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Arashi strode forward, walking through the royal palace. Despite it being an unfamiliar place, it was as if this was not his first time here.
His Observation Haki had already gathered all the intelligence in the area.
Within the grand hall of the royal palace, the King of the Lulusia Kingdom wore a solemn, grave, and even somewhat tense expression.
He rushed into the throne room and hastily straightened his crown.
After plopping down onto the throne, he grew even more anxious, constantly asking the people by his side, "Is my appearance impolite? Are my clothes neat? Is my crown straight?"
This series of questions revealed the suppressed terror in the king's heart. The Marines were here! Who could it be?
Could they already have known the current situation of the Lulusia Kingdom? And what was the purpose of their visit?
The fear of the unknown made the old king's heart feel like it was about to leap out of his chest, and his mind went almost completely blank from the tension.
"Your Majesty, your appearance right now will certainly not be impolite in front of the Marines!" The Captain of the Royal Guard looked at him.
Dressed in magnificent robes with a crown of pure gold, the king should have looked splendid, yet his face was pale with tension and fear.
Strangely, the captain felt a sense of satisfaction. How laughable! What are you afraid of, Your Majesty?
As the Captain of the Royal Guard, he had always been loyal and dedicated, fully supporting everything the king did.
He had personally accompanied the king to the Reverie, hoping that the people of this country could truly live in peace, contentment, and happiness.
But what had the king done since his return? The captain's patience, loyalty, and expectations had all been exhausted, replaced by a feeling of disgust.
Just then, a guard ran into the hall, looking nervous and frightened. "They're here! The Marines are here!"
These two announcements made everyone in the hall tense up, and they all looked towards the entrance.
"Did you get a clear look? Who from the Marines has arrived?" The old king's voice trembled, his tone becoming almost comical.
But no one found it funny, because everyone felt the same way. What did the arrival of the Marines signify?
What orders would that undefeatable man, the leader of the Marines, issue? Would this be good or bad for the future of the Lulusia Kingdom?
Everyone felt an inscrutable sense of dread. "It… it seems to be one of the five Marine Admirals," the guard said, taking a deep breath with a look of terror, "Admiral Kizaru!"
At these words, the expressions of everyone in the hall changed drastically. It was one of the five highest-ranking officers in the entire Marine organisation! Heavens!
The old king felt as if all the strength had been drained from his body, his mind going blank as he slumped in his seat.
The arrival of such a high-ranking Marine officer, one holding supreme authority, was in itself a powerful implication. "It's over!" the old king lamented.
He failed to notice the smile creeping onto the lips of the guard captain beside him, or the look of excitement and thrill on the young prince's face below.
In the blink of an eye, a figure strode through the doorway. But it was not Kizaru.
When the old king saw who it was, his entire body shook violently, and he slid from the throne like a boneless heap, collapsing to the floor as if stupefied.
"Fleet Admiral! Arashi!" The guard captain's pupils contracted, his face a mask of horror.
A deathly silence fell over the Lulusia Royal Palace, a quiet so profound it was terrifying.
Indeed, the atmosphere that now pervaded the palace was enough to make one tremble.
One moment, they believed the visitor was one of the five Admirals, Kizaru. But the next moment, the one stepping into the hall was the Supreme Commander of the Marines.
In just an instant, a series of thoughts flashed through the old king's mind. The world's undefeatable man!
The Supreme Commander of the Marines, the legendary emperor of the seas!
The legend who organised the Reverie and subsequently became the greatest power behind the Twenty Kingdoms.
Yes, that was the truth. Although it was never explicitly stated, the conference had set that tone.
The actual control of the Twenty Kingdoms had already shifted. If you were to ask who the old king had feared most during this time, it was undoubtedly the man standing before him now.
His figure was burly and robust, radiating a sense of immense power at a glance.
The force of his presence was so strong that it made weaker individuals feel small and tremble. It was a primal, biological suppression.
"To think he would come in person!" The guard captain's pupils contracted again, his heart shaking.
No one could have imagined that the Supreme Commander of the Marines would come personally. Given his current authority and status, a single kingdom like Lulusia was nowhere near significant enough to warrant his attention.
The entire court stood frozen, horrified and terrified by the man who had arrived.
A man's reputation precedes him, and the Arashi standing before them had reached a point where his name alone was enough to intimidate a crowd.
Immediately following him, one of the current five Marine Admirals, Kizaru, stepped inside. Then, Bartholomew Kuma followed as well.
