Chapter 44: Pigs

"Damn it! Who the hell are you?!"

Roswald Saint's forehead bulged with veins, his face twisted into a grotesque mask of rage and fear. A sense of unease crept into his heart, mingling with his anger.

The armed forces that were supposed to protect him had long been kicked to who-knows-where. The only thing that gave him a semblance of security now was his identity as a Celestial Dragon.

Renji set Selena down and casually dug at his ear. "Didn't I already say I'm one of Golden Lion's men? Jack!"

"Have you Celestial Dragons been sitting on your high thrones for so long that your ears have stopped working?"

Renji's appearance was modeled after Queen the Plague, one of the future calamities of the Beast Pirates—bald, wearing sunglasses, with a golden braid hanging from his head. He walked slowly toward the Celestial Dragon, removing his sunglasses as he approached. Though not particularly tall, his presence loomed over Roswald Saint like a towering mountain, exerting an overwhelming pressure.

He flicked his golden braid, looking down at the Celestial Dragon with disdain.

"I'm asking you a question, oh great Celestial Dragon."

Roswald Saint couldn't withstand the pressure emanating from the man before him and instinctively took a few steps back. He paused for a moment, then straightened up, trying to appear confident. After all, he was a Celestial Dragon. No one would dare lay a hand on him.

"You lowly scum, what gives you the right to stand before me?" He paused, his face twisting into a haughty expression. "Disappear from my sight at once!"

"Oh, great Celestial Dragon, perhaps you should take a look around," Renji said, raising an eyebrow. "There aren't many people left here. Killing you would be easier than killing a fish. Are you sure you want to talk to me like that?"

Renji stepped closer and suddenly swung his hand, shattering the glass enclosure that surrounded the Celestial Dragon. His palm made direct contact with Roswald's greasy face.

"Ah!" Roswald screamed, clutching his face as he was sent flying. "You dare hit me! A lowly scum like you dares to hit me! I'll make you wish you were dead!"

The guards stared at Renji in disbelief, their eyes filled with shock and terror. Their mouths hung open, wide enough to fit an egg, as they watched the scene unfold. Fear and unease flickered in their eyes. Their worst fears had just come true.

Dragon and Doflamingo also gaped in astonishment. One was a Marine, and the other was a former Celestial Dragon. Both knew exactly what would happen after someone struck a Celestial Dragon.

"I should've just let you do your thing earlier. Maybe things wouldn't have escalated this far..." Doflamingo muttered, though his excited expression betrayed his words. He clearly wanted to take a swing at the Celestial Dragon himself.

Dragon stood frozen, muttering, "As expected of Renji..."

"..."

"Do you have any idea what you've just done?" one of the guards asked, his voice trembling.

Renji pulled out a tissue and wiped his hand. "I just slapped a pig. What's the big deal?"

"No! You don't understand the terror of the Celestial Dragons! You're going to get everyone on this island killed alongside you!"

"A Marine Admiral is coming! We're all guilty! We're all going to die!"

These words sent a chill through everyone present, as if they had been plunged into the depths of winter. Their bodies trembled uncontrollably.

They all knew the consequences of angering a Celestial Dragon, but they were powerless against the man before them. All they could do was grit their teeth in frustration.

"Let's see if any of you can actually call a Marine Admiral here," Renji said, his Haki enveloping the entire island. "I'm watching your every move."

"Want to contact the Marines? Go ahead. Let's see if you can pull it off."

As long as no calls reached the outside world, who would know what happened here? Could the Admirals predict the future?

Renji kicked one of the guards. "Go on, serve your great Celestial Dragon."

"I..." The guard buried his head between his knees. "I don't dare. Please, spare me. I'll never do anything bad again."

Everyone here had witnessed Renji's overwhelming power. They weren't fools with a death wish. All they could do was play dumb and keep their heads down.

"Listen up," Renji said, slapping Roswald Saint awake. "I'm taking that mermaid with me. If you want revenge, you can find me with the Golden Lion Pirates."

"Whatever Golden Lion can give you, I can give you more!" Roswald stammered, his mouth swollen. "Just spare me, and I'll give you anything you want."

He had no choice but to believe Renji. Given the man's lawless nature, he might change his mind and kill him at any moment. Roswald wasn't the brightest, but he wasn't completely stupid.

All he wanted now was to buy his life. As long as he could return to Mary Geoise alive, he could continue living in luxury.

As a Celestial Dragon, he had enough wealth to buy an entire country. This made him value his life even more. After all, what good was money if you were dead? It would just be divided among the other Celestial Dragons.

"I don't want your money," Renji said with disgust.

It was all dirty money, squeezed from ordinary people. Besides, he had no interest in the paltry sum Roswald could offer.

A flicker of anger passed through Roswald's eyes, but he quickly masked it. "If you promise not to kill me, I can grant you any wish."

Renji ignored him. Was this pig truly so dense, or was he just desperate to survive? He'd already been spared, yet he kept yapping.

"Let's get you out of here," Renji said, scooping Selena into his arms.

Selena looked at him anxiously, leaning close to whisper, "Are you sure this is okay? I'm afraid they'll come after you."

"Don't worry. As long as I'm on this island, he won't dare make a move," Renji assured her.

"Oh, great Celestial Dragon, we've been through life and death together. If you ever visit the Golden Lion Pirates, I'll throw you a grand welcome party."

Renji repeated the important point three times, then grinned as he carried Selena out of the auction house in broad daylight.

"..."

"That damned scum!" Roswald muttered under his breath.

"Did you say something, oh great Celestial Dragon?" Renji's head popped back in from the exit, his calm gaze fixed on Roswald.

"N-no, nothing! I was just... bidding you farewell," Roswald stammered, forcing a smile and lowering his head.

"Well, I'm really leaving this time. See you around."

"..."

"What do we do now, great Celestial Dragon?" a guard asked cautiously.

Roswald slapped the man across the face. "You useless fool! Take me back to Mary Geoise at once!"

"Yes, sir!" The guard didn't dare show any resentment, responding with a forced smile.

"..."

By the shore, the waves gently lapped at the sand. The sunlight sparkled on the water's surface, casting a warm glow over the two figures standing together, facing an imminent farewell.

"This is as far as I'll take you. You'll be safe here. You can return to Fish-Man Island without worry," Renji said, setting Selena down in a secluded area of the sea.

"Remember, it's best not to come back to the surface. You don't want to get captured by slavers again."

Selena felt both joy and sorrow, tears glistening in her eyes. She tightly grasped Renji's hands, as if trying to freeze this moment in time. Her lips trembled, but no words came out. Only a silent sadness welled up in her heart.

In the end, all her thoughts condensed into a single sentence. "I understand. You be careful too. The outside world is nothing like I imagined."

She made up her mind. Besides her divination, she would learn to protect herself and others!

"Well then, goodbye." Selena turned and dove into the water, her figure disappearing into the depths.

...