Cover Story: Momonosuke, Part 9 – "I Need to Get Even Closer to See Clearly!"
"Damn, I can't see a thing from this angle!"
Momonosuke squinted, trying to peek under the girl's skirt, but the distance made it impossible. As the girl continued rummaging through the attic, unaware, his eyes darted as an idea struck him.
He crept closer.
Just as he reached the base of the ladder, ready to enjoy the perfect view—
A startled scream rang out above. He looked up—
And the descending shadow filled his vision in an instant…
...
WHACK!
The whip cracked through the air like a thunderclap—but before it struck, Nao effortlessly caught it mid-snap. His wrist gave a slight twitch, then a sharp tug—
THUD!
The mounted guard was yanked straight off his horse, crashing to the ground with a pained scream.
"HOW DARE YOU?!"
"What do you think you're doing?!"
The other guards instantly panicked. They drew their rifles and aimed at Nao, while Saint Bibical, still lazily sprawled across his giant slave, turned his head with an ominous glare.
"What do I think I'm doing?"
Facing several barrels pointed at him, Nao simply lifted his gaze, expression calm as ever.
"Isn't it obvious?"
BOOM!
Before anyone could react, Nao vanished on the spot.
A blur of movement—
In mere flickers, the armed guards collapsed one by one with strangled screams, clutching their twisted limbs as they writhed in agony.
All three chains were sliced clean through with a single stroke.
"…!"
Bibical's fat jaw hung open. He stared, slack-jawed.
"T-This is rebellion… actual rebellion!!"
After two or three seconds of dumbstruck silence, he finally flipped upright and fumbled for the revolver at his waist. His pudgy fingers trembled as he aimed at Nao.
"You mangy dog! Y-You dare to block my palanquin and assault my guards?! You're just a lowborn Marine—a mutt beneath pigs—and yet you dare raise your hand against a Saint of the Celestial Dragons?!"
What he'd just witnessed shattered his entire worldview. This… was impossible.
He was a Celestial Dragon, a proud member of the Donquixote lineage. Even Fleet Admiral Kong would respectfully make way for his palanquin.
Yet this young nobody—this mere Rear Admiral—had defied him…!
Bibical's rage erupted. Without hesitation, he pulled the trigger.
Bang!
A bullet tore through the air, aimed squarely at Nao's back.
Nao, meanwhile, was crouched beside the unconscious King Gallio, helping him sit up. He didn't flinch, didn't even look back. He simply supported Gallio's limp form… then began removing the shackles from the two girls.
All three bore horrific whip wounds.
But the two girls—no older than twelve or thirteen—had raw, bloodied faces. Nao's eyes darkened as he silently took it in.
Clang!
The bullet struck his back—and ricocheted harmlessly off in a burst of sparks. Not even a scratch.
"W-What…?"
Bibical fired again—again—and again. Every bullet failed to pierce.
By the time he emptied the chamber, he was shaking.
"Are you done?"
Nao finally turned, having handed the rescued trio off to the royal entourage.
His gaze landed on the stunned, trembling Celestial Dragon.
"Because if you're done…"
"…then I suppose it's my turn."
What the hell does that mean?!
Bibical's eyes bulged. The nearby royals gasped in alarm.
Shia instantly understood. She rushed forward, grabbing Nao's arm.
"Nao! Don't be too impulsive!"
Hurting a Celestial Dragon's guards was one thing—but striking a Celestial Dragon themselves? That was unthinkable. It meant doom.
But she was too late.
Or perhaps—once Nao had decided to act, very few people in this world could stop him.
FWIP!
In a blink, Nao stood in front of Bibical.
The Celestial Dragon screamed, scrambling backward on all fours.
"W-Wait! Do you even know who I am?!"
SMACK!
A sharp slap echoed like a gunshot.
Bibical's blubbery face caved in on one side. He flew backward like a sack of garbage, smashing into the edge of a nearby fountain.
CRASH!
The stone structure exploded into rubble.
The entire street went silent.
"D-Did I see that right…?"
"T-That Marine… just slapped a Celestial Dragon?!"
"What kind of joke is this?! This is Mary Geoise! He won't be able to escape even if he wants to!"
Even the two royal delegations stood frozen.
"…"
Shia stared at Nao's back, then suddenly spun around to her attendants.
"Arm yourselves," she ordered crisply. "The Celestial Dragons will send reinforcements soon. We need to be ready to break out."
Her voice was calm, decisive.
To outsiders, Nao's actions might seem reckless.
But to Shia—it didn't matter. Whatever he chose, she would stand by him. Even if it meant fleeing the world or rotting in prison—so be it.
Power, glory, her throne—none of it mattered.
Compared to Nao, it was all worthless.
"Damn, that felt good."
Nao clapped the dust off his hands and smiled as he looked at the twitching mess that was Bibical.
"I've been in this world for years now… Always wanted to slap a Celestial Dragon. Finally got my wish."
But then—
Marching boots. Shouts from the alley beyond.
"Hurry! Faster!"
