HST: Chapter 161/162

Chapter 161: You Are an Insider!

Punk Hazard.

Caelan and his group had reached the shore, surrounded by the giant children, along with the captured Caesar and Monet.

Everyone from the Wind Rider also arrived and learned what had happened on the island.

Not long after, Vergo, Smoker, and Hina arrived, leading the Marines of the G-5 branch.

The three of them led three thousand Marine soldiers toward Caelan.

Vergo's here—could there still be hope?

Caesar and Monet's eyes lit up, but they quickly lowered their heads, acting like ostriches burying their heads in the sand.

Gion looked at Vergo, a sense of unease rising within her.

So many children had been kidnapped by Caesar. Could it be that the G-5 Marines knew nothing? Even if they were incompetent, there should have been some kind of response.

Moreover, the area under G-5's jurisdiction had been oddly peaceful.

According to the annual reports submitted to Marine Headquarters, G-5's performance had been stable with minor growth, year after year.

Something's wrong. Seriously wrong.

There's definitely something wrong with this base commander.

Gion stared at Vergo with a much deeper gaze.

"So this is the legendary God Slayer? He doesn't seem as domineering as the Young Master."

Vergo muttered to himself as he looked at Caelan.

His Young Master always stood at the forefront of fashion—pink feather coat, golden shoes, exuding an overwhelming aura.

As for Caelan, dressed neatly in a black-and-white martial arts uniform, he looked clean and sharp, but far less flamboyant than his Young Master.

With just one glance, Vergo judged Caelan as inferior. Doflamingo was still the best.

Behind Vergo, Smoker and Hina were also observing Caelan, trying to see if he had changed.

"He seems much calmer than when we met in Loguetown."

Smoker frowned slightly, feeling uncertain about his judgment, but the truth was right in front of him.

The Caelan he met in Loguetown had been wild and aggressive, filled with a fierce fighting spirit.

Now, Caelan still radiated energy, but he was much more composed and calm than before.

Could it be that killing a Celestial Dragon had a calming effect on the mind?

Smoker shook his head. That thought was absurd.

Hina also observed Caelan closely.

He looked brave with an upright posture and heroic appearance, Caelan looked more like an ideal Marine admiral.

Compared to Borsalino's laziness, Aokiji's laid-back attitude, and Sakazuki's gangster-like presence, Caelan appeared far more serious.

And just then, Caelan noticed her gaze and gave her a slight smile.

Hina quickly turned away, a bit flustered as if she'd been caught peeking.

"Caelan, I've heard much about you!"

Vergo walked up and extended his hand respectfully.

"No need for pleasantries. Just save the children."

Caelan replied casually, ignoring Vergo's attempt at a handshake.

Vergo smoothly withdrew his hand without missing a beat, then turned to shout at the Marines, "Did you hear that? Go save the children!"

"Yes!!!"

The Marine soldiers shouted in unison, then began helping the giant children onto the warships one by one.

Taking the opportunity, Hina approached Gion to ask some long-overdue questions.

Smoker also wanted to get closer to Tashigi; after conversing for a while, he returned to supervising the operation.

As the Marines worked to rescue the children, Vergo casually remarked, "Isn't this the evil scientist who experimented on the children here?"

"If I'm not mistaken, this should be Caesar Clown—the one who released poison gas on Punk Hazard and forced the Naval Science Division to retreat, right?"

Vergo pointed at Caesar and feigned ignorance.

"You're sharp. That's him."

Caelan watched Vergo's performance with mild amusement.

To be fair, his acting wasn't half bad.

"After escaping, he didn't go into hiding. Instead, he returned here and experimented on children again. He deserves death!"

"If it were up to me, I'd chop him into pieces!"

Vergo added angrily, with righteous indignation.

On the ground, Caesar, bruised and swollen, glared at Vergo. Was this guy trying to silence him?

"Indeed."

Caelan nodded slightly and continued watching Vergo perform.

"That said, he's still a fugitive from the Naval Science Division. The Navy can't completely wash its hands of him."

Vergo lowered his head with apparent shame, apologizing for the Navy's incompetence.

Then, as if suddenly remembering something, he added, "Besides, he did experiments on these children. If he's involved, the follow-up treatment will be easier."

"So, what are you getting at?"

Caelan raised an eyebrow and looked at Vergo with a playful expression.

