(Missing Chapter Summary: After a brief battle with Garp, the Navy arrived in full force, led by Sengoku and the admirals. Soon after, CP0 intervened and, while taking Kaguya to Mary Geoise, addressed her as 'Princess.')
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The naval warships withdrew. The residents of the town were still unsure about what had happened. They only knew that a Celestial Dragon had been killed, and then the Navy was mobilized in full force, even deploying three admirals—a scale of operation that was unprecedented.
But shortly after the Navy arrived, CP0, the intelligence agency of the World Government, suddenly appeared and obstructed the Navy's arrest operation, taking the person away instead.
This left people confused.
After all, she had killed two Celestial Dragons.
The Celestial Dragons were beings placed above all others, protected by the World Government. Even the slightest disrespect towards them was considered an unforgivable crime. Yet now, after killing two Celestial Dragons, the World Government had uncharacteristically chosen not to arrest her.
This anomaly sparked much speculation, as nothing like this had ever happened before.
Moreover, this wasn't just any ordinary criminal. Some people had already recognized her as the same individual who, just over half a month ago, attacked the Navy warships in Ohara, defeated numerous vice admirals, and earned a staggering bounty of five hundrd million Berries.
For the World Government to intervene and take away someone the Navy considered extremely dangerous was a baffling move.
However, according to some rumors, the World Government had recently been secretly preparing a program called the Seven Warlords of the Sea. It seemed they intended to recruit some of the most powerful pirates, granting them certain privileges while having them work for the World Government.
If that was the case, then the World Government's actions this time would make sense. After all, someone capable of going toe-to-toe with a Navy admiral would be an invaluable asset anywhere.
But was that truly the case?
Meanwhile, aboard a Navy warship—
Sengoku stood on the deck, resting his chin on his hand, deep in thought.
Garp, munching loudly on his rice crackers, walked over and said, "You're still thinking about what happened today?"
Sengoku silently nodded and replied, "I just don't understand why the World Government made such a decision. Could it really be, as some say, because of the Seven Warlords of the Sea?"
"The Seven Warlords?" Garp scoffed. "That's just a scheme to use pirates for their own gain. The World Government is regressing more and more, coming up with these ridiculous plans."
"Don't be so quick to judge, Garp. The higher-ups must have their own reasoning," Sengoku said thoughtfully. "But even so, she killed two Celestial Dragons. If they don't give the Celestial Dragons an explanation, even the Five Elders will find it hard to deal with the fallout."
"Who knows what they're thinking?" Garp replied. "But what's your assessment of that girl's strength?"
The girl Garp referred to was Kaguya.
"She's not an ordinary person. I can feel it—she possesses an incredibly formidable power," Sengoku said with a serious expression. "You fought her. You should have a clear idea of her level."
Garp paused mid-bite, lowered the rice cracker, and said, "She might be even stronger than we thought."
"Stronger?" Sengoku was slightly taken aback. "What do you mean?"
"You know that I fought her, but do you know what happened afterward?" For once, Garp's usual carefree demeanor was replaced with a rare seriousness.
"What happened?" Sengoku's eyes narrowed. "Don't tell me—"
"That's right," Garp said as he lifted his shirt sleeve, revealing an arm wrapped in bandages. "I broke my arm."
"Broke your arm?!" Sengoku's pupils shrank sharply. "How is that possible?!"
Those who knew Garp well, like Sengoku, understood the significance of his words.
Garp was known as the "Iron Fist." This title wasn't just about the sheer power of his punches—it was also a testament to his unparalleled mastery of Armament Haki. His proficiency in Armament Haki was unprecedented within the Navy, granting him extraordinary defensive and offensive capabilities. It was akin to wearing an invisible suit of armor, making him a force to be reckoned with even without the aid of a Devil Fruit.
In the later stages of the Grand Line, Armament Haki became an essential skill. Without it, one would merely be prey for the stronger warriors that roamed the New World. Garp's supreme mastery of Haki was one of the key factors that elevated him to an almost untouchable level.
