HST: Chapter 52/53

Chapter 52: Doesn't Matter

On the Marine warship, Vice Admiral Momonga looked through a telescope toward the port.

"They've already landed. Let's head over as well."

He was about to lower the telescope when he caught sight of a tattered flag bearing a scratched smiley face.

"Wait, that symbol…"

"The mark of the Donquixote Family?!"

"In other words, the pirate here is Bellamy, an affiliate of the Donquixote Family!"

Vice Admiral Momonga's pupils shrank. His heart sank with realization.

Based on the flare earlier and the pirate flag, he had quickly put the pieces together.

It was Bellamy who was planning to attack Caelan!

"No, I have to intervene."

Momonga wasn't concerned that Caelan would lose to Bellamy. He was worried that this would draw Caelan into direct conflict with Doflamingo.

With the potential Caelan had already demonstrated and his actions aligned with justice, Momonga couldn't bear to see him cut down so early.

As a Vice Admiral of the Navy, he was fully aware of the strength among the Warlords of the Sea.

Crocodile was mostly a show-off with his Devil Fruit. His Haki was much weaker than Momonga's.

But Doflamingo was different. His Devil Fruit had awakened, and he possessed all three types of Haki at a formidable level—far stronger than Crocodile.

"Even if he defeated Crocodile, it's still too soon to face Doflamingo!"

Looking at the nearby port, Momonga muttered with worry.

Soon, Vice Admiral Momonga led a group of Marines to approach Caelan's location.

…

At the port, Caelan and his crew stood across from the group of pirates led by Bellamy.

"What, are you in such a rush to give me more bounty money?"

Caelan narrowed his eyes, speaking with calm indifference.

He had expected only Bellamy's crew, but Bellamy had managed to gather a small army of pirates.

No matter. The appetizer just got a bit bigger.

"Looks like you still don't understand your situation. You're already surrounded, yet you're still putting on an act."

Bellamy sneered at Caelan's relaxed attitude.

He had over a hundred pirates behind him, many of them worth tens of millions. It was the combined might of Mock Town.

He couldn't imagine how Caelan could do anything about it alone.

"Yeah, there's a whole bunch of us! Are you scared?"

Roshio shouted arrogantly, as if he hadn't been trembling in the tavern just earlier.

Now that he was hiding behind Bellamy and all the others, his courage returned.

"That's right! We're not afraid of you!"

"Today, we'll teach you what real power looks like!"

The other pirates jeered and shouted, trying to act tough.

But as they looked into Caelan's calm, unwavering eyes, it felt like they were staring into a bottomless abyss.

Their threats rang hollow, like bleats from a cornered lamb.

"Your clown show is amusing, but honestly, your bounties are more interesting."

Caelan's tone was flat and expressionless.

"You're still putting on a front? What can you possibly do against all of us?"

Bellamy crossed his arms and scoffed.

Over a hundred men stood behind him. Many had bounties exceeding ten million. Even facing two of them was a challenge for most.

Caelan didn't respond. He didn't even glance at Bellamy.

Bellamy gritted his teeth, just about to retort.

Boom!

A powerful wave of energy erupted from Caelan, and arcs of terrifying purple-black lightning crackled across the eastern part of Jaya Island like serpents gone wild.

In an instant, most of the pirates collapsed as if their skulls had been struck, unconscious on the ground.

Only Bellamy was still barely standing, sweat pouring down his face as he stared at Caelan in horror.

…

"Hahaha, looks like we have a winner!"

Blackbeard, observing from the shadows, laughed hoarsely, his gaze locked on Caelan.

No wonder he had defeated Crocodile. This man was truly dangerous.

"He has Conqueror's Haki… He really can't be allowed to clash with Doflamingo now."

Vice Admiral Momonga, having just arrived, felt the overwhelming presence and became more resolute.

Caelan had potential beyond measure and was still close to the Navy. He could become the first emperor-level figure on good terms with the Marines. They couldn't afford for him to become Doflamingo's enemy yet.

…

"H-How is this possible? He has the same Conqueror's Haki as Doflamingo-sama?!"

Bellamy stammered as he watched the fallen pirates all around him.

The forces he'd worked so hard to assemble were wiped out in an instant.

"Thanks for gathering them for me. Saves me a lot of trouble."

Caelan smiled mockingly as he looked at Bellamy.

"I'm not done yet!"

