The Celestial Dragons.
Nobles of the world, they reside in the Holy Land of Mary Geoise. They are the direct descendants of the twenty kings who founded the World Government eight hundred years ago.
The Celestial Dragons, or Tenryūbito, often refer to themselves as "Descendants of the Creator." They consider themselves superior to ordinary people, so much so that they wear bubble hoods to avoid breathing the same air. To them, other races are mere slaves—tools to be used, owned, and discarded. They enjoy absolute privilege.
If one is offended, even slightly, the Navy Headquarters or CP0 must devote all their strength to exact punishment.
"Yes, a World Noble, a Celestial Dragon—"
"Stop! Don't say that cursed name out loud!"
"Kneel—quickly! If you don't, you'll die!"
The moment the Celestial Dragon appeared that day, chaos erupted in the plaza.
Countless naval soldiers fell to their knees automatically.
Even among the top ten recruits in the assessment, half dropped to the ground in submission.
The top brass—Fleet Admiral Sengoku, Garp, and the three Navy Admirals—stood motionless.
But if one looked closely, it was clear none of them harbored any fondness for the Celestial Dragons. Even Garp wore an expression of open disapproval.
After all, the Celestial Dragons treated the Navy like guard dogs. How could these proud warriors feel anything but contempt?
Fenric's eyes flickered as he glanced at the approaching Celestial Dragon. His expression soon turned cold, his face emotionless, gaze fixed forward.
Many high-ranking officers present had powerful Haki—particularly Observation Haki.
If he revealed even a trace of hostility, he risked being detected.
And while the Navy might dislike the Celestial Dragons, they absolutely wouldn't allow one to be killed under their watch.
If anything happened to a Celestial Dragon within Navy Headquarters, the consequences would be catastrophic.
The Celestial Dragon arrived in full showy fashion.
Not only did he have several strong-looking bodyguards, but he was followed by a group of young men and women—all of them slaves, collars around their necks like dogs.
Some of them were even children.
To the Celestial Dragons, anyone outside their bloodline was no different from livestock.
This particular Celestial Dragon looked like he'd just woken up.
Yawning as he stepped onto the stage, he lazily commanded, "Hurry it up~!"
There was no sign of respect for Navy Headquarters.
Sengoku's expression darkened, but he still stepped forward helplessly and announced, "The top three will now present themselves before Lord Saint Jalmack to receive their medals."
The so-called "coronation" meant the Celestial Dragon would personally present rank medals to the top three recruits.
Issho—Fujitora—stepped forward first.
He leaned on his cane and walked slowly up to the Celestial Dragon, bowing slightly.
It wasn't an act of submission, but a deliberate move. Fujitora was tall, and by barely bowing, he made the pudgy Celestial Dragon struggle to reach his shoulders.
Saint Jalmack pinned the medal on him with clear reluctance, his eyes flashing with annoyance when he realized Fujitora hadn't knelt.
Still, this was Navy HQ. He had to maintain some dignity.
"Next!"
Fujitora stepped back, and Fenric slowly stepped forward.
As they passed each other, Fujitora seemed to pause.
Fenric's heart skipped a beat.
Issho's Observation Haki was terrifyingly sharp. It must've been Fenric's sudden spike in heart rate that tipped him off.
Fortunately, Issho didn't interfere. He only paused briefly before continuing back to his place.
Fenric forced himself to calm down, controlling his breathing as he approached the Celestial Dragon.
He kept his head lowered, as though terrified of the man before him.
Satisfied with the display, the Celestial Dragon nodded and took out a medal, moving to pin it on Fenric's uniform.
And then—
A sudden change!
Just as he appeared to obediently accept the medal, Fenric bared his fangs like a tiger ready to pounce!
With lightning speed, he grabbed the Celestial Dragon's arm and yanked him close. The frail noble was dragged into Fenric's grasp, and in an instant, the black blade Shusui was pressed against his neck, its tip already piercing the skin.
It all happened so fast—
No one had time to react!
Fenric's current agility stat was already ten times that of a normal person. In terms of reaction speed, only Admiral Kizaru could match him.
Even then, with the attack so sudden, not even Sengoku or the other Admirals could stop it in time.
"Mundo!!!"
Garp was stunned, staring at Fenric in disbelief.
Sengoku roared, "Colonel Mundo, what the hell are you doing?!"
The three Admirals, Vice Admirals, and every officer on the platform froze in shock.
"Alala~ Something terrible has happened." Aokiji muttered, expression grim as he locked eyes with Fenric.
Akainu's gaze turned to steel, filled with fury.
Kizaru's eyes widened behind his sunglasses, stunned into silence.
Even Fujitora stopped in his tracks.
It wasn't until this moment that the Celestial Dragon realized what had happened.
"AAAAHHHHH! What are you doing, you filthy peasant?! Don't touch me with your disgusting hands!"
"Shut up!"
Fenric pressed his blade harder, drawing a thin line of blood. The Celestial Dragon trembled in fear, instantly silenced.
"Admiral Kizaru," Fenric said coldly, "I'd advise you to stop. The light you're gathering behind me is way too obvious."
Indeed—
A shimmer of light and shadow had quietly formed behind Fenric, Kizaru preparing a sneak attack.
But now, he froze in place.
At that moment—
All the recruits in the plaza below had realized what was happening.
"Wha—?! No way!"
"Did... did Senior Mundo just take a Celestial Dragon hostage?!"
"It's over. It's all over. Why would he do something like this?!"
Chaos broke out among the onlookers, their expressions filled with horror.
"Senior Mundo..." Smoker muttered in disbelief, the twin cigars in his mouth almost falling out.
Even the Samsara players among them were stunned.
They couldn't understand it. Why would their Shura-like boss do something like this?
Was this a death wish?
He was a naval officer, and yet he took a Celestial Dragon hostage in front of everyone?
The Fleet Admiral Sengoku. Navy Hero Garp. And the three Admirals, they are all here!
Even a god wouldn't be able to save him now!