Chapter Twenty-One: Once More—Kizaru, Aokiji, and Akainu!

Camille lifted his head to gaze at the sky, taking a slow drag from his cigarette and blowing out a few smoke rings.

“Oh, by the way, who are the current admirals now? Can someone tell me?” Camille plopped himself down lazily on the steps at the entrance of the auction house, looking completely unconcerned as he asked the question.

The navy captain across from him was momentarily stunned, not understanding why Camille would ask such a thing. Was he trying to stall for time? But stalling should be our strategy, not his!

“Why are you asking? Don’t you know?” the captain replied in confusion. News of admiral promotions was always published in the newspapers—how could this man before him not know?

“Heh, are admirals that famous?” Camille teased, taking another drag and eyeing the captain with a smirk.

Truthfully, Camille wanted to know who the current admirals were. Eight years ago, he had defeated both Aokiji and Akainu single-handedly in battle. Would either have been promoted to admiral since then? If not, the future could get interesting.

“Uh…” The captain found himself at a loss for words, almost choking on Camille’s reply.

Was this what strength was? Eight years ago, Camille had gravely wounded Admiral Kizaru, and right in front of Navy Hero Garp, no less. Was this disdain for the weak? The navy major pondered.

Camille was starting to feel bored. Why hadn’t the admirals arrived yet? Killing a Celestial Dragon was unprecedented—surely that was enough to make the World Government and Navy Headquarters take notice.

He released his spiritual sense to check on Robin’s location. Rayleigh had already taken Robin far away, and even if they were discovered, there was no way to link them to Camille. Even if they did, Robin could handle things herself. There was nothing to worry about.

“Captain, the admirals are almost here. I can already see the warships,” came the sudden voice from the captain’s transponder snail. It must have been one of the messengers waiting at the shore.

Camille heard it too. He swept his senses over the area and shook his head, muttering, “Ah, the navy really does take me seriously. All this just for killing a Celestial Dragon? They’ve sent both Aokiji and Akainu, and even Kizaru is coming. Old friends reuniting, eh? Let’s see just how strong you all really are.”

The captain’s face visibly relaxed at the news. As long as the admirals arrived, everything would be fine. Let them handle this guy—what chance did a mere captain have, after all?

...

In the distance, Robin and her group strolled slowly down the streets of the Sabaody Archipelago. Rayleigh’s home was not far now, and for the moment, the navy wouldn’t come here.

“Heh, the navy really does take Camille seriously,” Robin said with a smile, squeezing Hancock’s hand.

Rayleigh and the Boa sisters walking ahead all looked back at Robin curiously.

“What is it, Miss Robin?” Rayleigh asked, intrigued.

Robin started, then waved her hand dismissively. “It’s nothing. It’s just that Camille might be in some trouble— all three admirals are coming.” Despite her words, Robin’s face remained relaxed.

“Robin, will something happen to Brother Camille?” Hancock asked, still holding onto Robin’s hand. Somehow, Robin had even gotten Hancock to start calling him “Brother Camille.”

Robin patted Hancock’s head and reassured her, “Don’t worry, he’ll be fine. Brother Camille is really strong— even the three admirals can’t stop him. And he’s doing all this for you.” She put extra emphasis on the last word.

Rayleigh picked up on something, glancing from Hancock to Robin with a twitch of his lips. To himself, he muttered: Could Camille really be interested in this little girl, after marrying such a beauty already?

Hancock didn’t know much about matters between men and women, but she did understand that Camille had killed a Celestial Dragon for her and her sisters in the auction house, and now he was facing off against the admirals. She knew how powerful admirals were—the highest military strength of the navy. Was Brother Camille really defying the navy for her sake?

Moved to tears, Hancock couldn’t help but cry. Ah, this silly girl!

Robin realized she might have gone too far, and squeezed Hancock’s hand more tightly.

...

“Hey, Aokiji, I hear that guy’s on the island. Eight years gone, I wonder how strong he’s gotten,” Akainu said, his usual scowl in place as he sat not far from Kuzan.

Kuzan was in a foul mood, still haunted by memories of eight years ago, when Camille had effortlessly defeated ten large warships carrying out a Buster Call—including himself and Akainu. The thought of it was infuriating. Who would have thought that after eight years, Camille’s first appearance in navy sights would be to commit such a massive act: killing a Celestial Dragon! Kuzan shook his head in frustration.

Sitting off to the side, Kizaru said nothing. His eyes, however, were sharp as blades, his fists clenched tightly. Under his breath, he muttered, “Finally, I get to see you again, Elros D. Camille. I wonder if I can beat you this time…”

...

Camille surveyed the scene before him and shook his head slightly, slowly rising to his feet. Well, time to clear the stage.

“Hey, Captain, are the admirals not here yet? If not, I’m going to start making my move!” Camille said mischievously, grinning.

As soon as Camille stood, the navy soldiers felt as though a mountain had been dropped onto their chests, making it hard to breathe.

The navy captain took a terrified step back, wanting to speak but unable to form any words.

Camille blew a few smoke rings, then lifted his head. “Hmph!”

With a cold snort, it was as if a mountain had crashed into calm water—the overwhelming force of his Haki burst forth.

All around, navy soldiers began to collapse one by one. Within seconds, only a few officers remained standing, and even they were trembling violently.

Suddenly, Camille’s eyes narrowed. He looked toward a grove of trees not far away, where the sound of running footsteps could be heard—reinforcements, it seemed.

He flicked away the butt of his cigarette, took out another, lit it, and blew out a few more smoke rings, his gaze distant as he watched the incoming navy squad.

“Well, well, Camille—you really know how to cause trouble,” Kizaru called out as he emerged from behind the trees, Aokiji and Akainu following close behind.

...

“Eight years without seeing you, and the first thing you do is stir up such a storm. Are you trying to make things difficult for us?” Kizaru’s lecherous expression made Camille want to kick him.

“Oh, Kizaru, you’re here too? Those two behind you—the one with the ice and the one with the magma—so you both got promoted to admiral in these eight years, huh? Impressive,” Camille replied with a mocking look.

Aokiji and Akainu’s faces twitched at Camille’s taunt. They wanted nothing more than to slap him, but their feet refused to move forward.

“Camille, why did you kill that Celestial Dragon?” Kizaru asked, his tone turning serious. It was best to get the facts first.

Camille exhaled a few smoke rings, his eyes full of mockery. “Do you really want to know?”

Surprisingly, Kizaru simply nodded.

“Heh, it’s nothing, really. I wanted to buy something at the auction, but that idiot tried to outbid me—and then pointed a gun at me. Tell me, should I have killed him or not?” Camille smiled, watching Kizaru’s face.

Kizaru’s lips twitched violently as he heard Camille’s words.

“Well, it seems you won’t surrender, so let’s get started,” Kizaru said, tossing his cloak emblazoned with “Justice” to the ground and rolling up his sleeves.

Aokiji and Akainu stepped forward as well, standing shoulder to shoulder with Kizaru, all three eyeing Camille like hungry wolves.

The surrounding navy soldiers looked on in shock. Three admirals, all going up against a young man who didn’t look a day over twenty?

“Step back, all of you,” Kizaru ordered, glancing back at the soldiers.

Once they were at a safe distance, Kizaru took off his glasses and tucked them away.

Camille took two deep drags from his cigarette, blew out a few smoke rings, and tossed the cigarette to the ground. With a metallic ring, the Violet Emperor was drawn from its sheath.

“It’s about to begin!”

...

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