Clang————
With a crisp metallic clang, two blades met briefly before separating. Mihawk sheathed his finely crafted yet unremarkable longsword.
"That's enough for today. Your swordsmanship has improved rapidly."
Huff— Huff—
Shanks leaned on his bent knees, panting heavily as he grinned. "All thanks to having an opponent like you. Honestly, I'm lucky to have you—otherwise, I wouldn't have survived living in this place."
"This is merely repayment for you sharing stories about the Roger Pirates. Your tales have truly broadened my horizons."
As he spoke, Mihawk placed the ordinary longsword back on the weapon rack. His routine lately had been remarkably structured.
Mornings began with warm-up sparring sessions with Gion at the social plaza of Pangaea Castle. At noon, he would come to the 'Land of Gods' for instructional sparring with Shanks. Evenings were reserved for swordsmanship training under Lord Imu in the Chamber of the Moon.
In truth, Mihawk was perhaps the freest person in this Holy Land, able to go wherever he pleased without restriction.
Yet Mihawk understood deeply that such privileges stemmed solely from Lord Imu's special favor—a kindness he felt genuine gratitude for in his heart.
"Waaahhhh!"
"No! I don't want to go with you! Let me go!"
"Wuuuuh, Father! Mother! Help me!!"
Suddenly, the sound of children wailing in distress erupted from outside the estate, followed by furious, haughty adult voices shouting demands.
"You lowly Holy Guards—what do you think you're doing?!"
"Release my child this instant!"
"Insolence! This is outright rebellion! You wretched scum dare defy us?!"
"CIPHER POL! Execute them immediately—do it now!"
The shrill female voice was unmistakably that of Figarland Garling's sister—Shanks' supposed aunt by the Holy Registry. She had only ever acknowledged him once as a "bastard child" before ignoring his existence entirely.
"What's happening?" Mihawk remarked calmly.
"Nothing unusual. The Five Elders have issued an order—all Celestial Dragon children between six and fifteen must attend the newly established Celestial Dragon Holy Palace for theoretical studies and physical training."
"At fifteen, they'll face an assessment. Those who pass will undergo three additional years of advanced training."
"At eighteen comes their first graduation exam. Success grants them the 'Elite' title and freedom to enter and leave Mary Geoise at will."
"As for failures... they'll get two more chances at nineteen and twenty. But if they fail all three attempts, they'll be sent back to the 'Land of Gods'—here—to live out their days."
Shanks stood dumbfounded, mouth agape. After a long pause, he hesitantly ventured, "Uh... I'm fifteen too. Does that mean I—"
"You won't be taken to the Celestial Dragon Holy Palace."
Mihawk's gaze held pity as he looked at Shanks. "They likely consider you beyond redemption. You'll never leave this place."
"What?!"
Shanks felt extremely conflicted upon hearing these words. He didn't know whether he should feel happy, disappointed, or angry.
But he wasn't foolish—he understood exactly what "no cultivation value" meant. It undoubtedly referred to the impossibility of changing his way of thinking.
"Perhaps one day, when you fully accept your Celestial Dragon heritage, you'll have a chance to be valued by the higher-ups. After all, your swordsmanship talent is truly exceptional."
Mihawk shook his head, then turned and left the lush green clearing of the manor.
Meanwhile.
In the 'Land of Gods,' the exclusive district for Celestial Dragons, chaos reigned. Cries of anguish and shouts of fury filled the air.
Yet despite this, no one could stop the Holy Land Garrison from taking away boy after boy, girl after girl.
These Celestial Dragons from various great clans had never dreamed that the soldiers who usually obeyed their every word would dare commit such outrageous acts.
The surrounding Cipher Pol members simply stood by, motionless, turning a blind eye to it all.
All because the Holy Land Garrison carried the orders of the Five Elders!
"This is unacceptable! We must speak with the Five Elders!"
An elderly Celestial Dragon shouted furiously, "Confining us here was bad enough, but now they're taking our children? This is beyond reason!"
"Exactly!"
"We must stop them from acting so recklessly! Replace them! Replace the Five Elders!"
Celestial Dragons bearing the sacred suffixes 'Saint' or 'Gong' in their names wore expressions of rage as they began gathering in groups, marching toward the entrance gate of the 'Land of Gods.'
But the gate was already heavily guarded by squads of Holy Land Garrison soldiers, who blocked the path of these lofty World Nobles.
"Out of my way, you lowly wretches!"
"We demand to see the Five Elders at Pangaea Castle!"
"Move aside, all of you!"
Yet the Holy Land Garrison soldiers remained silent and still, their expressions hidden behind full suits of armor.
"Let them pass."
Suddenly, a commanding voice rang out. The moment it spoke, all the blocking soldiers swiftly parted to either side.
Soon, the furious Celestial Dragons saw a tall man clad in golden armor, a white cape draped over his shoulders, striding forward.
This man was none other than the current commander of the Holy Land Garrison!
"Emori!"
"Have you forgotten your place?!"
Emori calmly met the gaze of the leader—the current head of the Rosinante family, the elder Rosward Saint—and replied solemnly, "I act solely on the orders of the Five Elders."
"Regarding you esteemed World Nobles, the Five Elders previously issued a decree: any Celestial Dragon who leaves the 'Land of Gods' without permission will be stripped of their Celestial Dragon status, privileges, and all entitlements. I trust none of you have forgotten this?"
"This..."
The Celestial Dragons exchanged uneasy glances, hesitation creeping onto their faces. Emori continued, "That is why I ordered the garrison to guard the gate—to give you all a chance to reconsider."
With that, he raised his hand and issued a command to all the Holy Land Garrison soldiers present.
"Open the gates!"
The next moment, under the operation of several warriors, the massive iron gate slowly rose upward, revealing the spacious passage to all the Celestial Dragons.
"Anyone willing to risk losing their status as a Celestial Dragon may leave, but whether you can return afterward remains unknown."
At this, the Celestial Dragons fell silent, their faces pale as they stared at the tiles beyond the gate. They couldn't understand why a place they had once freely traversed had suddenly become so terrifying.
"Hmph!"
At that moment, the elderly Rosward slammed his extravagant cane heavily on the ground and roared, "I'd like to see if the Five Elders dare strip me of my status!"
With that, he strode forward under everyone's gaze and stepped beyond the gates of the 'Land of Gods.'
The next instant—
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
Three sharp sounds cut through the air as three black-clad figures instantly appeared around the head of the Rosward family. The one facing him directly announced coldly:
"Rosward Cliffland, by the highest decree of the Five Elders, you are no longer a World Noble. The position of Rosward family head will now be succeeded by Rosward Coriand."
"You will now be taken to the Holy Land's prison. Will you come with us willingly, or shall we escort you?"
High upon the Empty Throne, Imu sat loftily under the moonlight, his cold rippled eyes gazing down upon the tiny readers below.
Then, an exceedingly arrogant voice rippled through the hall like waves across water:
"Days 28, 29, and 30 are double-vote days. It is time for you to submit your Celestial Tribute!"