Holy Land Mary Geoise is the administrative center of the World Government, and also the residence of the World Nobles, the Celestial Dragons, who are revered as creators.
From the formation of the World Government until today, no one dared to act wantonly in this place of supreme goodness revered as the Holy Land, but today this iron rule was broken.
The unattainable World Nobles encountered unprecedented humiliation; a lower race with reddish skin, using unknown despicable means, bypassed Mary Geoise's layered outer defenses and guards, directly rushing into the cells holding the slaves.
These people who regained freedom cheered and shouted, venting years of inhuman suffering in the demonic den that originally imprisoned them.
The slaves, appearing crazed, rushed out of the dark and damp dungeons, igniting the cages that had long constrained them.
Flames symbolizing freedom rose into the sky above Mary Geoise for the first time.
Taking advantage of the fire, Tiger resisted the urge for immediate gratification and did not lead these newly freed slaves to attack the Celestial Dragons' residences. Instead, taking advantage of the chaos just starting in Mary Geoise, he ran towards the outer perimeter of the Holy Land.
When the first flames ignited in Holy Land Mary Geoise, the guards responsible for patrolling outside hadn't reacted yet. Stationed year-round at this hub of the World Government, when had they ever encountered such a sudden incident?
Ordinary guards had long grown lax; only the special service agency truly protecting the Celestial Dragons, CP0, keenly detected the abnormality.
Facing enemies of unknown number and unknown combat strength, even though his own strength was extremely high, the cautious special agent leader decisively dialed Navy Headquarters' highest emergency number. At the same time, he had already begun arranging for subordinates to protect the Celestial Dragons' safety.
No one expected the child's playful words would become a prophecy.
Facing the major "terrorist incident" of Holy Land Mary Geoise being attacked, all World Government institutions on the Red Line activated emergency plans. Everything prioritized the arrival of the warship carrying Navy Headquarters' highest combat power at the Holy Land.
Sakazuki and Sengoku had an unobstructed journey. The high-speed, lightweight patrol ship combined with the unreasonable, mad-dog-like human paddling efforts of the Marines.
Nearly running a good ship into the ground, they arrived at the Celestial Dragons' residence—Mary Geoise—in just twenty minutes.
The flames, visible even from afar, stained more than half the Holy Land. The majestic and lofty "capital region" now lacked any trace of dignity; only the colors nearing dusk and sunset rendered the sky like an Impressionist oil painting.
Sengoku took the lead, using consecutive Moonwalk steps to rush towards the center of Mary Geoise: "Sakazuki is responsible for consolidating the outer forces and following up. I will go personally first to ensure the Celestial Dragons' safety!"
"Is protecting the Celestial Dragons the absolute top priority? Admiral!" A sharp glint flashed in Sakazuki's eyes as he looked up and loudly questioned Sengoku's retreating back.
"Yes," once in serious mode, Sengoku was never a 'nice guy'. "The perimeter is yours!"
Sakazuki lowered his head, looking at the Navy soldiers already ashore and lined up, issuing the order: "Did you all hear? Protecting the Celestial Dragons is the absolute top priority! Consolidate the security personnel on the Holy Land's perimeter, we advance inwards quickly!"
"Yes!" The neat, unified reply made the fleeing slaves and the outer guards attempting to recapture them all turn their heads.
"It's the Navy! Everyone, run quickly!" A Fish-Man bearing the Hoof of the Soaring Dragon mark trembled all over, but still mustered the breath to urge everyone to evacuate quickly.
Another slave didn't even have time to respond before being tackled by the security personnel responsible for guarding the Holy Land's perimeter. His eyes filled with despair: "Navy in front, Mary Geoise pursuers behind, is this the end?"
"It's the Navy! The Navy is here to reinforce us! Where is the Admiral?" Compared to the slaves' panic, the morale of the Mary Geoise guards soared.
Numerous slaves escaped from the Holy Land. Besides a large group of Fish-Men fleeing together, most slaves fled scattered in groups of three to five.
The fleeing slaves were intercepted squarely by the Navy. Among them, three young girls stared blankly at the Navy formation ahead, forced to halt their steps.
"Hahahaha! Go on and run!" The guard captain who had just tackled the slave laughed mockingly. "Today, none of you Celestial Dragon pets will esc—"
This security officer, with one foot on the slave, had his own calculations. He didn't know why a large group of slaves had escaped from Holy Land Mary Geoise, but undoubtedly, the subsequent accountability would definitely fall on him, the guard captain responsible for guarding the perimeter.
