"Fist!"
Jinbe's fist blasted straight forward. The royal family of the Ryugu Kingdom had always enjoyed an excellent reputation on Fish-Man Island, and Shirahoshi in particular, who had grown up without threats, was treated like a national treasure and doted upon by everyone.
She had inherited Otohime's kindness and was deeply loved by the residents of Fish-Man Island.
What Charlos was doing was turning the person most cherished by all of Fish-Man Island into his plaything. Forget Neptune, her father, even the patience of the other Fish-Men had already reached its limit.
Ordinary Fish-Men here might only be able to rage helplessly, but Jinbe was different. He could truly take action.
The force of the punch flipped up the paving stones from the ground, and the surrounding trees were uprooted. The kings who had just been watching from the sidelines were now caught up in the shockwave of Jinbe's attack.
"No way… someone actually dared to attack a Celestial Dragon? With this kind of power? Is that guy insane? Attacking a Celestial Dragon will bring a Marine Admiral, let alone doing it in a place like this…"
"That's their princess. If your own princess were being targeted, what would you do?"
"This…"
"Don't say anything, and don't ask anything. The Ryugu Kingdom's trouble can only be handled by themselves."
Jinbe's actions had far exceeded their expectations. If this punch landed, the consequences would be utterly incalculable.
But for Fish-Man Island, there was no other choice. They had come to participate in the Levely because they still harbored a sliver of hope toward the World Government, and Charlos's actions had shattered that last bit of hope.
If even the princess of a nation could be seized by a Celestial Dragon and turned into a slave, then talk of racial equality or abolishing slavery would be nothing but a joke.
Whether he struck or not, the future held no good outcome for the Ryugu Kingdom. After throwing this punch, he would have Neptune and the others return to the depths of the sea, while he himself bore this sin. That was Jinbe's plan.
"These foolish fish… Celestial Dragons are gods who created the world. We're nothing more than kings of the lower world. If a god desires something, it should of course be offered unconditionally.
They're definitely doomed.
The Celestial Dragon probably wouldn't survive even a single punch. Once he's gone, the seat will be vacant, then wouldn't I be able to become a new Celestial Dragon?"
There were also some kings indulging in wildly unrealistic fantasies, such as Sterry of the Goa Kingdom in the East Blue, the adopted child of Sabo's biological parents.
In a sense, he had abilities of his own: he eventually married a princess and became the new king of the Goa Kingdom, and his ultimate goal was to become a Celestial Dragon.
By this time, Jinbe's attack had already reached its target. Thick smoke and dust obscured the surroundings.
"King Neptune, please take the princess and leave. I'll hold them off."
Before Jinbe could finish speaking, the smoke ahead had already dispersed. Charlos was still standing there, completely unscathed, and beside him, an even taller slave had risen to his feet.
Jinbe's punch just now had been blocked by him.
"Kuma?!"
"Hahahaha! You stupid fish actually dared to attack me, this is a capital offense! But it's useless. You're no match for my invincible slave. I waited a long time before I could rent it.
Ah, I've got a new idea. You can be my slave too! A Shichibukai slave is so useful. It's just too hard to rent one. If I capture you, you'll be my exclusive slave!"
After that, Charlos clapped his hands like an idiot, seemingly admiring his own wise decision.
"How is that possible? Isn't that Bartholomew Kuma, one of the Shichibukai? How did he become a slave of the Celestial Dragons?"
Aside from the slave who had tried to capture Shirahoshi, there had been another person lying prone behind Charlos the whole time. Because he was face-down and had something like a horse's bit covering his head, no one around could tell who he was.
When he truly stood up, they finally realized that it was Kuma.
A Shichibukai actually became a slave. This alone had already shattered many people's understanding.
"All of you shut up! You ignorant lowlifes know nothing! The World Government no longer needs the Shichibukai. From now on, all Shichibukai will be our slaves!"
Without a doubt, Charlos belongs to the lower tier of intelligence among the Celestial Dragons, possessing just enough ability to care for himself. Beyond that, terms like arrogant, overbearing, and utterly contemptuous all apply to him.
In his view, there was nothing a Celestial Dragon could not say. If he wanted to say it, then he could.
The royal families outside were still unaware, but the Celestial Dragons as a group had already learned of one of the World Government's plans: replacing the Shichibukai with the Seraphim.
After this decision was made, Kuma—who had already become a cyborg—was directly treated as a slave and handed over to the Celestial Dragons as their plaything.
Because of his special nature, he was extremely rare even to the Celestial Dragons. All of them competed to possess Kuma, to the point that they could only take turns using him through rentals.
A slave who never felt fatigue, obeyed orders absolutely, made no sounds of anguish, and possessed tremendous combat power—such a slave was, in the eyes of the Celestial Dragons, the highest-grade, perfect slave.
"The World Government has decided… to abolish the Shichibukai?"
Cobra and King Riku exchanged a glance, both somewhat shocked by this decision.
They did not know that the abolition of the Shichibukai system they had proposed was destined to happen. Not because their experiences and debates could persuade the other kings and thus change the World Government's mind.
From beginning to end, Imu was everything to the World Government. If Imu did not issue an order, then the Five Elders were one in mind. As long as their thinking did not change, any proposal was useless.
It was precisely because the decision to abolish the Shichibukai had already been made that their proposal could pass so smoothly, while also showcasing the World Government's supposed consideration for its member nations.
