Zzzzt!
With a grave expression, Kizaru released a precise burst of light, scorching the severed limbs of Saint Charloss to seal the wounds and prevent him from bleeding to death.
"…"
Saint Charloss convulsed violently, his body twitching as his eyes rolled back. Overwhelmed by pain, he sank back into unconsciousness.
With his back turned to Kizaru, Shirogai calmly explained what had occurred on the other grove.
"Luffy, listen carefully…"
"What?" Luffy's eyes widened. "Zoro, Franky, and Brook are fighting another Admiral? Robin and Usopp were captured?"
The moment those words landed, the Straw Hats could no longer stay still. They rushed outside, shouting to the Flying Fish Riders who were unaware of the chaos inside the auction house, and charged straight toward the battlefield.
"Shirogai! Uncle Rayleigh!" Luffy shouted as he leaped onto a Flying Fish Rider. "This Admiral is up to you two! Do not let him go help them!"
Already far away, Luffy waved energetically, grinning as the Flying Fish Rider carried him off into the sky.
"Oh my," Kizaru murmured, watching them leave. "Such troublesome and energetic youngsters. Do they really believe Sakazuki cannot handle them, and that I still need to provide support?"
He turned his gaze back to Saint Charloss, who lay unconscious in a pool of blood.
"Shirogai, you truly went too far this time."
Kizaru glanced at the guards and auction participants scattered around the hall, all still unconscious, and sighed.
"Fortunately, no one witnessed any of this."
"Hehehe…"
Shirogai simply stood there, smiling faintly, saying nothing.
"Hm?"
Rayleigh caught the deeper meaning behind Kizaru's words.
He took a slow sip of sake and smiled.
"Kizaru, since when did Admirals become so gentle?" Rayleigh teased. "Pirates harmed Celestial Dragons, the reverse scale of the World Nobles, yet all you do is sigh and call it troublesome?"
Kizaru did not answer the provocation. Instead, his gaze sharpened as it settled on Rayleigh.
"Oh dear, Rayleigh. Haven't you claimed to have retired? Why are you still entangled with pirates? Are you planning a return?"
Kizaru studied Rayleigh carefully.
At this moment, only one concern weighed heavily on his mind.
Did Rayleigh know the truth about Fire Fist Ace?
If Rayleigh intended to cooperate with Shirogai and stir chaos during the Marine's battle with Whitebeard, then the Marines would be forced into a nightmare scenario, attacked from three directions by legendary pirates.
That would push everything beyond control.
The Marines had planned to use Ace's execution as a decisive warning to the world. Recently, the balance had already been shaken badly.
Shirogai, the man the World Government desperately tried to suppress from public knowledge, a monster capable of challenging the Marines alone.
The increasingly unruly Supernovas.
The great pirates secretly collecting poneglyphs.
And the Revolutionary Army, whose influence shook the very foundation of the World Government.
Monkey D. Dragon, known as the world's most dangerous criminal, posed a greater threat than countless pirates combined.
If given the choice, the World Government would gladly trade the annihilation of the Revolutionary Army for several more Emperors at sea.
Pirates were divided. The Revolutionary Army was not.
These pressures left the World Government desperate to make an example of Ace, both as a warning and to restore shaken morale within the Marines.
"Times have changed," Rayleigh said with a laugh, his cheeks flushed from sake. "I only wish to enjoy my old age in peace."
He wiped his beard and continued cheerfully.
"I am too old to be chased around by you Marines. My ambition has long since faded."
Kizaru narrowed his eyes behind his sunglasses.
"Oh, Rayleigh, I sincerely hope that is true."
Rayleigh ignored the challenge, tilting his head back to drain the rest of his sake.
"Kizaru, I am just an ordinary old man," he said lightly. "Even a slave auction house managed to catch me. What kind of bad intentions could I possibly have?"
"Oh?" Kizaru smiled faintly. "I would never call the great Rayleigh ordinary."
Their gazes collided, invisible pressure rippling outward and stirring several unconscious figures awake.
"Ugh… what happened?" Lulianna groaned as she came to. "Why am I lying on such filthy ground?"
Protected by guards earlier, she had only been knocked out by the shockwave.
"Father?" she cried suddenly. "What happened to you?"
Her eyes widened in horror as she saw Saint Rosward lying nearby, unconscious, then turned toward Saint Charloss in the distance, limbless and soaked in blood.
"Ahhh!" she screamed. "Brother, what happened to you? Where are your arms and legs?!"
"Kizaru-san," Shirogai said casually, pointing at her. "Your trouble just woke up."
"I bet she will call you useless soon."
Lulianna sprang to her feet, trembling with rage.
"Useless! All of you are useless!" she shrieked. "All the guards are unconscious? You let filthy pirates harm our noble Celestial Dragons!"
Then she noticed Kizaru.
Her expression twisted with hatred as she pointed at Shirogai and Rayleigh.
"Kizaru! Why are you only here now? Kill these lowly commoners immediately!"
Kizaru sighed and scratched his head.
A Celestial Dragon child really did not fear death.
Before he could respond, a sharp voice rang out behind them.
"No! Kizaru, I forbid you from attacking Darling!"
Everyone turned.
A small girl in lavish clothing rushed out from the slave entrance.
It was Shalria
"Little sister?" Lulianna stared in disbelief. "Why are you here?"
"I was kidnapped by this wretched auction house!" Shalria snapped, then glared at her sister. "Big sister, how could you order Kizaru to attack Darling? He is the person I admire and respect most!"
"He?" Lulianna froze. "That pirate with a bounty of five billion Berries?"
Only then did she finally recognize Shirogai.
"Father and Brother were injured like this by him!" Lulianna shouted. "How can you side with an outsider?"
She pointed furiously at Saint Rosward and at the bloodied remains of Saint Charloss.
"Ah…"
Shalria gasped, finally realizing the truth.
"That bloody… thing… is my brother?"
____
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