But if he cooperated with these Navy reinforcements from Headquarters to recapture all these slaves, perhaps he could make amends and avoid punishment.
But before he could finish speaking, the tall Navy admiral leading the group slapped him across the face.
This imposing general, nearly three meters tall, lifted the guard captain like picking up a chick: "Get back, have all guards assemble immediately. The Admiral has already rushed into Mary Geoise's interior, have your men reinforce in that direction!"
The Holy Land security chief, completely stunned by the slap, covered his cheek and hesitated slightly: "But these slaves..."
"Fool who can't distinguish priorities!" Sakazuki roared sternly: "We still don't know how many enemies are inside Mary Geoise. The safety of the Celestial Dragons is the most important!"
Killing intent surged in the eyes of this notoriously fierce Navy Vice Admiral. His cold voice, low but powerful, reached the ears of everyone present: "Compared to spending effort capturing escaped slaves now, if the Celestial Dragons residing in the Holy Land suffer even the slightest harm because you didn't reinforce in time, do you still want to see tomorrow's sun? Moreover..."
He suddenly paused, turning his head towards the rear of the Navy formation. Under the perception of Observation Haki, a silver-haired old man was smilingly watching from over there: "In this chaotic scene, there's also a top-level master observing."
The guard captain, held by Sakazuki, was baffled by the Vice Admiral's last sentence, but fortunately, in the next second, he found out what this so-called top-level master was.
"The Right Hand of the Pirate King, Dark King Silvers Rayleigh, you've come to wade into these muddy waters too?" Sakazuki casually tossed the security chief aside, his words astonishing.
"Hehehe, the old man just came out for an afternoon stroll. Don't make it sound so serious, Magma Brat." This old man, wearing a pair of round-framed glasses, easily passed through the Navy formation and walked beside the three female slaves closest to Sakazuki.
He had a vertical scar over his right eye, and his signature chin beard revealed his identity.
Sakazuki's expression was displeased. He slowly took a step, closing in on this renowned pirate legend before him: "All Navy personnel, attention! Proceed quickly to the interior of Mary Geoise. Any obstructors on the way, regardless of identity, execute first and report later! Kill without mercy!"
"Eh!!!" The Holy Land perimeter security chief was stunned speechless. He nodded hastily: "Quick! Everyone! Back to protect the Celestial Dragons!!"
The Navy and Holy Land guards quickly passed through this chaotic area, not obstructing the slaves running in the opposite direction beside them in the slightest.
In the blink of an eye, only Sakazuki remained in the entire Mary Geoise perimeter. The slaves, who had thought all hope was lost, didn't miss this rare opportunity, supporting each other and quickly fleeing this "Holy Land" on earth.
The slaves fled frantically; only the three young girls, caught between Sakazuki and Rayleigh in the center, dared not move an inch.
"Sakazuki, I heard you fought that fellow Edward on Fish-Man Island. Want to test the waters with me today too?" Rayleigh's tone seemed exceptionally relaxed. He had previously heard Sakazuki's loud declaration; the Celestial Dragons were the core of the opponent's mission this time.
The Dark King was betting that this Marine, known as the 'Little Mad Dog', wouldn't dare take the risk. Of course, if the opponent disregarded the mission and truly decided to fight, he wouldn't fear a Navy Admiral candidate either.
Silvers casually patted the small head of a black-haired girl hiding by his feet, somewhat mockingly pointing at the flames still burning behind Sakazuki: "Vice Admiral Sakazuki, you should go back and execute your mission. After all... the Celestial Dragons cannot afford any mishaps."
The Navy Headquarters Vice Admiral, merciless towards villains, knew very well these slaves were not evil pirates, just some tormented civilians. But his duty prevented him from ordering the Navy to assist these innocent slaves in escaping. He could only choose a compromise, using the Celestial Dragons as an "imperial sword" justification to let these slaves escape on their own.
He slowly lowered his gaze, looking at the three girls who had hidden behind Rayleigh, only revealing their heads to observe the development of events.
Rayleigh smiled: "I will send these children home. By the way, say hello to Sengoku for me."
Sakazuki, however, didn't speak, just quietly sized up this legendary pirate with white hair.
After a brief breath, this Navy Headquarters Vice Admiral, responsible for the security of Holy Land Mary Geoise's perimeter, withdrew, coldly leaving behind a meaningful sentence: "Did you really think those guards are needed to protect the Celestial Dragons?"
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