If the World Government had still wanted the military power of the Shichibukai, then no matter how many more countries were victimized by them, the system would never have been abolished.
However, because of Charlos's words, some of the World Government's plans were now going to be greatly undermined.
Watching the kings quiet down due to his orders, Charlos felt very satisfied, and then continued issuing commands: "Invincible Slave Kuma! Go and capture all these fish for me!
I'm going to keep them all in my aquarium, together with the edible Merfolk.
I've heard that Merfolk are the fastest swimmers in the world. They would be perfect for a race."
As he spoke, Charlos slammed a hammer down on Kuma's leg. The current Kuma was very different from before. Not only were some of the modified metal components on his body now exposed, but several swords and knives were also stuck into him.
This was how the Celestial Dragons showed off. Things that couldn't be killed or broken were naturally not cherished, and even when faced with living people, they would treat them as nothing more than consumables.
At this point, the Celestial Dragons already had absolute control over Kuma, and this was thanks to York. If not for York, then with Vegapunk already dead, changing Kuma's authorization would have been no easy task.
Under Charlos's command, Kuma began walking toward Jinbe and the others, his mouth even starting to gather a laser.
Jinbe's arms were already coated in Haki. Just as Jinbe was about to make his move, a sharp shout rang out from behind Charlos.
"Stop right there!"
Along with the shout, a black shadow slammed into Charlos, sending his bloated body flying, and Kuma's movements immediately came to a halt.
"A Celestial Dragon was hit!"
"Who was it… seems like it was also a Celestial Dragon. Then does that mean everything's fine?"
The only ones who could order the beating of a Celestial Dragon while having CP0 stand by and watch—and who could also command the current Kuma—were other Celestial Dragons.
"Sorry, everyone. This idiot disturbed you all. CP0, I'll trouble you to drag him away and have Rosward keep his family's idiot under control, all right?"
With dark green hair and a studded club in both hands, Mjosgard stood in the spot where Charlos had been.
Hearing Mjosgard's orders, CP0 had no choice but to comply. After all, he was the only conscious Celestial Dragon left here.
The group of CP0 agents hauled Charlos onto Kuma's back like laborers and then left the area. They even muttered complaints among themselves as they went.
"It's that guy from the Donquixote family again… do we need to pass along what he said?"
"Have you lived long enough? You dare say that kind of thing?"
"No way. Even if we haven't earned merit, we've at least put in the effort; even if not effort, we've surely endured hardship."
"Hmph. They won't care about that. If things go wrong, what's waiting for us will definitely be a prison. You haven't been promoted to CP0 for long, there's still a lot you need to learn."
"Long time no see, King Neptune. I heard the Ryugu Kingdom was also coming to participate in the Levely, so I came specifically to welcome you. Unfortunately, I arrived a step too late and let this fellow cause you trouble."
"You are… Mjosgard?"
"That's me. Didn't the queen come this time? I was hoping to thank her in person for her guidance."
"Her health isn't suited for long-distance travel."
"I see, that makes sense. Then everyone, what do you plan to do next? If you intend to continue participating in the Levely, I'll accompany you throughout these seven days of conference. That way, people like Charlos won't have any opportunities.
If you wish to leave, I can take you away right now."
After hearing Mjosgard's proposal, Neptune ultimately chose to see the conference through to the end. Jinbe, however, was different—his situation made it unsuitable for him to remain here.
"Sir Jinbe, although your attack didn't land, combined with the World Government's decision, once the conference ends, the order to abolish the Shichibukai will be issued. At that point, they will definitely move to capture you.
But not yet. With so many royals and Celestial Dragons here, they won't act so openly. If you leave now, there's still time."
"He's right, Jinbe. You should return to the sea first. If worst comes to worst, there's still that option."
After all the twists and turns, the strongest among them, Jinbe, had instead become the one in the greatest danger if he stayed. At the urging of Mjosgard and Neptune, Jinbe took advantage of the brief calm and departed first.
"Everyone, things are fine for now. Sorry for disturbing you all."
"Ah, Princess Shirahoshi, did you just say something? Sorry, I didn't hear you clearly."
Mjosgard was truly thorough, personally accompanying Neptune and the others on another trip to Red Port and seeing Jinbe safely back into the sea.
Although what Charlos had said was true, the World Government still had to act according to its own logic. Before the conference ended and the new policies were announced, they would not take action for the sake of that so-called reputation.
However, after seeing Jinbe off, Mjosgard seemed to hear Shirahoshi's voice.
"No, no, I was just talking to myself."
Shirahoshi waved her hand, indicating she hadn't done anything. Yet in the deep sea, several colossal beasts once again sank back into hiding.
Just moments ago, Shirahoshi wasn't doing nothing at all. Over the years, Manaphy had been guiding her to become familiar with Poseidon's power. Although she was still some distance from true awakening, she had already gained the ability to command certain ancient Sea Kings.
Seemingly incomparably gentle, Shirahoshi was in fact Fish-Man Island's most powerful strategic deterrent at present. If truly pushed to her limit, summoning a few gigantic Sea Kings would be no problem at all.
Even on the Red Line, these Sea Kings could cause earthquakes above through sheer impact. Otherwise, Poseidon would never have been counted among the three great Ancient Weapons. The might of giant Sea Kings was not something confined to the deep sea alone.
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