Chapter 4 - Conqueror's Haki and Kong

Elegia, a small island near the sea. A little girl with red and white hair suddenly spotted something at the edge of the beach.

In this small island where only she and Gordon existed, she hadn't seen any other special beings for far too long!

So the girl bounced over to the edge of the beach, carefully examining whatever it was. However, the girl ultimately didn't recognize what these creatures were, so she brought the large snails, which were rolling their eyes in apparent fear, to Gordon, who had been taking care of her.

Seeing the snails, Gordon was overwhelmed with emotions. Was this fate? If fate didn't want her beautiful voice to fade away in the ruined Elegia, then why would it send a bunch of unknown creatures that had been terrified to the point of rolling their eyes?

On the other hand, at Sabaody Archipelago.

The auction was in full swing, but at that moment, the guests participating in the auction were clearly not very happy.

The small nobles from all over the world were shouting their dissatisfaction.

"Damn it, I've been on a ship for over forty days, just waiting to buy a decent slave! And you're showing me this!"

"Where are the mermaids? Not even a single female mermaid; what a joke!"

"All I see are rejects! Not a single one of those sea pirates worth over fifty million! Am I supposed to use these idiots as guards?"

"Damn the auctioneer!"

While cursing, they pointed at the dismal lineup on the auction stage.

Let's see what kind of people were up there.

There were emaciated beggars, dwarfs who couldn't even lift their shackles, and overly made-up, unattractive ladyboys.

At the end of the lineup, there was even an old man with a white beard and white hair, wearing glasses with a scar over his right eye!

"What is this quality?!"

With the continuous shouts of skepticism, the auctioneer wiped the sweat from his brow helplessly.

It wasn't that they didn't have good items; while it was challenging to procure the top-tier slaves, they could usually get a few each quarter.

It was just that...

A couple of days ago, the Celestial Dragons had come to take away the headlining fishmen for this auction.

As for the remaining slaves that the Celestial Dragons didn't want, they simply hadn't been put up for auction.

Those were important goods that the auction house planned to keep until next year and then concentrate on selling them together.

And why wait until next year?

Because next year marked the quadrennial World Government Conference.

During this year, all fifty leaders of the top fifty nations among the more than 170 member states of the World Government would gather at the Sabaody Archipelago before heading to Mariejois on the Red Continent.

Before and after they traveled to Mariejois to attend the conference, the auction house had to present a large quantity of goods to drain their wallets.

So… it was no wonder that the guests below were complaining; anyone with discerning eyes could see that their auction house was genuinely not prepared with many good items.

Thus, under pressure, the auctioneer planned to explain.

However, he didn't notice that just as he was about to speak, the old man at the end of the slave lineup suddenly frowned.

"Th-That is…?"

The old man suddenly looked behind him, and a part of the audience noticed his actions.

They thought he was senile.

Little did anyone know, the old man's Observation Haki had already pierced through the auction house's ceiling, sensing the terrifying aura coming from afar.

Meanwhile, at the Navy Headquarters in Marineford.

The Marines who were gathering for patrol duties or training suddenly stopped their actions.

"Y-You guys, look at the sky!!!"

The first Marine shouted in shock, and the others followed his gaze upward.

In the eyes of all the Marines, the layered clouds in the western sky of Marineford suddenly exploded!

The once-crowded white clouds burst apart as if a nuclear bomb had been dropped!

A huge circle of white waves rapidly expanded!

The white waves flattened all the clouds within a certain range until a strange circular gap appeared in the sky to the south of Marineford!

And at that moment, in the Marshal's office.

The moment before, Sengoku had been scolding Garp for stealing his donut when he suddenly turned his head to look out the window.

Watching the turbulent sky gradually return to calm, Sengoku furrowed his brow tightly and said anxiously, "That's Mariejois!"

As his words fell, Sengoku looked at Garp and urged, "Akainu is conveniently not in the headquarters; you lead the team and hurry to Mariejois! I'll contact the Gorosei right away!"

"Miamia..."

Garp leisurely finished his donut, then shook his head dismissively. He leaned back lazily on the sofa, baring his teeth as he said, "How could I possibly meet with that bunch of trash? Since Akainu isn't here, let's contact Kizaru instead."

"Fine."

Sengoku knew his old buddy's temperament and didn't actually expect Garp to set off.

Besides, even if something unexpected happened in Mariejois, there were enough people there to handle it!

He and Garp's mentor, Kong, had always been stationed in Mariejois.

The headquarters of the World Government were also in Mariejois.

Most of the main combat forces from CP0 were also in Mariejois.

Sengoku knew that city could never be easily overturned by some random enemies.

However, while he wasn't worried, inquiries were still necessary.

