"Who are you…? Wait—Saint Jaeger!? The Celestial Dragon!?"
King's voice trembled as he recognized the man before him. The very same Jaeger he had long loathed now stood before him, emerging from a torn rift in space as if reality itself had yielded to his will.
But King quickly forced down his fear. He clenched his fists and took a deep breath, steeling himself.
So what if it's some strange devil fruit ability? he told himself. Spatial-type fruits are rare, yes, but not unheard of. They're in the Devil Fruit Encyclopedia!
That lightning that destroyed an island? It must've been the power of some ancient weapon. Kaido could do something like that too—maybe even better!
King repeated these thoughts like a mantra, desperate to ground himself. As his delusions grew bolder, so did the bloodlust in his eyes.
Yes, that's right! If not for that ridiculous lightning power, maybe this so-called Celestial Dragon wouldn't be that strong at all!
But even as he tried to convince himself, the hatred boiled over. He stared daggers at Jaeger, red fury flaring in his eyes.
The Celestial Dragons… the ones who hunted the Lunarians… who nearly drove his race to extinction.
All of them deserve to die.
"Saint Jaeger! Be careful!"
King Riku's panicked voice rang out. He, too, sensed King's spiraling fury. "Call your subordinate—the one with the Ice ability who defeated Rayleigh! This man—he's the Flame Calamity, King, Kaido's top commander!"
King snapped.
"SHUT UP!"
With a roar, he kicked over the banquet table.
Flames burst from his body, twisting into a serpent that lashed out at King Riku.
"Ahhh!"
The old king screamed as the fire struck, throwing him against a pillar. His robes scorched and blistered, and his skin bubbled with severe burns.
"Father!?"
Princess Scarlett cried out, rushing to her father's side, tears welling in her eyes.
Kyros, watching from the sidelines, clenched his fists in silent rage. He'd always loved the princess from afar, but here—he was powerless.
Just like back then.
Even in the original timeline, it had taken everything he had to defeat a man like Diamante. Kyros was no match for a monster like King.
"Celestial Dragon!"
King bellowed, his sword engulfed in white-hot flame. His wings flared open, casting a monstrous shadow across the palace.
"You're here alone. That means you're ready to die!"
With a roar, he lunged forward.
"Blazing Blade: Fire Dragon Emperor!!"
The flames around his sword surged outward, twisting into the shape of a massive Eastern dragon. It screamed across the air toward Jaeger, scorching the air and walls alike, distorting space with sheer heat.
Its temperature rivaled Akainu's magma. The entire palace trembled under its fury.
"Saint Jaeger! Look out!"
Scarlett shouted in terror. In her heart, Jaeger wasn't a Celestial Dragon. He was the only one who had stood up for Dressrosa. Their last hope.
But Jaeger didn't even move.
He simply lifted a hand—and swatted.
FWAP—
The towering flame dragon disintegrated on contact. No explosion. No counterstrike. Just a gentle slap, and it scattered like ash in the wind.
"…What…?"
King stood frozen, his flames still burning around him—but he felt cold.
So cold.
He had poured everything into that attack. All his power, all his rage. He'd believed he had a chance.
And yet… Jaeger hadn't even taken it seriously.
Is… is this the difference between us?
"You shouldn't lose focus during a fight," Jaeger's calm voice whispered by his ear.
King's eyes widened.
"When—!?"
Jaeger was right in front of him. King's Observation Haki hadn't sensed a thing. Not even a whisper of movement.
And before he could react—
Jaeger's hand seized his face.
CRACK—
"AAARRRGHHH!"
Bones shattered. King screamed, flailing as Jaeger effortlessly held him in place. Flames surged from his body, but they did nothing. Couldn't even singe the man's sleeve.
His strength was meaningless.
His fire—useless.
Jaeger studied him like one would a specimen. Then, softly, almost regretfully, he spoke.
"You won't give me any Noble Phantasm worth collecting. A shame, really. But it's too early for you to die…"
Jaeger's hand clenched and slammed King's head into the palace floor.
BOOM—!
Amid the deafening impact, the entire palace—and even the island that housed the Kingdom of Dressrosa—trembled violently.
The terrifying vibrations and thunderous noise ripped through the night, awakening countless civilians in fear and confusion.
Inside the palace, King Riku and his closest attendants were thrown to the ground. Panic and disbelief washed over their faces as they struggled to comprehend the overwhelming force that had just shaken their world.
