Boom—!!
A crimson slash ripped through the sky. The Celestial Dragons' guards were strong—
but could they possibly be stronger than three admirals combined?
In a flash of destruction, every ship belonging to the Celestial Dragons exploded in unison, leaving only the vessel where Stella was held intact.
Amid the roaring fire and smoke, Ritter descended leisurely onto the deck, dragging Tesoro behind him. He hummed a carefree tune, his greatsword Black Tide resting casually on his shoulder.
With a casual flick, the chains binding Stella snapped with a crisp crack.
Astley collapsed on the deck, the shimmering bubble helmet reflecting Ritter's approaching figure. "Y-You know who I—"
"Shhh."
Ritter didn't slow down. The blade of Black Tide cleaved cleanly through the air.
"I know your bloodline all too well. No need to disgust me by repeating it."
Splurt!
The Celestial Dragon's head burst like a watermelon, but the blood didn't scatter. Instead, it twisted midair, coagulating into a miniature golden city, which gently landed in Tesoro's palm.
A little suggestion to prime your mind check.
News of a Celestial Dragon's death swept through the World Government like a storm. The Holy Land of Mariejois was in an uproar.
The Five Elders slammed their fists on the table, furious at the Navy's incompetence.
"Dispatch an admiral immediately! Warlord or not, Ritter's openly slaughtered a Celestial Dragon at Sabaody Archipelago! He's slapped the Navy right across the face!"
Fleet Admiral Sengoku's expression darkened, his fists clenched so tightly they creaked.
"I knew it… pirates are never to be trusted!" Akainu growled, flames of anger dancing in his eyes as he shot to his feet.
But Commander-in-Chief Kong raised a hand to stop him. His gaze shifted toward the man lounging nearby, trimming his nails with exaggerated calm.
"Borsalino. You're up. Zephyr, Garp, and Sengoku are all out on missions. You're the only one who can reach the archipelago quickly."
He paused, adding in a flat voice, "Prioritize your own safety. You're authorized to retreat."
Kizaru lifted his head slowly, wearing his usual lethargic expression.
"Ko-waii neee~"
He shrugged and vanished in a flash of golden light.
—
The night wind at Sabaody reeked of blood. Ritter stood atop the ruins of the blazing auction house, Black Tide slung across his shoulder. His scarlet eyes looked down at Tesoro, who was on his knees, trembling.
Cradling the wounded Stella her knee blown out, her dance dress stained crimson Tesoro shook like a leaf.
His gaze shifted from despair, to confusion, to a burning worship. Finally, it locked onto the man who had descended from the sky like divine wrath, slicing down a Celestial Dragon and carving open a path to salvation.
"My king," Tesoro whispered, dropping to one knee with Stella in his arms.
Ritter grinned. "Not even curious who I am?"
"From the moment you saved Stella, I swore myself to you. I, Tesoro, may be weak now, but I will spend the rest of my life repaying this debt."
Ritter crouched down, studying him.
He asked, casually, a few seemingly unrelated questions.
"You hate the Celestial Dragons? Hate this world? Hate your own powerlessness?"
Tesoro's pupils shrank. His voice rasped from his throat: "...Yes."
"Good." Ritter stood up and released his grip. "But hate doesn't kill. Power does."
He turned and walked toward the harbor, his cloak billowing in the wind like a wave of blood.
"Take that boat and leave."
"Take your woman and run. Accumulate wealth. Gather power. Become strong. And when you're ready show me you're worthy of standing aboard my ship."
Tesoro looked down at Stella. Her fingers clutched weakly at his collar, and she gave the faintest of nods, firm despite her pain.
Ritter couldn't help but admire himself what a genius move. Tesoro's growth would be stunted if he stayed now. Better to let him rise on his own.
He used to mock other fanfics for always having the protagonist kill a few Celestial Dragons right after arriving at Sabaody.
Now he got it.
These bastards really deserved it.
