The flintlock pistol instantly morphed into Bailey before Maude's eyes.
Bailey scratched his armpit and grumbled, "I was hoping to just sleep until dinnertime."
Despite his complaints, he obediently leapt off the balcony.
A few minutes later—
Lafitte entered the room, carrying a corpse over his shoulder. Bailey, who had been sent to call him, was nowhere to be seen.
"Where's Bailey?"
"Helping in the kitchen."
Lafitte replied subtly.
Understanding the implication, Maude shook his head in mild exasperation.
Lafitte approached and placed the corpse on the ground.
"Maude, what do you plan to do with this body?"
When alone, Lafitte addressed Maude by name directly.
"Harvest experience."
Maude extended his hand. A wave of shadow energy flowed silently, opening a fissure from which a struggling shadow emerged.
"When we abducted the Celestial Dragons, we happened to encounter a CP0 agent. Decent hand-to-hand combat skills—worth adding to the records."
As he spoke, Maude gripped the shadow and stuffed it into the recently retrieved corpse.
Lafitte, watching with keen interest, wasn't just fascinated by Maude's efficient way of acquiring experience.
Rather, he marveled at how, despite encountering resistance while kidnapping the Celestial Dragons, Maude still managed to act faster than the rest of them.
As expected of our captain.
A smirk played on Lafitte's lips as he spun his cane rhythmically behind his back.
Under his gaze, Maude reanimated the corpse using the shadow, extracted intelligence, recorded it, then swiftly disposed of the shadow.
The entire process was seamless and efficient.
...
Pangaea Castle, Holy Land Mariejois – Charlos Palace.
In the shadowed corridor—
Aiseia lay sprawled on the ground, still unconscious.
Surrounding her were several CP0 agents, clad in white robes and masks.
"No external injuries. The cause of unconsciousness is unknown."
One CP0 agent carefully examined Aiseia's body.
"Wake her up."
"Understood."
The agent grabbed Aiseia's right hand and, with a slight application of force, snapped her index finger.
A sickening crack echoed through the corridor, yet Aiseia showed no reaction.
The agent then proceeded to break her second finger, then the third, the fourth…
Yet—
Even after five fingers were broken, Aiseia remained motionless, unresponsive.
"Shall we continue?"
The CP0 agent looked up at his colleagues.
The leader hesitated briefly, then turned to gaze at the sunlit courtyard beyond the corridor.
"Move her outside."
"Understood."
The CP0 agent hoisted Aiseia up and began carrying her toward the courtyard.
Just then—
Without warning, a gash appeared on Aiseia's carotid artery.
Blood erupted like a fountain, spraying over the surrounding CP0 agents.
In an instant—
Their pristine white robes were stained with splashes of crimson.
The CP0 members' eyes widened in shock as they watched Aiseia's life slip away in mere moments.
Silence engulfed the scene.
...
Thriller Bark – Maude's Room.
Maude closed his Hunter's Notebook with one hand.
The book dissipated into light particles.
"Lafitte, after the feast, send the photos to Dada."
"Understood."
Lafitte grinned silently.
Maude tilted his head slightly, gazing at the sky. Squinting, he muttered, "Now we'll see if the World Economy News Papers has the guts to publish this… because this… is one hell of a scoop."
"Hoho…"
Lafitte chuckled softly.
The two left the room and entered the banquet hall.
As soon as Maude appeared, it was as if a spotlight had been cast upon him—everyone's attention instantly focused on him.
Just then, an ill-timed ruckus erupted from the direction of the prison cells.
"Where am I?!"
"A cell?! Why am I here?!"
"Do you know who I am?!"
"You filthy lower-class scum, get out here at once!!!"
The voice belonged to a Celestial Dragon, who had just regained consciousness and immediately began bellowing furiously.
Maude frowned slightly at the noise.
"Captain, I'll handle it."
Jim, the "physical anesthetist," was ready for action.
Maude nodded.
Jim's face lit up with glee as he rushed toward the prison.
Moments later—
First came terrified screams from the cell, followed by an abrupt silence.
The Hawkins Pirates, merely listening to the commotion, could already picture Jim giving the Celestial Dragon a thorough beating.
Their expressions were… complicated.
Maude withdrew his gaze from the prison and swept his eyes over the gathered crew.
Seeing that the tables were laden with food and drink, he smiled slightly.
"Alright, looks like everything's ready—let's begin the feast!"
At this moment, Maude finally understood—
A feast was truly the way pirates celebrated happiness.
...
Late at night – World Economy News Papers Headquarters
A sudden, earsplitting scream shattered the silence.
Thud!
Morgans, who had just fallen asleep, was startled awake and tumbled off his bed.
"Who the hell is screaming at this hour…?!"
He scrambled to his feet, annoyed.
Bang!
The door burst open.
Dada, still wearing a nightcap and with remnants of shaving cream on his face, stormed into the room.
"Boss, look at this!!!"
Ignoring Morgans' irritation, Dada thrust a stack of photos into his face—images of Maude attacking Mary Geoise and kidnapping three Celestial Dragons.
Morgans was about to yell—until he saw the pictures.
His beak opened slightly.
"This… This…"
Even his usual catchphrase got stuck in his throat.
Dada, flushed with excitement, finished it for him: "Boss, this is big news! If we rush it, we can make tomorrow's morning edition!"
Morgans hesitated for a moment.
After all, this involved Mary Geoise and the Celestial Dragons. Even someone as fearless as him had to think it through.
But—
This was a scoop created by Maude, the very man they were backing. And the content… was explosive.
If they didn't publish it—
Wouldn't that be regretful?
Morgans made his decision and bellowed, "Wake everyone up!"
Dada's eyes sparkled with excitement.
The next day.
A bombshell of a newspaper flew across the world.
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