The three figures who appeared at the slave auction house were none other than Ashveil, the Tyrant Kuma, and Urouge—brought there in an instant by Kuma's Paw-Paw Fruit ability.
Urouge still didn't understand why they had come. With uncertainty on his face, he asked cautiously,
"Captain, what are we doing here? That's the Celestial Dragons… stopping them will cause serious trouble!"
Ashveil simply waved his hand, a calm smile curving his lips as he pointed toward the arrogant nobles in front of him.
"I came here specifically to find them. Why would I let them leave?"
Being pointed at by someone they saw as a mere insect, the three Celestial Dragons instantly turned red with rage.
Saint Charlos's pudgy hands shook with fury as he drew his golden pistol and aimed it at Ashveil.
"Filthy commoner! How dare you raise your hand at me? I command you—kneel down right now!"
Urouge felt his stomach twist. His Captain wasn't just provoking them—he was challenging the very rulers of the world. This could end in disaster.
Beside him, Kuma's glasses reflected a glint of light.
So, Ashveil really intends to defy them openly. First Akainu… and now the Celestial Dragons. He's more reckless than even Dragon-sama.
High above, reporters from the World Economic Journal were already circling. The branch journalist Bete and his assistant Roux were stunned.
"Captain Ashveil killed Akainu and didn't run. Now he's provoking the Celestial Dragons?" Bete muttered.
Roux's eyes widened. "Is he insane? If he actually lays hands on them, this could shake the entire world!"
It was time for Bete's scheduled report to headquarters. He immediately called Morgans, who answered in anticipation.
"Bete, what's happening in Sabaody?" Morgans demanded.
Bete relayed the shocking news—Fleet Admiral Akainu dead, killed by Ashveil. Morgans nearly dropped the receiver.
"This is enormous… bigger than anything in years!" Morgans shouted. "Send me the draft, every photo, every detail—now!"
But Bete wasn't done. Clearing his throat, he added mysteriously, "There's more. Ashveil has now confronted the Celestial Dragons. I'll keep filming until it's over, then send the entire story. When the world sees this, it will explode."
Morgans's feathers puffed with excitement. "Perfect! Do it. This will make headlines across every sea!"
Back in the auction house, Saint Charlos sneered, his pistol still aimed.
"Kneel, commoner!"
Ashveil's eyes narrowed, his patience gone. He'd been in this world long enough to know one thing—he bowed to no one.
"Kneel?" Ashveil's voice was cold, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. "You've got it backward. All of you kneel."
In an instant, his Conqueror's Haki surged outward like an invisible tidal wave. He controlled it with precision, not enough to knock anyone unconscious, but enough to force their bodies into submission.
The pressure crashed down. Sweat beaded on the Celestial Dragons' foreheads. Their breathing grew ragged, and their obese frames trembled uncontrollably.
Rosward's eyes bulged. "T-This feeling… the same as that terrifying man from before…"
Shalria's lips quivered as her knees buckled. "Sorcery… this is sorcery…"
With a dull thud, the three Celestial Dragons fell to their knees.
Saint Charlos's pistol clattered to the floor as he roared in humiliation.
"Unforgivable! For me, a god, to kneel to a lowly pirate!"
Around them, the Marines stationed to guard the Celestial Dragons fared no better. One by one, they collapsed to their knees under Ashveil's overwhelming Haki.
High above, Rose gasped, her mouth agape. "He actually made the Celestial Dragons kneel…! This is unbelievable!"
Bete's hands trembled as he worked the camera, voice cracking with awe. "Film everything! The world must see this!"
It was like witnessing a lion king's roar, forcing every beast in the jungle to bow.
Urouge, spared from the crushing pressure by Ashveil's deliberate restraint, still felt his heart pound. Even without it affecting him directly, the aura alone was enough to make him realize the truth.
So this is the man who killed Admiral Sakazuki… Captain Ashveil…
With nothing more than his will, he made the so-called gods kneel.
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