Yet now, his Haki had failed him.
For Sengoku, who had grown alongside Garp in the Navy and was well aware of his capabilities, this revelation was almost incomprehensible.
"Did you let your guard down?" Sengoku questioned.
"Nope." Garp grabbed a handful of rice crackers and stuffed them into his mouth, chewing noisily as he replied, "You know me. When have I ever slacked off?"
"You're the last person who should be saying that!" Sengoku shouted. "Last time, those pirates got away just because you fell asleep!"
"Don't be so petty," Garp said with a grin. "If it bothers you so much, I'll just catch them again next time. No big deal."
"Forget about that for now." Sengoku huffed before turning serious. "There have been signs that Whitebeard's forces are becoming more active again. We need to keep a close eye on them."
"Didn't this happen a while ago, too?" Garp waved dismissively.
A vein throbbed on Sengoku's forehead. "Idiot! It's exactly because of your laid-back attitude that so many pirates are still at large!"
"Yeah, yeah, I get it," Garp said, digging into his ear, clearly unfazed by the reprimand.
Sengoku, however, wasn't done. His expression turned somber as he gazed out toward the endless ocean. "I have a feeling," he murmured, "that a great change is coming to this era."
Hearing this, Garp's usual carefree demeanor wavered for a moment, his face growing uncharacteristically serious.
Meanwhile, in Mary Geoise...
Mary Geoise, perched atop the Red Line, was the central hub of power within the world government. Shrouded in mist and towering over the world below, it was one of only two entry points into the New World.
Kaguya surveyed her surroundings before speaking. "If I'm not mistaken, this must be Mary Geoise."
The masked agent standing before her bowed respectfully. "Yes, Princess."
Kaguya narrowed her eyes. "And why exactly have you brought me here?"
"Please be patient. You will understand soon enough," the agent replied with a deferential nod.
Kaguya said nothing, merely pulling on the chain she held in her hand. "Move faster," she said coldly. "Or do you want another beating?"
Trailing behind her was a beautiful young girl with golden hair, a collar fastened around her neck, linked to the chain in Kaguya's grasp. The girl was none other than the former Celestial Dragon, Shalria.
"Yes."
With a pale face, Shalria bit her lip and softly responded, her submissive demeanor a stark contrast to her once arrogant and domineering attitude.
Kaguya glanced at her and said, "Good that you understand."
As Kaguya turned her head away, Shalria's face immediately twisted with humiliation.
She, a Celestial Dragon, exalted as a "god" among men, had been reduced to a lowly, insignificant slave. The sheer disparity of her circumstances was something she couldn't reconcile with. The deep humiliation gnawed at her.
She had watched helplessly as her father and brother were tortured to death, and now she was forced to kneel and serve the very person responsible for their deaths.
When the officials of the World Government arrived, she had believed—finally—her suffering would end. That she would be freed from this demon's grasp.
Shalria had steeled herself, vowing that once she was rescued, she would exact revenge for her father and brother. She would make Kaguya regret everything she had done.
But to her shock, the World Government agents ignored her cries for help. They showed no intention of assisting her, as if they hadn't even heard her pleas.
Even in Mary Geoise, the so-called holy land, those she once called friends treated her as if she were invisible. Their faces were filled with disgust, as if she were truly nothing more than a lowly slave.
What was happening?
Shalria couldn't understand. It felt as if the entire world had changed overnight, becoming unrecognizable. Everyone acted as if she no longer existed—as if she was truly nothing but a worthless slave.
Her desperate pleas had only led to more punishment at the hands of the demon who now owned her.
Born into privilege and never having suffered even the slightest hardship, the sting of Kaguya's slaps felt like knives slicing through her flesh. The agony was unbearable, nearly driving her into unconsciousness.
She wanted so badly to faint, to escape the torment, but every time she teetered on the edge of oblivion, something inexplicable jolted her awake, forcing her to endure the pain a little longer.
She even began to wish for death. Compared to this relentless agony, dying would be a mercy.
