The Sabaody Archipelago was an island composed entirely of seventy-nine giant numbered Yarukiman Mangrove trees, located at the end of the first half of the Grand Line.
It was the unavoidable gateway for most pirates who dread of entering the New World, as well as for those who had been taught a harsh lesson there and fled back in defeat.
Because of this, people often called it the "Island of Failure" and the "Island of a New Beginning."
At the sa ti, due to its proximity to Marine Headquarters and its location beneath Mary Geoise atop the Red Line, the island had beco a frequent destination for Marines, World Governnt officials, and even the descendants of the gods themselves—the Celestial Dragons.
As a result, the complexity of Sabaody's situation far exceeded what ordinary people could imagine.
The area spanning Mangrove Trees No. 1 through No. 29 was especially infamous among both residents and visitors.
It was a paradise for thieves, bandits, pirates, and slave traders.
Yet every so often, elegantly dressed nobles and wealthy rchants could also be seen entering certain exclusive venues under heavy guard.
And there...
One could witness the ugliest side of the world.
n and won, young and old, whether beautiful, powerful, or gifted with unique talents...
Any of them could be dragged onto a stage and displayed like rchandise while wealthy elites competed to outbid one another.
That was the notorious slave market.
An institution officially outlawed by the World Governnt.
Ironically...
Its biggest custors were the Governnt's highest rulers themselves.
The Celestial Dragons.
And today, two noble Celestial Dragons happened to descend into this land of sin.
On Grove No. 20...
Protected by two squads of Holy Land guards and ten black-suited agents...
Two female Celestial Dragons exited an auction house while chatting and laughing.
They wore space-suit-like outfits, with large resin bubbles covering their heads.
Behind them, the auction manager, nobles, and wealthy rchants bowed deeply to the ground as they saw them off.
"Your Highnesses, Princess Charlia and Princess Dolores, please travel safely. Starfish Auction House will always welco the great descendants of the Creator."
However, the two won were long accustod to such treatnt and paid the words no attention.
Both were wrapped tightly from head to toe, as though even a single particle of the "polluted" lower-world air touching their skin would be unacceptable.
One had brown hair styled into a bizarre upward bun. She wore sunglasses and covered most of her face with a scarf.
Her na was Charlia.
The other was slightly taller, with dium-length erald-green hair hidden beneath a veil.
Her na was Dolores.
Originally, it had been Charlia who had invited Dolores to visit the lower world.
Dolores, who rarely left the Holy Land, had initially refused for various reasons.
Yet judging from the excited flush on her face now, it was obvious she had begun enjoying everything Sabaody had to offer.
She glanced behind her at six beautiful girls shackled together by chains binding both their hands and feet.
Excitedly tugging on the chain in her hand, she exclaid:
"This is amazing, Sister Charlia! The feeling of throwing money around and snatching away sothing precious from soone else is absolutely exhilarating!"
"What do you think I should do with these won?"
"Should I give them to friends from other families? Lock them up and torture them for a few days? Or throw them straight into an arena and make them fight wild beasts?"
"Which option sounds best?"
The six girls trembled in fear upon hearing the words of their new mistress.
Charlia, anwhile, couldn't help feeling contempt toward her friend's overly enthusiastic behavior.
At the sa ti, she couldn't understand Dolores's strange tastes.
After all, Dolores hadn't actually liked any of these slaves.
She had simply seen other people spending enormous sums to buy them and didn't want them to get what they wanted.
So she used the overwhelming wealth of the Celestial Dragons to snatch the slaves away, simply to enjoy the frustrated, helpless expressions of those who lost them.
As the sister of soone who loved wasting money, Charlia felt a little regret.
Still, every Celestial Dragon had their own peculiar hobbies.
"Don't get too excited, Dolores."
Charlia smiled.
"There are still several more auctions today."
"You can buy even more and try every idea you ntioned."
Dolores's eyes imdiately lit up.
"Really?!"
"That's wonderful!"
"These few aren't enough!"
"I'll buy more and make them kill one another."
"Only the last survivor will be allowed to live."
She was already looking forward to witnessing such a scene.
