Chapter 17: Public Humiliation

Sabaody Archipelago Square buzzed, the lingering effects of the Summit War broadcast clinging to the air. Three massive screens flickered to life, silencing the crowd. Confusion morphed into shock as the image settled: three Celestial Dragons, faces contorted in pain and humiliation, knelt before the cameras.

"What...?" A murmur rippled through the square.

"Celestial Dragons!" gasps rose as the reality struck.

"Descendants of the gods... on their knees!" Disbelief crackled in the air.

"No, they're forced to! Look at those injuries..." A tremor of fear ran through the onlookers.

"Rumors say Straw Hat Luffy, the Supernova, did this. Can it be true? The Celestial Dragons, beaten like this?"

"The world's gone mad!" Panic edged into the voices.

"He assaulted the Celestial Dragons! Made the blood of the Creators kneel!" The words ignited a spark of rebellion.

"Maybe they're fakes!" A desperate hope flickered.

"I saw them arrive this morning! How could it be a lie? Who'd dare impersonate a Celestial Dragon?" A voice boomed, shattering the fragile hope.

The square erupted in disbelief. The scene before them defied reality. Where had they ever witnessed such a scene? Many trembled, rooted to the spot.

Reporters, already buzzing with the commotion, began snapping photos frantically.

...

On the other side, the technicians managing the three large screens were on the verge of collapse. Ling Bai and his allies had commandeered the display. Though there were no casualties, Ling Bai's defiance sent shivers down their spines.

They were challenging the divine authority!

The Celestial Dragons, revered as gods - creators of this very world - were inviolable!

And now, Ling Bai and his companions reveled in open defiance.

Suddenly, Shiryu presented Ling Bai with an ordinary-looking sword, a common street weapon. Yet, the moment the sword touched Ling Bai's hand, it surged with an undeniable power - the aura of a master swordsman.

Shiryu, astonished, couldn't help but ask, "Captain, do you practice swordsmanship?"

Ling Bai chuckled, "Do you believe in innate talent?"

...

Meanwhile, the square screens displayed a scene that sent shockwaves through the crowd: a young man, standing with a raised sword, behind the three trembling Celestial Dragons.

"Is... is he going to execute them?"

"Impossible! No one dares kill a Celestial Dragon! Assaulting them is one thing, but killing..."

"The world will be forever changed if a Celestial Dragon dies!"

"There's talk of Fire Fist Ace from the Whitebeard Pirates being publicly executed soon..."

"Who is this kid? How can he dare to threaten Celestial Dragons? Where are the Admirals? Why aren't they rescuing them?"

"Aren't Celestial Dragons just glorified humans? Shouldn't we be cheering?"

"Sshh! Keep it down!"

...

The pressed cold blade against Roswald's neck, sending shivers down the Celestial Dragon's spine. Begging Ling Bai for mercy had left his throat raw, but the pirate captain remained unmoved. The damn Admiral still hadn't shown his face!

Just as the demon was about to strike, a question hung heavy in the air: why attack Celestial Dragons?

The answer eluded the terrified family.

"Please, let us go..."

"Please..."

Facing execution, the Celestial Dragons clung to the slimmest hope. The live broadcast exposed their fear, transforming them into cornered beasts under the scrutiny of the lowly masses. But survival was paramount. As long as they returned to the holy land of Mariejois, their lofty status would be restored.

"Celestial Dragons... are they pigs?!" Ling Bai's voice pierced the tense silence. The entire square held its breath, anticipating the storm to come.

"Celestial Dragons are pigs!"

"Celestial Dragons are pigs!"

"Celestial Dragons are pigs!"

Desperate to appease Ling Bai, Charlos, the first to speak, yearned for his luxurious life in Mariejois - the beautiful wives, the lavish lifestyle. Torture at Ling Bai's hands was pure hell. All he craved was survival. Dignity mattered little. Once back in Mariejois, he'd unleash the World Government's forces, blinding those who witnessed his humiliation! Those women would be his slaves once again!

Lost in a twisted fantasy of revenge, a trail of snot dripped from Charlos' nose, a grotesque contrast to his delusional visions of grandeur.

"That's right! Celestial Dragons are all pigs!"

"Celestial Dragons are pigs!"

The chants echoed through the square, a powerful symbol of rebellion.

Shalulia, the Celestial Dragon, spat out a torrent of insults, hurling abuse at her entire race for the sake of survival. But did she truly need to stoop so low?

Just look at her! Ling Bai had backhanded her, shattering half her teeth and pulverizing her jaw. Now, her words came out slurred and bloody.

Roswald, wide-eyed with disbelief, couldn't believe his children readily admitted their lineage to be that of swine. Yet, after a gut-wrenching struggle that lasted all of three seconds, he echoed their sentiment.

"Celestial Dragons are pigs!" he roared, his voice thick with humiliation.

"All of us! We are pigs!"

The crowd in the square held their breath. If it wasn't for the Celestial Dragons themselves uttering such blasphemy, how could anyone believe it?

This day would etch an indelible mark on the world. From now on, the phrase "Celestial Dragons are pigs" would become an ingrained concept, a permanent stain on their reputation.

"What now?" someone whispered. "Will they go through with it? Public execution? Can they even do that?"

Meanwhile, a storm brewed within the hearts of Kizaru, Sentomaru, and others frantically searching for Ling Bai. An emergency Marine broadcast sent them hurtling towards their destination, transformed into bolts of light.

Even Akainu, stationed over ten kilometers away from the Sabaody Archipelago, received the urgent message.

A public execution? The Impel Down escapee was planning the unthinkable! This was madness!