Every Celestial Dragon family head present leaned in to look at the photo. Saint Rosward spoke first, "W‑what about this man? And where is that young fool Garbatia? Why isn't he here?"
Saint Garbatia was currently the youngest head of all Celestial Dragon families. He had only inherited his position early because his father had died tragically during a slave performance.
In terms of capability and wisdom, he was far from qualified to lead a family, so none of the other nobles present held him in high regard.
"He has been taken hostage by the man in this photo!"
The white‑haired elder waved Dragon's photograph once more before their eyes.
Shock rippled through the room. Taken hostage? A Celestial Dragon kidnapped?
Was this some kind of joke?
"Could you please make yourself clear from the start and tell us everything at once?" Grimm spoke up at last, unable to endure the halting, drawn‑out way the elder was speaking.
The old Celestial Dragon glanced at Grimm, a flash of irritation in his eyes. Then he said, "This matter… is actually directly related to you."
"Oh?" Grimm replied calmly, showing no concern.
The elder continued his explanation. "That idea you helped us come up with earlier — the plan to capture fish‑men — brought Garbatia great profit. This time, he intended to use exactly the same method again. But he walked straight into an ambush set by the Revolutionary Army and was captured."
Pfft—!
Grimm sprayed the water he had been drinking right out of his mouth, drenching the blonde female Celestial Dragon sitting next to him from head to toe.
"Truly impressive, isn't it? Saint Garbatia… did he honestly believe the same trick would work twice? Where is his brain?"
Now it all made sense. Garbatia had tried to repeat the old scheme, only to fall right into the Revolutionary Army's trap. Instead of capturing slaves, he had captured his own downfall!
But really, Garbatia was simply too much of an idiot. Did he think King Neptune of Fish‑Man Island was as stupid as he was — falling for the exact same ruse twice?
Still… Dragon and his people were certainly patient. Had they been lying in wait near Fish‑Man Island all this time?
Lady Hediya covered her mouth with her fan as usual and asked, "So… what shall we do? Not that I particularly care to get involved…"
This mysterious man called Dragon — according to our investigations — began spreading his so‑called Revolution long before Roger became the Pirate King.
In the New World, several nations have already collapsed because of his ridiculous doctrines: the Eight Virtues, equality for all men, the abolition of exploitation…
Now he dares to kidnap one of us. It is likely he wants to raise his banner openly and achieve some unknown goal through this act.
The white‑haired elder scanned the room and went on. "We received word from the Marines: this man Dragon… wishes to speak directly with us, the Celestial Dragons…"
"Are you mad?"
Before he could finish, voices rose in protest. "The Revolutionary Army are traitors who defy the World Government! How could our noble race ever meet face‑to‑face with such dangerous criminals?"
"Exactly! This is all Garbatia's own fault for being a fool. We are not paying the price for his stupidity!"
"Right! He acted recklessly — he deserves what he got!"
"Whatever happens, I am certainly not going! Not I!"
As the protests grew louder and louder, the white‑haired elder suddenly released a terrifying aura that filled the entire room. "Is that your decision then? To abandon Saint Garbatia and let him die?"
Overwhelmed by the ancient noble's terrifying pressure, the protests died instantly. Yet every face remained filled with reluctance and dread.
The Revolutionary Army might still be small, and a mysterious group only recently discovered by the Government… but they targeted the World Government specifically.
To ask these cowardly nobles to go out and confront criminals face‑to‑face? Impossible.
"Truly… each generation is worse than the last…" The white‑haired elder sighed. Having lived for hundreds of years, he said this practically every year. "You are the worst generation of Celestial Dragons I have ever seen!"
And it was true. "Could you tell us the details? Where is the meeting point?"
Grimm's voice suddenly cut through the tension. Silence fell instantly. All dozen or so family heads turned their eyes toward him.
Saint Epthelm — a relatively young family head, unmarried, and the sole surviving Celestial Dragon of his house. He was also the one who had originally proposed the fish‑man capture plan.
Most knew that Saint Epthelm and Saint Garbatia were roughly the same age and shared a "close friendship."
Yet even so… why risk your life for someone else? Was anything worth more than your own life?
A look of relief and approval appeared on the old noble's face. "You… are different from the rest. The meeting place is Karakuri Island, in the New World."
"The New World?!"
At those words, every Celestial Dragon's expression changed drastically. While they could throw their weight around arrogantly in the first half of the Grand Line, the New World was a different story entirely.
It was territory ruled almost entirely by powerful pirates who cared nothing for Celestial Dragons. The Four Emperors — led by Whitebeard — feared no one, not Admirals, not the Fleet Admiral, and certainly not Celestial Dragons.
And then there was that being calling himself Kel'Thuzad… just thinking about the rumors made even Celestial Dragons tremble slightly.
People claimed the world feared the Celestial Dragons — but in truth, they feared the immense power standing behind them.
Normally, if a Celestial Dragon was involved, Marine Admirals would intervene.
But did the Four Emperors fear an Admiral?
Not at all.
Therefore, anyone going to the New World would need to travel with a massive fleet for protection!
"Karakuri Island… I recall it was one of the islands studied by Vegapunk… there is an active volcano there…" Grimm pressed a finger to his forehead, recalling the facts.
The other nobles looked at Grimm as if a heavy weight had just been lifted from their shoulders.
If he hadn't stepped forward, they feared Lord Imu himself might have called upon them personally — and no one, not even a Celestial Dragon, dared to disobey Lord Imu.
Seeing Grimm's serious resolve, the white‑haired elder nodded repeatedly and gave him a firm assurance.
"The Marines will provide an escort: Admiral Sengoku, as well as Admiral candidate Aokiji. From the Government side, our strongest force — CP0 — will also be present to protect you from the shadows."
But truly… even if the entire Marine Headquarters force were mobilized, none of these cowards would have agreed to go.
Yet what they didn't know: the "Saint Epthelm" standing before them was no longer the original soul. Whether he had guards or not made absolutely no difference to him!
More importantly… what would happen when he finally met Dragon face‑to‑face, while disguised as a Celestial Dragon? Grimm found himself looking forward to it immensely!
---
"Stay behind and guard the estate. If anyone comes here to cause trouble in Mary Geoise, go to the Sabaody Archipelago and find a coater named Rayleigh."
Grimm gave his final instructions.
He wasn't sure when Fisher Tiger would begin his operation, so he left this warning just in case.
Aboard the flagship of the ten‑ship grand fleet heading through the New World toward Karakuri Island to negotiate with Dragon of the Revolutionary Army…
Grimm stood protected on either side by Admiral Sengoku and Admiral candidate Aokiji.
__________________
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