But even that was denied her. Every time she attempted suicide, Kaguya would appear out of nowhere and stop her. And each attempt was met with even harsher punishment.
After so many days of suffering, Shalria finally understood one thing—never, under any circumstance, should she defy Kaguya's orders. Any sign of resistance would only bring severe repercussions.
However, if she obediently followed instructions, she was not only spared punishment but was even rewarded—fine meals, beautiful clothing, or a few precious hours of freedom.
Perhaps this demon wasn't entirely heartless after all.
No, no, she mustn't fall for this! This was nothing more than false kindness, a mere trick!
"Want a skewer of dango?"
Kaguya handed her a stick of rice dumplings, and Shalria, startled, hastily took it, feeling oddly flattered.
Realizing her own reaction, she bit into the sweet, chewy dumpling with a hollow heart, feeling utterly defeated.
What she didn't know was that Kaguya had simply been applying the same training techniques used for taming pets. And from the looks of it, the method was working quite well.
Indeed, the balance of reward and punishment was always the most effective method of training.
Kaguya was quite pleased with herself.
When they finally arrived before a grand, imposing palace, the masked agent leading them came to a halt, turned around, and said, "Princess, your chambers are ready."
Kaguya looked up at the resplendent and opulent castle, somewhat surprised. "This place belongs to me?"
"Indeed," the masked figure said with a slight bow, his tone respectful. "The room has already been tidied up, and the servants are prepared for your arrival."
"Servants?" Kaguya asked, slightly taken aback.
"Yes," the masked figure affirmed. "They have been carefully selected from around the world, all highly trained maids who will attend to your daily needs."
"Forget it," Kaguya waved her hand dismissively. "I'm not used to being waited on."
In truth, Kaguya was wary of these so-called maids, suspecting they might actually be spies from the Five Elders or the World Government. She had no desire to be under constant surveillance.
"Is that so?" The masked figure responded. "Understood."
"Mm."
Kaguya had seen images of Mary Geoise in the original work and had some understanding of the place, but now that she was here, she realized it was different from what she had imagined.
For instance, the massive castle before her—she had assumed the depiction in the original story was exaggerated, like a perspective trick making it appear larger than it actually was. But standing here now, she saw that the castle was truly as enormous as it had seemed. Compared to its towering structure, the surrounding buildings looked like mere ants.
Looking up at the castle, which soared several hundred meters into the sky, Kaguya muttered to herself, "Even modern skyscrapers are probably about this tall."
The world of One Piece was indeed an unscientific place.
As she stepped into the castle, a group of maids dressed in elegant attire rushed forward. However, their actions startled Kaguya.
They ran towards her and suddenly threw themselves at her feet, tears streaming down their faces as they cried out desperately:
"Master, please, don't send us away! We will do our best! Please, don't abandon us!"
"Master, don't make us leave!"
"Anything! We will do anything you ask!"
"Please, have mercy on us!"
These young women were all exceptionally beautiful—fair-skinned, with graceful curves. Each of them could be considered stunning beauties, and their tearful pleas only added to their delicate charm.
Kaguya frowned. If these girls were merely putting on an act, she would have no hesitation in telling them to get lost.
But she could tell—their desperation was genuine.
What in the world was going on?
Kaguya was certain she didn't possess such an overwhelming allure that would make strangers cry and beg upon first meeting her.
Noticing her confusion, Shalria hesitated, her lips moving as if she wanted to speak but held back.
Her expression did not escape Kaguya's notice. Turning to her, Kaguya asked, "What's going on with them?"
Hearing Kaguya's question, Shalria hesitated for a moment before answering, "If they are expelled from the castle, it means they are deemed unqualified... no longer useful. And when a servant is no longer useful, it means—"
She stopped mid-sentence, casting a cautious glance at Kaguya.
"Means what?" Kaguya's brows furrowed. "Spit it out. Or do you want another beating?"
Shalria trembled and hurriedly replied, "If they are cast out by the castle's master, they... they will be executed."
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