But Charlia imdiately poured cold water on her enthusiasm.
"Don't celebrate too early."
"Do you think your brother will approve?"
"Don't forget he's the Holy Land's most famous oddball."
"He used to adore slaves, but after returning from Fish-Man Island, he released every single one of them."
"If you bring these ho, I'm certain he'll secretly free them the mont your back is turned."
Dolores's expression darkened instantly.
Then she began complaining to her close friend.
"That idiot Mjosgard..."
"I have no idea what happened to his brain."
"Not only did he release all his slaves, but now he keeps lecturing every day about how Fish-n and humans are equal."
"How could gods ever be equal to mortals?!"
"Our ancestors founded the World Governnt and created this world, not so we could live peacefully alongside commoners and Fish-n!"
Charlia nodded in agreent.
In her eyes, Mjosgard was a disgrace to the Celestial Dragons.
After venting for a while, Dolores sighed.
"But what should I do now? My brother definitely won't let keep these slaves."
At last, Charlia saw the opportunity she'd been waiting for.
"Don't worry."
"You can hide them at my estate."
"Of course, taking care of so many slaves is troubleso, so in exchange, I want you to buy a powerful pirate slave every month."
Dolores's eyes widened.
"Just one slave?"
"Of course I agree!"
"Thank you, Sister Charlia! You're truly the best!"
Charlia's smile froze.
She instantly felt like she'd asked for far too little.
While the two girls continued walking and complaining about their brothers...
Sothing unexpected happened.
Shouts and cries of surprise echoed from the distance.
The guards imdiately beca alert.
But before they could figure out what was happening...
A colossal object appeared overhead, blocking out the sky.
Charlia and Dolores simultaneously raised their heads.
What they saw was a gigantic golden ship tearing through the clouds as it soared across the heavens.
Their eyes widened in shock.
"A ship...?!!"
"A flying ship?!"
Even Celestial Dragons had never seen such a thing before.
The two stared at it until it disappeared behind the buildings after descending.
Then Dolores excitedly shouted:
"Sister Charlia! Did you see that?! I can't be mistaken! That ship is made of gold!"
Charlia clenched her fists tightly.
"Damn it... who dares own such a magnificent vessel?!"
Her expression twisted with anger.
"And even worse... it flew directly over the heads of the descendants of the gods."
"No matter who its owner is, I'll make them pay for insulting the Celestial Dragons!"
Dolores nodded vigorously.
"Exactly!"
"And punishnt alone isn't enough."
"They must hand over that ship as well."
"A vessel like that is worthy only of Celestial Dragons!"
The two exchanged a glance.
Instantly understanding each other's thoughts.
They wanted it.
No matter the cost.
"CP agents!"
"Take us to that ship imdiately!"
With a single command...
The entire escort force changed direction and headed toward the landing site of the flying vessel.
At the sa ti, countless others had also noticed the golden ship.
So out of curiosity.
Others out of greed.
But all of them headed toward the sa destination.
On the opposite side of the island...
Near the amusent park district between Groves 30 and 39...
The Ark Maxim had already landed peacefully.
The mont it settled...
Several figures shot out from the ship.
Peter, Robin, Tina, Stussy...
Followed by Vivi, Nami, Nojiko, Kaya, and the rest of the girls.
At last...
Their feet touched the soil of the Sabaody Archipelago.
"Wooow!"
"It's so beautiful!"
"No wonder it's one of the Grand Line's most famous tourist destinations!"
Vivi exclaid excitedly as she watched bubbles rise from the ground and float into the sky.
The other girls imdiately fell in love with the island as well.
Even Peter had to admit that Sabaody looked like a city straight out of a fairy tale.
Yet beneath that beauty...
Lurked darkness capable of shattering the worldview of any ordinary person.
Before everyone could enjoy the scenery any longer...
An angry childish voice suddenly rang out.
"You filthy monkey!"
"How long are you planning to keep tied up?!"
"Hurry up and let go!"
"There are so many people watching us!"
--------------------------------------------------
New Week! New challenge!
150 power stone: 2 chapters!
User Comments
0 comments from readers