"Protect Saint Bibical! Don't let him escape!"
"They're here."
Shia rushed over, grabbing Nao's arm.
"The Royal Guard's already mobilized. We have to go—now! Once they surround us…"
"Go?"
Nao looked at her, puzzled.
"Why would we go?"
What do you mean? What else is there to do—stay here and get thrown in prison?
Shia blinked, momentarily stunned. Nao just grinned and gently pinched her cheek.
"Relax. I got this."
Right then—
A full battalion of Royal Guards flooded into the streets, blocking off every exit. At the lead was a stunning blonde girl with a high ponytail.
When she saw Bibical groaning on the ground, her face drained of color.
"Big Brother! Are you okay?!"
"…"
Bibical could barely lift a finger. He pointed shakily at Nao and forced out a croak:
"H-Him… kill… kill him…"
"Don't worry. Leave it to me, Brother!"
The blonde girl wiped her tears, then abruptly turned around, fiercely approaching Nao. She raised her right arm high, just about to give the order for an all-out attack.
Suddenly, she saw Nao opposite her, slightly parting his lips to reveal a standard eight-tooth smile.
[Radiance Smile] – skill activated!
Nao's Charm stat: +20!
WHUMP!
It hit her like a sledgehammer.
Her cheeks flushed red. Her heart raced. She stared at the impossibly handsome Marine before her, dazed and fluttering.
In that moment, the entire world faded away. Only he remained.
"Princess Oanna! Princess Oanna!"
Her subordinates' shouts finally broke through her daze.
She blinked, confused, glancing at her still-raised right hand.
Wait… what was I about to do?
Oh—right. She was supposed to kill the man who hurt her brother.
But now that she thought about it…
My God! What was I even thinking?!
Oanna paled in horror.
Was I really about to do something so cruel—to such a beautiful boy?!
Oh… right. Her brother.
She turned to Bibical, who'd been helped up by attendants, and saw him glaring in disbelief.
"You… what are you doing?! Oanna! Hurry up and—"
"Shut up!"
Oanna snapped at him without hesitation, scowling.
"Idiot brother! Yelling like a madman—do you have any idea what you almost made me do?! I nearly did something I'd regret forever, all because of you!"
"W-What?!"
Bibical gaped at her, shaking with fury.
"You ungrateful brat—have I not spoiled you enough?! You—"
But before he could finish, Nao turned slightly and gave a polite bow in his direction.
"I'm sorry. I lost control and hit you too hard, Saint Bibical."
[Craftsman's Spirit] – skill activated.
"D-Da—"
Bibical's next words caught in his throat.
He stared at Nao, dumbfounded.
The fury… vanished.
Instead, he felt almost guilty.
Why am I so mad? What even happened again?
Sure, the guy slapped him. But he didn't die. He didn't lose a limb. It wasn't that bad…
And come to think of it, wasn't it his guards who attacked first?
Still… apologize to a mere Marine? As a Celestial Dragon?
No way.
"Forget it."
With a grunt, Bibical let his men carry him toward the carriage. He waved a hand weakly.
"For my sister's sake, I'll let you off this once. But next time—if you dare slap me again—it won't be so easy."
He pulled the curtain shut and ordered the coachman to move.
What just happened?
The Royal Guards stood frozen. Some exchanged wide-eyed stares.
Others—those also caught in Nao's Radiance Smile—breathed sighs of relief, wiping sweat from their brows.
Thank God he let it go. There's no way we could've laid a hand on someone that good-looking…
"Why are you all just standing around?!"
Oanna suddenly barked, hands on hips.
"Clear the crowd! Get rid of all these nosy onlookers! Issue a gag order—if anyone dares to spread what happened here, I'll personally throw them into prison!"
"Yes, Princess Oanna!"
The guards roared in unison.
Just moments ago, they'd been charging in to arrest Nao. Now, they were helping cover up the mess—driving away all the confused citizens.
What happened?
Why wasn't the Marine arrested?
Why did the Celestial Dragon just… leave?
Most hadn't seen the key moments—blocked by the human wall of guards. All they could do was whisper and wonder.
Even Bartholomew Kuma, mistaken for a commoner and shoved away, had no choice but to retreat with the others.
"…That guy."
Kuma's massive form moved with the dispersing crowd, but his gaze lingered on Nao.
He'd seen most of what happened inside the perimeter.
And for that reason, he was more confused than the rest.
A smile—and the girl was mesmerized?
A bow—and Bibical just let it go?
"Is it a Devil Fruit ability?" he muttered. "Or something else?"
Still… anyone who dares punch a Celestial Dragon—he might not be so different from us, after all.
Maybe… he's someone worth talking to in private someday.
Meanwhile, Oanna—having sent her guards off—walked back to Nao, lingering for a moment.
She flicked her golden ponytail, gave a little huff, and spoke:
"S-So… it just so happens I'm free all day today."
She looked away, face flushed.
"Consider yourself lucky. I'll allow you to accompany me—for coffee. Over there. Just one cup. Understand?"