HST: Chapter 115: Flame

“Nami, Moria, go take care of those little things,” Caelan instructed with a wave of his hand.

“No problem, leave it to us!” everyone responded in unison, then charged toward the approaching army of hundreds of beasts.

“Caelan, why is Nami going? Isn’t that a little reckless?”

The others didn’t seem worried, but Nojiko grew anxious when she saw Nami rushing forward.

He didn’t know much about the others. They might be powerful fighters, but Nami—just two and a half months ago—couldn’t even defeat one of Arlong’s officers!

“Don’t worry. They’re more than enough. Nami isn’t the same as before,” Caelan said calmly, even with a hint of amusement.

This group included two Mythical Zoan users, a Logia-type Devil Fruit user, a Marine Vice Admiral candidate, and a Warlord of the Sea at full strength.

It wasn’t an exaggeration to say this team could already serve as the core force of a Yonko crew.

Compared to the Beasts Pirates’ lineup with the All-Stars and the Tobiroppo, Caelan’s team still needed to grow.

But compared to the Big Mom Pirates, who only had Katakuri holding the line, they were undoubtedly in a much better position.

“Okay then…”

Seeing Caelan so confident, Nojiko could only watch Nami and the others anxiously, but what followed was a shocking surprise.

Nami summoned thunderclouds, unleashing golden lightning. Gion swung the Supreme Grade sword Konpira, cutting through enemies. Tashigi, in her Nekomata form, and Vivi, transformed into a Garuda, joined the assault. Perona, wielding the power of the Ghost-Ghost Fruit, and Gecko Moria…

Each one was like a tiger entering a flock of sheep. Those towering seven- or eight-meter-tall ferocious beasts were reduced to helpless lambs, with no ability to resist.

“They’re so strong…”

Nojiko was stunned, her rosy lips parted in awe.

She never imagined that these seemingly gentle girls were actually this powerful.

Nami, too, had changed completely. She was no longer the weak girl she once was.

“I told you, just trust them,” Caelan said casually, clearly unsurprised.

With a lineup like this, dealing with a horde of beasts was child’s play.

Even if the Flying Pirates came—excluding the Golden Lion—they wouldn’t pose a challenge.

“Yeah!”

Nojiko nodded repeatedly, fully convinced now.

But at the same time, she couldn’t help but feel curious.

If Caelan’s subordinates were this strong… just how powerful was Caelan himself?

Nojiko looked at Caelan, her beautiful eyes sparkling with curiosity.

Ten minutes later.

The group had wiped out all the beasts. Even the ones that tried to flee met the same fate—none escaped death.

The villagers looked at the corpses of the beasts scattered across the island and the unharmed warriors standing tall.

In just ten minutes, the monster crisis that had plagued them was completely resolved.

…

Up on the floating island.

“Where the hell did those people come from? Is this some Yonko crew?”

Golden Lion gritted his teeth as he stared at the slaughter below.

What had been a perfectly set-up situation had been completely ruined by a sudden group of intruders.

And their strength… was absurd.

Compared to the pathetic grunts on his side, the contrast was embarrassing.

Any one of them could probably take out all of his officers alone.

Even the mutant beasts he’d placed so much hope in had turned out to be worthless against them.

“Boss… those people seem to be from the God Slayer, Caelan,” Indigo said, his voice trembling.

Behind him, the two thousand pirates were all pale, their faces filled with fear.

Clearly, they had heard of Caelan’s reputation.

A man worthy of being called an emperor. Even more terrifying than the old and half-crippled Golden Lion.

“So it’s that brat… why is he targeting me?” Golden Lion’s face darkened.

His mood was extremely sour.

The only reason he sped up his operation was because Caelan had injured two admirals and Garp, temporarily easing the World Government’s pressure.

He’d even felt a bit thankful toward the younger man.

But now, Caelan had shown up to personally destroy his plans. That was worse than the Marines sending two admirals!

“Boss, I heard Caelan made a name for himself in the East Blue. Maybe this is his hometown,” one of the crew answered cautiously.

Golden Lion’s expression became even uglier. As long as Caelan was here, his plan to destroy the East Blue was doomed to fail.

Caelan, who could take on two admirals and Garp, was even stronger than Golden Lion had been at his peak.

If Golden Lion were still in his prime, he wouldn’t be afraid of a fight.

But now, in his crippled state, he didn’t stand a chance.

“Retreat!”

After thinking for a moment, Golden Lion spoke through gritted teeth.

This wasn’t running away. It was a strategic shift.

With his Float-Float Fruit, he could go anywhere in the world.

After he finished speaking, Golden Lion activated the power of the fruit, controlling the floating island to leave the skies above the Midoda Islands.

“Boss, I don’t think they’re planning to let us go…” Indigo pointed toward Caelan below, his voice shaky.

“Why are you panicking? So what if they’re strong? Can they fly?”

Golden Lion finally regained a bit of confidence.

Now that he was hundreds of meters in the sky, even if Caelan could fly, he wouldn’t be able to catch up.

…

“The floating island is flying away?”

The villagers watched as the island drifted off into the distance, cheering in relief.

“Is that a legendary pirate? Doesn’t even have the guts to fight?” Caelan looked a bit speechless.

He had expected the Golden Lion to have some dignity as a great pirate, at least enough to come face-to-face.

But to think he’d just run away like that.

“Well, you’re so famous now, even Golden Lion bolts when he hears your name,” Nami said jokingly, rolling her eyes.

“This is bad. Now that he’s escaped, catching him will be tough,” Gion said, frowning. The flying Golden Lion could roam freely, and they had no countermeasure.

“Who said he’s getting away?”

Caelan smiled faintly. A massive surge of magical power erupted from his body.

Everyone froze in shock. The Golden Lion was flying hundreds of meters above them. How could anyone possibly give chase?

Mana Burst: Flame.

In the next moment, golden flames engulfed Caelan. The terrifying fire burst out like boosters.

A streak of golden flame shot into the sky, faster than the speed of sound.

(To be continued.)