Multiversal Recruitment

Looking at all the slaves—each and every one of them covered in scars—what truly set them apart were the collars and the slave brand on their backs.

—This is... —despite her astonishment at the different races, Kaina looked at them all with thinly veiled horror.

—I know it's shocking, but focus right now. We don't have time, especially now—

An alarm sounded throughout the Holy Land. Protocols were activated. A robotic voice echoed from a Den Den Mushi loudspeaker.

—To all Celestial Dragons, this is not a drill. Sector 16 has been compromised. Evacuate and wait for your guardians —said a deep, authoritative male voice.

Salazar, now with a serious expression, stared at the dungeon's exit, which was open but flashing with red warning lights.

—They've triggered the alarm! Everyone! —he shouted, stepping forward and catching the attention of all the slaves.

—Listen! We're going to take those collars off! I know you don't know me, but I'm a slave just like you! We need to get out of here quickly! As soon as you're freed, cause as much chaos as you can and help free more slaves like yourselves!

Turning his gaze to Kaina, he nodded. She was trying to steady her breathing, pointing her rifle at the slaves while forming another bullet from her hair.

—Don't move... —she ordered coldly. Some stepped back, thinking they were about to be executed. Others decided to trust, sweating nervously but staying still.

A gunshot rang out, then another, and another. Multiple shots—each one breaking at least twenty collars. She used two especially thick bullets for the giants, but managed to free them all the same.

The collars hit the floor.

—Stay away from the collars! —Salazar shouted, and the slaves obeyed without a trace of doubt.

The collars exploded as soon as they touched the ground.

—N-No way...

—Am I free? At last!

—After all these years...

—WE'RE FREE!! —came the euphoric shout of everyone in unison, each of them crying with happiness. Even the giants sobbed like small children.

Salazar watched the scene with a smile, standing beside Kaina, who was taking it all in.

—How does it feel to be a heroine again? You don't get paid here but—

—Shut up.

—You're the boss.

Smiling slightly, Kaina looked on, happy. Her dream of helping others was coming true—even in another world, she was content with herself.

—Thank you for finding me...

Salazar looked at her, but said nothing. Instead, he turned to the entrance, hearing footsteps in the distance—this time, not just ordinary servants.

—LISTEN UP!! —he raised his voice with authority, making everyone fall silent, ready to hear their savior.

—Don't celebrate too much! We still have to reach the docks, and it won't be easy! Anyone who can fight—slaughter anything that looks wealthy! Those who can't—run, don't look back, and save anyone still wearing a collar!

Pausing to catch his breath, he looked at them seriously.

—Remember this: you're fugitives now. Criminals. Your actions won't matter—because from now on, you'll be seen as demons in the eyes of the world.

He laid out the harsh truth, causing everyone to lower their heads and grit their teeth in frustration, each and every one of them cursing the Celestial Dragons.

Turning, he faced the suited men—some armed with blades, rifles, and cannons.

He calmly walked toward them. His hand had been clenched the entire time, generating heat and sweat in his palm.

—You have no idea how long I've dreamed of blowing you to pieces. Finally, it won't just be a dream —he smiled with a hint of wildness and began a jog that quickly became a sprint toward them, the CP0 agents doing the same.

Just as they were about to clash, Salazar smiled with confidence, raising his hand in front of him.

—FIRE—!

—Art... is an EXPLOSION!

BOOM

A fireball consumed the air in an instant. Screams of pain and agony flooded the dungeon. The once-unstoppable force had turned to ash. Burned bodies lay across the area before him. Lowering his smoking hand, the scent of scorched flesh filled the air.

All the slaves behind him stared in stunned disbelief at the scorched, smoldering ruins before them.

Turning around, he looked at them all.

—What are you waiting for!? Get out there and destroy everything! —he pointed down the cleared path, stepping aside. In front of him stood massive steel doors. Silence fell for a moment until the first to move—shaking the very ground—was one of the giants.

—I respect your strength! Because of that, I'll fight beside you and lend you mine—for our freedom! —like a warrior, he smiled, probably for the first time in a long while, fist over his heart.

—I agree —the other giant smiled as well, stepping forward.

They looked at the reinforced steel doors they had been forced through—over fifteen meters tall. Both prepared themselves. Each of their steps made the ground tremble.

—We have no more chains now! —they roared in unison, slamming the same spot with a battle cry. It was enough to destroy everything. The door flew into nearby houses, crushing them—a display of the sheer power a giant possessed. Sunlight finally poured in, touching every one of them.

A ray of hope, pushing them to fight for more of that light.

—Forward! —a fish-man slave shouted, full of spirit, finally ready to be free as he ran toward the exit.

—Yeeaahh! —they all followed him. Despite their weakened states from mistreatment and starvation, they found strength from deep within, running across the rubble of the fallen gates toward the surface—ready to fight.

—I didn't know you were good with words —Kaina approached Salazar with a crooked smile, but he just stared at the exit.

—I just said what I would've wanted to hear.

Without wasting another second, he started running toward the exit, Kaina right behind him. At last, they emerged from the dungeon, witnessing the chaos that had already taken root. The giants were destroying buildings. Freed slaves were killing guards and taking their weapons.

—We have to hurry. Right now, they're sending cannon fodder to buy time until the Marines and the top CP0 arrive.

He analyzed the situation as they ran through the chaos. Dead Celestial Dragons lay everywhere—they were everyone's prime targets.

—Come —he grabbed her wrist, surprising Kaina. With a burst of explosion, he launched himself toward a tall building, landing gracefully on it—along with the sniper—overlooking the chaos below.

—We'll have to split up —he let go of Kaina, who raised an eyebrow.

—Got a plan?

—More or less, but it's better than nothing. Stay with them. Free as many as you can. I'll steal a galleon—maybe two if I'm lucky —he looked toward the distant docks, then stood and called out to one of the giants.

—Hey, big guy! —the giant recognized his voice. He was the first to step forward and knock down the gate. Turning to look at Salazar, he was a burly but malnourished man. His size still gave him incredible strength.

His beard was long and unkempt, like his fluffy black hair. Looking into his brown eyes, Salazar pointed at Kaina at his side.

—I'm going for the ships! Make sure she's protected and take her to the cells! We need to free as many as we can before the Marines arrive! Can you do that? —he asked seriously, eye-to-eye with the giant, now at equal height from atop the building.

The giant looked at them—his saviors. It didn't take long for him to show a wide smile, full of filthy but powerful teeth.

—YaiYaiYai! Count on me! I'll protect her with my life! —laughing in his signature way, he raised his hand toward Kaina, presenting it like a platform.

She looked at him, then turned to me.

—Are you sure you want to go alone?

—Someone has to. Besides you and me, everyone here is in bad shape. Our strength is in numbers. Make sure to free as many as possible —I explained. She nodded, understanding the situation, and jumped onto the giant's hand, who placed her on his shoulder.

—I'll send a signal when everything's ready—or if things get ugly. Either way, my signal means immediate retreat. Got it? —I said seriously. Both the giant and Kaina nodded.

—Good. Go!

—At once! —the happy giant charged forward with his massive body, while Kaina, focused, gave one last glance at her companion before turning her eyes to the front.

Salazar, now alone, his coat billowing in the wind, looked toward the docks, full of luxurious ships.

—Let's hope this works... —running along the rooftops, he leapt into the air, hands aimed downward but angled forward.

A controlled explosion erupted from his palms, pushing him forward a bit unsteadily.

—I need to get used to this... —small bursts of explosions pushed him forward. His strong arms were adapting little by little, until at last, he moved straight and in control.

He smiled, satisfied.

—Now we're talking...

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More stones.