In the safe zone of the Shampodi Islands, a group of people stared at the screen, at the white-haired man and the Heavenly Celestial Dragon fallen on the giant tree, and fell into silence.
"Run away!"
Someone shouted first, even though they were in Shampodi, they couldn't suppress the panic. As the voice echoed, people gathered together fled in all directions frantically.
It's a natural instinct.
To those seeking refuge from Shampodi and Marineford, the Heavenly Celestial Dragon was not a rumored terror, but a real, visible terror.
Over the years, the nobility of the Heavenly Celestial Dragon has already penetrated deeply into people's hearts, becoming a suppression of the soul.
When the Heavenly Celestial Dragon descends to the Lower Realm, even a scratch or bump would bring disaster to nearby people. Especially now that they are dead, witnessed personally, the fear transformed into extreme panic, fleeing instinctively even if not present at the scene.
As for those news reporters, while trembling in shock, they recorded with the Radio Snail, took photos, wrote with pen and paper.
A pirate intruded into Marineford's war, and even broadcasted the execution of the Heavenly Celestial Dragon worldwide!
This was explosive news!
Whether it'll be obstructed by the World Government is none of their concern; they were responsible for spreading the news and left it to the headquarters to decide.
The people of Shampodi were panicked, but for other places receiving the sound and image, it was extreme shock.
At a Navy Base somewhere on the Grand Line, a group of arrogant Navy Officers, either holding a cigarette or a cigar, remained silent while looking at the screen showing the Heavenly Celestial Dragon's corpse.
Some had veins popping from their temples, very angry. Others were shocked, but their lips curled up instinctively, with unclear thoughts.
Throughout the Four Seas.
There were those panicking.
Those shocked.
Those laughing.
And there were the old folks, their eyes complex at this moment.
In a small market among them, a bald, tattooed old man puffing on a pipe slowly exhaled smoke.
"The world has welcomed a remarkable era again..."
...
"Capture the sinner who killed the Heavenly Celestial Dragon!"
After a brief silence, the navy reacted, charging forth at heavenly speed without needing Sengoku's orders, aiming at Sage above the giant tree, pulled the trigger.
Bang, bang, bang!
The lead bullets formed a horizontal barrage from below, shooting all at once.
Sage grinned fiercely, "You want him? Fine, have him!"
Boom!
He stomped, sending the Heavenly Celestial Dragon's corpse flying as a shield in front, bombarded with bullets, causing it to tremble and riddled with holes.
The sudden scene made the navy halt their attack, not daring to move.
Even as a corpse, it was still a Heavenly Celestial Dragon, not to be dishonored.
"I'm not despicable, just taking advantage of the opportunity, returning it to you!"
Sage kicked the suspended corpse, with a bang it shot like a cannonball into the ground, crashing among people. The navy instinctively dodged, leaving a clearing for the corpse to become a pile of muck, its form unrecognizable.
Bang!
At the same time, the giant tree under Sage's feet was crushed with a stomp, wood chips misting the air. Amidst the fog, his silhouette swiftly descended, becoming clearer among the settling shavings.
"Fire!"
The navy regained their composure, pulling the trigger again, lead bullets and shoulder cannons targeting him shot forth.
Those qualified for this war were elites. What are elites...
Beyond accuracy and timing, the lead bullets and cannonballs were visibly coated with Haki.
"Holding back before? Or have you recovered? Regardless..."
Sage smirked, simply standing still as he opened his arms, visibly disappearing as the lead bullets vanished too.
And those cannonballs, he barely tilted his head, easily dodging them as they exploded behind, stirring debris and dust clouds.
Then, everybody saw Sage's arms as he crossed, fists tightened, smiling at the rushing navy, "Haki level's too low, returning it!"
Whizz!
He suddenly opened his hands, as the lead bullets instantly disappeared. The navy only saw faint shadows as the ones in front burst in blood, their charging bodies abruptly ceased as if struck, flying backward then falling.
Thud, thud, thud!
Behind those navy, more blood burst forth, collapsing each to the ground.
Ahead of Sage, the upright navy was visibly 'felled' like trees.
"This level's inadequate, ho ho ho ho!" Sage laughed heartily.
"Indeed..."
Sengoku said deeply, "Kizaru's intel was correct; this guy has acquired Byrnndi World's ability."
The fact of gaining abilities by killing doesn't surprise a seasoned navy like him, it simply indicated the power chose him, swiftly seeking the nearest fruit to inhabit.
The troublesome part is this ability.
"Garp, we can't let him be, or the seas will gain another unstable element."