If you had the power, why not kill them? Leave them alive to ruin the world and disgust yourself?
To all the isekai pioneers who came before him:
He didn't shame their legacy.
Then—"Yo!"
BOOM—!!
A golden explosion lit up the sky. Kizaru descended lazily with his hands in his pockets, tilting his head.
"Oh dear, how frightening~ Ritter-chan. You really killed a Celestial Dragon, huh?"
Ritter hefted Black Tide and grinned. "Long time no see, Vice Admiral Kizaru."
"Quite the spectacle." Kizaru hovered midair, surveying the blood-soaked sea. "Killing a Celestial Dragon over two slaves... was it worth it?"
Ritter's grin widened. "You government employees wouldn't understand 'righteous revenge,' would you, Vice Admiral?"
"How mean~" Kizaru clutched his chest dramatically. "I'm just doing my job. Yasakani no Magatama!"
Beams of light rained down like a meteor storm but the moment they touched the blood mist, they slowed unnaturally, finally sinking and vanishing like stones in a bog.
Ritter raised an eyebrow. "How about you let me walk away?"
Kizaru pushed up his shades. "Now, now. I am a marine, after all."
Before his words even finished, golden light surged from his fingertip.
Another wave of Yasakani no Magatama! exploded forth!
Ritter laughed, swinging Black Tide. The blood mist surged, devouring the incoming light bolts!
"Fog God Style Phantom Flash!"
Kizaru narrowed his eyes. "Oh? Ko-waii neee, Ritter-chan~"
In a blink, he vanished and reappeared behind Ritter, delivering a sweeping kick.
"Ever been kicked at the speed of light?"
Ritter didn't dodge.
"Fog God Style Hidden Mist Slash!"
Clang!
Ritter vanished reappearing behind Kizaru, blade flashing in reverse. A crimson arc tore through the air!
Kizaru turned to golden light to dodge, but his coat was still sheared at the edge. He glanced down and clicked his tongue.
"Now that's cheating. How dangerous~"
They clashed in midair, gold and crimson dancing above Sabaody, streaking the sky with searing color.
From afar, Navy ships watched in stunned silence, none daring to approach.
The battle dragged on for half an hour. Suddenly, Kizaru stopped, scratching his head.
"Whoops~ looks like I might actually lose this one."
Ritter smirked. "You're a terrible actor."
Kizaru shrugged. "What can I say? Commander Kong said to capture you alive."
Ritter's blade smashed into him, sending Kizaru flying into the Navy fleet, spraying waves into the sky!
Sailors gawked in disbelief. "Vice Admiral Kizaru… was defeated?!"
Ritter: What are you people surprised about? If even three of them couldn't stop me, you think one could? You jokers trying to ascend to heaven?
Kizaru's head popped out of the water as he floated on his back, waving lazily.
"So scary~ I think I'm injured. Gotta head home to recover."
Back at Marine HQ, Kong spoke calmly into the den den mushi.
"Borsalino, return."
He knew full well one admiral alone couldn't take down Ritter. Sending someone was just for show. What mattered was demonstrating the Navy's response.
—
Ritter stood atop the shattered auction house, staring toward the distant sea.
This wasn't him trying to look cool—
He had, after all, just given the only remaining boat to Tesoro.
And during the fight… every other ship had been obliterated.
In other words, he couldn't leave.
"Should've kept one for myself," Ritter muttered, rubbing his temples. Then he chuckled. "Oh well. That kid needs it more than I do."
He slung Black Tide over his shoulder and leapt down to the ravaged streets below.
The Navy was still gathering in the distance, but none dared enter the fog-covered ruins.
"No ship, huh… Guess I'll go find Uncle Rayleigh."
—
Meanwhile, Tesoro clutched Stella as their small boat drifted into the unknown.
His eyes burned not just with pain or hope but with an insatiable hunger for power and wealth.
"My king… One day, I'll prove my worth. In my own way."
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