Among the Celestial Dragons, there are many eccentrics, and the most peculiar ones often come from the Donquixote family. Occasionally, one or two oddballs emerge.
Sigurd is the oddest of the odd. Aside from the fish-men, he has a few other followers by his side, all former slaves who were moved by his compassion during their time in Mary Geoise. Sigurd himself has no exceptional talents and is physically weak, often giving whatever resources he has to his subordinates.
Two Devil Fruit users now protect him. Without them, he would never have survived in the New World.
"You're a normal person," Roy laughed.
"You're a freak," Sigurd laughed back.
"Thanks for the compliment."
"Aren't you worried about your son?"
"Not really. As long as he doesn't die, it's fine."
"You really are a freak. I don't know how my family is doing."
"Probably starving."
"That would be the death of them."
"What do you want to see?"
"I..."
Sigurd fell silent. He believed the Celestial Dragons shouldn't be the way they are, but he had never considered what would become of them if the world no longer had Celestial Dragons.
From his uncle's experience, he saw the fate of the Celestial Dragons.
How would those who had been persecuted by the Celestial Dragons seek revenge?
The Donquixote family had already provided the answer. Without their status, the Celestial Dragons would be just like ordinary people, they would bleed, cry, and die.
"Perhaps they'll all become ordinary people. The evil they've done will eventually come back to them," Sigurd sighed.
"I'll kill them all. Even if I don't, Doflamingo will," Roy smiled.
"Doflamingo... perhaps. There's always been hatred in his heart."
The battle on the island continued. The two brought out some alcohol, drinking and watching as the fight unfolded. At first, the sides were evenly matched.
But as time passed, the veteran pirates' experience showed. The Red Hair Pirates gained the upper hand, it seemed the battle was over.
"I admit you're strong, you almost defeated me. But I have my reasons for not losing. It seems I'll be the one to face Luffy in the end," Shanks said with a smile.
"Dammit! So close!!"
Ace lay on the ground and couldn't move, his ability had awakened, but he was still defeated by Shank's Conquerer's Haki.
Loxus and Deuce had also been defeated, unable to overcome the officers of the Red Hair Pirates.
The Red Hair Pirates gathered and walked toward the shore. Roy leaned against the ship, watching them approach.
"Quite imposing," Roy laughed.
"After all, he's from the Figarland Family. That family is completely different from the others, rarely producing useless members," Sigurd said.
There are nineteen Celestial Dragon families. Beyond that, the Celestial Dragons also absorb elites from around the world into the God's Knights.
For example, Charlotte Linlin and Kaido once had the talent to join the God's Knights.
The number of royal descendants from nine hundred years ago is unknown, but the vast cityscape of Mary Geoise indicates that the Celestial Dragons are far from few. Inbreeding is common, aside from pure Celestial Dragon bloodlines, those with mixed heritage are treated as slaves.
"He used to live in Mar Geoise too, right?" Roy asked.
"Yes. After the Roger Pirates disbanded, he was brought back. I still remember the scene," Sigurd nodded.
"What happened?" Roy asked curiously.
Sigurd drifted into memory. After Roger became the Pirate King and the Roger Pirates disbanded, Figarland Garling, leader of the God's Knights, brought back a red-haired boy.
"The child lost in God Valley has returned to the Figarland Family!!"
"I heard he was raised by pirates in the lower world."
"He's wearing a straw hat, so ugly."
"Like a country bumpkin. How ridiculous, raised by pirates."
"Enough! If Garling hears you, he'll lock you all up."
"Would he dare?"
"He's the leader of the God's Knights. What do you think?"
"I..."
"Hey, Sigurd, let's go see."
"Okay!"
Amid a crowd of Celestial Dragons, Sigurd blended in. He saw Garling entering through the gates, accompanied by a boy wearing a straw hat.
The boy resembled Garling closely, his red hair particularly striking beneath the straw hat.
Many members of the Figarland Family were present, looking at the boy with disdain.
"I smell the stench of the lower world. Is this guy really one of us?" a red-haired Celestial Dragon frowned.
Crack!
A whip struck his face, sending him flying. He landed bruised and bloodied.
"Garling, what are you doing?" the other Celestial Dragons exclaimed in shock.
The fallen Celestial Dragon looked at Garling in disbelief, filled with rage.
But when he met Garling's gaze, no sound escaped his throat.
"Are you questioning me?"
This was Sigurd's first encounter with Shanks. Shanks lived in Mariejois for over a year, during which Sigurd approached him to learn about the world below.
Shanks sensed that Sigurd was different from the others, and the two became friends.
"Hey, Shanks, my ship is broken. You owe me," Sigurd shouted at the imposing Shanks.
"Hahahaha, alright! I'll get you a new one later. It's time for an upgrade anyway, that old ship isn't necessary."
Shanks, who had just been locking eyes with Roy moments earlier, instantly broke character, laughing and waving at Sigurd.
"You bastard! Don't worry, he won't attack you. Come have a drink with us!" Sigurd raised two bottles of alcohol.
It was their code. Shanks leaped onto the ship, and Sigurd tossed him a bottle.
"It's been a long time since we drank together," Sigurd said.
"Yeah, twenty-four years," Shanks nodded.
"You haven't changed at all. Thank you," Sigurd laughed heartily.
Gulp, gulp, gulp!!!
Shanks opened the bottle and downed half in one go.
"Refreshing! Hahahaha, nothing beats a drink after a fight. What did you say earlier?" Shanks asked cheerfully.
"Nothing. Drink!"
All their unspoken words were in the alcohol.
During Sigurd's years wandering the New World, Shanks had helped him numerous times. Now, with the black ship destroyed, Sigurd would no longer possess the Poneglyph, meaning he would no longer attract enemies.
He could live freely, without atoning for the suffering the Celestial Dragons had inflicted on Fish-Man Island.
.....
If you enjoy the story, my p@treon is 30 chapters ahead.
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