"Who are you…? Wait—Daemon Saint!? The Celestial Dragon!?"
King's voice trembled as he recognized the man before him.
The very same Daemon he had long loathed now stood before him, emerging from a torn rift in space as if reality itself had yielded to his will.
But King quickly forced down his fear. He clenched his fists and took a deep breath, steeling himself.
So what if it's some strange fruit ability? he told himself. Spatial-type fruits are rare, yes, but not unheard of. They're in the Devil Fruit Encyclopedia!
That thunderstorm that destroyed an island? It must've been the power of some ancient weapon. Kaido could do something like that too—maybe even better!
King repeated these thoughts like a mantra, desperate to ground himself. As his delusions grew bolder, so did the bloodlust in his eyes.
Yes, that's right! If not for that ridiculous thunder power, maybe this so-called Celestial Dragon wouldn't be that strong at all!
But even as he tried to convince himself, the hatred boiled over. He stared daggers at Daemon, red fury flaring in his eyes.
The Celestial Dragons… the ones who hunted the Lunarians… who nearly drove his race to extinction.
All of them deserve to die.
"Daemon Saint! Be careful!"
King Riku's panicked voice rang out. He, too, sensed King's spiraling fury.
"Call your subordinate—the one with the ice ability who defeated Rayleigh! This man—he's the Flame Calamity, King, Kaido's top commander!"
King snapped.
"SHUT UP!"
With a roar, he kicked over the banquet table. Flames burst from his body, twisting into a serpent that lashed out at King Riku.
"Ahhh!"
The old king screamed as the fire struck, throwing him against a pillar. His robes scorched and blistered, and his skin bubbled with severe burns.
"Father!?"
Princess Scarlet cried out, rushing to her father's side, tears welling in her eyes.
Kyros, watching from the sidelines, clenched his fists in silent rage. He'd always loved the princess from afar, but here—he was powerless.
Just like back then.
Even in the original timeline, it had taken everything he had to defeat a man like Diamante. Kyros was no match for a monster like King.
"Celestial Dragon!"
King bellowed, his sword engulfed in white-hot flame. His wings flared open, casting a monstrous shadow across the palace.
"You're here alone. That means you're ready to die!"
With a roar, he lunged forward.
"Blazing Blade: Fire Dragon Emperor!!"
The flames around his sword surged outward, twisting into the shape of a massive Eastern dragon. It screamed across the air toward Daemon, scorching the air and walls alike, distorting space with sheer heat.
Its temperature rivaled Akainu's magma. The entire palace trembled under its fury.
"Daemon Saint! Look out!"
Scarlet shouted in terror. In her heart, Daemon wasn't a Celestial Dragon. He was the only one who had stood up for Dressrosa. Their last hope.
But Daemon didn't even move.
He simply lifted a hand—and swatted.
FWAP—
The towering flame dragon disintegrated on contact. No explosion. No counterstrike. Just a gentle slap, and it scattered like ash in the wind.
"…What…?"
King stood frozen, his flames still burning around him—but he felt cold.
So cold.
He had poured everything into that attack. All his power, all his rage. He'd believed he had a chance.
And yet… Daemon hadn't even taken it seriously.
Is… is this the difference between us?
"You shouldn't lose focus during a fight," Daemon's calm voice whispered by his ear.
King's eyes widened.
"When—!?"
Daemon was right in front of him. King's Observation Haki hadn't sensed a thing. Not even a whisper of movement.
And before he could react—
Daemon's hand seized his face.
CRACK—
"AAARRRGHHH!"
Bones shattered. King screamed, flailing as Daemon effortlessly held him in place. Flames surged from his body, but they did nothing. Couldn't even singe the man's sleeve.
His strength was meaningless.
His fire—useless.
Daemon studied him like one would a specimen. Then, softly, almost regretfully, he spoke.
"You won't give me any Noble Phantasm worth collecting. A shame, really. But it's too early for you to die…"
Daemon's hand clenched—and slammed King's head into the palace floor.
BOOM—!
Amid the deafening impact, the entire palace—and even the island that housed the Kingdom of Dressrosa—trembled violently.
The terrifying vibrations and thunderous noise ripped through the night, awakening countless civilians in fear and confusion.
Inside the palace, King Riku and his closest attendants were thrown to the ground.
Panic and disbelief washed over their faces as they struggled to comprehend the overwhelming force that had just shaken their world.
