Sabaody Archipelago, Area 33, auction house.
The air seemed to freeze.
Raiver stepped forward, one step at a time, toward the two Celestial Dragons slumped in the VIP seats.
"You... stay away!"
Saint Robert shrieked, desperately trying to shrink back but trapped by his seat, unable to move:
"I am a Celestial Dragon! A World Noble! If you dare touch me, the World Government will never let you go!"
"Guards! Protect me!!"
Yet—
The guards stood frozen in place, their bodies trembling violently, legs as heavy as lead, unable to take a single step.
Attack the World's Strongest Man?
What a joke!
The CP0 agent in the white suit gritted his teeth and activated Six Powers: Shave.
His figure vanished instantly, but instead of charging toward Raiver, he turned and fled.
He turned and left, as if resolved to a decision, never looking back.
"Saint Robert! Hold on! I'll go get reinforcements!"
Before his words faded, he had already crashed through the window and escaped.
How much do they pay per month? Why risk their lives?
And he knew all too well.
Even if he managed to survive and return today, the Five Elders would sentence him for failing to protect his master, then execute him.
In that case, it was better to flee as a fugitive.
He could still distinguish between being instantly killed by Raiver and being hunted by the World Government.
Seeing this, the other CP agents in black suits also abandoned the two Celestial Dragons without hesitation, scrambling and crawling their way out of the auction house.
"You bastards—!!"
Saint Robert fumed, his face flushed red:
"You dare abandon me! When I return to the Holy Land, I'll have you all executed!!"
"Well."
Raiver smiled, a smile that chilled Saint Robert to the bone:
"Do you still think you'll make it back alive?"
Saint Robert froze.
His lips trembled as he mustered his last shred of courage:
"I... I advise you to run now! The Marine Admiral is already on his way!"
Even as he said it, he lacked conviction.
Because he remembered something.
Thirteen years ago.
Also on Sabaody Archipelago.
Also Raiver.
Also dealing with a Celestial Dragon.
That unfortunate Celestial Dragon was publicly executed by slow slicing, cut over a thousand times, dying in despair.
The entire process lasted an hour.
Not a single figure from the Marines or the World Government appeared.
After that incident, many in the Holy Land mocked that Celestial Dragon, calling him unlucky to have encountered none other than the God Slayer, Raiver.
Saint Robert had laughed too.
Laughed loudly.
But now—
The wheel of fate turns, and who has Raiver ever spared?
Raiver looked at him, eyes filled with amusement:
"So, you're betting against me?"
"No, no!!"
Saint Robert shook his head frantically:
"I can give you money! Lots and lots of money! I only beg you to spare my humble life!"
Raiver crossed his arms, looking down at him.
"Is this how you beg?"
"Kneel."
Saint Robert's face instantly darkened.
Kneel?
He is a Celestial Dragon! A World Noble! A descendant of the creators! For eight hundred years, it has always been others kneeling before him—how could there ever be a reason for him to kneel before anyone else?!
But—
He raised his head and met Raiver's crimson eyes.
In those eyes, there was no killing intent, no anger—only a lofty indifference.
Like a person looking at an ant.
Saint Robert trembled all over.
His dignity, his pride, all his convictions—
At this moment, they crumbled to dust.
His knees went weak, and he knelt on the ground.
Then, he prostrated himself, his forehead pressed tightly against the floor.
"Please... please spare my humble life, Your Excellency..."
His voice was as lowly as a dog's.
Meanwhile, on the auction stage.
Following Raiver's instructions, Xingmian and Xingwan walked to the iron cage, grabbed the bars with their bare hands, and gave a gentle twist.
Crack!
The sturdy iron bars bent like noodles, revealing a gap large enough for a person to pass through.
Xingmian bent down and extended her hand toward the three girls inside the cage.
Her voice was as soft as the wind, and her face wore a gentle smile:
"Come, big sister will take you home."
Inside the cage, the three girls huddled closely together.
Boa Hancock spread her arms, shielding her two younger sisters behind her, her eyes filled with vigilance and fear.
The future Emperor of Amazon Lily, the Queen of Amazon Lily, the woman hailed as the "World's Most Beautiful Woman"—
At this moment, she was merely a young girl who had been captured and sold as a slave.
She stared at the ethereal beauty before her, who seemed to have stepped out of a painting, and was momentarily stunned.
It was a kind of beauty she had never seen before.
Elegant and noble, untouched by worldly concerns, yet carrying an indescribable tenderness.
She looked at Xingmian's outstretched hand, then at Xingmian's clear, water-like eyes.
Then, she nodded.
Her intuition told her that this beautiful big sister would not harm her.
Holding her two sisters' hands, she cautiously stepped out of the iron cage.
Beside them, Xingwan had already collected the two Devil Fruits.
The Culinary Fruit and the Sweet Fruit.
Just as Raiver had said—
Why buy when you can just take?
Xingwan held the fruits, winked at Xingmian, and flashed a sly smile.
Xingmian smiled back.
They turned and led the three girls toward Raiver.
"Your Majesty, we have returned."
Xingmian and Xingwan returned to Raiver's side, standing on his left and right.
The Hancock sisters followed behind, cautiously observing everything around them.
Then, Hancock saw the man.
Black hair, crimson eyes, coldly handsome.
He stood there, his posture as straight as a pine tree, his presence as imposing as a mountain.
"Is this... the World's Strongest Man?"
Hancock murmured to herself, a strange light flashing in her eyes.
So handsome.
So domineering.
As the World's Strongest Man, Raiver's appearance and achievements were known throughout the world.
His portraits, his legends—they had captured the hearts of countless young girls and women.
Now, observing this man up close, Hancock suddenly felt an urge to kneel at his feet.
It was an indescribable feeling.
Not fear, not awe, but—
Adoration.
A genuine, heartfelt impulse to follow him.
This was the effect of Raiver's unique aura.
When men sensed it, they would tremble in fear and dread.
But when women sensed it—
They couldn't help but worship him, utterly captivated.
Hancock's heart raced, her cheeks flushing slightly.
She lowered her head, not daring to look again.
Their first meeting at the auction house—one glimpse of Raiver, and her fate was sealed.
Just then, Raiver raised his hand.
Gravity Activation!
Saint Sabi, slumped in his seat, was lifted by an invisible force, flying up from his chair!
"Ah—!"
He screamed, flailing his limbs, but could grasp nothing!
Then, he crashed heavily to the ground!
Splat!
He fell face-first, knocking out one of his front teeth!
"Ouch! That hurts!!"
He lay sprawled on the floor, wailing loudly, his face smeared with snot and tears.
Raiver retrieved two collars from his Space Warehouse.
With a casual flick of his wrist, the collars landed precisely around the necks of the two Celestial Dragons.
The chains were now held firmly in Raiver's hand.
Seeing this, Xingmian and Xingwan's cheeks flushed simultaneously.
They couldn't help but recall some beautiful, unforgettable memories.
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