Slaying the celestial!

The sudden gunshot caused Rosward Saint, seated on the giant's back, to instinctively tremble. His black-clad bodyguards immediately jumped onto the giant's back, forming a human shield around him.

Other Celestial Dragons in the plaza were similarly startled by the gunshot. Although they hadn't yet grasped what had happened, their guards had already surrounded them protectively.

In contrast, the guards of the representatives from the World Government member countries weren't as brave. They quickly pulled their representatives to find cover from any potential bullets.

The maids and musicians, though also frightened by the gunshot, stood there in a daze, watching as the Celestial Dragons' guards and the representatives took cover. In their minds, their sole duty was to serve these dignitaries. Any other actions were unnecessary. Moreover, they couldn't fathom an attack happening in the sacred land of Mariejois, assuming instead that perhaps a Celestial Dragon had fired the shot.

So even with the gunshot, the music continued to play in the social plaza.

"Gunshot?!"

The guards responsible for the security of Mariejois were alarmed, instinctively looking toward the direction of the gunshot. Like the maids, they initially thought that a Celestial Dragon might have fired the gun in anger.

However, when they realized the gunshot came from the direction of Pangaea Castle, their faces changed dramatically. Even Celestial Dragons wouldn't dare cause such a commotion in that area.

Moreover, before entering Pangaea Castle, the representatives and their guards had handed over all their weapons as required.

Thus, there was only one possible explanation: someone had infiltrated Pangaea Castle to cause trouble. Recalling the havoc Nicholas had caused previously, many guards' expressions turned grim.

Realizing the gravity of the situation, the guards quickly headed towards Pangaea Castle, simultaneously reporting to their superiors.

In the Pangaea Castle social plaza, the representatives hiding behind various covers cautiously observed their surroundings, trying to identify the audacious attacker.

Then they saw four figures in white robes with abstract masks appear in front of Rosward Saint.

"Is that the World Government's top secret intelligence agency, known as the Celestial Dragons' strongest shield, CP0?"

The representatives from various countries curiously watched the four CP0 members, who had seemingly appeared out of nowhere.

Although they had heard of CP0, they had never seen them before. Their interactions were usually limited to the logistical and intelligence sectors of the CP departments.

Rosward Saint, still confused, pushed aside his bodyguards, peering through the gaps with a puzzled expression at the CP0 members. Even the Celestial Dragons rarely dealt with these elite agents.

The CP0 leader, wearing a wind-patterned mask, raised his right hand. As the Armament Haki dissipated, it revealed a white-gloved hand holding something.

"How bold, daring to attack at this moment."

A voice filled with anger came from beneath the wind-patterned mask.

He then clenched his hand, crushing the bullet within his palm. The bullet had been aimed directly at Rosward Saint, and if not for his quick reaction, Rosward Saint would have been dead.

"A regular bullet?"

After crushing the lead bullet, the CP0 leader opened his hand, letting the fragments fall to the ground, his tone tinged with confusion. It seemed inconceivable that someone would use a simple lead bullet for an attack in Pangaea Castle, let alone without infusing it with Haki.

Clearly, anyone capable of infiltrating Pangaea Castle and brazenly attacking a Celestial Dragon shouldn't be using something as ordinary as a lead bullet. At the very least, they should have coated it with Armament Haki. Otherwise, it seemed like an insult to the guards responsible for the Celestial Dragons' safety.

"I told you to coat it with Armament Haki, otherwise that guy would be dead."

At that moment, a voice suddenly spoke up from the side.

"My bad, that's on me. But no worries, we'll just take him out in a bit."

When the CP0 members turned towards the source of the voice, they saw two knights responsible for the plaza's security talking.

"Huh?!"

"Alert!!"

In an instant, the four CP0 members guarding Rosward Saint and the surrounding guards tensed up, adopting a highly trained defensive formation. The mere sound of the voice triggered an instinctive reaction, bringing a dangerous name to mind: Nicholas!

Anyone conversing with Nicholas was also a dangerous individual. This realization shocked them and heightened their sense of imminent threat.

Simultaneously, several black-suited CP members and a few CP0 members in white robes appeared. The kingdom representatives in the plaza, though unclear about the situation, sensed danger from the sudden gunshot and the tense demeanor of the masked CP0 members.

But—this was the sacred land of Mariejois.

The kingdom representatives, all shrewd individuals, quickly speculated and felt a surge of unease in their hearts.

"Surprise, motherfucker!"

As the words were spoken, the two knights were gone, leaving only their empty armor behind. The surrounding CP0 members' faces changed drastically.

While the CP0 member who had intercepted Nicholas' bullet was still searching for him, a smiling face appeared out of nowhere in front of him.

Seeing Nicholas appear suddenly, the CP0 member was startled and instinctively tried to defend himself. But before he could react, Nicholas punched him, sending him flying and knocking down several guards who had come to assist.

Simultaneously, a fierce wind swept through the plaza.

"It's him... Nicholas!!"

Several kingdom representatives cried out in shock upon seeing Nicholas. The Celestial Dragons, recognizing the attacker, instinctively displayed expressions of terror.

They hadn't forgotten the last time Mariejois was attacked. This lawless man had returned. What did he think of Mariejois, the World Government, or the Celestial Dragons?

"Why is he here...? Quickly, get me out of here!"

Rosward Saint said in terror. He knew that Nicholas truly didn't regard the Celestial Dragons highly.

As Rosward Saint attempted to flee, he felt a cold, murderous gaze upon him. Almost simultaneously, the black-clad bodyguards and CP0 members around him sensed the undisguised killing intent.

The bodyguards trembled with fear, nearly falling off the giant's back. The CP0 members, fully alert, were already mentally prepared for death. Facing an attack from someone like Nicholas, death was almost expected.

Under countless watchful eyes, Nicholas gazed at Rosward Saint, surrounded by CP0 and numerous bodyguards.

"He's already dead."

In the next instant, Rosward Saint and his bodyguards froze. Then, several slicing sounds were heard. The CP0 members hadn't even reacted!

The bodies of Rosward Saint's black-clad bodyguards fell apart, their remains sliding to the ground. The slicing sounds were the result of blood spraying.

"Huh?"

Rosward Saint's face went rigid. As he instinctively tried to look at his own body, his entire form disintegrated, mingling with the body parts of his guards.

The CP0 members, the kingdom representatives, their guards, and the maids and musicians stood in stunned silence. Seeing a Celestial Dragon killed in the sacred land of Mariejois shattered their thoughts, leaving their minds blank.

The entire plaza fell into a dead silence.

"Ahhh!!!"

A piercing scream broke the silence, bringing everyone back to reality. The dismembered remains rolling off the giant reminded them this wasn't a dream.

 [AN- Now things are getting interesting 😈]