Chapter 50: Stussy Panics: "Brother, I Don't Want This"
In the city...
Two young boys sneaked into the shadows, clenching their small fists, their eyes burning with fury as they looked at the scene before them, one that filled them with rage.
"Ace, calm down. You need to stay calm. The two of us can't do anything against them," Sabo said, pulling Ace back, who was ready to charge in recklessly.
If we fight, we'll just end up dead.
The kingdom has tens of thousands of soldiers, the Celestial Dragon guards, and even three warships.
These forces are not something young Ace and Sabo could ever hope to fight against.
"If we act rashly, we might end up causing the whole kingdom to be destroyed," Sabo said, holding Ace tightly.
"Damn it!" Ace slammed his fist against the wall, his knuckles bleeding.
"Ace, this is the cruel reality," Sabo said in a low voice, staring at his father who was bowing and scraping in submission.
The fire of anger in his eyes was no less fierce than Ace's.
"We need to grow stronger, much stronger, to change anything."
...
...
Stussy stared in disbelief at the Celestial Dragons selecting concubines below.
Her heart suddenly began to race.
How could this be?
Why were the Celestial Dragons here?
Feeling Kuke's gaze, Stussy forced a smile, her eyebrows knitting together as she looked at the sight below, where the Celestial Dragons had the entire kingdom kneeling before them.
She was silent.
"A bunch of garbage," Hancock said, visibly disgusted, unwilling to even look at the Celestial Dragons.
Koala stared at the Celestial Dragons below with a mix of hatred and fear, her small body trembling.
Kuke gently patted Koala's fluffy head. "I'm here. Don't be afraid."
Stussy watched silently as Koala leaned into Kuke's embrace.
It was an expression of absolute trust and dependence.
If anyone else had said such words—even Big Mom before the Celestial Dragons—Stussy, as a CP0 member, the strongest shield of the Celestial Dragons, would have scoffed.
But looking at Kuke now, Stussy felt her heart skip a beat. He wasn't afraid. There was no fear, only disdain.
Unable to hold back, she spoke, "Captain Kuke, are we going to help them? Free the slaves?"
Her voice carried a note of concern. "Captain Kuke, please reconsider. The Sun and Moon Pirates are already under close watch by the World Government. If we strike at the World Nobles again, the Government will retaliate with even greater force. If we attack the Celestial Dragons, an admiral will surely come."
Laying low, avoiding drawing attention—that's what Stussy thought was best for them.
In her eyes, it was the only way for the Sun and Moon Pirates to survive longer.
If they continued to provoke the World Government, Stussy was sure that it wouldn't be long before the Five Elders issued an order to infiltrate and destroy the Sun and Moon Pirates from within.
"It's not like they haven't come before. Akainu came, and he left crying," Gion said with a smile. "What's wrong, Queen of the Street of Joy? You aren't scared just because you heard an admiral's name, are you?"
Stussy's expression faltered.
She knew she had said too much, and now she had drawn suspicion.
But Stussy genuinely wanted to protect them.
This sense of security, this environment free of schemes—Stussy didn't want to lose it so soon.
"Then, Captain Kuke, what are we planning to do? Let me go rescue the slaves," Stussy offered.
Since she couldn't stop it...
It would be better to take action herself.
She could at least keep the situation under control.
"Just rescue the slaves?" Hancock laughed, looking at Stussy.
You underestimate us.
"Huh?" Stussy's mouth fell open.
Wasn't it about freeing the slaves?
They couldn't possibly mean to kill the Celestial Dragons, right? That would be crossing the ultimate line.
"It's not like we haven't killed them before."
"..."
Stussy was stunned.
Have they really killed a Celestial Dragon?
No way. There haven't been any reports of that.
It must be a lie.
"Stussy, you just joined us, so you'll be coming with me. The others, feel free to move as you wish," Kuke said, looking at Stussy.
Not giving her time to think, he pulled the stunned Stussy along, leaping down.
In mid-air, Stussy's heart raced in panic. "Brother, I don't want this..."
...
On the street below...
The Celestial Dragons were still choosing concubines.
"Boom!"
Two figures landed abruptly in the street with a loud crash.
"Who dares?!"
The most panicked of all was the King of the Goa Kingdom.
He screamed hysterically, "Guards! Someone, get over here, now!"
The Celestial Dragon in the palanquin paused, then turned his violent gaze toward Kuke, who had interrupted his enjoyment.
"Who are you? Why aren't you kneeling? That woman beside you isn't bad. Guards, seize her!"
Stussy, still in a daze, heard the Celestial Dragon's idiotic commands.
She couldn't help but want to beat him up.
You don't even recognize Kuke? Have you forgotten already? He was the one who came to the Holy Land to free the slaves.
And now...
You want me?
Stussy's eyes turned cold.
Even as a CP0 agent, she had never imagined becoming a Celestial Dragon's plaything.
A fate worse than death.
"It's... it's Kuke!"
One of the citizens looked up, shouting.
The guards behind the Celestial Dragon, members of the Navy, stared at Kuke, stunned.
"This is bad! Protect Lord Dracula!" The guards rushed forward, panic-stricken.
The citizens' trembling grew more intense.
Their excitement was evident.
"We're saved!" the women selected by the Celestial Dragon cried, tears of joy streaming down their faces.
"You either leave, or you die," Gion declared, standing alone in front of the Navy forces.
Hancock faced the kingdom's massive army on her own.
There were no guards left by the Celestial Dragon's side.
Only the citizens kneeling on the ground.
"Kuke?" The obese Celestial Dragon, Lord Dracula, looked down at Kuke, still keeping his arrogant demeanor. The violence in his eyes grew fiercer.
"So it's you. You let my beloved slaves escape. The Navy and the Five Elders are useless. Why haven't they killed you yet? Someone, kill him! No, capture him! I want to make him my slave!"