"I'm going to join the Donquixote Family and help usher in Doflamingo-sama's new era! I won't fall here!"

Bellamy's eyes burned with madness as he roared defiantly.

Even if Caelan had Conqueror's Haki, Bellamy still had his Devil Fruit. That might be enough.

The next moment, his legs transformed into springs, and he launched into the air, bouncing between buildings as he gathered kinetic energy.

"Spring Hopper!"

Bellamy's speed increased rapidly. He became a blur, bouncing around at high velocity.

As his momentum peaked, he dove straight toward Caelan with terrifying force, the wind howling behind him.

"Die!!"

Bellamy's eyes gleamed with excitement and bloodlust. He was sure of his victory.

This was his ultimate technique. He had crushed many foes with it—and this time would be no different.

Fast. Fierce. But ultimately meaningless.

Caelan sighed and casually threw a punch.

Bang!

In the blink of an eye, his fist slammed into Bellamy, sending him crashing into the ground.

The high-speed blur that couldn't even be tracked just moments ago now lay embedded in the dirt like a lifeless dog.

Vice Admiral Momonga arrived moments too late and looked at the scene with a deep frown.

He had still been too slow.

"Caelan, you shouldn't have hit him! He's one of Doflamingo's men!"

Momonga shouted at Caelan, his tone urgent.

Why was this man so reckless? With that much talent, he should focus on growth before provoking the strong.

"Doflamingo? Doesn't matter."

Caelan replied casually, completely unfazed.

Even Doflamingo didn't scare him?

Momonga looked at Caelan, stunned.

This wasn't arrogance. This was exactly how someone like Kaido used to act.

In that moment, Momonga understood.

True strength wasn't born from hesitation, but from pressing forward like Caelan was doing now.

Blackbeard, still watching from the shadows, was equally shaken.

"Haha… What a monster. He's got the same presence as that old man, Whitebeard."

Blackbeard stared long and hard at Caelan, committing his face to memory.

To have trained such spirit and strength in just the first half of the Grand Line...

It wouldn't be long before another emperor appeared in the New World.

Without hesitation, Blackbeard turned and quietly left.

Until he obtained his Devil Fruit, he would never face Caelan. It simply wasn't worth it.

(To be continued.)

Chapter 53: Departure To Sky Island

At night, in Mock Town, at a tropical hotel.

"Caelan, I'm convinced!"

Vice Admiral Momonga raised his glass and toasted Caelan sincerely.

As a vice admiral who upheld justice, he had feared Doflamingo and didn't even dare act against a minor pirate like Bellamy.

Yet, as a bounty hunter, Caelan had outright ignored Doflamingo's threats and acted without hesitation.

In comparison, Momonga felt ashamed. He deeply admired Caelan's courage.

"Thank you, Vice Admiral Momonga. Please take those pirates with you."

Caelan raised his glass and clinked it with Momonga's.

He still had a favorable impression of Momonga's kind warning from earlier.

"No problem. The bounty will be delivered tomorrow morning!" Momonga promised generously, then added with some concern, "But if you hand Bellamy over to us, you'll truly be making an enemy of Doflamingo."

"That's nothing to be afraid of. It's better if he comes straight to us!"

Caelan replied nonchalantly, his expression relaxed.

"Alright then, bold and unyielding! Let's drink more!"

Momonga was increasingly impressed. The more he interacted with Caelan, the more he felt that the man had a natural aura.

Caelan clinked glasses and downed the drink in one gulp.

Tashigi looked at Caelan drinking with Momonga.

This kind of unrestrained justice was exactly what she pursued, delivering justice without fear.

During the banquet, Nami and the others were also in high spirits, eating and drinking happily.

The next morning, Momonga had already left with all the captured pirates, and the full bounty of 160 million Berries was delivered to Caelan.

Afterward, Caelan and the crew headed to the west coast of Jaya Island to seek help from Mont Blanc Cricket.

…

On the west coast of Jaya Island, in front of Cricket 's cabin.

"I'm sorry! I haven't been a pirate in a long time! Please don't catch me!"

Cricket looked at Caelan and the others, trembling in fear.

Beside him, a human ape and a gorilla clung to each other, shivering in terror at the sight of Caelan.

After seeing Caelan's dominance yesterday and the way he captured hundreds of pirates, they were understandably terrified.