"Th-This… this is the Celestial Dragon, Saint Jaeger?" King Riku muttered, eyes wide as he stared at the towering figure standing in the dust and rubble. "A pirate from the New World… a man with a bounty of 550 million… reduced to a broken mess at his feet. Just what kind of power is this?"
He wasn't alone in his awe.
Jaeger stood calmly, wiping the blood from his hands. His presence was like a storm made flesh—serene on the surface, but with a violence that lingered in the air like static.
King Riku's heart pounded harder and harder, his breath hitching from a cocktail of fear and reverence.
But while the king's chest trembled with dread, his daughter's heart beat for another reason entirely.
Princess Scarlett had been watching silently from the side. Her usually composed demeanor was gone, replaced by a soft flush that crept over her cheeks, blending with her rose-colored hair.
While her father's awe stemmed from survival instincts, hers was the curious wonder of a young girl meeting a legend.
In a world where pirates ran rampant and strength ruled all, stories of heroes slaying dragons and rescuing princesses lived only in the minds of hopeful dreamers.
And now, here stood the dragon-slaying "hero"—only this hero wore the robes of a Celestial Dragon.
"Saint Jaeger…"
King Riku cautiously approached the man, glancing down at the unconscious pirate sprawled before him. With a hesitant voice, he asked, "Were you… here to save us?"
Jaeger gave a light chuckle, brushing the dust from his sleeves. "No. Just a coincidence."
It was true. He had only just awakened the ancient bloodline of the Otsutsuki and unlocked the power of time and space. Curious about Kaido's earlier theft of Dressrosa's heavenly tribute, he decided to take a look.
And just like that, he became a savior.
"Coincidence or not," King Riku said, quickly adjusting his tone to one of deep gratitude, "you have saved not just my family, but the entire nation. Please—no matter your price—we are forever in your debt."
Jaeger smirked, the corner of his lips curling playfully. "Since you put it that way, I won't hold back."
Then, without warning, he added, "Let's start with the heavenly tribute. Don't forget this year's payment."
"Wh—What!?" King Riku blurted, caught completely off guard. His mouth hung open, his expression stiff with panic.
"But… but Saint Jaeger!" Princess Scarlett suddenly stepped forward, eyes wide in disbelief. "Kaido the Beast stole this year's heavenly Tribute! Our treasury is empty—we barely have enough to feed our people!"
Jaeger tilted his head slightly, confusion painted across his face as he replied dryly, "And how is that my problem? Shouldn't you be asking Kaido to return it? Or… are you suggesting you no longer wish to be under the World Government's protection?"
The threat in his voice was subtle but undeniable.
King Riku turned pale, his thoughts racing. So much for thinking this Celestial Dragon was different…
If it had been one of the other World Nobles, perhaps he could have tried to talk his way out. But with Jaeger… this wasn't a man to be trifled with.
Suddenly, Jaeger spoke again. "That aside… I saved your lives. I think that's worth something. Let's call it… 5 billion beli."
"Five… billion!?" King Riku nearly choked on the words. "We don't even have 500 million left after the heavenly tribute was stolen. You might as well just kill me now!"
Jaeger laughed at the outburst. "You're poor, but…" His eyes slid toward Princess Scarlett, who was glaring at him with a mixture of embarrassment and anger.
"…you do have a lovely daughter."
The air in the room instantly changed.
"Saint Jaeger, you—!" King Riku's face contorted in shock, while Kyros, standing silently behind, gripped his sword so tightly his knuckles turned white.
Scarlett's expression froze, the dreamlike image she had built of Jaeger crumbling before her eyes. This wasn't the noble hero from a fairytale—this was a man of power and demand. A man who didn't ask for affection… he took what he wanted.
Jaeger grinned at the sudden tension. "What's wrong? Are you unwilling? Or would you rather scrounge up the money somehow?"
His tone was light, but his eyes said otherwise.
In those eyes—one etched with the sun, the other with the moon, and between them the celestial markings of a divine being—King Riku saw no room for negotiation.
His body trembled. For a moment, he was lost in silence.
Jaeger didn't press him. Instead, he stepped forward and, with no regard for propriety, pulled the stunned Princess Scarlett into his arms.
She gasped—but said nothing.
Princess Scarlett didn't resist, but her body tensed noticeably the moment Jaeger pulled her close. It was clear—this was the first time she'd been this near to a man.
