The Great Voyage Begins with the Celestial Dragons

"Chief Jaygolusia!"

Luther simply nodded slightly as a gesture of respect.

Although he was a junior, his status was not much lower than the other party's.

"Luther, it's been a long time since we last saw each other. I hope you're not upset that I'm bothering you."

Satan spoke with a warm, cheerful voice, like a kind old man.

“How could that be? You are a very respectable elder. The last time we met was when we were dealing with Doflamingo’s cousin’s matter,” Luther replied with a smile.

The two exchanged pleasantries, just like an ordinary elder and a younger person.

"Yes, several years have passed in the blink of an eye. I hope you won't blame everyone for what happened to Huo Minggu."

Satan looked sentimental, but there was a hint of surprise in his eyes.

Judging from his previous performance, Luther was only slightly better than his useless cousin, and far inferior to the elite Celestial Dragons.

The CP0 and Heavenly Gold shares belonging to Don Quixote had long been swallowed up by other families, leaving only some remnants.

Even the last CP0 member loyal to Don Quixote was executed a few days ago.

The newcomer, Dark, is said to be loyal to Luther, but it would be more accurate to say he is loyal to the Celestial Dragons, or even to the Five Elders.

All that was left for Luther was a facade of dignity.

But since that injury, Luther seems different.

However, Satan didn't think much of it; whatever changes Luther made, it didn't really concern him.

Don Quixote is now a lone survivor, and there's no need to pay him any more attention.

Upon hearing Satan mention Doflamingo's father, Homingo, Luther's face revealed a look of disdain:

"Uncle Huo Minggu brought this upon himself; he foolishly gave up his Celestial Dragon status."

Don Quixote Homingo, Doflamingo's father and Luther's cousin, is an incredibly naive saint, or rather, a saintly father.

Neither the original Luther nor the Luther who traveled from another time had a good impression of him.

There's nothing wrong with being kind, and there's nothing wrong with being naive.

But to be so naive as to abandon one's Celestial Dragon identity and leave the Holy Land as an ordinary person is tantamount to courting death.

Not to mention the Celestial Dragons' infamous reputation outside, even within the Celestial Dragons themselves, every single one of them wishes Huo Minggu were dead.

Huo Minggu's actions were tantamount to stepping on the faces of the Celestial Dragons and saying, "You are all trash, I disdain to associate with you."

In the end, Homingo got what he deserved. He caused his family to be destroyed and was eventually shot and killed by his own son, Doflamingo.

“Homingo deserves to die, but what do you think of Doflamingo? If you’re willing, we can make an exception and let him become a Celestial Dragon again,” Stan suddenly said.

"Doflamingo's cousin... since you've already left, why did you come back?"

Luther outwardly showed disdain, but inwardly he was cursing Satan.

There's no way Doflamingo will come back; he's a ticking time bomb.

With his current small arms and legs, Doflamingo will target him first when he returns.

According to Luther's memory, a few years ago when Doflamingo brought Homingo's head back to the Holy Land, begging to regain his Celestial Dragon status, Luther, who was only a few years old at the time, expressed his firm opposition.

At that time, Luther simply believed that Doflamingo had defiled the blood of the Celestial Dragons.

Now, Luther is afraid that Doflamingo's return will ruin his wonderful life.

Satan remained noncommittal about Luther's attitude, and Doflamingo was not the focus of this conversation anyway.

"Luther, we respect your choice. Let's not talk about that clown who was removed from the list." Satan maintained his smile. "By the way, I heard you asked the Navy for three vice admirals and are planning to participate in this Buster Call?"

“Yes, all my slaves are dead, I need to get some more,” Luther said, feigning dissatisfaction.

"That's a bit too few, but those lieutenant generals are very important. You can replace a few of them."

Satan nodded in understanding, but his words carried an unquestionable tone.

"Ah...are those few really not good enough?"

Meeting Satan's imposing gaze, Luther trembled slightly. He felt as if a thousand tons of pressure were pressing down on him, and he could hardly lift a finger.

He didn't know if it was the aura of someone in a superior position or the oppressive force brought by Conqueror's Haki.

Just by meeting Satan's gaze, he felt his mind go blank, and for no reason wanted to back down, even kneeling on the ground, afraid to move.

Damn!

Luther clenched his fists tightly, veins bulging on his face, trying hard not to look away.

Whether or not it is Conqueror's Haki, it should not be a reason for him to be forced in this way.

As originally planned...

He could bide his time and feign agreement, since those lieutenant generals were never his target in the first place.

He could also accept a quid pro quo, receiving some other compensation in return.

