"What do you mean by that?!!!"
Hearing these unusual words, old Keek seemed to realize something. He lowered his voice and covered the Den Den Mushi as he asked.
"It means exactly what it sounds like. The world is about to fall into chaos. Just stay peacefully in your hometown."
Orin had also learned through his own intelligence channels that one of the topics to be discussed at the World Conference was the abolition of the [Shichibukai] system.
This thing, whose symbolic meaning outweighed its practical significance, didn't matter to Orin at all. Even Hawk Eyes and the others themselves didn't care.
As things stood now, only a few of the old Shichibukai were still around. Whether the system remained or not didn't really matter.
Since the World Government was so angry over Sadgeo's incident, letting them vent a little was fine. After all, it was nothing more than minor details.
"Alright… I understand."
Keek wasn't someone who didn't know priorities. With Orin's current status saying that the seas were about to fall into chaos, an old man like him probably couldn't involve himself anymore.
"Of course…"
But at this moment, Orin's tone suddenly shifted. A calm smile appeared on his face.
"If you really insist on joining the excitement, make sure to bring the black box I gave you. It'll be very useful at critical moments."
Hearing this, old Keek froze for a moment, then revealed a knowing smile.
"Honestly… I know, you brat."
After hanging up the Den Den Mushi, Orin rode the King of the Seagulls and flew toward another sea in the New World.
Wano Country and Onigashima were extremely lively right now~
But before that, he needed to visit Vegapunk first. He had heard that the [Seraphim Shichibukai] had already been completed…
...
"Your Majesty!!!"
"King Keek!!!"
After coming out of the room, the bodyguards and Holy Land guards greeted old Keek.
Keek sighed inwardly. This might be the last time he would come to such a lively place.
However, just after returning to where the royal families were gathered, a burst of commotion came from ahead.
Many people were gathered together, seemingly watching some kind of spectacle.
Old Keek, who loved excitement, naturally wanted to see clearly. But age had weakened him. Now reduced to a short old man, his view was blocked by the people in front.
He was furious.
"Vergo!!!"
"Yes!!!"
Vergo's powerful physique, after being trained and tempered by Keek during this period, had grown even more refined. His Armament Haki had already grasped the essence of Ryuo.
Casually extending his hand, he pushed aside the surrounding royals.
Keek walked forward through the opened path in the crowd. He had still looked annoyed just moments ago, but the scene before him froze his expression in place.
He saw a person wearing a spacesuit and bubble helmet, dancing excitedly while commanding his subordinates to capture a beautiful mermaid.
It was Shirahoshi!!!
"Wahahaha, Shirahoshi is mine~"
"This feels amazing~"
"No!!!"
Beside her, Vivi was protesting them, while King Neptune and Queen Otohime had tears in their eyes.
"There's no need to say more, Princess Vivi. Perhaps we should never have come. Between humans and fish-men…"
"Let me act. We will never come to land again!!!"
Neptune raised his massive trident, preparing to attack.
"That's enough, Neptune!!!"
At that moment, a loud shout rang out, carrying endless fury.
Everyone froze and looked toward the source of the voice.
"Ki… King Keek???"
Neptune froze in place.
"As a nation protected by my grandson, the princess of the Ryugu Kingdom is being abducted and taken away. Isn't this a trampling of my dignity?!!!"
Keek's face was filled with anger, his eyes blood-red.
Memories from many years ago flashed through his mind like broken fragments.
Back then, the Celestial Dragons had been just as arrogant and tyrannical, playing with slaves as they pleased, tearing families apart.
At that time, he could only barely escape with his own life.
But now…
He was already an old man. The best years of his life had passed. Was he really going to stand by and watch something like this happen again???
"That's enough."
"This kind of thing…"
Keek slowly raised his head and clenched his fist.
"Kill that maggot, Vergo!!!"
"King Keek!!!!!"
Hearing this, not only the kings of the allied nations, but even Neptune himself widened their eyes.
Because the order Keek had just given was utterly rebellious for people of this era—especially the newly crowned kings.
"What?!!!"
"Kill a Celestial Dragon?!!!"
"The country will be destroyed!!!"
King Sterry of the Goa Kingdom was so terrified his pants were nearly wet. The man before him actually dared to act against a Celestial Dragon…
"Yes!!!"
Ignoring everyone's reactions, Vergo remained completely unaffected, executing the order coldly and swiftly.
Dense, flowing Armament Haki wrapped around the bamboo in his hand as he charged toward Saint Charlos.
Saint Charlos raised his head in disbelief. Just as the strike was about to land—
Clang—
A leg coated in Armament Haki kicked in at lightning speed, colliding with the bamboo.
The two clashed in stalemate, their shockwaves blowing many royals away.
"That outfit is…"
"CP0!!!"
"The Celestial Dragons' strongest shield!!!"
Facing this sudden opponent, Vergo's expression didn't change at all. He decisively withdrew his bamboo and kicked again, his foot coated in Armament Haki.
Lucci's face was dark as he collided with Vergo, who was as cold and precise as a machine.
Even though Lucci's strength had already faintly reached Yonko commander level, facing a pure physical combat master who had mastered Ryuo required his full attention.
"That's enough, King Keek!!!"
Lucci shouted.
"We will take Saint Charlos away. Please calm your anger!!!"
"You should understand that during the World Conference, an Admiral is stationed at the Holy Land Mary Geoise!!!"
Hearing this, everyone was horrified.
Why did the Celestial Dragons possess supreme status?
Why could they do whatever they wanted in the lower world, with no one daring to resist?
Because once their safety was threatened, the World Government's highest combat power—the Navy Admirals—would be dispatched to eliminate the threat!!!
Every single one of them was a monster capable of destroying a nation!!!
"A Navy Admiral???"
Hearing the threat, old Keek's expression did not change at all.
"So what?!!!"
He stood calmly in place, radiating an overwhelming presence as he spoke boldly.
"It's not like we haven't killed one before!!!"
"I'm a member of the Rocks Pirates. How could I be afraid of a mere Navy Admiral!!!?"
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