As Kong stormed off in a rage, the Five Elders resumed their discussion. The curly‑haired Elder said, "I recall that while Saint Garbatia was the mastermind, it seems others were also involved in this affair."
The Elder with the mustache nodded. "There's no small number of Celestial Dragons fond of fish‑men. I'd say at least three families took part in this operation."
"Who proposed the idea? Shameless as it is, an ordinary Celestial Dragon couldn't have come up with such an efficient method…" The blond Elder's eyes even held a glint of admiration.
At last, the long‑haired Elder spoke. "Enough. Fish‑Man Island poses no threat regardless. What matters now is the Seven Warlords plan."
"True enough."
"Indeed."
---
Meanwhile — In the chambers of Saint Epthelm.
Hearing from a subordinate about the "fish‑hunting" scheme jointly carried out by three Celestial Dragon families led by Garbatia, and how King Neptune of Fish‑Man Island had sworn brotherhood with Whitebeard, Grimm shook his head helplessly.
"Still one step too late."
Originally, Jaina had been on her way, but the fruits of this victory had been snatched by Whitebeard, who happened to pass by. The inertia of history was truly powerful!
Three families led by Garbatia captured a total of thirty‑nine fish‑men.
Of them, Garbatia alone took fifteen, while the other three families each took eight.
These thirty‑nine fish‑men were, of course, the delegation sent to negotiate with the World Government — acting on the word of Garbatia's envoys and under orders from the royal family of Fish‑Man Island.
Sadly, it had all been bait. Government agents lying in ambush had rounded them all up and taken them prisoner.
The official explanation given was that the delegation had been wiped out in a pirate attack.
But that was merely self‑deception. Anyone with half a brain knew exactly what had happened.
"My friend, I thank you truly! Without your idea, how could I have gotten so many fish‑man slaves at once?"
In the palace garden of Mary Geoise — a gathering place for many Celestial Dragons — Saint Garbatia raised a toast to Grimm.
Behind him stood several fish‑men with collars around their necks. Though powerfully built, they looked spiritless; they were none other than the envoys who had fallen into the trap.
Grimm raised his glass. Standing behind him were the Boa sisters, now dressed as maids.
Although they had not been collared like the fish‑men, their hearts burned with rage every time they saw Garbatia. If not for him, they might already have been free!
Hancock admitted that her current master had never mistreated her or her sisters. Strangely enough, just looking at him made her feel a sudden urge to be protected — a very odd sensation.
Most peculiar of all was the knowledge that had appeared in her mind: things concerning the Holy Light.
Yet, Hancock herself did not truly understand what the Holy Light actually was.
Grimm watched Garbatia with a faint smile, saying nothing. At first, he had only wanted to observe the life of the Celestial Dragons and the inner workings of Mary Geoise.
But now, with time on his hands, he saw no harm in playing along a little longer!
Besides, wasn't this the perfect moment to guide and shape the future Pirate Empress?
Faith in the Holy Light must be nurtured while they are young. Strong maidens make strong knights!
"By the way, my friend!" Garbatia suddenly spoke again. "The slave arena is finally finished! Shall we go place some wagers together?"
"The slave arena…?" Grimm recalled — it was the place he himself had destroyed. Now it had been rebuilt.
"Very well. I've nothing else to do. Let's go take a look." Grimm stood up.
Unlike the coliseum Doflamingo would later build in Dressrosa, this place was surprisingly quiet.
It was filled with world nobles, with Celestial Dragons standing out prominently among them.
At the center lay a massive arena; it resembled less a fighting pit and more a grand banquet hall.
At that moment, two collared slaves were battling on stage. As a muscular, bare‑chested man collapsed before a warrior of the Mink Tribe, a Celestial Dragon wearing sunglasses to Grimm's left furiously pressed a button on a remote control.
BOOM!
An explosion rang out. The collar around the fallen man's neck detonated instantly, blowing his neck into a mess of blood and flesh.
"Damned trash! You've disgraced me!" the sunglasses‑wearing Celestial Dragon roared.
Seated beside him, a middle‑aged female Celestial Dragon opened a paper fan and held it before her mouth, laughing.
"Kehahahaha! Saint Rosward, your slave has lost. And you've lost 500 million Berries along with him!"
From their conversation, it was clear that the two slaves fighting belonged to these two people: the sunglasses‑wearing old man and this woman. The winning Mink warrior was her slave.
"Tch — it's only 500 million. Put it on my tab. I can pay whenever I like. Let's enjoy ourselves today first," Saint Rosward replied dismissively, though he looked somewhat embarrassed by his slave's defeat.
"Kehahahaha! Of course! Let's see who loses 5 billion first today!" the woman laughed in a sickening manner.
5 billion… Hancock and her sisters could hardly believe their ears. The stakes were shockingly high!
Just then, the pair noticed Grimm and quickly stood up to greet him.
"Why, isn't this Saint Epthelm? Thanks to your plan, I've acquired quite a number of fine fish‑man slaves!"
"Kehahahaha! As a gift, next time I see something you'd like, I'll save it for you!" the woman chimed in merrily.
"Saint Rosward… and Lady Hediya! Good day to you both!" Grimm smiled loftily.
He knew them well — they were the two family heads who had joined Garbatia in the fish‑man capture.
Grimm sat down. Without the slightest concern for the many Celestial Dragons present, he crossed his legs and propped his feet up on the table. Others merely frowned but said nothing.
"What are the rules today?" Grimm asked, eyes fixed on the large arena.
Attendants quickly brought wine and pastries. Saint Rosward, over forty years old, gave Grimm enough respect to answer.
"After one match ends, the next begins immediately."
"Kehahahaha! But Saint Rosward just lost to me. Who's next?" Lady Hediya giggled from behind her fan.
"Not a Devil Fruit user… a Mink of the Tiger tribe…"
Grimm's gaze swept over the tiger‑like Mink warrior in the arena, then shifted to Boa Hancock standing behind him.
"Hancock — go down there. Finish him."
__________________
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