"Enough. Time to wrap this up."
Not far away, Slaive was already trying to make a run for it. As for Hardy in front of him Wayne had already seen through his limits. He was confident he could end this quickly.
A red light flickered in Wayne's eyes as he used Observation Haki to predict Hardy's next move. He swung upward, releasing a slash coated in intense Armament Haki, aimed straight at Hardy's face.
"Hiten Mitsurugi-ryu: Ryushozan!"
Hardy, realizing he couldn't dodge in time, stood rooted in place, muscles tensing like iron. A thick layer of Armament Haki enveloped his body.
"Tekkai!"
Clang! Clang! Clang!
After the clash, Wayne stood with his back to Hardy and sheathed his blade, slowly walking toward Slaive in the distance.
"This... can't be..."
Hardy froze, a fountain of blood spurting from his chest. His eyes rolled back as he lost consciousness.
One of the Three Great Illusions of the Pirate World: 'I know Tekkai, so I must be strong.'
...
Slaive, watching Hardy fall, was struck by panic. He turned hastily, clutching the sleeve of a nearby World Government official.
"Help me! Please! I've provided the Celestial Dragons with so many adorable slaves over the years... I even agreed to the World Government's terms! I'll make my country a member state... I'll pay the Heavenly Tribute every year..."
The official glanced at Wayne approaching them and swallowed hard. His voice trembled. "I... I'll see what I can do..."
Wayne finally reached them, frowning. The pathetic display in front of him made him wonder was Slaive really just a worthless bug with a broken Devil Fruit ability?
"L-Lord Wayne... I'm a World Government official. I'm only here to sign the treaty with Slaive. As of today, his country is officially a member of the World Government..."
He emphasized his next words deliberately.
"As a Warlord of the Sea, you're under obligation to follow Marine and Government orders. You cannot lay hands on a member nation's king..."
Wayne's eyes darkened. He replied with a hint of mockery in his voice.
"A member state? Then show me the proof. If you can't, then it's not official, is it?"
Cold sweat beaded on the official's forehead. There was no official treaty yet this was just a bluff to keep Wayne at bay.
Bang!
A gunshot rang out. Everyone turned, stunned.
Standing there was none other than Saint Charlos, the Celestial Dragon, holding a smoking pistol in his hand. He mumbled, "How dare a lowly mortal ignore the greatness of a Celestial Dragon... I've changed my mind. I don't want you as my slave anymore. I want you executed."
The bullet passed straight through Wayne's body, leaving no blood.
Having consumed the Rumble-Rumble Fruit, Wayne was completely immune to bullets not coated in Haki.
But that shot was a step too far.
Wayne's expression grew cold as he stared at Charlos.
"You dumb bastard... I didn't even come looking for you, and you dare pull this crap?"
The World Government official, sensing the danger, frantically reached for his Den Den Mushi.
Wayne strode forward toward the Celestial Dragon, his killing intent pouring out without restraint.
"G-Guards..."
"Protect Saint Charlos... now!"
Charlos trembled under the pressure of Wayne's aura, but his guards finally moved. Some raised their weapons defensively, while others charged directly at Wayne.
Wayne didn't even draw the cursed blade at his waist. Instead, both hands crackled with violet lightning as he raised them and in the blink of an eye, over a dozen guards collapsed, electrocuted into unconsciousness.
"N-Nani?"
Charlos gaped in disbelief. His carefully chosen guards and slaves were down in seconds!
Even a Celestial Dragon couldn't ignore the strength Wayne had just shown.
As Wayne prepared to deliver the final blow, a familiar voice echoed in his mind.
"Moshi moshi Wayne? Wayne! This is Fleet Admiral Sengoku. I order you to immediately leave Slave Island!"
"Stop what you're doing at once! Remember your status you are a Warlord of the Sea!"
Wayne stared at the trembling government official, then reached out and took the Den Den Mushi from his hands.
He was silent for a long moment.
Then he finally spoke.
"This is Wayne."
Sengoku, hearing Wayne respond, exhaled in relief. "As a Warlord, you are not allowed to harm a Celestial Dragon. Nor are you permitted to attack a ruler of a World Government member state. I need you to stand down."
Wayne listened quietly, then muttered in a low, cold voice, "Right now... I'm really, really pissed off."
"You really think I care about being a Warlord? Maybe becoming a pirate in the New World sounds like a better deal right now."
There was a pause on Sengoku's end, before he lowered his voice and said, "Maybe you don't care about the title. But what about Robin?"
"After Kuzan returned, I began my own investigation. Eventually, I confirmed it Robin's with you."
"You should know what that means. I haven't reported this to the World Government. I'm keeping the balance on the Grand Line intact for now."
"But if you lay a hand on a Celestial Dragon, I won't be able to protect that secret anymore. And you know what the consequences would be."
Wayne fell into silence.
Sengoku wasn't bluffing. If word of Robin's location got out, they could face another Enies Lobby-level incident. Wayne wasn't afraid of war but he couldn't stay at Robin's side forever. If she became a target again, it could mean endless pursuit and bloodshed.
He closed his eyes.
He thought of this island. Of its twisted systems. Of Robin's smile.
Then he spoke.
"Sengoku, you know damn well what I hate most. And this man, Slaive... this country... it's beyond saving."
"As for that Celestial Dragon?"
He scoffed.
"I'll let him live for now. That's me doing you a favor."
"But I'm clearing out every other piece of trash on this island before I go."
"So... you'd better hurry."
With that, Wayne hung up the Den Den Mushi.
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