But he would never accept being forced like this from the start...

Whether it was due to the influence of Luther's memories as a Celestial Dragon, Luther felt as if a flame was about to burst forth from his chest.

He may not have the strength of an admiral, but he's still the patriarch of the Don Quixote family!

Clenching his teeth, he raised his head with a ferocious expression, his crazed eyes meeting Satan's majestic gaze.

boom!!!

A powerful aura burst forth from the point where their eyes met. Apart from the two people clashing, everyone else's minds went blank for a moment, and the three little mermaids in the corner even fainted.

The CP0 members reacted quickly, returning to normal in less than a second, but their gazes toward Luther became much more serious, even showing surprise.

"Conqueror's Haki?!"

Satan's eyes narrowed slightly, and he whispered Luther's current state.

"Is this Conqueror's Haki...?"

Luther's eyes met Satan's without flinching. At this moment, he exuded a domineering aura, more like a qualified Celestial Dragon patriarch than before.

He was slightly surprised.

Although I knew the Celestial Dragons were quite talented, I didn't expect them to activate Conqueror's Haki so easily.

Having Conqueror's Haki also relieved Luther.

Conqueror's Haki, aside from anything else, is at least a ticket to becoming a strong person.

Having both status and potential was enough to reassure Luther considerably.

“Luther, we need the Navy to maintain the stability of the seas. Those vice admirals are all very important candidates. You can choose any other person, or even a few of the newly trained CP0 officers.”

Satan's voice was much calmer than before, and he no longer had that domineering tone.

Given Luther's abilities, he already deserved to be treated with respect.

The completely different treatment, ironically, made Luther understand everything...

In this world, status is ultimately earned through one's own efforts.

"Forget it, I don't need the CP0 people. Apart from those leaders, I can choose some vice admirals or lower from the Navy, right?" Luther said.

CP0 was all trained by the Five Elders, and he didn't want it; one Dark was enough.

Regarding the Celestial Dragons as a whole, CP0 can be trusted.

But if it were Luther and Satan facing off, he believed CP0 would definitely not help him.

A few hours later, holding a special Den Den Mushi that only the patriarch of the Celestial Dragons could possess, Luther watched Satan's departing figure with a complex expression.

He didn't want to be trampled on, even if that person was also a Celestial Dragon.

It seems that while I'm usually enjoying life, I've also gained a goal worth spending time on...

Chapter 4 First Encounter with Akainu

a few days later.

Inside a bubble cable car rapidly descending from the Red Line, Admiral Candidate and current Vice Admiral Sakazuki frowned as he scrutinized the boy before him.

Luther was very different from the Celestial Dragons he had ever seen. Not to mention his overly well-proportioned physique, his eyes were also more expressive, unlike the other spoiled Celestial Dragons who were foolish and idiotic.

At the same time, Luther did not wear the protective shield that would offend ordinary people; instead, he wore a well-fitting white suit, looking like a dashing young nobleman.

But when he looked into the eyes of this young nobleman, he could sense the domineering nature deep within Luther's eyes.

Sakazuki had the privilege of meeting the Five Elders once, and in his opinion, Luther resembled the Five Elders and fit his imagination of the Celestial Dragons' patriarch.

"Lieutenant General Sakazuki, are you curious about me?"

Luther put down today's newspaper with a warm smile on his face.

He left the Holy Land of Mary Geoise this time to participate in the Navy's Buster Call.

And Sakazuki, who is standing in front of him, will be responsible for his security.

The other party is a vice admiral known as a monster, and becoming a naval admiral is a foregone conclusion.

Sakazuki is a full 3 meters tall, about the same height as Luther, who has Celestial Dragon genes. His crimson suit cannot hide his muscular build, and a navy cap covers half of his face. Even just looking at his exposed face, he exudes the aura of a tough soldier.

Luther knew that the other party would become the Fleet Admiral of the Navy in the future, and his strength was no weaker than that of the future Four Emperors of the Sea.

"Your Highness, you are very special!"

Sakazuki seemed a little awkward when he spoke honorifics, which showed that he was not used to dealing with the Celestial Dragons.

For the sake of justice, Sakazuki knew that sometimes compromise was necessary.

To be promoted to admiral, the most important thing is not strength, but being prepared to protect the Celestial Dragons.

The Navy is the face of the World Government, while the Celestial Dragons are the controllers of the World Government; the two are interdependent.

Sakazuki doesn't care about protecting the Celestial Dragons; what he cares about is whether his own sense of justice can be upheld.

He would rather eliminate all pirates than the Celestial Dragons.

"I've always felt that I'm special."