Rosinante's massive cruise ship was powered by Sky Island's dials—an enormous vessel built like a super-sized Waver. If they went full throttle, the speed was astonishing.
But the Waver's power came from giant wind dials and blast dials, and using them required storing wind in advance.
Because the cruise ship was so huge, they couldn't run all the wind dials at once without burning through power too quickly. Normally, during travel, only part of the large wind dials were active while others stored wind for later use.
Only in emergencies—or when they wanted to go all out—would they activate all the wind dials, and even the blast dials.
However, once the blast dials were engaged, the speed became almost too fast. If the crew wasn't experienced in controlling it, the voyage could turn dangerous. Not to mention, the ride itself would become extremely uncomfortable for those aboard.
Since Rosinante wasn't in any hurry, they were currently traveling at the slowest setting. Even so, their speed still outstripped the majority of sailing ships.
"Meh, forget it. Ignore them. Right now, the Grey Kingdom and the World Government are in a sort of honeymoon phase—they won't make a move against us," Rosinante said lazily.
With that, he closed his eyes, soaking in the warm afternoon sun. The sunlight was so comfortable that, without realizing it, drowsiness washed over him and he drifted into sleep.
After the battle at Marineford, the World Government understood that the Grey Kingdom's strength was on par with top-tier pirate crews.
Since they couldn't wipe out the Grey Kingdom in a single stroke, they had no choice but to temporarily avoid conflict.
Because of that, even though Jack and the others had ventured into the Four Seas, raiding non–World Government territories, the Government had taken no action against them—so long as they didn't touch an allied nation or provoke the Marines.
That was why Rosinante didn't care when he heard there was a Government ship behind them.
But in this world, there are always those annoying flies—ignore them, and they'll just buzz around you all the more.
World Government vessels were faster than most sailing ships, and before long, one had caught up to Rosinante's cruise liner.
"Wakai! What a gorgeous ship! Only a Celestial Dragon like me is worthy of owning such a beauty! I hereby declare that this cruise ship—and all the maids aboard—belong to me!" From the deck of the Government ship, a fat young man wearing the distinctive bubble helmet of the Celestial Dragons made his pompous announcement.
"Of course, of course! Only the noble Saint Zashika could possibly deserve such a splendid ship. What are you all standing around for? Didn't you hear Saint Zashika's command? Hurry and clear everyone off the vessel so that Saint Zashika can board his ship and enjoy it!" A towering, three-meter-tall brute beside him fawned shamelessly, his obsequiousness grotesque to behold.
"But… what about the people on board?" one of the Government escorts asked hesitantly.
After all, they were Government officials, not pirates. Some lines were still… uncomfortable to cross.
"Didn't you hear Saint Zashika? Keep the maids. Everyone else—dispose of them. Toss them into the sea and let the Sea Kings have their meal!" the brute said with a sneer.
Saint Zashika nodded in satisfaction at those words.
"And don't damage anything on the ship. This is already my cruise ship—if you break anything, you can throw yourselves overboard!" he added arrogantly. Reasonable? Of course not—he was a Celestial Dragon.
"Yes, sir!" Pressured by both their superior's orders and the oppressive presence of the Celestial Dragon, the Government soldiers finally moved.
A group of them leapt aboard Rosinante's vessel, muskets in hand, aiming at the people on deck.
But before they could act, they were blocked by a line of black-suited butlers.
The sight made the Government soldiers falter.
Serving as a guard for a Celestial Dragon meant they were elite among elites. Yet the instant these black-suited men appeared, an oppressive pressure settled over them.
One look was enough—they knew the people on this ship were not ordinary.
But so what? No matter who they were, could they be more important than a Celestial Dragon? Could they dare defy one?
"By order of Saint Zashika, this cruise ship is now requisitioned. All personnel except the maids must vacate immediately!" one Government soldier barked.
"This is private property. We don't welcome uninvited guests. I don't care if you're the World Government or Celestial Dragons—leave immediately, or you'll be treated as illegal intruders and executed on the spot," a man in a black suit said coolly as he stepped out from behind the butlers, his gaze sweeping over the intruders.
The words stunned the Government soldiers. Even after hearing the name of a Celestial Dragon, someone dared to talk back?
Such boldness meant one thing—whoever was aboard this vessel had serious backing.
Only true overlords of the sea would dare stand against the Dragons.
"Filthy peasants! What's taking so long? Must I, this Saint, wait here forever?" Saint Zashika's irritated voice rang out.
"Saint Zashika, please calm yourself. Don't let these people upset your noble health. I'll punish them properly in a moment," the hulking brute said smoothly.
"Make it quick! This Saint wishes to enter the ship and admire it immediately!" Zashika ordered.
"Yes, yes!" the brute replied hastily.
"What are you waiting for? Clear out that trash before Saint Zashika gets angry—if he blames you, you'll all lose your lives!" the brute roared at the soldiers.
Urged on, the Government men put aside their hesitation.
"Squad 54—fire! Kill all criminals who dare defy the Celestial Dragon!" one officer barked.
Hearing the order, the soldiers raised their muskets, ready to shoot down the black-suited butlers.
"Go. And don't dirty His Majesty's cruise ship," Ryan said, lifting his head slightly, a glint of cold light flashing in his eyes.
"Yes, sir!" The butlers' eyes lit with a bloodthirsty gleam as they answered in unison.
Before the words had even fully left their mouths, they vanished in blurs of motion, rushing straight at the Government soldiers.
Their speed shocked the Marines, who barely had time to react.
"Fire!" someone shouted, and a hail of bullets screamed toward the charging butlers.