Sabaody Archipelago Port
Early in the morning, Chronos, Shanks, and Rayleigh were already waiting at the port.
When the sun was high overhead, Saint Alexander finally arrived, bringing the Treasure Tree with him. Surrounded by layers of burly men in black suits, his entourage looked more like overzealous celebrity bodyguards than a security detail.
"Rayleigh, who are those guys with the capes? They don't look like Marines."
"Those are Army cloaks. Looks like they've sent in the elites this time," Rayleigh sighed—partly because he was still the one physically carrying the 'guest of honor' they had "invited," the heavyset Celestial Dragon.
"Figarland Garling"
To emphasize the seriousness of the situation, the current Fleet Admiral Kong personally showed up, along with Admiral Sengoku and Vice Admiral Borsalino.
"Kong! My precious daughter was kidnapped, and the Marines are fully responsible. You better pray she returns unharmed. Otherwise, your next quarter's budget? Not a single Berry. Even if the Five Elders approve it, I'll block it! "
Fuming with rage, Saint Alexander lashed out at Kong and Sengoku.
He simply couldn't comprehend how his daughter was abducted in Sabaody Archipelago—right next door to Marine Headquarters—without the Navy doing anything.
It was like going to the corner store and suddenly being kidnapped by terrorists with AKs.
"Yes, yes... Please rest assured. I guarantee not a single hair on Floratia's head will be harmed! "
Kong wiped the spit off his face while trying to reassure him. If circumstances allowed, he'd have loved to bury his iron fists—fists that had taken down countless pirates—into this Celestial Dragon's smug face.
But Saint Alexander wasn't an ordinary Celestial Dragon. He had the backing of a dozen powerful noble families. If he didn't sign off on the budget, even the Five Elders' approval wouldn't help.
No funds meant starving Marines. And with an empty stomach, how would they catch pirates? Through "justice" alone?
"You better make sure of it! "
Saint Alexander begrudgingly accepted Kong's guarantee, as the heavily guarded group surged toward Chronos and the others.
"Zehahaha! Who would've thought? Just a little exchange, and both the current and future Fleet Admirals show up. What an honor! "
Chronos, reckless as ever, greeted them without fear.
Hearing this, Sengoku's eyes lit up. Smart kid. Everyone knew Kong was still technically Fleet Admiral, but with Garp refusing promotion and Zephyr retired, Sengoku was already shouldering half the Navy's responsibilities. He was the obvious successor.
But out of respect, no one publicly called him that—until this bold young pirate did. Sengoku rather liked his honesty.
"Admiral Sengoku..."
"What is it? " Sengoku glared at Borsalino, annoyed at being interrupted while basking in his unofficial title.
"Don't you think that kid's glasses look... Kind of like yours? "
"Impossible. These glasses were custom-made by the village chief when I first left to join the Navy. One of a kind in the whole sea! "
"Kid, hand over the Treasure Tree and give me back my daughter! "
Saint Alexander roared.
"Four-Eyes kid, Red-Haired Shanks—though I admire your boldness at such a young age, attacking a Celestial Dragon makes you enemies of justice. Your crimes are unforgivable! "
Kong finally spoke, projecting his authority. But he unknowingly uttered the one nickname Chronos hated most.
"Steel-Bones Kong, you old fart! You're the Four-Eyes! Your whole family's Four-Eyes! My name's Chronos, not Four-Eyes, damn it!! "
Without hesitation, Chronos snapped back, leaving the surrounding pirates staring in awe.
Whoa.
This guy's nuts!
Cursing out the Fleet Admiral like that? This kid was destined for greatness—if he lived long enough.
"One hand for the tree, one hand for the hostage."
Rayleigh sighed, giving Chronos a helpless look: Bro, you're going to get us all killed.
Saint Alexander gave a nod to a nearby Army Vice Admiral, who immediately hurled the Treasure Tree toward them.
Rayleigh, in turn, tossed the hefty Celestial Dragon girl into the air.
"Floratia!!!"
"Borsalino, strike now! "
"Yasakani no Magatama! "
BOOM!!!
"No! Chronos—Chronos—! "
PS: Read Advance Chapters at https://www.patreon.com/c/Xentronix