"Where is Princess Scarlett's bedroom?"
Jaeger asked the question casually, cradling her in his arms as if she were weightless.
King Riku clenched his jaw, teeth grinding in silent frustration. Conflict danced behind his eyes.
Beside him, Kyros—the loyal commander of Dressrosa's forces—stood rigid, his gaze locked on Scarlett. There was pain in his eyes, deep and quiet. Regret. Powerlessness.
Then, breaking the tense silence, came a voice none of them expected. It wasn't the king. It wasn't the warrior.
It was Scarlett.
"Over there…"
Her voice trembled, barely above a whisper. Her slender hand, delicate and steady despite her fear, pointed down a hallway.
"You're not a weak girl," Jaeger murmured, surprised.
Of the three people present, it was Scarlett—young, sheltered Scarlett—who had accepted her fate first. There was courage in that, however tragic.
"Do you really think… I'm worth five billion?"
Her voice was soft, uncertain. She leaned her head gently against his chest, lost in the swirl of emotions she couldn't quite name.
Jaeger glanced down at her, amusement tugging at the corner of his mouth. "No," he said.
Her expression darkened.
"You're worth a trillion."
Scarlett blinked up at him, lips parted in disbelief. "A… a trillion?"
"It's an honor to be my woman," Jaeger said with a smirk. "And with this, Dressrosa won't have to pay heavenly tribute for the next hundred years."
He wasn't lying. The cost meant nothing to him now—not when his strength had reached new heights. And in truth, he liked her. This brave girl with tragic fate.
"How's that? Feeling a bit better now?"
Scarlett hesitated… then nodded, the smallest smile forming on her lips. "Mm… a little."
Jaeger chuckled. "You are still just a young girl. Guess I'll have to teach you some things about adulthood."
He leaned down, pressing a kiss to her forehead before carrying her down the hallway toward her room.
Behind them, Kyros's fists trembled. He could do nothing but watch as Jaeger disappeared with the girl he had once promised to protect.
"King Riku…"
Kyros's voice cracked. But King Riku didn't answer right away. His expression had changed—no longer conflicted, but almost… relieved.
"A hundred years…" he whispered to himself. "A hundred years without heavenly gold. The people… they'll live free for generations."
He remembered the glimpse he'd caught of Rouge, Roger's woman—alive and well under Jaeger's protection.
If even the Pirate King's wife can live in peace beside him… maybe Scarlett can too.
"It's painful, yes," he said, placing a hand on Kyros's shoulder. "But think of the kingdom. I'll find you a good wife, Kyros. One that'll make you forget this pain."
--
In Princess Scarlett's bedroom, Jaeger wasted no time. After carrying her inside, he kept his promise — his hands gripping her ass cheeks firmly, fingers digging in just enough to make her breath catch.
Scarlett went stiff, her whole body tensing as those big, rough hands explored her curves. Every touch made it painfully clear: she was completely at his mercy.
Jaeger's grip tightened just a little more, fingers sinking deeper into the soft flesh as he pulled her closer.
Scarlett's breath hitched. Her body locked up for a moment, as if her mind still hadn't fully processed what she was doing.
No… not what she was doing.
What she was choosing.
Her trembling hands finally lifted, pressing against Jaeger's chest. Not to push him away… but just to steady herself.
"I… I'm only doing this… for my family…" she whispered — barely a breath, yet heavy with everything she had already sacrificed.
Strands of red hair clung to her cheeks, framing eyes filled with fear, determination, and the quiet acceptance she didn't want him to see.
Even like this — scared, cornered, vulnerable — that royal pride still burned somewhere inside her.
"I won't let them suffer because of me… if this is the price… then…"
She swallowed hard as Jaeger's thumbs brushed her skin again, sending a trembling shiver down her spine.
"Then I'll pay it."
Jaeger lowered his head, warm breath brushing her ear.
"You're tense," he murmured, amused. "Scarlett… if you're choosing to sacrifice yourself, then at least look at me while you do it."
Scarlett forced her eyes upward, those soft red irises meeting his crimson ones.
Her voice cracked.
"Just… just keep your promise. That's all I ask."
He smirked, lifting her chin with one hand while the other stayed firmly on her ass.
"That depends entirely on how honest you're willing to be with me tonight."
Her face flushed deeper, body trembling as she understood the weight behind his words.
And still… she didn't back away.
Because she couldn't.
