Chapter 55: Scapegoat

An hour later, behind the mountain where the capital was located. This place was a cliff, with the South Blue waters stretching out beneath it.

A massive aircraft was hovering in midair

A two meter wide folding ladder extended from the aircraft cabin, with the other end resting on a protruding rock on the cliffside.

Several Fishmen emerged from a tunnel within the mountain, busily transporting items into the Fugu.

This tunnel had been discovered by Ashen and the others while searching the palace. 

One end was hidden inside King Ross's treasure chamber, while the other led right to the current docking spot of the airship.

It had been sealed with a boulder, making it undetectable from the outside.

Inside the cabin, Tesla and Lafitte were directing a few other Fishmen to place items into the storage hold. 

Meanwhile, Elvis and Nick stood guard over Amelia, waiting for her to wake up.

"Sigh! Who knows how much Amelia has been through, to end up like this…"

Nick gently stroked Amelia's face, his heart aching.

"Don't worry, Uncle Nick. Amelia's just asleep. She'll wake up in a few hours."

Seeing Nick growing more distressed, Elvis quickly tried to reassure him.

His words eased some of Nick's anxiety. 

Then, his attention turned to Elvis, asking, "Elvis, was it really worth it to go that far just to rescue Amelia? That was a Celestial Dragon!"

"So what if it was a Celestial Dragon?!…"

…

"Captain! Everything's been loaded. We're ready to set off!

Also, we've refilled the fuel and fresh water."

On the rock, Dan excitedly reported to Ashen as he watched the last Fishman carry a crate into the cabin.

Today, Dan had finally experienced the thrill of being a pirate. Seeing chest after chest of treasure being hauled onto the airship, he was as giddy as a child.

"Good!" Ashen responded, then asked, "You weren't spotted, were you?"

After killing the Celestial Dragon, they had wiped out everyone inside the palace.

As for those in Rose Village who had seen them, Elvis had gone there half an hour ago and used a special scent to erase their recent memories.

So now, Ashen's only worry was whether Dan's Fishmen had been spotted while moving the goods.

"Relax, Captain. We never even left the palace. The fuel and water were stored in a remote hall nearby.

Plus, we set fire to the outer sections of the palace before we started moving anything, no one could get in.

By now, the entire palace should be ablaze."

Dan quickly assured him.

"Good! Let's go then!"

A few minutes later, the now bloated airship had re-entered the clouds.

…

A day later, in the Holy Land Mary Geoise.

"That concludes all the intel we gathered from the Perfume Kingdom."

A masked man finished his report and respectfully handed over the documents.

"You're telling me a Celestial Dragon was killed in the Perfume Kingdom, and you didn't find a single clue?

The Perfume Kingdom is practically next door to the Holy Land. A Celestial Dragon was killed right there, and what the hell were you CP0 agents doing?"

The bald Gorosei crushed the report in his hand, his face dark with fury as he questioned the CP0 agent in front of him.

"My apologies, Lord Gorosei. The enemy is simply too bizarre.

We searched the entire area around the Perfume Kingdom and found nothing at all!"

The CP0 agent was sweating profusely but still reported truthfully: "It's as if the killer appeared and vanished out of thin air!"

"Out of thin air!"

Hearing this, the Gorosei with the black hat had a sudden realization.

"Any recent news on the Golden Lion?"

The bald Gorosei also reacted, asking immediately.

"Reporting, Lord Gorosei, ever since the Golden Lion lost to the Roger Pirates, we haven't found any trace of him for over a year."

"Then search harder! Dig up every inch of the earth if you must, I'll get the Navy to assist!"

"Yes, sir!"

…

With Gorosei's command, the World Government's military might began to mobilize!

In the Grand Line, somewhere at sea.

A pirate ship was surrounded by a Navy fleet and torn apart under a hail of cannon fire.

"Damn it! You Navy bastards crazy or what!? Why did you bring this many ships?"

The pirate captain roared in anger, showing no fear even after being captured.

Bang!

A Marine officer kicked him in the chest and grabbed him by the collar, interrogating him.

"You used to be under the Golden Lion, right? Tell me, where is he now?"

"I've got no idea."

In the New World, Spring Island.

"Hey! What are you doing?! Let go of me, I'm not a pirate!"

A one-eyed man struggled as he was captured by several unidentified figures.

Bam!

He was knocked out, and one of the captors picked up a Den Den Mushi.

"Reporting, sir! We've captured an informant of the Golden Lion Pirates!"

"Well done!"

Scenes like this began unfolding across the world. The seas were thrown into chaos.

The former members and subordinate crews of the Golden Lion Pirates immediately realized something was wrong, the World Government was clearly targeting them.

Meanwhile, other factions were confused by the government's actions, and, afraid of getting caught in the crossfire, chose to lay low.

Two days later, the latest newspaper was published, finally revealing what had happened in the Perfume Kingdom.

"No wonder the World Government's making such a fuss! Turns out a Celestial Dragon was injured in the Perfume Kingdom!"

Trebol, his nose dripping, chuckled as he read the latest paper.

"Injured? Just being injured wouldn't warrant this level of response."

As a Celestial Dragon himself, Doflamingo knew the Holy Land all too well.

Taking the newspaper from Trebol, he read for a moment before bursting into laughter.

"Fufufufu! These so-called gods have finally been challenged again, and right under their noses! Trebol!"

"Young master?" Trebol responded quickly when called.

"Next, we…"

"Huh!?"

…

At the same time, aboard the airship.

"Captain, what's got you so happy?"

Lafitte couldn't help but ask after seeing Ashen burst out laughing after a phone call.

"A kid like you doesn't need to know everything!"

Leaving the confused Lafitte behind, Ashen returned to his room and couldn't stop grinning.

"Hahaha! Damn you, Golden Lion, you never saw this coming, did you? Finally, it's your turn to take the fall for me!

Back when you…"

Meanwhile, somewhere across the sea, the very man so many were hunting for let out a furious roar:

"Bastard! Who the hell is trying to frame me?"

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