Caesar, still on the ground, suddenly looked calm. He seemed to understand that Vergo might be trying to rescue him.

"I'd like to take Caesar back. He'll face a trial by the Navy and assist in the children's treatment."

Vergo observed Caelan's reaction carefully as he spoke.

Caelan frowned. That was it? Was this guy taking him for a fool?

If not for the bigger picture, he would've slapped this clown to death right then and there.

No matter. He could kill him later.

Caelan rubbed his fingers and said, "That's it? Nothing else?"

Vergo was momentarily stunned but quickly caught on.

Thinking they were entering negotiations, he smiled and said, "Of course not. Caesar's bounty is 300 million Berries. We'll give you 600 million as a token of appreciation for your efforts!"

"Now that's more like it."

Caelan's expression eased slightly, and he gave Vergo's shoulder a pat.

That was good enough. He could kill him later and collect even more.

"As long as you're satisfied."

Vergo felt his heart clench but didn't exhale until Caelan's hand left his shoulder.

Still, the plan had worked.

Vergo felt pleased with himself, confident in his own intelligence.

So what if he was the so-called God Slayer?

He just got played.

"Shall we make the exchange now?"

Vergo respectfully looked at Caelan, a mocking glint flashing in his eyes.

"Mm."

Caelan gave a slight nod, then turned his gaze to Caesar.

Caesar looked stunned. He really thought he was about to be freed from Caelan's clutches.

At that moment, he looked at Vergo with fierce eyes, delivering his best acting performance yet.

Monet let out a quiet breath of relief. The artificial Devil Fruit project had been preserved.

"Caelan, here are the 600 million Berries!"

Vergo smiled as he handed over a suitcase to Caelan, full of confidence.

Right then, Caesar felt a chill.

As he turned his head, he met Caelan's gaze—sharp as a blade, as if it could slice him in half at any moment.

What the hell was that look?!

Caesar's heart skipped a beat, and all his survival instincts kicked in.

He realized the truth in an instant.

He and Vergo's little act had been seen through.

If he really left with Vergo, he'd probably die even more horribly.

Suddenly, Caesar understood everything.

He pointed directly at Vergo and shouted, "Caelan-sama, he's an undercover agent sent by the Donquixote Family into the Marines!"

"!!!"

Monet and Vergo's eyes widened in shock, their composure shattered in an instant.

(To be continued.)

Chapter 162: Second Level!

"Damn you!"

Vergo glared at Caesar, wishing he could tear him apart.

Monet was equally stunned by Caesar's betrayal.

What was this guy thinking? Did he really want to be handed over?

The plan had been on the verge of success. The Young Master could have avoided massive losses.

But this idiot actually jumped out and sold him out!

Vergo wanted to crack Caesar's skull open and see what was inside.

However, the most urgent thing now was to clear himself of suspicion.

"Caelan, please hear me out!" Vergo shouted. "I'm definitely not an undercover agent. He's just trying to take revenge on me!"

Vergo looked at Caelan pleadingly, his expression full of sincerity and backed by logic.

Wasn't it normal for pirates to bear grudges against the Marines?

It sounded plausible, but Caelan wasn't buying it.

"Take him."

Caelan couldn't be bothered to listen. He had known for a long time that Vergo was a spy.

Now that Caesar had exposed him, there was no need for any more nonsense.

Swish!

Caelan reached out with one large hand, aiming straight for Vergo.

"Why don't you investigate this properly?!"

Vergo roared in fury.

This guy didn't even hesitate before taking action. What a brute.

But this brute was also terrifyingly strong—someone Vergo couldn't afford to underestimate.

Vergo prepared to resist. He couldn't let someone else determine his fate so easily.

"Let me see the power of the God Slayer!"

A blaze ignited in Vergo's eyes.

He wanted to test himself against a powerhouse of Four Emperors level.

He was filled with burning anger.

"Tch. You think you're qualified to fight me?"

Caelan looked at him with disdain and struck with more force.

"Damn it!"

Humiliated by Caelan's contempt, Vergo gritted his teeth.

He covered his body in jet-black Armament Haki and raised his arms to block Caelan's attack.

But it was pointless.

The powerful physique and Haki he was so proud of were effortlessly crushed under Caelan's strength.

With a sharp pain in his neck, Vergo was lifted like a chick in Caelan's grip.

Vergo still struggled in Caelan's hand, but Caelan only sneered.

