“Are all Celestial Dragons this stupid?” Kuke asked Stussy, his voice laced with disdain.

How did this group of fools manage to keep the World Government under their thumb? What kind of secret trump card were they hiding?

Stussy’s expression became uneasy.

Kuke moved closer, positioning himself behind her, his arms wrapping around her. He took her hands in his and slowly lifted them, whispering softly into her ear, “A captain has been insulted. As a crew member, you cannot just stand by.”

With little effort, Kuke seized a gun from one of the Celestial Dragon’s guards, placing it into Stussy’s trembling hands.

Standing behind her, Kuke held Stussy firmly, guiding her hands to point the gun at the enraged Celestial Dragon.

“Is he really going to…?”

Stussy’s face turned pale as she glanced down at the gun in her hands.

Everyone around them froze, watching Kuke in disbelief. Could it be that he actually intended…?

“How dare you! How dare you harm a god! Are you looking for death?” The Celestial Dragon roared in disbelief, still convinced no one would dare harm him.

Years of sitting at the top, basking in the illusion of untouchable power, had long made him forget what fear was.

“No, it can’t be.”

“Not even Kuke would go so far as to kill a Celestial Dragon.”

The citizens stared at Kuke, their faces a mixture of disbelief and barely restrained hope.

“Kill him!” Ace, hidden in the shadows with Sabo, trembled with excitement. Their hearts pounded as they urged Kuke on silently.

“Would you like me to pull the trigger for you?” Kuke’s cold voice whispered into Stussy’s ear, his tone that of a devil’s whisper.

A shiver ran through Stussy, her gaze fixed on the yelling Celestial Dragon.

She was supposed to be their strongest shield, yet here she was, a gun in her hands, pointing it at a Celestial Dragon.

“Captain, do you really intend to kill a Celestial Dragon?” she asked in a shaky voice, turning her head to meet Kuke’s eyes. He was so close, his face—once so alluring to her—now instilled only fear.

“What, do you think I’m playing games?” Kuke replied coldly.

Stussy felt her heart sink deeper, her mind growing increasingly muddled. Her body shook slightly as she tried to calm herself, but her emotions were too turbulent.

Kuke could tell that Stussy was no longer capable of thinking clearly, unable to discern whether or not she could resist.

She struggled against his hold, but Kuke’s strong arms held her firmly. Her strength simply could not match his.

Stussy looked around, desperate for help.

The navy, meant to be their shield, lay scattered on the ground.

Gion had defeated the Celestial Dragon’s guards with ease.

The kingdom’s soldiers, with nine-tenths knocked out by Conqueror’s Haki, stood frozen, turned to stone by Hancock’s powers.

“The captain’s orders are clear—anyone who helps the Celestial Dragons will die,” Lily declared, her form towering over them, Hancock’s two sisters beside her, each in their enormous animal forms, cobra and python.

Ordinary citizens were left untouched, but those who chose to serve the Celestial Dragons would share their fate.

“Are you afraid?” Kuke asked, his gaze fixed on the still-hesitant Stussy.

Stussy’s laugh was hollow, tinged with desperation. “Captain, do you hate me? Why must you make me do this? Everyone knows that harming a Celestial Dragon will summon an admiral. If they die, the Navy will never forgive them. I can’t bear that burden.”

“If you hate me, I can leave,” she added, her eyes filling with unshed tears.

The queen was crying.

“No,” Kuke said. “If the Navy comes after you, they’ll have to go through me first. As long as I’m alive, none of you will die.”

Stussy looked at him, her heart pounding.

“I…”

Kuke moved her finger to pull the trigger.

Bang!

A bullet tore through the air, striking the Celestial Dragon square in the chest.

“You filthy commoners… How dare you…” The Celestial Dragon’s eyes widened in shock as blood blossomed across his chest.

With a dull thud, he crumpled to the ground. Every soul present felt an intense shock reverberate through them.

He was dead.

Really dead.

He died right before their eyes.

“Nicely done,” Kuke said, releasing Stussy and patting her gently.

“To the former slaves: Run, flee to the farthest reaches of the sea!” Kuke’s voice echoed through the port, and then he looked towards the citizens.

“As for you, don’t be afraid. This is the hometown of the Navy hero Garp. If Garp can’t even protect his own home, then what are you hoping for? Use every ounce of your strength to make this era even more chaotic!”

“Let’s go!”

Kuke waved his arm, his coat billowing in the wind.

“Yes, Captain!”

Hancock hurried after Kuke, her smile playful and charming.

“I wonder which admiral will be sent to chase us down this time. I’m looking forward to it,” Lily said excitedly, stomping her feet.

“Captain, wait for us!”

Kerra rushed to catch up with Kuke.

“What’s wrong?” Gion asked, standing before the still-stunned Stussy.

“I… I killed a Celestial Dragon,” Stussy’s voice wavered.

“The Queen of the Street of Joy has joined the Sun and Moon Pirates.”

“What a majestic queen, personally killing a Celestial Dragon.”

“I wonder if the queen accepts admirers.” Admiration and affection shone in the eyes of all the men present.

Stussy’s face grew paler.

“I didn’t… Please don’t misunderstand… It wasn’t me; Kuke forced me to pull the trigger. I couldn’t resist.”

“Kuke’s methods might seem rough, but considering our circumstances, it was the only way for him to trust you completely. Please understand,” Gion explained on Kuke’s behalf.

Stussy’s smile was bitter. “But this…”

“Don’t worry. Even if there is danger, Kuke and I will always be at the forefront,” Gion assured her, a confident and reassuring look in her eyes.

At that moment, Gion seemed more like a queen than Stussy ever had.

“Let’s go.” Gion took Stussy’s hand and followed after Kuke and the others.

Stussy’s lips trembled as she stared at Kuke’s back, walking ahead, casually chatting with Hancock and the others as if nothing had happened.

Yet she had been dragged into this mess.

Little brother…

I was wrong about you—you are nothing but trouble.

…

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep