The next day, the journey began. Ritter glanced at Shanks as they walked along the deck. "So… how are we getting there? Aren't they going to send a ship for you? Everyone's treating you like a Celestial Dragon now."
Shanks scratched his head. "Looks like we need to make a stop at Sabaody first. Only then will someone come to pick us up."
Ritter chuckled lightly. "Little Shanks, no fanfare, no privileges. That means we walk ourselves. Fine, let's go see the place for ourselves."
Sabaody Archipelago.
A thick, pale mist clung to the harbor. A sleek black warship, dark as ink, glided silently toward the dock. On its deck, dozens of CP0 agents stood at rigid attention. Even ignoring their unquestionable loyalty to the World Government, following someone in this level of hierarchy was hardly glamorous.
The lead CP0 agent bowed slightly, showing respect tinged with supreme arrogance. "Lord Shanks, by the order of the Five Elders, we have come to escort you to Mary Geoise." His emphasis on the words "Five Elders" dripped as if they were the most exalted beings in existence.
Ritter rolled his eyes at the display of sycophancy. "Ah yes… dogs puffed up by titles. Nothing elevates style more than riding on someone else's pride."
Shanks casually pressed down his straw hat and smiled faintly. With his older brother by his side, he felt an effortless peace that could only be described as comfort itself.
Before the CP0 agents could finish their sentence, their gaze fell on the figure beside the red-haired man. Draped in a blood-colored cloak, Ritter was casually biting into an apple. Just moments ago, the same CP0 had bowed to Shanks, but now their spine straightened instinctively, and their right hand hovered near their sword hilt. His voice suddenly rose in volume:
"Unauthorized personnel may not accompany you. This is a World Government-exclusive route. Please leave immediately "
Crack.
The apple core shot through the air with surgical precision, landing squarely on the agent's mask. Ritter slowly raised his head. His crimson eyes glowed from beneath his cloak, casting a menacing light.
The CP0's pupils shrank. They recognized him. The long flowing hair, the crimson eyes, the legendary sword Black Tide resting silently beside him. The aura alone could make the New World tremble.
Perhaps out of habit, the arrogance slipped from their mouths: "How could a low-class pirate "
Slash!
A streak of red flashed. The CP0 agent's head flew high into the air. The mask fell away, revealing eyes frozen in terror.
Ritter sheathed his sword slowly, his eyes narrowing. His Conqueror's Haki radiated a suffocating oppression across the remaining dozen CP0 agents. "Even the Five Elders don't dare speak too loudly in my presence," he said, his voice dripping with menace. "And you… what right do you have to issue orders to me?"
The CP0 froze. Their bodies shook uncontrollably beneath their white uniforms.
Finally, they saw his true form.
"Mist… Lord Mist!" One CP0 on the left kneeed weakly, nearly collapsing. "My eyes… I was blind! Please… please, Lord Ritter, step aboard!" His previous arrogance had evaporated, replaced with terror.
Shanks, observing his older brother asserting authority, smiled. "Big brother, that was… violent."
"Stop babbling." Ritter stepped onto the deck. "Set sail. Maybe we'll even get lunch if we arrive early."
As the warship slowly departed the harbor, Ritter wasn't idle. The old masters of strategy had taught him:
Strategically, underestimate your enemy.
Tactically, respect your enemy.
Blood-red mist began to spread from the ship outward, quickly enveloping the entire Sabaody Archipelago. Trees, buildings, even the sunlight became tinged with crimson. The residents looked on in terror at this sudden, unnatural phenomenon.
Ritter stood at the bow, mist flowing around him. Shanks approached, whispering, "Big brother, isn't this a bit excessive?"
"Strategically, underestimate your enemy; tactically, respect your enemy," Ritter replied. "If those old fools ever tried to mess with you, this is just the tip of what they'd face."
Shanks touched his chin. "But they just want me to return to my Celestial Dragon status..."
"Return?" Ritter scoffed. "You think they care about your bloodline? Little Shanks, they care about your potential, your influence over the seas in the future. Otherwise, why would Doflamingo beg them? He didn't even have to return, and you didn't even know you were a Celestial Dragon. They specifically requested you."
He turned to look Shanks directly in the eyes. "Remember, whatever they say, do not agree to any terms. If that old monster Imu appears, hide behind me immediately."
Shanks nodded seriously. Then a small smirk appeared. "But big brother, isn't your mist spreading a bit too much? Mary Geoise must be terrified by now."
Ritter waved dismissively. "Doesn't matter. Setting the battlefield isn't exhausting. Within my mist, if the old fools personally show themselves, we'll still be standing. Fight if possible; run if necessary. No big deal."
The moment the crimson fog completely covered Sabaody, the archipelago reacted more violently than Ritter had expected. Memories of the last massive mist that swept the islands when several Celestial Dragons had perished resurfaced.
"Close the doors! It's the Mist Lord's blood mist!" auctioneers shouted, shoving civilians aside. The Celestial Dragon guards swiftly ushered their masters into underground chambers.
One childishly-dressed Celestial Dragon shouted, "How dare this pirate Wait, what? Ritter!!! Take me with you, quickly!" A guard knocked him unconscious before he could finish.
Fear and reverence coexisted. Brother Rayleigh and Sister Shakki need no introduction, but remember: Sabaody also had a Ritter Company office.
Mr. Tanaka, seeing the departing nobles, bowed deeply toward the blood-red fog: "Welcome, Captain Ritter, to Sabaody. It is regrettable we cannot speak with you closely today, but we eagerly await your next visit."
Celestial Dragons: Please, don't come here, living father.
After Sabaody, it was time to consider Marineford. Sabaody and Marineford were close enough that Ritter's spreading mist thin but far-reaching began to drift in that direction. A mere trend, but enough to provoke shock.
Ritter shrugged in mock guilt. He could not, after all, let the fog run in a straight line.
Admiral Sengoku was furious. In his office, a teacup exploded against the wall with a loud smash, scalding tea running down the word "Justice."
"Damned pirate!" Sengoku slammed his fist against the desk, scattering papers. "This madman Ritter! Does he think the Marine Headquarters is just for decoration?!"
Outside, a faint red mist crept along the horizon. Admiral Kizaru lounged with one leg crossed, sipping tea leisurely. "Oh my, how terrifying the blood mist is almost reaching Marineford"
Akainu, fists crackling with magma, stood beside him, face dark. "Marshal, issue orders. I will go crush that arrogant bastard immediately "