Sabaody Archipelago, Grove 30 Amusement Area.
A place that was usually packed with crowds and buzzing with excitement now felt unnervingly quiet.
On the main street at the center of the area, squads of Marines surged in, sealing the place off inside and out.
More reinforcements continued to arrive from the perimeter. Marines armed to the teeth occupied rooftops, treetops, and every hidden vantage point they could find.
Their gazes were locked onto the group in the street, caution written all over their faces. The atmosphere was heavy and oppressive.
Across the street, Yamato, Hancock, and the others paid the encircling Marines no mind. Instead, they were glaring furiously at the two figures lying on the ground.
They had been shopping peacefully when several World Nobles suddenly appeared, parading through the streets. The few who didn't kneel immediately caught their attention.
Once they got a clear look at the women's appearances, the two male World Nobles grew excited on the spot.
One said he wanted to capture them as slaves, the other claimed he wanted to take them home as wives, and they immediately ordered their men to shackle them.
The glittering chains and the word "slaves" instantly set Yamato and Hancock off.
Yamato, hot-tempered as ever, charged forward with her kanabo in hand and knocked them down in just a few blows.
Having been chained up since childhood, she had only just gained her freedom—yet now someone dared to try and shackle her again.
How dare they! They were courting death!
Hancock, who was a step behind, helplessly vented her anger on the nearby guards. With a few sharp motions, several stone statues appeared on the spot.
If Nojiko hadn't pulled the two of them back, those World Nobles would either have been splattered in blood or turned to stone already.
The remaining female World Noble was completely stunned by the sudden turn of events, frozen in place and unable to react.
The others traveling with them didn't look any better, staring at the fallen World Nobles with undisguised disgust.
Fear? None at all. Not even a trace.
After being influenced by Leno for so long, they had long since lost any fear of World Nobles. Not slapping them on sight already counted as restraint.
They had just happened to run into a few blind idiots today—otherwise, none of this would have happened.
"Father! Brother! You— you filthy commoners, you're courting death! The Marines won't let you get away with this…"
The female World Noble finally snapped back to her senses and began threatening them, seething with rage.
She was a World Noble—the descendant of the creators of this world. A god!
Yet today she had been beaten by lowly mortals. It was outrageous!
She had already decided that once this was over, she would make these wretches pay dearly.
She would make them understand the price of offending a god!
Unfortunately, with no guards left at her side, all she could do was shout abuse at them herself.
Just as Yamato was about to step forward and shut her up, a warning blared from a Marine loudspeaker.
"All criminals, listen up! Release the Roswald family immediately! A Marine Admiral is on the way!"
"An Admiral?!"
Chopper and Vivi turned pale, their bodies trembling as cold sweat instantly covered their faces.
They knew all too well how terrifying an Admiral's strength was. With Leno not around, they couldn't help feeling uneasy.
Unlike them, Kuina and Hancock showed almost no change in expression.
An Admiral, that's all.
They were confident that their current strength was no weaker than an Admiral's.
After the last trial, Leno had spoken with them, and they had gained a clear understanding of their own power.
If an Admiral really came, it would be the perfect chance to test who was stronger.
Yamato shared the same thought—if not even more so. Her battle lust burned fiercely.
At the mention of an Admiral's arrival, a hint of excitement flickered in her eyes, eager to give it a try.
Seeing that the criminals across from them were completely unmoved by the warning, the leading Rear Admiral's face darkened, anger flaring in his eyes.
"Rear Admiral, the criminals are right ahead. Should we launch a full assault?"
"No. Our orders are to protect the hostages!" The Rear Admiral shot his subordinate a sharp glare and said solemnly, "The World Nobles' safety comes first!"
"But—"
"Don't worry. Admiral Kizaru will be here soon!"
Watching the woman with the kanabo looking like she might strike again, the Rear Admiral's gaze dimmed.
He whispered a few words into his subordinate's ear, then refocused on the group ahead.
"Huh? Why isn't the Admiral here yet?"
Yamato tilted her head in confusion, the kanabo resting on her shoulder. The Marines had shouted once, then gone silent.
Shouldn't they have charged in screaming by now? Why were they just surrounding them without making a move?
Robin, standing behind her, seemed to understand. She glanced at the World Nobles on the ground and said thoughtfully,
"They're probably worried about the World Nobles' safety… or waiting for the Admiral to arrive."
"Huh? We don't have time to waste here~"
Nami's face fell immediately. She scratched her head in frustration—they hadn't even finished shopping properly.
After what happened today, there was no chance of that anymore.
Thinking of this, she shot an angry glare at the two pigs lying on the ground.
"True, there's no point dragging this out."
"Then let's go~"
"..."
Robin, Kuina, and the others quickly reached a consensus and began to move to leave.
A step behind them, Yamato noticed the still-shouting female World Noble. Her eyes rolled, and she stepped forward, grabbing her and tucking her under her arm.
Seeing Yamato's little move, Kuina and the others only glanced back without saying anything.
Robin's earlier words must have given her an idea—she was planning to take a hostage.
The group headed off in another direction, leaving behind only two World Nobles lying on the ground, their fate unknown.
"Looks like they're trying to escape. We can't let them get away! We still have reinforcements…"
Seeing the criminals preparing to leave, the leading Rear Admiral showed a 'just as expected' expression and waved his hand decisively.
"Rescue team, advance immediately and retrieve Saint Charlos and Saint Roswald!"
"Suppressive fire team, open fire at once! Do not let them escape!"
"But… Rear Admiral, Saint Shalria is still in their hands!"
The dark-faced subordinate rushed over the moment the order was given, staring at his superior in shock.
Weren't you the one who said we had to ensure the World Nobles' safety?
"Damn it! What are these criminals trying to do?!"
...
"Yamato, why are you carrying that World Noble with you?"
Chopper looked at Saint Shalria slung over Yamato's shoulder in confusion. There was no need to take a hostage.
With their strength, the Marines here couldn't stop them at all!
"Huh? This one? I think she looks pretty decent, so I'm taking her back to be my brother's wife!"
"..."
The moment Yamato finished speaking, several waves of chilling killing intent erupted around them!
Just as Yamato was wondering why the temperature around her had suddenly dropped, a lazy, drawling voice sounded in everyone's ears.
"Nope~ No matter what, she's still a World Noble. I can't just let you take her away like that."
…
…