WebNovels

Chapter 9 - [9]: The Celestial Dragon’s Guard Dog

"Warning! This is a World Government vessel transporting the Celestial Tribute! All unauthorized ships, leave immediately!"

"Warning! This is a World Government vessel transporting the Celestial Tribute! All unauthorized ships, leave immediately!"

The repeated voice boomed from the megaphones of nearby Marine escort ships just as Rahu steered his battered pirate vessel toward the gleaming transport ship ahead.

Even in this turbulent age when pirate crews rivaled the might of the World Government very few dared to lay hands on a Celestial Tribute convoy. Those ships carried the wealth that sustained the gods of the world, and their protection was absolute.

After all, the Rocks Pirates had carved out half the seas for themselves. The balance between them and the World Government was fragile but stable; each ruled their domain, collecting tribute and maintaining uneasy peace.

At least, that was how it was before the God Valley War.

"Damn those hypocrites!" Kaido's voice cut through the roar of the waves. The young man's glare burned toward the Marine warships. "They parade around with justice on their shoulders, yet they serve those monsters like loyal dogs!"

In Kaido's eyes, the Marines were nothing but the private army of the Celestial Dragons the so-called gods who ruled the world through cruelty and gold.

Their justice only extended to the nations rich enough to pay the Celestial Tribute and earn the status of a World Government affiliate. Those outside the system nations without "human rights" were left to rot, unprotected, free for the Celestial Dragons to hunt and kill for sport.

And often, Marines accompanied them, standing guard while the nobles played their twisted games, ensuring that no one dared interrupt their "divine" amusement.

So what justice did the Marines truly uphold? It wasn't the uniform that defined righteousness it was the heart beneath it.

Some Marines, Rahu knew, still carried true justice inside them. But that didn't redeem the rest. The ones who guarded the Celestial Dragons didn't deserve to be called righteous at all.

"Marines are just people," Rahu murmured, his tone calm yet edged with frost. "Justice or not it depends on the man. But the ones escorting the Tribute? They've long since sold their souls."

He didn't disagree with Kaido's fury. After all, when Rahu's parents were slaughtered by the Celestial Dragons, Marines were there too watching, doing nothing.

Where was their justice then?

Kaido's expression twisted into a grin, wild and boyish. "Oro ro ro ro! Big bro, you're right! Let's stir this world into chaos! We'll start by tearing that Tribute ship apart!"

Even at this young age, Kaido was already the same reckless force of nature he'd one day become a creature of pure instinct, eager to rip apart the corruption of the world with his own hands.

Rahu, however, remained silent. His gaze lingered on the Marine transport. He wondered if any Celestial Dragons were aboard today pampered nobles taking a break from their paradise to bask in luxury at sea.

His hatred had only grown stronger with time. Every night, he dreamed of slaughtering the gods of the Red Line of painting Mary Geoise crimson. Unrealistic? Maybe. But Rahu believed that day wasn't far. He was growing stronger, and he craved progress like air.

As their ship drew close, Rahu ignored the Marine warnings. The collision came with a thunderous crash, splintering wood and shuddering masts as his vessel slammed into the Tribute transport.

On one of the escort ships, Commodore Corody of Marine Headquarters broke into a nervous sweat. He shouted into his den den mushi, trying to explain the failure to the Cipher Pol agents aboard the transport.

Those agents the elite of the World Government were far deadlier than the Marines. Every member of Cipher Pol was trained in at least three of the Six Powers, and the operatives of CP0, the top division, stood shoulder to shoulder with the strongest admirals.

Before Corody could finish his excuse, a man in a black suit rose from his seat on the transport deck. His face was hidden behind a pale oni-mask, his presence sharp as a drawn blade.

He stepped into the air each movement cracking with a burst of pressure as he walked across the sky and landed on Rahu's ship with surgical precision.

Corody bit his tongue and withdrew. He knew better than to interrupt a CP0 agent. The other agents aboard the transport sneered openly at the Marines, their disdain unmistakable.

The tension between the Marines and CP0 had lasted for centuries. The Marines liked to think of themselves as the embodiment of justice, while CP0 were seen as the Celestial Dragons' lapdogs.

But CP0 had their own contempt for the Marines. To them, the "justice" of the Navy was nothing more than hypocrisy. After all, both groups served the same masters.

If the Marines truly believed in justice, they would have left the World Government long ago. Instead, they turned a blind eye to massacre after massacre, shouting justice while bathing in the same filth.

A gust of wind sliced across the deck. The CP0 agent landed lightly, his black shoes clicking against the wood. His masked gaze fixed on Rahu and Kaido.

"Pathetic pirates," he hissed. "Do you realize the sin you've just committed? The Celestial Tribute is the most sacred wealth of the gods! You dare to touch it? Even a hundred lives wouldn't pay the price for this insult."

His voice was low and cold, every word laced with contempt.

Rahu and Kaido exchanged a glance then both frowned, momentarily speechless.

Was this man serious? His arrogance was almost impressive. Did he think they were mere small-time pirates?

Rahu's tone turned sharp. "You mean the 'gods' you serve the Celestial Dragons? Those things dare to call themselves divine?"

The word alone ignited his fury. Every time Rahu heard "Celestial Dragon," it felt like a blade twisting in his heart.

He longed to find one just one and make them feel a fraction of the pain he carried. But those creatures rarely left Mary Geoise, content to rot in their gilded cage. Only a few ever ventured out.

Still, killing their hounds was a fine start.

"Then I'll begin with you," Rahu said quietly.

In the blink of an eye 

A blur cut through the air. Rahu vanished, leaving only a faint afterimage in the space where he had stood.

And in that instant, the hunt began.

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