The atmosphere aboard the tribute convoy had completely frozen.
The remaining Marines barely dared to breathe.
Some even shut their eyes in fear, terrified that CP0's attention might shift toward them.
"This is the consequence of disobeying orders."
"Remember this well."
"You Marines are merely the outer face of the World Government."
"Gods are the true rulers of this world."
CP0's voice carried open contempt as he looked at the stunned soldiers.
"We require loyal Marines."
"Notify Marine Headquarters immediately — Vice Admiral Hank has disobeyed orders. He is to be imprisoned in Impel Down effective immediately."
"The Fleet Admiral will assign a new Vice Admiral to command the East Blue branch."
"If the Marines have complaints…"
"They may come to Mary Geoise and speak to me personally."
The arrogance in his tone was unmistakable.
To him, the Marines were nothing more than dogs of the Celestial Dragons.
And he considered himself a purer breed —
A direct hound.
Replacing a branch Vice Admiral on a whim.
Ordering Hank sent to the deep-sea prison.
The remaining Marines were stunned by the overwhelming authority CP0 wielded.
Does the Navy truly represent justice?
Or is this all just a façade?
Are we merely servants of the World Government?
Doubt crept into several hearts.
One young Marine clenched his fists so tightly his knuckles whitened.
His worldview trembled.
CP0 turned sharply.
"What are you standing there for?"
"Sink that ship. I will not repeat myself."
"Yes— Yes, sir!"
After what they had just witnessed, none dared resist.
Four or five warships quickly rotated their cannons toward the Revenge.
"On my command!"
"Aim!"
"Fire!"
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
Dozens of cannonballs tore through the air.
If even half struck their target—
The Revenge would be obliterated.
On the Revenge
"CP0 attacking the Marines? Aren't they allies?"
Roger looked at the incoming cannon fire, puzzled.
Rono's voice was cold.
"Isn't that how the World Government operates?"
Both had sensed everything through Observation Haki.
CP0 attacking a Vice Admiral.
Massacring young Marines without hesitation.
Dogs of the Celestial Dragons behaved no differently from their masters.
Like master, like hound.
"Cold-blooded bastards…"
Though Roger stood on a different side from the Marines, he despised those who turned on their own.
The cannonballs arrived.
A low hum resonated—
An invisible force expanded outward from Rono.
The cannonballs were shoved dozens of meters off course before detonating mid-air.
Roger clicked his tongue.
"Damn it. You beat me to it."
"Soru."
Rono vanished from the deck.
On the Tribute Fleet
"Re-report…! The cannon fire… missed!"
A Marine stammered.
"Useless trash. You can't even hit a ship?"
CP0 sneered.
"Fire again."
"Yes!"
The Marines loaded fresh shells.
But the expected thunder never came.
"What are you idiots doing? Have you forgotten how to fire a cannon?"
Then—
Something felt wrong.
"…Wait."
One CP0 agent's voice shifted.
"What is this?"
"Who—?!"
"When did this happen?!"
They looked down.
Across the massive deck—
Marines and crew lay collapsed.
White eyes.
Foam at their mouths.
Unconscious.
The leader's voice dropped.
"…Conqueror's Haki."
"And it happened right under our noses."
"In East Blue…?"
The other CP0 agents felt the pressure too.
Those born with Conqueror's Haki carried the disposition of kings.
This was Heavenly Tribute.
If it were seized—
They would not die quickly.
As CP0, they knew exactly what happened to those who failed the Celestial Dragons.
It was a fate worse than death.
Yet they were CP0.
In the instant they realized an enemy was present, they formed a defensive stance.
Back to back.
Scanning.
Watching.
"There!"
A lone figure stood on the deck.
Amid a sea of unconscious bodies—
He stood out.
"…It's a kid."
They hesitated.
Rono was only seventeen.
Around 1.9 meters tall — but nothing extraordinary in build.
And yet—
He possessed Conqueror's Haki?
"Dogs of the Celestial Dragons."
Rono's eyes were bloodshot.
"Tell me where the Celestial Dragons in East Blue are."
"I might let you live."
His usual composure was gone.
Seeing CP0 reignited everything.
His parents' deaths flashed in his mind.
Rage surged uncontrollably.
The Celestial Dragon who killed them could not have gone far.
"Rono…"
Roger, approaching from behind, sensed the shift.
He's different.
"Lowly commoner!"
"You dare ask about the gods?"
"Kneel. Submit. Perhaps a few years as a slave in the Holy Land will cleanse your sins."
The CP0 leader lashed out with Finger Pistol.
The word—
Lowly.
It snapped something inside Rono.
"Soru."
He vanished.
Reappeared directly in front of the man.
"Armament — Infusion."
Advanced Armament Haki coated his arm.
"Die."
"Iron Body — Steel!"
The CP0 leader hardened instantly.
Rono did not hold back.
He poured everything—
Strength.
Haki.
Rage—
Into one strike.
BOOM.
The impact launched the CP0 leader backward.
His chest collapsed inward.
Bones shattered audibly.
Blood sprayed.
His organs ruptured from internal displacement.
He hit the deck—
And died instantly.
The remaining three CP0 agents felt their scalps go numb.