Demon Slayer Virgil [Isekai One Piece]

"Creator? Descendants? That piece of fucking trash? Don't make me laugh! That guy is nothing but a parasite on this world!"

Zavia's voice was chilling, his words dripping with barely contained fury despite the low volume.

"Wh-What...!"

The knight froze, his hands trembling. He was clearly shaken by Zavia's audacity, having never witnessed anyone dare speak such words before a Celestial Dragon.

"You... You dare call me a parasite! You lowly human, don't get cocky! Seize him! I'll make him suffer!" Charlos, ever the picture of arrogance, remained unfazed, though his face contorted with rage at being called a parasite.

This reaction was hardly surprising. Since ancient times, the Celestial Dragons had been treated as gods, their authority unquestioned. In their eyes, humans were mere playthings, insects to be squashed at whim.

Adding to their arrogance was the knowledge that any threat to their person would be met with swift and brutal retribution by the Marines, often involving an Admiral dispatched to deal with the offender. Thus, few dared to challenge them, even powerhouses like Rayleigh opting to avoid conflict whenever possible.

Roused by Charlos's command, the knight guards snapped out of their stupor. However, instead of rushing to apprehend Zavia as ordered, they merely stood there, frozen in place.

Witnessing this, Zavia inwardly scoffed.

(Just as I expected, a bunch of useless pawns.)

Many assumed the World Nobles' bodyguards to be formidable warriors. In reality, nothing could be further from the truth.

The Celestial Dragons primarily resided in Mary Geoise or the Sabaody Archipelago, areas heavily controlled and patrolled. Their "noble" status ensured most individuals, even pirates, would cower before them, either out of genuine fear or simply to avoid unnecessary trouble.

Consequently, these bodyguards rarely saw any real combat. Their days were spent indulging in leisure, only occasionally needing to put on a show of force alongside their "masters."

However, Zavia had shattered their illusion of security by slaying Disco right before their eyes. This display of brutality was beyond their comprehension, accustomed as they were to mere scuffles and intimidation tactics.

"Hey! What are you doing?! Don't defy my orders! You lowly scum! Seize him!" Charlos bellowed, enraged by his guards' inaction.

The knights flinched at his outburst, then took deep breaths, raising their spears with a look of grim determination, as if prepared to die alongside their charge.

"Quickly! The culprit is inside! Priority is to ensure the safety of the Celestial Dragon!"

Shouts erupted from outside as a swarm of Marines flooded into the auction house. Some took positions with rifles aimed at the entrance, others formed a protective circle around Charlos, while another group emerged behind Zavia.

The reinforcements meant to safeguard the Celestial Dragon had finally arrived. The delay was likely due to the panicked nobles fleeing the scene, Zavia surmised.

"Saint Charlos! Have no fear! We will apprehend the criminal!"

A Marine commander strode forward, his face a mask of confident assurance, his voice laced with a hint of excitement. His motives were transparent. Successfully rescuing a Celestial Dragon would undoubtedly earn him significant rewards and recognition.

"Hmph, more small fry? Whatever, it doesn't matter." Zavia glanced around, taking stock of the situation.

(Two hundred of them, huh? How considerate.)

"Saint Charlos, please follow me this way." A marine approached Charlos, bowing respectfully.

Charlos merely grunted in response before turning to follow the marine out of the auction house.

Zavia remained still, observing the scene unfold. He had no intention of killing the Celestial Dragon. The reason was simple: doing so would undoubtedly draw the attention of an Admiral. Sabaody Archipelago was relatively close to Marine Headquarters, and an Admiral could arrive within thirty minutes.

Zavia, while powerful, hadn't reached the level of facing an Admiral head-on. His current strength placed him slightly above the Vice Admiral rank, but not quite at Admiral level. While he wouldn't hesitate to confront a Vice Admiral, an Admiral demanded a more cautious approach.

Furthermore, killing Charlos would disrupt the future storyline, something Zavia wanted to avoid for the next two to three years. While individuals possessed free will, certain events were destined to unfold. Disrupting the timeline would only bring misfortune upon himself. His objective was simply to find a reason to leave the Marines.

"All units, open fire!"