Because for her family… she had already decided to give everything.
Even herself.
Scarlett's resolve trembled on the edge of breaking. Her hands on Jaeger's chest were small, delicate, almost powerless compared to his strength.
For a moment, she could only stare up at him, heartbeat thundering in her ears. Her lips parted, but no sound came — until she squeezed her eyes shut, steeling herself.
Then, gathering what courage she could, Scarlett rose on her toes, pressed her lips against his — awkward, hesitant, her first kiss clumsy and warm.
It was clear she'd never done this before, she missed his mouth at first, then fumbled until their lips met. It was messy, inexperienced… and heartbreakingly honest.
Jaeger didn't laugh. He just grinned, one eyebrow arching in quiet amusement as he took control, guiding her gently. His hand slipped up to cup her cheek, deepening the kiss, coaxing her to open up, to breathe with him.
A shiver ran through Scarlett's body. "Mmmph…"
She gasped, caught between surprise and raw sensation, her breath melting into his as he claimed her lips again — this time more thoroughly, more possessively.
Chu… haaa…
Somehow, her limbs felt weak, her legs wobbling beneath her. Jaeger took the opportunity to scoop her up effortlessly, never breaking the kiss as he carried her to the edge of the bed.
With practiced ease, he laid her down, hovering above as his fingers moved with intent — undoing buttons, slipping off layers, exposing smooth, porcelain skin inch by inch.
Scarlett didn't resist. Her cheeks blazed crimson, but she lifted her arms and let him take her clothes away, leaving her bare, vulnerable… but not turning away.
When Jaeger stripped down as well, her eyes widened — and then widened further at the sight of his chiseled body, eight-pack abs, and the impressive, almost intimidating length standing tall between his legs.
Scarlett instinctively squeezed her thighs shut, voice trembling, breath hitching as she stammered, "W-wait… are you really going to put that… inside…?" Even knowing what was coming, she couldn't hide her nerves at the sheer size.
Jaeger's lips quirked into a wolfish smile. He took her hand, guiding it gently to his length, letting her wrap her fingers around it. "Don't just stare. Touch it," he teased, voice husky. "Get to know what's about to claim you."
Scarlett swallowed, her delicate hand moving almost shyly, feeling the heat and hardness pulsing beneath her grip. The moment felt surreal and impossibly intimate.
As she stroked him, Jaeger leaned down, his lips tracing a trail of kisses along her collarbone, then lower, nuzzling and breathing hot against her skin.
When he finally reached her breasts, he took one soft peak into his mouth, sucking hard, making Scarlett's back arch, a sharp gasp breaking from her lips.
"A-ah—!" Her hands shot to his hair, clutching desperately, trying to steady herself as new sparks shot through her. She kissed him again, feverish, messy, desperate for more even if she didn't know what "more" really meant.
She was innocent, unpracticed but that innocence only fanned the flames, her body burning hotter with each new touch, her mind clouded by heat and need.
Tonight, Princess Scarlett was giving everything she had and Jaeger was going to make sure she never forgot it.
As their lips tangled again, Scarlett suddenly felt something hot and firm pressing against her entrance.
A shiver jolted through her spine. Still dazed from the kisses and the heat clouding her thoughts, she instinctively rolled her hips — grinding softly against it.
A breathy moan slipped out before she could stop it.
"A-ah… Jaeger…"
The instant she realized what that hard, burning presence was, her whole body flushed. Her thighs trembled, heat flooding through her lower belly.
Jaeger's grin widened, knowing and unhurried.
He shifted his hips just enough to drag himself slowly along her folds — not entering, only teasing — the deliberate motion drawing out another shaky sound from her lips.
By the time his length slid up and down against her again, Scarlett's face was a deep, helpless crimson. Her breath came hot and uneven, her eyes hazy with rising need she didn't know how to hide.
She wrapped her arms around his back, clinging to him, her lips moving to his neck in small, nervous kisses.
"Please…" she whispered, shy and trembling.
Jaeger raised an eyebrow, teasing her with the same slow grind.
"Please what?" he murmured, amused.
Scarlett's moan caught in her throat.
"Ahhnn~…"
Her fingers curled against his skin as she forced the words out, voice barely more than a heated breath.
"Please, Saint Jaeger… put it inside me…"
The moment the words left her mouth, she buried her face against his neck in embarrassment, her arms tightening around him as if trying to hide inside his shadow.
•••
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