Twilight's End A New Dawn

Chapter 16: Bound by Duty - The Auction House Incident

The storm on Sabaody Archipelago broke when chaos erupted at the Human Auction House. The news spread through the streets like wildfire: a Celestial Dragon had been attacked—shot in the face by none other than Monkey D. Luffy.

Selene stood on the deck of The Umbra, her expression neutral, though her sharp amber eyes glimmered with quiet understanding. She knew exactly what was coming. When a Celestial Dragon was attacked, a Buster Call was inevitable, and every Marine in the area would soon be mobilized.

And she was bound by duty. No matter her personal opinions, she couldn't protect the Straw Hats this time.

The News Reaches Selene

Lieutenant Ren rushed onto the deck, her face pale but determined. "Admiral! You're not going to believe this—the Straw Hats attacked a Celestial Dragon at the auction house. The whole place is in chaos."

Selene's gaze remained steady, though a flicker of emotion passed through her eyes. Luffy. Of course, it had to be him. The grandson of Garp, always marching headfirst into trouble.

Ren glanced nervously at her superior. "Orders just came through—Marine forces are being mobilized. Fleet Admiral Akainu's issued instructions: capture all the culprits alive or dead."

Selene sighed softly. "Of course he did."

Torn Between Duty and Instinct

Selene knew the protocol. She couldn't intervene to help the Straw Hats—not without blowing her cover. If she so much as lifted a finger to shield them, the entire Navy would turn against her, and her tenuous position within the World Government would collapse. The consequences would be catastrophic—not just for her, but for everyone under her command.

Yet her instincts screamed against inaction. She'd saved Zoro from a Celestial Dragon earlier that day, but now, the Straw Hat crew faced something far worse. They wouldn't escape unscathed—unless luck or fate intervened.

Selene clenched her jaw, forcing herself to remain calm. "I can't get involved. Not this time."

A Private Conversation with Ren

Ren hesitated, sensing Selene's inner conflict. "Admiral... What do we do? Do we follow orders?"

Selene exhaled slowly, her gaze fixed on the distant horizon. "We follow the mission, Ren. We maintain security—nothing more, nothing less."

Ren's expression tightened. "But the Straw Hats—Luffy—"

Selene gave a small, sad smile. "If they can't get themselves out of this, then no one can."

A Storm of Chaos at the Auction House

Back at the auction house, pandemonium reigned. Marines swarmed the area, and the Supernovas—pirates with massive bounties—were dragged into the fray. The Straw Hats stood their ground, fighting off Marines while desperately trying to escape the fallout of Luffy's bold action.

Kizaru, one of the admirals, arrived on the scene, moving at the speed of light. His unrelenting pursuit threatened to wipe out everyone involved, one by one.

Meanwhile, Selene and her crew remained stationed near the harbor, observing the chaos from a distance. The temptation to intervene gnawed at Selene, but she knew it would only make things worse. The price of loyalty to Garp's grandson was too high this time.

Selene's Unspoken Wish

From the deck of The Umbra, Selene's sharp eyes tracked the unfolding events through her spyglass. She watched as the Straw Hats fought with everything they had, Luffy leading the charge with that reckless grin she knew all too well.

A part of her wanted to step in—just once more—to help them escape. But doing so would paint her as a traitor in the eyes of the World Government. And if she fell, the shadow she cast over the Navy would crumble, and her people would suffer.

"Not this time, Luffy," she whispered under her breath, gripping the spyglass tightly. "You're on your own."

A Hope for the Future

Ren stood beside her, silent but tense. "Do you think they'll make it?"

Selene lowered the spyglass, her expression unreadable. "If they can survive this... they'll be ready for what comes next."

Ren gave her a questioning look. "And if they don't?"

Selene's smile was faint, almost sad. "Then the sea wasn't meant for them."

End of Chapter 16: Bound by Duty

As The Umbra remained anchored at the harbor, Selene stood silently at the bow, watching the storm of chaos unfold at the auction house from afar. She knew that the Straw Hats would face greater trials ahead—if they survived this one.

Her blade would remain sheathed—for now. But deep down, she knew this wasn't the end of her connection to Garp's grandson and his crew. The winds of change were blowing, and their paths would cross again.

Because shadows always follow those who blaze too brightly. And Selene would be there—in the background, watching, waiting. Ready to act when the time was right.