Once Charlos was safely escorted away, the Marine commander ordered his men to eliminate Zavia.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Gunfire erupted, a hail of bullets hurtling towards Zavia. For an ordinary person, such an assault would spell certain death. However, Zavia was anything but ordinary.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

The bullets ricocheted harmlessly off his body, leaving not a single mark.

"What?! It's Tekkai! Cease fire!"

The Marine commander, recognizing the Six Powers technique, immediately ordered his men to stop shooting.

"Who are you?! How do you know the Six Powers?!" The commander's face darkened, his gaze fixed on Zavia with suspicion and hostility.

"Hmm, a death inquiry? How interesting. So soon, you've forgotten me, Commander Verus?" Zavia chuckled coldly, lifting his mask slightly to reveal his eyes and a tuft of white hair.

"Forgotten you? Those eyes! That hairstyle! You... You're Rear Admiral Zavia!" Commander Verus, initially puzzled, scrutinized the exposed features and gasped in recognition.

"Hmph, indeed."

"B-But why?! Aren't you a Marine?!" Verus stammered and panicked as he looked at Zavia angrily.

"Please, spare me the formalities. The moment I embarked on this path, I renounced my status as a Marine." Zavia put the mask back on, without any fluctuation in his tone.

"Damn it! This is bad..."

Realizing the masked man was Zavia, beads of sweat formed on Verus's forehead. As a Headquarters Commander, he had access to the archives and was well aware of Zavia's accomplishments and reputation. His priority now was to ensure the safety of his men. Facing Zavia, he knew victory was impossible.

"Oh dear, time is of the essence. I must proceed with my plan."

"What? Plan?"

"Indeed, a plan. And that plan involves... killing all of you." Zavia's icy tone sent shivers down Verus's spine, the approaching shadow of death was palpable.

As soon as he finished speaking, Zavia stomped his foot and vanished from sight. A scream erupted from the left as a young Marine crumpled to the ground, his body pierced by the Yamato blade and his face contorted in agony.

Zavia swiftly withdrew his blade, a flash of silver light accompanying a head rolling across the floor, its expression frozen in a grimace of pain.

Blood splattered across Zavia's mask and stained his blade, adding to the terrifying spectacle.

"Ah!!!"

Witnessing the gruesome scene, several Marines screamed and opened fire on Zavia. Clearly, their mental fortitude was lacking.

Spatial distortions rippled around Zavia as he disappeared once more. The next moment, the firing Marines collapsed with their heads severed from their bodies.

"Everyone, stay calm! Regroup and retreat outside!"

Verus bellowed, ordering his men to evacuate the auction house. Outside, they would have access to heavy weaponry, and Verus believed that would give them a fighting chance against Zavia.

Unfortunately for Verus, he was sorely mistaken. Following the order, a marine beside him attempted to flee, only to slam into an invisible barrier.

"What is this?!" Verus approached and reached out, feeling a solid, unseen wall.

"A Spatial Barrier. One of my abilities." Zavia's voice echoed through the hall, his masked face twisted in amusement as he deliberately remained still, anticipating Verus's despair.

"Spatial... Barrier..." Verus instantly understood. Zavia was a Devil Fruit user.

The Spatial Barrier was similar to Spatial Lock in name and function. However, while Spatial Lock was a double-edged sword, resulting in mutual destruction upon breaking, the Spatial Barrier was merely a barrier, even shattering it wouldn't cause spatial turbulence.

Zavia had developed this ability shortly after discovering Spatial Lock. He wasn't foolish enough to rely solely on a suicidal technique like Spatial Lock. He needed a way to contain enemies without risking his own life.

"Now you understand the situation. With that, let the carnage begin!" Zavia swung his Yamato blade, his body coiling like a spring before launching himself towards Verus with explosive speed. He aimed for the leader first. Eliminating the commander would render the remaining marines leaderless and disorganized.

Verus, realizing Zavia's intent, paled and crossed his arms in a desperate attempt to block the attack. Yet, it was futile.

Slash!

A flash of silver light, and two severed arms, along with a head, soared through the air.

Zavia stood beside Verus's corpse, slowly turning to face the remaining marines with a cold and unforgiving gaze.