"Th-This… this is the Celestial Dragon, Daemon Saint?" King Riku muttered, eyes wide as he stared at the towering figure standing in the dust and rubble.
"A pirate from the New World… a man with a bounty of 550 million… reduced to a broken mess at his feet. Just what kind of power is this?"
He wasn't alone in his awe.
Daemon stood calmly, wiping the blood from his hands. His presence was like a storm made flesh—serene on the surface, but with a violence that lingered in the air like static.
King Riku's heart pounded harder and harder, his breath hitching from a cocktail of fear and reverence.
But while the king's chest trembled with dread, his daughter's heart beat for another reason entirely.
Princess Scarlet had been watching silently from the side. Her usually composed demeanor was gone, replaced by a soft flush that crept over her cheeks, blending with her rose-colored hair.
While her father's awe stemmed from survival instincts, hers was the curious wonder of a young girl meeting a legend.
In a world where pirates ran rampant and strength ruled all, stories of heroes slaying dragons and rescuing princesses lived only in the minds of hopeful dreamers.
And now, here stood the dragon-slaying "hero"—only this hero wore the robes of a Celestial Dragon.
"Daemon Saint…"
King Riku cautiously approached the man, glancing down at the unconscious pirate sprawled before him. With a hesitant voice, he asked, "Were you… sent here to save us?"
Daemon gave a light chuckle, brushing the dust from his sleeves. "No. Just a coincidence."
It was true. He had only just awakened the ancient bloodline of the Otsutsuki and unlocked the power of time and space.
Curious about Kaido's earlier theft of Dressrosa's heavenly tribute, he decided to take a look.
And just like that, he became a savior.
"Coincidence or not," King Riku said, quickly adjusting his tone to one of deep gratitude, "you have saved not just my family, but the entire nation. Please—no matter your price—we are forever in your debt."
Daemon smirked, the corner of his lips curling playfully. "Since you put it that way, I won't hold back."
Then, without warning, he added, "Let's start with the heavenly gold. Don't forget this year's payment."
"Wh—What!?" King Riku blurted, caught completely off guard. His mouth hung open, his expression stiff with panic.
"But… but Sir Daemon!" Princess Scarlet suddenly stepped forward, eyes wide in disbelief.
"Kaido the Beast stole this year's heavenly gold! Our treasury is empty—we barely have enough to feed our people!"
Daemon tilted his head slightly, confusion painted across his face as he replied dryly,
"And how is that my problem? Shouldn't you be asking Kaido to return it? Or… are you suggesting you no longer wish to be under the World Government's protection?"
The threat in his voice was subtle but undeniable.
King Riku turned pale, his thoughts racing. So much for thinking this Celestial Dragon was different…
If it had been one of the other World Nobles, perhaps he could have tried to talk his way out. But with Daemon… this wasn't a man to be trifled with.
Suddenly, Daemon spoke again. "That aside… I saved your lives. I think that's worth something. Let's call it… 5 billion beli."
"Five… billion!?" King Riku nearly choked on the words. "We don't even have 500 million left after the heavenly tribute was stolen. You might as well just kill me now!"
Daemon laughed at the outburst. "You're poor, but…" His eyes slid toward Princess Scarlet, who was glaring at him with a mixture of embarrassment and anger.
"…you do have a lovely daughter."
The air in the room instantly changed.
"Daemon Saint, you—!" King Riku's face contorted in shock, while Kyros ( The Cuck), standing silently behind, gripped his sword so tightly his knuckles turned white.
Scarlet's expression froze, the dreamlike image she had built of Daemon crumbling before her eyes.
This wasn't the noble hero from a fairytale—this was a man of power and demand. A man who didn't ask for affection… he took what he wanted.
Daemon grinned at the sudden tension. "What's wrong? Are you unwilling? Or would you rather scrounge up the money somehow?"
His tone was light, but his eyes said otherwise.
In those eyes—one etched with the sun, the other with the moon, and between them the celestial markings of a divine being—King Riku saw no room for negotiation.
His body trembled. For a moment, he was lost in silence.
Daemon didn't press him. Instead, he stepped forward and, with no regard for propriety, pulled the stunned Princess Scarlet into his arms.
She gasped—but said nothing.
Princess Scarlet didn't resist, but her body tensed noticeably the moment Daemon pulled her close. It was clear—this was the first time she'd been this near to a man.
"Where is Princess Scarlet's bedroom?"
