"Five Elders, the Supreme ander of the Holy Knights, Howard-sama, along with Admiral Kong, arrived at the target location early this m.

  The Holy Knights and CPO agents are stationed in the surrounding seas. Although they 't be positiooo close, Saint Denis and the others, with their flight capabilities, reach the site within three hours at the test if support is needed."

  Three days ter, atop the Red Line, within the Chambers of Authority of the Holy Land, Mary Geoise, a servant respectfully reported to the Five Elders.

  "Very well. Report any updates immediately," Saint Mars responded indifferently, waving the servant away.

  The enemy seemed to possess some kind of powerful surveilnce ability. CP's iigations indicated that there might even be a Soul-Soul Fruit user in their ranks who could create various Homies to act as their eyes and ears. This time, the Woverook no ces by positioning agents on the surrounding isnds; instead, they kept supp forces at a safer distance.

  "Yes, sir."

  "What a ing little pest!" Saint Mars murmured, hands in pockets, his gaze intense. "We've uimated him."

  "I didn't expect him to be aware of even our...abilities," Saint Valkyrie added, rubbing his brow, still uled. "The moment he learned of your presence, Mars, he grew cautious."

  "Indeed." Saint Nasujuro, leaning on his Kitetsu, spoke coldly, "It appears he knows quite a few secrets. The only question is, how many?"

  "Could Mars and the others have let something slip?" specuted the blond Elder, Saint Ju Peter.

  (Note: Mars, the other Captive Celestial Dragon.)

  Saint Mars shook his head dismissively. "Those drunken fools? They probably don't even know."

  "We 't be certai," Saint Valkyrie said thoughtfully. "The Holy Knights should iigate further. Imu-sama once fought the aors of the Lunarians. It's possible that some of these abilities were passed down through their lineage..."

  At the mention of "Imu-sama," Saint Mars's expression turned reverent. "Much like how some still g to the belief that 'Joy Boy' will one day return."

  "Regardless, initiate an immediate iigation within the Holy Land. We ot risk having a traitor in our midst," Saint Saturn's eyes narrowed, his expression darkening with intense malice. "That Lunarian boy has seen too much; he ot be allowed to live."

  Their abilities were among the most cssified secrets of the Wover. For someoo even know that they could use a magic circle to summon one another was deeply troubling to the Five Elders. This power was not from any Devil Fruit they possessed but from the A Dragon of Camity, the Fire King himself—Imu-sama.

  The fact that this boy was a remnant of the Lunarians raised their s further.

  "With Howard's personal involvement, and with him and Kong w together, they should be able to hahe boy," Saint Mars stroked his beard. Even if they couldn't capture him ht, he was fident that the Devil Fruits in py wouldn't fall so easily into enemy hands.

  "He's only a Lunariao Saint sneered. "He's mao exploit a fes in our attention, but he's foolish if he thinks he toy with a goverhat has ruled the seas for turies."

  …

  At this moment—

  On the midpoint of H2 Route, on Franca Isnd:

  "It's already nine o'clock!" Saint Howard, dressed in an ornate security uniform with a gem-encrusted sword at his side, looked impatient. "Those people haven't shown up yet?"

  The Fallen Angel Pirates had repeatedly breached their agreements in the past, and he was beginning to suspect that Fallen Angel El was once again toying with them as before.

  "My apologies, but please remain patient a little longer, Saint Howard," the senior CPO agent beside him said respectfully.

  "This time, if the deal falls through again, the Wover will no longer allow itself to be toyed with!" Saint Howard said coldly. "If the worst-case sario unfolds, the Wover will officially strip Rhodys-sama of his world atus. At that point, you're permitted to eliminate him without sequence."

  "Even if it means he dies here, we 't let him leave with them again. Of course, that's the st resort."

  The CPO agent and nearby medical personnel couldn't help but feel a chill at these words. But Kong appeared ued; he thought it wiser to make the hard choice of killing Rhodys-sama rather than allowing him to be taken, uanding that the nobles of Mary Geoise would prioritize their reputation.

  "Huff...huff..."

  In the distahe massive thundercloud Hera rose into the sky, carrying El and Linlin. No one else apahem, as the uping battle promised to be perilous. Though their crew had mastered the ability te together for battle, the enemy was to, and a single misstep could lead to serious injury or eveh, making it unnecessary t everyone.

  If their assistance was needed, El would summohey had hidden marked mirrors across the isnd to allow the others to ehrough the Mirror World from a nearby sea location.

  Tied up beside them on Hera was a nobleman in a spacesuit with his hands a bound and mouth gagged, emitting muffled cries and giving off an unpleasant odor from long fi.

  "Have they arrived?" Kong narrowed his eyes, gazing at the t figure of Fallen Angel El, along with the equally tall Linlin, who stood over seveers.

  Shortly thereafter—

  The enormous thundercloud desded, and El and Linli down, bringing the captured h them.

  "Useless fool," Saint H the disheveled Saint Rhodys with a look of disdain, then turned his indifferent gaze toward El. "We o firm his identity to ensure you haven't sed him with someone else."

  "Naturally," El responded, "we'll also o examihe goods."

  Notig that the two medical personnel approag looked the same as before, El's eyebrows rose with intrigue, though his expression soouro one of calm amusement. He o Linlin. "Go ahead."

  "Mamamama..." Linlin chuckled and stepped forward. At Saint Howard's nod, the senior CPO agent opened a case to reveal the Devil Fruits within, allowing Linlin to ihem closely.

  …

  Naturally, both El and Kong maintained a sharp gaze, their aut and alert, ready to act. Even the haughty Saint Howard kept a wary eye on Fallen Angel El, unwilling to let his guard down for even a sed. Any sudden move from El—any attempt to seize the Devil Fruits—would prompt an immediate response.

  "Onii, the fruits are genuine!" Linlied after thhly iing the Devil Fruits.

  At the same time, the two medical personnel examiheir equipment, quickly firming, "Howard-sama, Rhodys-sama's identity is verified..."

  But before they could finish, El struck like lightning. His right hand twisted sharply, and uhe shocked gaze of Saint Howard, Kong, and the CPO agent, he unleashed a lethal wind bde.

  'Slice!'

  A bloody head flew through the air, while another panicked figure, eyes wide in horror, darted bato the shadows.

  "Tra—"

  The wind bde tore through a massive boulder nearby, slig it ly in half, sending chills down everyone's spines.

  "Fallen Angel El!" Saint Howard shouted, enraged, as Kong and the CPO agent exuded lethal i, ready to attack.

  "Mamamama..." Linlin cackled, brandishing her greatsword and blog their path. "I'd advise you not to make any rash moves."

  "A switcheroo with the fruit? What an amusing power..." El's aura fred as his immense Haki surged, enveloping the blood-stained figure of the captured noble pletely, making any rescue attempt impossible.

  El looked down at the shocked and furious Saint Howard, Kong, and the other personnel, sneering at the panicked medic. "Try sing him out from my grip now. Let's see if that trick works."

  Bleam