"Stop joking around!!!"
The CP member, who had undergone rigorous training to maintain absolute composure in any situation, now had a twisted expression as he roared hoarsely.
"Attacking a Celestial Dragon is the world's greatest taboo—an absolute act of suicide!!"
"Uchiha Griffin!! There should be limits to your madness! Do you even know what you're doing?!"
"It's not just you! Your family! Your friends! Even your hometown will face utter destruction because of you!!!"
"In 800 years! Nothing like this has ever happened!!!!"
...
...
Swish!!
The icy spear tip pierced the speaker's throat without the slightest hesitation.
Griffin couldn't be bothered to argue.
After pulling out the spearhead, he swept it horizontally—seemingly wild, yet precisely and effectively harvesting lives.
"An opening! You bastard!!"
At that moment, a CP member finally closed in on Griffin using his companion's corpse as cover. A blade sprang from between his knuckles, its edge gleaming with a cold, poisonous light.
The venomous tip was less than half a meter from Griffin!
The next second—
Whoosh—
Along with blood and snow, the arm holding the poisoned blade fell severed.
Before he could even register the pain, he looked up into a pair of crimson eyes, as if he had plummeted straight into hell.
"I have no openings."
"Don't harbor such illusions in your next life."
A flash of cold light, and the head soared high.
...
Griffin held a short sword in his left hand, blood dripping steadily from it.
I'm skilled with a spear, but that doesn't mean I can't wield a blade.
Under the terrified gazes of the onlookers, the spear that had claimed countless lives slowly levitated within the blizzard.
The gray spear was already difficult to see clearly, and now its traces were completely untraceable.
Whoosh—
A sudden gust of wind, and before a scream could even form, a person's forehead was pierced. Blood mixed with white matter oozed from the back of their skull.
Ice Release - Silent Assassination.
One of the inspirations for Griffin's Snowy Land Domain was the Hidden Mist's Silent Killing technique.
When the density of snowflakes reached a certain level, he could merge himself and his weapons into the blizzard, executing truly silent attacks.
Griffin's figure gradually faded into the snowstorm.
Thud—
Thud—
...
The sound of bodies collapsing one after another pushed the CP agents to the brink of mental breakdown.
More terrifying than visible horror is the horror you cannot see.
Not only was their vision obscured, but even killing intent and presence merged into the snow. They couldn't see, couldn't hear, and even their skin's sense of touch was numbed by the low temperature.
Only when the cold gleam flashed did death truly descend.
Blood transformed into dark crimson mist in the snow, neither dripping nor splattering, as if it had never existed.
...
...
"What... what is happening over there..."
The area Griffin covered was only a portion of the massive deck. After Luo sent people to surround him, he retreated under guard.
All they could see was the snowfield continuously being stained red.
There was an illusory, surreal, and tragically beautiful quality to it.
"Sir, we should evacuate now. The ship is ready for you!"
Luo turned to look at the guard who had spoken and snorted coldly, "What nonsense! I am the great Saint Shepherd Luo! You're telling me to evacuate?!"
"Call the Navy! Get Sengoku here! Get Garp here!!"
"Protecting the Celestial Dragons is their duty!"
The CP agent opened his mouth helplessly and said, "We've tried... Your Excellency, this sea area has a special magnetic field. Ordinary Den Den Mushi can't make calls out."
"Your exclusive Den Den Mushi is still in your vehicle in the West Sea. You said not to bring it..."
Bang!!
A bullet struck his forehead.
"Just because I said not to bring it, you didn't?! What use are you, you worthless trash!!"
Luo turned to another agent and snarled viciously, "Don't tell me you can't even handle a mere Navy Colonel!"
"Your Excellency, Uchiha Griffin isn't the concern, but the one just now..."
"Bartholomew Kuma, one of the three pillars of the Revolutionary Army, is a terrifyingly powerful monster. If he returns..."
The Revolutionary Army...
Luo certainly knew about this organization that dared to openly oppose the World Government.
Not only that, he had even captured the Revolutionary Army cadre, Ginny.
Thinking of the terrifying pressure Kuma had brought when he first appeared, Luo hesitated for a moment before venting his frustration by firing several shots into the air.
"I won't forget today's humiliation... Griffin... Kuma... Revolutionary Army..."
"Bastards!! As lowly inferior beings, why don't you just submit obediently to the great Celestial Dragons?!"
"Damn it! I won't let you get away with this!! I'll give you the cruelest punishment!!"
"Just you wait! You beasts!!"
As the backup boat was launched into the sea, just as Luo condescended to let an agent carry him on his back...
...
...
Bang!!!
A cold gleam shot out from the snowy region, blasting the small boat into fragments.
"Lord Luo, it feels like we've met too late, yet clicked instantly."
"Why are you in such a hurry to leave?"
"I haven't properly... sent you off yet."
The clear, cold voice was like the gradually dispersing wind and snow.
...
The wind and snow faded away.
Griffin stepped over a pile of corpses, his snow-white Justice Coat soaked in blood.
Step by step, red dripped from the hem of his coat, tracing an irregular path on the deck.
His exhaled white breath resembled a dragon, stealing the warmth from the air.
Under the piercing gaze of those blood-red eyes, Luo's arrogant face showed fear for the first time.
Nineteen elite CP agents, each with strength equivalent to a Navy officer rank, including four Devil Fruit Users among them...
How long did it take?
Five minutes?
No, absolutely not!
How is this possible...
How could he be this strong!!
...
"Not even... a single wound..."
A CP agent swallowed hard and whispered his discovery.
It didn't need to be said...
Anyone with functioning eyes could see that!
...
...
"Why."
Luo took a deep breath, more puzzled than afraid.
"Lucci recommended you to me, I showed you preferential treatment, and I was even willing to let you complete my artwork."
"I know some foolish clansmen don't regard anyone as important, but I'm different."
"I gave you enough respect, not even minding that you didn't kneel."
"Even after going this far... what more are you dissatisfied with?"
"What do you gain by joining the Revolutionary Army to assassinate me?"
"I've investigated you. The fact that you specifically requested Sengoku to publicly confront the Red Hair Pirates shows you care about reputation."
"Controlling the gangs within your base's jurisdiction, collecting bribes from them just like we collect Celestial Tribute."
"I've heard about it - the amounts aren't lower than our Celestial Tribute."
"This proves you desire wealth."
"An eighteen-year-old Base Commander, almost certain to enter the Navy's admiral ranks."
"Bright future, power, reputation, beautiful women, wealth..."
"As long as you sincerely submit to me, to the noble World Nobles, you can obtain everything!"
"What made you choose this path?"
"Have I treated you harshly?"
...
...
"Do you really need a reason?"
Griffin brushed aside a strand of black hair blocking his vision and smiled faintly.
"Because of dissatisfaction, I suppose."
"After all..."
"What qualifications do mere Celestial Dragons have to speak to me in such a superior manner!"
Mere...
Celestial Dragons!!!
!!!
Luo realized Griffin's arrogance.
But only now did he realize this arrogance far exceeded his imagination!
When that blade-wielding menacing figure flashed before him, Luo felt the threat to his life for the first time in his existence!
Death!!