Behind Caelan, Nami and the other girls covered their mouths and chuckled softly. They didn't expect Caelan's mere presence to be so intimidating—just standing there made several people tremble.

"I'm not here to catch you. I just want you to help me reach Sky Island."

Caelan rolled his eyes, clearly a bit speechless.

He didn't arrest people indiscriminately. He had principles.

People like Cricket and the Saruyama Alliance, adventurers who pursued their dreams, Caelan generally left alone unless they actively sought his trouble.

"You're not here to catch us? That's great!"

The ape and gorilla finally let go of each other, visibly relieved.

"A strong man like you actually believes in Sky Island!"

Cricket was stunned, his disbelief written all over his face.

God had mercy on him—he thought he was done for.

But not only was he safe, his long-held dream might actually come true.

Overjoyed, Cricket invited Caelan and the crew into his cabin and began to share his story.

Through Cricket's narration, Nami and the other girls learned the tale of the so-called "liar," Mont Blanc Noland.

Since childhood, Cricket had suffered countless jeers and ridicule because of Noland.

After becoming a pirate and arriving at Jaya Island, he resolved to redeem his family's name and find the legendary Golden Bell to prove the existence of the golden city of Shandora.

Unfortunately, all he had discovered over the years were a few scattered clues.

"I now suspect that the Golden City, Shandora, is on Sky Island. It may have been sent into the sky by the Knock Up Stream."

"It's a pity that Sky Island is still a legendary place, and I haven't found any definitive proof."

Cricket spoke bitterly, full of regret.

"Whether it's real or not, we'll know once we go see it!"

Nami's eyes sparkled, already picturing Berries in her mind.

Just how much would a city full of gold be worth?

"It's highly likely to be real!"

Robin pulled out two maps and compared them for everyone.

"The current Jaya Island has a missing section compared to the ancient Jaya Island."

"It could very well be that Shandora was blasted into the sky by the Knock Up Stream."

Robin's eyes lit up too. She had always had a deep fascination with ancient civilizations.

"Let's go check it out. Everything will become clear."

Caelan said calmly.

He already knew what was on Sky Island but it wasn't the time to say so.

Cricket looked at the confident Caelan, nodded, and felt a glimmer of hope.

"The only way to reach Sky Island is through the Knock Up Stream."

"According to my calculations, the stream will erupt tomorrow. Use the remaining time to modify your ship."

With that, Cricket and the apes and gorillas got to work modifying the Wind Rider.

The night passed quickly. Thanks to Cricket and the Saruyama Alliance's efforts, the Wind Rider was fully upgraded.

Not only was the hull reinforced, but it also had a pair of wings added to both sides.

"Are you really sure about this? The Knock Up Stream is essentially a disaster at sea. It's a phenomenon caused by the massive temperature difference on the seabed, and very few people survive its sudden eruption."

Cricket's expression was grim as he explained the dangers.

"It's fine. I've got the best team with me. We won't have any trouble."

Caelan looked at Nami confidently, completely unbothered.

Nami and the other girls clenched their fists in determination. They wouldn't let Caelan down.

Even Robin, normally reserved, was moved. She stared at the tightly united crew in a daze. This team... really was something special.

Watching Caelan and the others work in perfect harmony, Cricket couldn't help but believe.

Only a crew like this could have hope of reaching Sky Island!

"If you do reach Sky Island, could you ring the Golden Bell?"

Cricket looked at Caelan with hope in his eyes.

"No problem. Just wait for us to ring it."

Caelan nodded. It was just a small favor along the way.

"Then, the Wind Rider will head for Sky Island. Let's go!"

Seeing everything was ready, Caelan leapt onto the bow of the ship.

"Yes!"

Under Cricket's guidance, the Wind Rider soon reached the location where the Knock Up Stream would appear.

Just as Cricket had predicted, the previously calm sea suddenly roared to life.

A massive water column erupted, stretching from sea to sky.

Under Nami and the others' expert control, the Wind Rider precisely caught the stream. The wings on both sides of the hull deployed, and the ship soared upward.

"Then I wish you all the best!"

Cricket shouted at the top of his lungs.

The apes and gorillas beside him pounded their chests and cheered loudly.

As he watched the Wind Rider rise toward the sky, Cricket's eyes were filled with hope.

The path to Sky Island was fraught with danger. Countless people had perished along the way.

But Cricket believed in Caelan.

If anyone could do it, it should be him.

(To be continued.)