Daemon asked the question casually, cradling her in his arms as if she were weightless.
King Riku clenched his jaw, teeth grinding in silent frustration. Conflict danced behind his eyes.
Beside him, Kyros—the loyal commander (Cuck) of Dressrosa's forces—stood rigid, his gaze locked on Scarlet. There was pain in his eyes, deep and quiet. Regret. Powerlessness.
Then, breaking the tense silence, came a voice none of them expected. It wasn't the king. It wasn't the warrior.
It was Scarlet.
"Over there…"
Her voice trembled, barely above a whisper. Her slender hand, delicate and steady despite her fear, pointed down a hallway.
"You're not a weak girl," Daemon murmured, surprised.
Of the three people present, it was Scarlet—young, sheltered Scarlet—who had accepted her fate first. There was courage in that, however tragic.
"Do you really think… I'm worth five billion?"
Her voice was soft, uncertain. She leaned her head gently against his chest, lost in the swirl of emotions she couldn't quite name.
Daemon glanced down at her, amusement tugging at the corner of his mouth. "No," he said.
Her expression darkened.
"You're worth a trillion."
Scarlet blinked up at him, lips parted in disbelief. "A… a trillion?"
"It's an honor to be my woman," Daemon said with a smirk. "And with this, Dressrosa won't have to pay heavenly tribute for the next hundred years."
He wasn't lying. The cost meant nothing to him now—not when his strength had reached new heights. And in truth, he liked her. This brave girl with tragic eyes.
"How's that? Feeling a bit better now?"
Scarlet hesitated… then nodded, the smallest smile forming on her lips. "Mm… a little."
Daemon chuckled. "Still just a girl. Guess I'll have to teach you some things about adulthood."
He leaned down, pressing a kiss to her forehead before carrying her down the hallway toward her room.
Behind them, Cuck's fists trembled. He could do nothing but watch as Daemon disappeared with the girl he had once promised to protect.
(PS: Sorry, but I hate this Cuck)
"King Riku…"
Kyros's voice cracked. But King Riku didn't answer right away. His expression had changed—no longer conflicted, but almost… relieved.
"A hundred years…" he whispered to himself. "A hundred years without heavenly gold. The people… they'll live free for generations."
He remembered the glimpse he'd caught of Rouge, Roger's woman—alive and well under Daemon's protection.
If even the Pirate King's wife can live in peace beside him… maybe Scarlet can too.
"It's painful, yes," he said, placing a hand on Kyros's shoulder. "But think of the kingdom. I'll find you a good wife, Kyros. One that'll make you forget this pain."
And in Princess Scarlet's bedroom, Daemon fulfilled his promise—gently teaching her the truths of adulthood, in a world where innocence never lasted long.
Meanwhile, in the multiversal chat group…
Uchiha Miyuki: "What's Daemon up to? It shouldn't take this long to fuse with the Otsutsuki bloodline…"
Eriri Sawamura: "Wait, wait, what if it made him ugly?! No way!"
Kasumigaoka Utaha: "Shut up, golden-haired mutt. Don't jinx it."
Saitama: "Maybe he'll go bald. Then we'll match."
Esdeath: "…Let's hope not."
Aizen: "How shallow. Strength matters more than appearance."
Uchiha Madara: "Agreed. Handsomeness means nothing if you're weak."
Uchiha Miyuki: "Daemon-sama~? You okay over there? You didn't break, did you?"
Daemon: "…"
Daemon: "Teaching the girl some adult lessons." [Image]
The image showed Princess Scarlet sleeping peacefully beneath a silk quilt, only her head peeking out. She looked serene.
Uchiha Miyuki: "Wait—SHE'S FROM DRESSROSA? Isn't she underage in this timeline? You monster!"
Jibril: "Wait, wasn't he in the Demon Slayer world just a moment ago? How many girls has he slept with? What a magnificent scumbag."
Daemon: "…Keep talking and I'll cut off your mission rewards."
Uchiha Miyuki: "A mission?! What mission?!"
Daemon: [Image Attached]
Luo Hao: "Capture Wano? Interesting. I've always wanted to see the Pirate World up close."
Uchiha Miyuki: "Let's gooo! I want a Mythical Zoan fruit too! Leader-sis can help me upgrade it!"
Daemon: "Done."
Ding!
[Group Member Daemon has issued a mission: Capture the Country of Wano.]
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