Thus, Sengoku picked up the special Den Den Mushi used to contact the Gorosei and began to dial the number.

At this moment in Mariejois, within the Sabaody Archipelago, as the political center...

A giant octopus had been leisurely dining in its pond just a second ago. But in the next moment, the poor creature rolled its eyes...

Watching his captive octopus lose consciousness, an elderly man dressed in a sharp black suit, with white hair cascading down to his back and a white beard reaching his belly, gazed in astonishment at the sky.

Behind him, a gaunt old man holding a long knife suddenly jumped up from the sofa.

"What... what incredible power!"

He exclaimed in shock, fixating on the direction of the aura where Gawain was located.

In that sky, countless silhouettes were leaping through the air, with the fastest one already at Gawain's side.

Kong, the first to arrive, lifted the bleeding Gawain with one hand. He gestured with his right hand, causing the others who followed him to halt mid-air.

"It's not an external invasion; it's Gawain awakening the Conqueror's Haki! I'll take Gawain for treatment. You all, clean up the collapsed buildings and restore them to their original state! As for those who witnessed everything, clear out everyone except the Celestial Dragons and soldiers."

As his words fell, Kong immediately intended to carry Gawain away.

Unexpectedly, despite the excruciating pain, Gawain interrupted him.

"Stop!"

Gawain said.

"Did you see that shockwave just now?"

"Don't worry, Gawain! That isn't some devil's ability; it's the purest form of Conqueror's Haki! You've utterly amazed me, young man! The last time I saw such powerful Conqueror's Haki was when that Rocks guy was rampaging around. Even his Haki only barely reached this level during its peak. Your presence is truly astonishing, but no matter how great your aura, you must first take care of your body! Since your organs are injured, I hope you'll remain quiet for now while I take you to treatment!"

"Haha…"

Listening to Kong's impatient yet respectful and caring words, Gawain shook his head slowly. He could keep quiet, but he could not remain silent!

Because he clearly understood Kong's words—that those who witnessed his awakening of the Conqueror's Haki, excluding the Celestial Dragons and soldiers, were all to be killed!

This was an outcome Gawain could never accept, whether based on his education or his worldview...

He saw no reason to turn such an event into a large-scale massacre!

After a sigh, Gawain said slowly, "Put me down!"

"Th-That… Gawain, are you sure about your body?" Kong expressed some dissatisfaction.

"Don't fuss; I'm not at the point of dying with just a little movement."

Gawain spoke in a low voice, making Kong frown.

However, after a moment of thought, Kong still let Gawain down.

At the same time, an unknown CP0 member dressed in white hurriedly brought a sofa over and placed it under Gawain.

Gawain sat on the sofa, contemplatively raising his right hand.

"It hurts a bit; does anyone have a cigarette?"

He said, and immediately someone handed tobacco to Gawain.

As the person offered a lighter to ignite it, Gawain pinched the cigarette with his right hand, enduring the pain as he slowly surveyed the surroundings.

As time passed, the unconscious people around gradually woke up.

Even if they hadn't gotten up yet, they could already hear the quiet atmosphere around them.

In the unusual silence, Gawain asked, "You are… Kong?"

"Indeed, that's me." Kong nodded proudly.

Gawain nodded in return, took a puff of his cigarette, coughed twice, and then said, "Let those slaves live."

As soon as his words fell, the recently awakened slaves tensed up.

Beside them, Kong remained silent for a moment before speaking.

"Gawain, do you really want more people to know about your awakening of the Conqueror's Haki?"

"Why not?"

Gawain suddenly laughed, blood staining the corners of his radiant mouth, making even the sunlight seem to shimmer.

"Look at how I was just now; although I took a punch, I managed to give Charlos a good beating too.

It's only interesting if more people know about this ridiculous situation!"

As he spoke, Gawain raised his right hand and subtly glanced at Kong.

"What do you think, Steel Bone? Or do you want to stand by Charlos's side and cover this up?"

"Th-This…!"

Steel Bone gritted his teeth; this was slander!

But before Steel Bone could respond, another CP0 member had already approached the group with Moonwalk and spoke up.

"Gawain, the Gorosei request to see you; you can receive treatment with their assistance."

After speaking, the CP0 member turned to Kong and reprimanded him lightly, "And you, Admiral, since Gawain has given orders, you only need to comply!"

As his words fell, Gawain nodded in satisfaction, with others believing he was simply pleased to see Kong being reprimanded.

Little did they know, Gawain was reveling in saving the lives of the thousands of slaves who had witnessed the event.

As the slaves gradually stood up around him, they raised their heads and gazed deeply at Gawain.

At that moment, Gawain's leisurely appearance as he smoked became an image they could never forget.