Chapter 47: The Show Begins

Amidst the roaring thunder, Renji slowly approached the cabin.

Saint Lasgarde woke up from his sleep with a start, sitting up abruptly and clutching his chest as he gasped for air.

After a moment of rest, his previously unfocused eyes regained their sharpness, and his pale complexion gradually returned to a healthy hue.

"Hmm?" Saint Lasgarde frowned as he too heard the thunderous explosions in the sky.

At that moment, the tightly shut cabin door began to creak open.

He turned his head, annoyed, and glared in the direction of the door, which was opening at an agonizingly slow pace.

"Can't you even guard a door properly? Do you want to die? Close it now!" he shouted before the door was fully open.

A gust of wind rushed through the crack, causing Saint Lasgarde, who had removed his outer coat, to shiver uncomfortably. He wrapped his arms around himself and leaned back.

In his furious gaze, a leather shoe stepped into the cabin.

"Who told you to come in, you dog?! I said close the door! Are you deaf?!" He was shivering from the cold, wishing he could rush over and slam the door shut himself.

The cabin was dimly lit, with only faint rays of light seeping through the cracks, casting scattered shadows on the floor.

Renji, like a shadow, slipped silently into the cabin. His eyes fixed on the figure ahead, watching with amusement as the Celestial Dragon stood frozen in shock.

Saint Lasgarde's eyes widened as he recognized the figure before him. His heart raced, and he couldn't help but exclaim, "How is it you?!"

As the door fully opened, his angry expression froze. His eyes bulged in disbelief as he stared at the figure before him. Panic surged within him, and his body trembled slightly, his fingers twitching uncontrollably.

His eyes betrayed a mix of fear and unease. He knew he stood no chance against this man, and he couldn't comprehend how he had managed to sneak in so quietly.

At that moment, it felt as though his mental defenses had crumbled, leaving him feeling hollow and helpless.

"Where are my guards?!"

"What have you done to them?!"

Renji raised a finger to his lips, signaling for him to lower his voice.

"You said you'd let me go!" Saint Lasgarde screamed, ignoring Renji's gesture. "You can't go back on your word!"

Renji sighed, exasperated. Sometimes he wished he had the power of the Calm-Calm Fruit. Dealing with people who screamed like this was always a headache—it was just too hard on the ears.

"If I recall correctly, I only told you to leave Sabaody Archipelago quickly. I never said I'd let you go," Renji replied, shrugging.

"As for your guards, they're all outside."

Hearing this, Saint Lasgarde glanced through the open door and saw the scene outside.

His guards were all lying on the ground. Though there were no visible wounds, they were clearly out of commission.

He was truly... alone now.

Saint Lasgarde stared at the man in disbelief. "Why won't you let me go?"

Why was this man so fixated on him?

"Why won't I let you go? I didn't expect you to ask that," Renji said with a grin. "Because it makes me happy. Because I'm stronger than you. Because... I can't suppress the urge to kill you."

"You... you actually want to kill me?" Saint Lasgarde's jaw dropped in shock.

He couldn't understand. Was this man insane?

He wanted to kill a Celestial Dragon, one of the most revered beings in the world.

Their lives were more valuable than anyone else's. No one could judge them. They were the gods of this world.

They were the untouchable rulers of the seas. Ordinary people didn't even dare to look at them directly. What kind of monster was this man?

"Are you satisfied with that answer?" Renji asked. "If you are, then it's time to send you on your way."

Renji stood in the shadows of the room, his gaze cold and sharp. In the dim light, a faint, cruel smile played on his lips.

With a swift motion, he shattered the door into long wooden stakes and drove them into Saint Lasgarde's limbs, pinning him to the bed.

Saint Lasgarde struggled, but every movement sent waves of pain through his body. He couldn't escape. His eyes were filled with terror and despair as he realized there was no way out.

"You thought you could escape?" Renji's voice was icy and mocking. "You're nothing but a bug in my hands. Now, I'll let you experience the despair of those you've tormented."

He walked slowly toward Saint Lasgarde, picking up a sharp knife along the way. The blade glinted ominously in the faint light.

Renji's smile grew colder as he mercilessly dragged the knife across Saint Lasgarde's skin. Screams echoed through the room, but Renji remained unmoved, his heart as hard as steel.

"You think you can kill me and get away with it?" Saint Lasgarde sneered, his voice filled with venom. "You're wrong. The World Government will avenge me. You and your crew won't escape. Even in death, I won't let you go."

"I look forward to their revenge," Renji said with a grin. After all, they'd be coming after Golden Lion, not the Governor of the South Sea.

Who knows? He might even celebrate when they tear each other apart.

"Ahhhhhhh!"

"You monster! I'll make sure you suffer!"

A stream of curses poured from the Celestial Dragon's mouth. Renji listened with fascination. So, even they could feel fear and dread death.

"They'll avenge me. The World Government is watching your every move. They're already on their way. I'll be waiting for you in hell! Hahahaha!"

With a swift motion, Renji slashed the knife across Saint Lasgarde's neck. His head was severed instantly, propelled by the gushing blood, and it hit the ground with a thud.

The expression on his face was a mix of confusion, anger, and disbelief—a grotesque and almost comical sight.

Finally, the annoying wails ceased, and the room was left in an eerie silence.

Renji looked down at the lifeless body of the Celestial Dragon and smirked. Of course, he knew the ship was equipped with surveillance Den Den Mushi by the World Government. That's why he had kept his disguise intact.

Later, he'd have Kuzan and the others take out a pirate crew and report it to Marine Headquarters under his name. That way, no one would connect today's events to him.

"Celestial Dragons? You're no different from lambs to the slaughter. Killing you takes no effort at all..."

"..."

"Men, the target ship is right ahead! Charge! The treasure is ours! After we plunder it, we'll throw a feast! Let's party!"

In the distance, pirate ships were rapidly closing in on the Celestial Dragon's vessel.

The pirates' laughter and cheers filled the air, reigniting the energy of the sea.

"Feast!!!"

"Charge!"

"..."

"The show has begun..."

...