Twilight's End A New Dawn

Chapter 15: A Shadow in the Path of a Dragon

Selene strolled leisurely through the winding streets of Sabaody Archipelago, the vibrant market alive with noise and energy. Window shopping wasn't her usual activity, but she allowed herself this brief indulgence—a rare moment of peace. Her crew was scattered around the archipelago, enjoying their week off, and she was in no hurry.

But peace never lasted long in Sabaody.

A Familiar Face in the Wrong Place

As Selene passed a storefront, something caught her attention—a familiar green-haired swordsman standing still, seemingly lost in thought. Roronoa Zoro, the first mate of the Straw Hat crew.

He was walking directly into the path of a procession led by a Celestial Dragon, one of the arrogant World Nobles. The streets around them fell eerily silent as civilians, bounty hunters, and pirates alike scrambled to kneel or duck out of sight.

Selene's sharp amber eyes narrowed. She could already tell where this was going. The Celestial Dragon's presence was a recipe for disaster. And from the unbothered look on Zoro's face, it was clear that the swordsman wasn't aware—or simply didn't care.

"Of course," Selene muttered under her breath, a small, amused smile tugging at the corner of her lips. "It had to be him."

The Celestial Dragon Approaches

The Celestial Dragon, a bloated, pompous man wearing a transparent helmet and gaudy clothes, rode atop a slave-driven palanquin. His entourage of Marines and servants cleared the street ahead, forcing everyone to bow or retreat.

The dragon's haughty laughter echoed through the air. "Make way! Make way for your superior!"

Zoro stood directly in his path, blocking the way. The swordsman's arms were folded, his expression calm but clearly uninterested in moving aside.

The crowd gasped in horror, some clutching their heads in panic. "Doesn't he know who that is?!" whispered one man. "He's going to get himself killed!"

Selene's smile faded. This was not a game. She knew exactly what would happen if the Celestial Dragon was disrespected—even unintentionally. A call to the Marines. A Buster Call. A catastrophe. And Zoro's life would end before the real fight even began.

Intervention in the Nick of Time

The Celestial Dragon's beady eyes locked onto Zoro, fury coloring his expression. "You dare stand in my way?!" He pulled a pistol from his side, his hand trembling slightly with rage.

Without a moment's hesitation, Selene stepped into the path between them, a shadow gliding effortlessly through the crowd.

"Move along, Dragon," Selene said smoothly, her voice calm but firm. "He's not worth your time."

The crowd gasped again—an Admiral intervening on behalf of a pirate?

The Celestial Dragon's face twisted in confusion and outrage. "Who dares interrupt me?! I am a Celestial Dragon! I can do whatever I want!"

Selene turned slightly, her sharp amber gaze locking onto the dragon. Though her expression remained calm, there was a cold finality in her stare—the kind that made even fools think twice. "Move along, or I'll personally ensure you leave with more trouble than you bargained for."

The Celestial Dragon paled. Even he knew better than to challenge someone like Admiral Selene.

Grumbling loudly, he waved his hand dismissively. "Hmph. I don't have time for this nonsense!" He gave Zoro a sneer before his entourage carried him away, the tension in the air slowly easing.

A Brief Exchange with Zoro

As the crowd cautiously returned to life, Zoro tilted his head, eyeing Selene with mild curiosity. "Why'd you do that?" he asked, his voice gruff but not ungrateful.

Selene gave a small chuckle. "You've got a habit of attracting trouble, don't you?"

Zoro shrugged. "I wasn't going to let him tell me what to do."

"Of course you weren't," Selene replied with an amused smile. "But getting shot by a Celestial Dragon isn't the kind of trouble worth dying for. Save that for the fights that matter."

Zoro studied her for a moment, his sharp eyes narrowing slightly. "You don't seem like the other Marines."

Selene's smile deepened, though it didn't reach her eyes. "I'm not."

Zoro gave a slight nod, as if filing away the information for later. "Thanks, I guess." Without another word, he turned and walked away, blending back into the chaotic streets of Sabaody.

Selene Reflects: A Pirate Worth Watching

As Zoro disappeared into the crowd, Selene stood quietly for a moment, her gaze lingering in the direction he'd gone. There was something about the Straw Hat crew—something different. They weren't just ordinary pirates.

"Garp's grandson certainly knows how to pick his crew," she murmured to herself, her lips curling into a small smile.

End of Chapter 15: A Shadow Among Dragons

Selene turned on her heel, blending back into the crowd without a sound. Her week off in Sabaody was proving to be far more interesting than expected.

But something told her that this was just the beginning. The Straw Hats were no ordinary crew, and Zoro's defiance was only a glimpse of the storm brewing beneath the surface.

And when the time came to choose between law and freedom, Selene knew she would be ready—because she thrived in the spaces between.