Bang! Bang!

Two heavy punches landed on Vergo's body, shattering multiple bones and severely damaging his internal organs. He could no longer resist.

"How can he be this strong?!"

Vergo was terrified, suffering a double blow to his body and spirit.

In an instant, all his ambition crumbled. Caelan's three simple attacks had shown him who truly ruled the battlefield.

He had known Caelan was strong, but not this strong.

The God Slayer name wasn't just for show.

Vergo felt bitter, but he hadn't given up entirely. He still had his loyal subordinates.

As expected, the surrounding Marines had witnessed the scene of Caelan capturing Vergo.

This was Vice Admiral Vergo, the commander of the base and one of the most elite officers among vice admirals.

They had admired his strength. But now, Vergo was utterly helpless in front of Caelan.

The legendary God Slayer was frighteningly powerful.

However, the Marines couldn't accept that Vergo had been arrested based solely on the word of a criminal.

"This is absurd. You can't arrest a vice admiral based on the claim of a criminal!"

"Even if you're Caelan, the God Slayer, this crosses the line."

The Marines were furious.

Vergo had left a perfect impression in their hearts.

He was always gentle and courteous, treating the G-5 soldiers kindly. All the sailors respected him greatly.

"The dignity of the Marines must not be violated!"

Smoker couldn't bear it any longer.

How could a base commander be condemned so casually by Caelan?

It was an insult to the Navy.

Without hesitation, he raised his seastone weapon and charged at Caelan.

"Smoker-san, calm down!"

Tashigi shouted.

She had been through a lot with Caelan and believed he must have his reasons.

Smoker, her former superior, was acting too impulsively.

Tashigi drew her sword and unleashed a flying slash at Smoker.

The slash was swift and fierce, coated in pitch-black Armament Haki.

"What?! When did she get so strong?!"

Smoker initially didn't take it seriously. He thought Tashigi was still the same as before.

But the moment he saw the attack, his eyes widened.

Smoker quickly turned into smoke and entered his elemental state.

But it was no use. Caught off guard, he was struck by Tashigi's slash.

He was sent flying and slammed to the ground, unable to get up for a long time.

He was stunned. When had Tashigi become this powerful?

Could following Caelan for such a short period cause such a dramatic change? That was Armament Haki—and even he had only recently grasped the basics.

Yet Tashigi wielded it fluently, and her swordsmanship had reached true swordsman level.

Not long ago, Tashigi had been a clueless Master Chief Petty Officer who nearly lost to a low-level pirate with a bounty of only a few million.

I was careless. I didn't dodge!

Smoker tried to rationalize it, but even if this had been a real fight, he knew he wouldn't have won.

Now he couldn't even beat Tashigi?

Smoker lay on the ground, not wanting to move.

Meanwhile, the Marines around them were stunned by Smoker's defeat.

That was Rear Admiral Smoker, a Logia user.

When he first arrived at the G-5 branch, they thought he was just a crony of Vergo's.

But then he displayed overwhelming strength and won everyone's respect. He was seen as the strongest after Vergo.

And now, he'd been beaten by a single slash from a young girl's sword.

Even if it was a sneak attack, her strength was undeniable.

It was shocking. The person who attacked wasn't Gion. It wasn't the Pirate Empress. It was just an ordinary girl.

And yet Caelan himself was already this powerful. Could even his subordinates be monsters?

But no matter how strong Caelan was, they couldn't allow him to execute their base commander without cause!

Three thousand elite Marines surged forward, ready to seek justice for Brother Vergo.

There was a glint of pride in Vergo's eyes.

That had been his plan from the start—to use them as protection against death.

Gion's expression was serious. She knew Caelan wouldn't show mercy.

But these sailors were all loyal and righteous. Killing them would be a shame.

At this moment, Caesar also realized how serious things were. He stood up once again.

"Caelan-sama, I have evidence!"

Everyone turned to look at Caesar, waiting to hear what he had to say.

"Vergo came to this island many times to trade with me. I recorded the transactions on video as evidence!"

Caesar shouted loudly under everyone's gaze.

"Damn it!"

Vergo's smug expression froze, and he looked at Caesar in disbelief.

This was the second time that bastard had betrayed him.

Vergo looked up at the sky, deeply regretting ever coming here.

Monet was also stunned by Caesar's outrageous actions. She lowered her head and remained silent.

(To be continued.)