"That… that's it! That's Victor! Thunder God Victor!!!"
Following the roar of a naval soldier, every marine on the five escort ships immediately went on high alert.
Their expressions were a mix of readiness to fight and the acceptance of possible death.
The tall figure standing on the deck of the incredibly luxurious cruise ship before them was none other than the infamous chaos-bringer of Marineford, the super rookie with a bounty of 2.1 billion, Victor.
Were the marines afraid?
Absolutely. Victor's performance during the Battle of Marineford was legendary.
But most of these elite marines from Naval Headquarters had no fear in their eyes—only determination.
They joined the Navy not just out of duty but also for their sense of justice.
Facing a criminal like Victor, who had shamed the Navy's honor, they were prepared to die trying to capture him.
Victor stood on the deck of the Titanic X, calmly surveying Kizaru. Conflict wasn't his concern—his strength was more than sufficient.
If Red Dog had arrived, he would be wary. But Kizaru? Unless provoked, Victor knew Yellow Monkey wouldn't bother acting.
The Pirate Queen Hancock and Marguerite were at his side.
Hancock's peerless face remained icy, while Marguerite, seeing five naval warships for the first time, felt slightly uneasy.
But she wasn't afraid—Victor and Hancock were there.
"Oh my~ It really is that scary guy! Thunder God Victor~"
Admiral Kizaru glanced at Victor, his expression tinged with rare seriousness.
"Admiral! Aren't we going to act? Capturing Victor would restore half the Navy's honor!"
A naval lieutenant colonel asked nervously.
Kizaru responded casually, "Hey~ Are you planning to attack? Our mission is to escort the Celestial Dragons, and Victor is extremely difficult to deal with."
With the current lineup and the presence of Hancock, Kizaru had no intention of engaging. It would be exhausting—and unnecessary.
The lieutenant colonel, understanding the reality, fell silent. Capturing Victor with Hancock nearby was impossible.
And angering the Celestial Dragons could result in disaster. Reluctantly, he accepted it.
As expected, the Titanic X passed peacefully by the fleet.
But the peace didn't last long.
Two sharp, arrogant voices cut through the air:
"We want that magnificent ship! Seize it immediately!"
Two female Celestial Dragons appeared on a luxurious ship in the middle of the Navy fleet, wearing oxygen masks and aristocratic attire unique to the Celestial Dragons.
The sisters immediately fell for the Titanic X. Despite their noble status, they had never seen such a luxurious vessel.
Compared to their own ship, it was weak—Titanic X was worthy of their prestige.
"How to take it? That's never been an issue for the Celestial Dragons," one sister declared.
"Caronas Inamiya! Caronas Imeiya! That ship carries vicious criminals! Pirates with a bounty of 2.1 billion! For your safety, we can't act rashly!"
A nervous marine tried to reason with the sisters, cold sweat pouring down him. Compared to Victor, he feared the Celestial Dragons even more.
"Haha! Disobey our orders, lowly Marine? How dare you defy the Celestial Dragons?!!"
The elder sister, Caronas Inamiya, sneered. Both sisters were stunning, but their smiles were cruel and merciless.
Before the marine could apologize, Inamiya drew a short blade and pierced his chest. Anyone defying the Celestial Dragons died instantly.
"Hahaha! Serves you right, lowly Marine!"
The younger sister, Caronas Imeimiya, coldly chuckled, stabbing the already dead marine again for good measure. Their brutality was absolute.
All the remaining marines clenched their fists, angry yet powerless. Defying the supreme world aristocracy was unthinkable.
Kizaru glanced sideways, expressionless, his thoughts unreadable.
"Father! How dare a lowly Marine disobey us? Don't let anyone take that ship!"
"Oh? A Marine disobeys the Celestial Dragons? Didn't the Admiral stop them? My dear daughters love that ship—take it!"
Caronas Lidsheng, the father, shouted, berating even the Navy Admiral.
Victor observed silently. Justice, as symbolized by the Navy, was merely a tool for the Celestial Dragons. What meaning did this "justice" hold?
"Husband…" Hancock's trembling voice came from beside Victor.
Victor glanced at her—his heart sank. Hancock was shaking, her face pale and grim.
Fear. Anger.
Victor had never seen Hancock lose composure like this.
It had to be… Celestial Dragons.
"Hancock, I'm here!"
"My dear husband, I'm so scared!"
The Pirate Queen collapsed onto the deck. Memories of past horrors flooded her mind. Victor's anger surged with every word, every second.
Extremely angry.
The Palace of Caronas Inamiya.
Caronas Imei Palace.
Victor's fists clenched.
He wanted to kill.
Kill the Celestial Dragons.