"Don't you dare act recklessly!" Zashika glared at Rosinante.
As he spoke, he glanced at the distance between the World Government ship and Rosinante's cruise liner. he wanted to leap over directly, but didn't dare.
"Idiot, why aren't you carrying me over yet!" Zashika suddenly smacked the man beside him, Kaden, and barked the order.
"But…" The burly man looked troubled.
After all, the man opposite them was none other than the most lawless captain on today's seas — the leader of the Grey Kingdom Pirates. This was someone who, if the World Government didn't accept his terms, would dare to lay hands on a Celestial Dragon without hesitation.
From the very first moment Kaden saw Rosinante, he had been on high alert, afraid that if Rosinante so much as took offense, Zashika might be wiped out instantly.
Even if Rosinante wouldn't kill a Celestial Dragon outright, killing a Celestial Dragon's bodyguard was child's play for him.
After all, it was this very man who had wiped out the guard slaves serving beside Saint Zashika. That was the only reason Kaden even had a shot at becoming his bodyguard now.
Even if the two seemed familiar with each other now, boarding Rosinante's vessel so casually was still extremely dangerous.
"But… what?" Zashika's eyes flashed with irritation. "One more 'but' out of your mouth and I'll have you executed. You're useless — no alertness at all. Looks like when we get back, I'll have to replace you!" he pulled out her pistol and pointed it at him as he spoke.
"Y-Yes, sir!" Cold sweat poured down Kaden's back.
This mistress of his was the type to follow through on her words. If he was displeased, he could shoot you dead on the spot, and there'd be nowhere to complain. After all, he was a Celestial Dragon — born high above the rest.
Kaden scooped Zashika into his arms and leapt aboard Rosinante's ship.
Rosinante waved a hand, signaling Ryan and the others to step aside.
"Ho, you've really got the grandeur to rival us Celestial Dragons now. And these maids of yours aren't bad at all, Rosinante. How about giving them to me? I'll even forgive you for shooting my bodyguard maid — she was my favorite, you know!" Zashika said with a sly smile.
At her words, Shaxia and the other women all frowned and looked at Rosinante nervously. The other party was not only a Celestial Dragon, but also a childhood friend of Rosinante's. If he agreed to hand them over… what then?
"Heh… there are no slaves here. They're my family. Are you sure you want to go down this road?" Rosinante's gaze turned cold as he looked at him.
"Heh, just kidding, just kidding. If you want maids, I can send you dozens any time," Zashika replied awkwardly.
"Enough jokes. What do you really want?" Rosinante asked.
"Your ship is nice. Not going to invite me for a drink? It's been ages since we've met," Zashika said.
"Didn't you just say this was your ship?" Rosinante chuckled.
"Are you hosting me or not? Just say the word!" Zashika insisted.
"Then be my guest." Rosinante gestured invitingly.
Zashika lifted hus chin and followed him toward the center of the cruise liner.
Kaden tried to follow as a guard, but Ryan and the others blocked his way.
"I have to guard the Celestial Dragon," Kaden said anxiously as Ryan stood in his path.
"From the moment you set foot on this ship, the guarding is our responsibility," Ryan replied coldly.
"You—!" Kaden could do nothing. The strength these people possessed was plain to see.
Rosinante led Zashika to the lounge area, where coffee, fruit, and other refreshments were laid out.
"I hear your Grey Kingdom has been stirring up quite a storm in the Four Seas lately. The allied nations have been calling so much they've nearly burned out the World Government's transponder snails," Zashika said, sipping his coffee and glancing at him.
"Really? Sounds like you're more informed than I am. I hadn't heard. But I doubt my people would lay hands on World Government member nations," Rosinante said with a smile.
"You'd better rein them in. If not for the Five Elders holding things back, the World Government might already have moved against your little Grey Kingdom," Zashika warned.
"I'll keep that in mind. But you had your bodyguard stopped just to tell me this?" Rosinante asked.
"You've been making quite the scene lately. Some big shots in my clan seem to have taken notice and want to make contact with you. But you've been hard to find. So, how about it — want to meet them?" Zashika said.
"Why would those big shots pay attention to me?" Rosinante asked in puzzlement.
The so-called big shots of her clan were the power-holders within the Celestial Dragon Elder Council — those who controlled the majority of the Celestial Dragons' resources and whose influence was so great that even the Five Elders tread carefully around them. It was thanks to these figures that the Celestial Dragons could still live like gods.
Truth be told, if Rosinante didn't believe the Celestial Dragons were doomed to be taken down someday, he might have felt some envy toward them.
Sometimes he really did dream of a salted-fish life — fighting and killing was just too stupid.
But ever since he'd crossed into this world, thanks to the Celestial Dragons, he hadn't known a single easy day. Every day had been spent under the shadow of pursuit.
Even now, with a decent-sized force under his command, in the eyes of those Celestial Dragon big shots, it was nothing but child's play. Why would they bother to reach out to him?
"To be honest, the Celestial Dragons have been going downhill for years. Life hasn't been easy. Most of our power has been stripped by the Five Elders and the World Government. We get by on the Heavenly Tribute each year. So some among us have ideas — they want to reclaim real authority. Personally, I think life's fine as it is. No need to stir things up. But you know how it is — those big shots hold the real power. They've seen your growth and want to leverage you to strengthen the Celestial Dragons' influence," Zashika whispered after glancing around.
"Hah… that's hilarious. They think too highly of me. If I had that kind of ability, I wouldn't have to assassinate your guards just to negotiate with the World Government," Rosinante sneered.
"Whether you agree to meet them or not is up to you. I've delivered the message. I'm not getting involved. I'm content with my life — no desire for risky ventures. Look at me, I'm not exactly built for it. Anyway, where are you headed?" Zashika asked.
"Sabaody Archipelago. You?" Rosinante replied.
"Perfect, we can go together. I'm headed to Sabaody too — because of you, actually. You killed all my slaves, so now I have to go pick out some better ones! Oh, and your ship's nice. Get me a room; I'll be staying here," Zashika said matter-of-factly.
"You're bold, I'll give you that. Aren't you afraid I'll just tie you up and cash you in?" Rosinante said with a cold smile.