NOVEL NEXT Chapter 350: High-Tech Wings?
As he spoke, the figure in the sky casually tossed something down.
A metallic object plummeted from above, crashing into the ground with a heavy thud.
The World Government soldiers and CP agents on site froze momentarily. When they got a clear look at what had fallen, their expressions shifted.
It was a pair of mechanical wings—equipped with a propulsion system.
Streamlined in design, packed with intricate internal components and jet thrusters, the wings were clearly a product of cutting-edge technology.
But now, the high-tech mechanical wings were twisted and wrecked. Sparks and arcs of electricity leapt from exposed circuitry, smoke pouring out from the broken frame.
Saint Michael's face darkened.
"Looks like the North Blue Fleet really has your World Government spooked... Just one month, and you've already developed high-speed flight gear like this."
The figure let out a cold chuckle, slowly raised a hand, and pulled back his hood—revealing a strikingly handsome face, one just as charismatic as Saint Michael's.
But unlike the cultivated elegance and arrogance of a Celestial Dragon, his presence radiated wild aggression and defiant confidence. He radiated raw, unrestrained dominance from head to toe.
"Rogers Daren!"
"Commander of the North Blue Fleet!"
"One of the world's most dangerous criminals!"
"He—how did he get here?!"
"That lunatic… He killed two members of the God's Knights!"
"..."
The moment they saw his face, every CP agent and soldier turned pale, as if a freezing wind had surged up from the soles of their feet and locked their spines in place. Their scalps tingled.
Just a month ago, they had mocked him behind the shield of World Government authority, scoffing that "the Marines are just for show."
But after a month of war, the entire World Government had come to grasp just how terrifying this man truly was.
Many among them were survivors of the Mary Geoise bombing—none feared the unstoppable North Blue Fleet more than they did.
"And me too!"
The figure beside Daren grumbled and pulled off his own hood, revealing a rugged face marked with a bold red tattoo.
"Leader of the Freedom Fighters... Dragon!"
The CP agents gave him a quick glance—then turned their full attention back to Daren, their expressions still full of dread.
Dragon: "..."
Saint Michael raised his head, staring coldly at Daren.
"I'm curious—how did you find them? With their level of power, so long as they didn't show hostility, even top-tier Observation Haki wouldn't necessarily detect their presence."
"True enough..."
Daren nodded calmly.
"Those two little bugs were well hidden. Even my Observation Haki couldn't sense them."
"Your plan was to use Ginny, the Freedom Fighters' Eastern Commander, as bait—lure in the officers coming to her rescue, hunt them down one by one, and then when Dragon finally showed up, have your two God's Knights emerge and launch a full encirclement. That about right?"
At those words, both Ginny and Kuma were visibly shaken.
Especially Kuma—cold sweat broke out along his back, a chill creeping through his chest.
He understood now.
He finally understood why the Celestial Dragon in front of him—who clearly had deep knowledge of the Nikyu Nikyu no Mi—had been toying with him so casually.
He'd been waiting for reinforcements from the Freedom Fighters to arrive!
"The government's scientists did a good job, too. When developing those mechanical wings, it looks like they tried to guard against me—used advanced materials instead of metal to reduce the effect of the Jiki Jiki no Mi."
Daren gave a few light claps, smiling faintly.
"Too bad your tech still hasn't managed to eliminate metals entirely."
"I see..."
Saint Michael furrowed his brow, then suddenly chuckled and shook his head.
"Seems we underestimated you."
"But there's still something I'm really curious about..."
He stared intently at Daren.
"Those two weren't weak. How did you manage to kill them both in just one minute?"
Daren smiled, his eyes narrowing.
"You'll find out soon enough."
As he spoke, black-and-red lightning began crackling and dancing across his fists.
…
One minute ago.
Waters near the island where the World Government's official ship was anchored.
A remote, uninhabited island.
Deep inside a rocky cavern, two figures with imposing auras lounged against the damp stone wall, smoking with idle boredom.
As members of the God's Knights, each of them had been handpicked from among the twenty Celestial Dragon families—elite among elites.
In strength, talent, intellect, and disposition, they were leagues beyond those lazy, indulgent Celestial Dragons who lived only to feed off their name.
Trained and educated to the highest standards from childhood, they wore neither diving suits nor air filters like most Celestial Dragons. Instead, in a show of "kindness" and "nobility," they breathed the same air as the so-called commoners and vermin.
"The Commander must be enjoying himself by now, huh? He sure doesn't mind the hassle—coming up with a bait strategy like this himself."
The green-haired Celestial Dragon let out a helpless chuckle.
"No choice. Vice Commander Saint Figarland Garling's ambition isn't exactly subtle these days. The Knight Order's already starting to show signs of division."
The blond Celestial Dragon blew a smoke ring and frowned.
"...Even the Commander has to take things seriously now. He needs results."
"The North Blue Fleet and that Rogers Daren are too troublesome—too many checks, too many eyes. But the newly risen Freedom Fighters are a much easier target."
"As long as we get control of that woman, Bartholomew Kuma won't be able to flee. With those two as bait, we might even draw out more of their officers... maybe even wipe out the Freedom Fighters' elite ranks."
The green-haired one grumbled, "So we're just going to sit here and wait?"
The blond shrugged.
"What else? If we blow our cover, neither of us could handle the Commander's fury."
"Don't forget, for this operation, the Commander didn't even report to the Five Elders. He invoked his authority as Commander of the God's Knights, personally mobilized a warship and hundreds of elite troops, and even let that woman 'accidentally' overhear confidential intel."
"Not to mention requisitioning those flight units—still in the testing phase."
As he said that, his gaze sharpened. It was as if he triggered something—his cloak suddenly tore with a loud rip as a pair of jet-black, streamlined wings burst forth, shredding through the fabric. In the cave's dim light, they glinted with a cold, metallic gleam.
"This mission must not fail."
His voice was steely.
"…Appreciate the explanation."
Just then, a low voice laced with amusement echoed in from the mouth of the cave.
The two God's Knights stiffened, their expressions instantly changing.