What shocked the ministers even more was the squad of Marines that swarmed in simultaneously, surrounding the hall with utmost speed.
This scene made the Captain of the Royal Guard's expression change slightly.
It was clear from the Marines' actions that the palace's internal defences had already been completely dismantled.
Arashi strode in, his eyes scanning the room before a smile appeared on his face. At this moment, this small palace could truly be described as a portrait of humanity.
Some trembled in fear, some wore expressions of joy, some sighed in relief, while others looked invigorated.
There were even young people staring at him with expressions of reverence and fanaticism. He was somewhat surprised to find he had admirers here.
"Fleet Admiral Arashi! One of the five Admirals, Kizaru and the Admiral-candidate, Bartholomew Kuma! Plus, a squad of Vice Admirals!"
The old king felt a profound sense of powerlessness. Such a lineup was more than enough to annihilate a kingdom with ease.
Even one of the former Four Emperors would likely be unable to resist them. His end had come.
"Fleet… Fleet Admiral Arashi!" Forcing a smile that looked exceptionally ugly, the old king began to speak.
"I still remember how you looked when we first met. King of Lulusia," Arashi said with a faint smile, his gaze fixed on the man.
"Although even now, I still do not know your name." The old king's body trembled, and he was about to speak.
"But that is not important. To me, and the Lulusia Kingdom, from this day forward, you are nothing more than a passerby," Arashi interrupted, his words cold as ice.
The King of Lulusia shuddered, despair filling his eyes. The man before him could not even be bothered to learn his name.
This was not only the ultimate display of contempt but also a clear sign that his time as king was over.
"There's no need for me to announce your crimes, is there?" Arashi added. His voice was calm, yet it carried immense weight.
The ministers flinched and fell silent, none daring to speak at this moment. "There's no need," the old king replied, collapsing completely.
Leaning back against his throne, he suddenly burst into tears, crying his heart out. No one knew what he was crying for, and no one sympathised.
"As of today, his position as king is revoked! I will temporarily take control of everything in Lulusia!" Arashi declared with a wave of his hand.
Men naturally stepped forward from the sides, pulled the old king to his feet, and placed him in shackles.
"I'm sure you are all well aware of this kingdom's current situation," Arashi stated bluntly.
"The Revolutionary Army and pirates are already plotting to seize control of this nation." Hearing this, the ministers' expressions changed.
The Captain of the Guard, standing to the side, immediately bowed and declared, "The Royal Guard is ready to follow Fleet Admiral Arashi's command, to fight bravely against the Revolutionary Army and defend this country!"
Arashi smiled slightly and turned to him. "Your name is Hans, correct? You are quite the loyal one." Hans's expression shifted.
He was surprised and pleased that Arashi remembered the name of a nobody like him, but fearful of the implication behind the words.
Loyalty to the kingdom was not a compliment in this context. "From this moment on, the Royal Guard of the Lulusia Kingdom is to be integrated into the Marines."
Arashi's voice was soft, yet left no room for argument.
"Koby! You will be in temporary command of this unit." Koby stepped out from the crowd, his eyes meeting Hans's before he nodded.
"Yes, sir!" Afterwards, Arashi sat down on the throne, his head tilted slightly as he looked down upon the ministers below.
"As for all of you." The ministers' faces paled, and they grew anxious. "Your duties will remain unchanged for the time being."
"We will discuss matters further after the internal rebellion has been suppressed." Arashi's next words allowed them all to breathe a sigh of relief.
At a time like this, any change in their status would have meant imprisonment. They could already imagine the old king being thrown into a Marine prison.
Suddenly, the sharp, piercing, and urgent sound of a horn blared from outside the palace.
"What is that?!" Hans's expression changed dramatically, a flicker of panic in his eyes. The faces of the ministers also showed looks of terror.
Having witnessed the internal rebellion firsthand, they knew precisely what that horn signified.
"The rebels! It's the rebels! Have they entered the city?" one minister shouted in fear.
For a moment, the hall was thrown into chaos. Seated on the throne, Arashi watched these cowardly ministers, feeling somewhat amused.
At that moment, Rob Lucci also stepped forward.
"The Revolutionary Army, the Whitebeard Pirates, the Straw Hat crew, and the rebel forces. Four powers are storming the royal capital from four different directions."
"The other cities have already been occupied without resistance." These simple words drove the ministers deeper into despair.
Arashi nodded, his expression calm. "Koby!"
The latter understood immediately, glanced at Hans, and the two quickly walked out of the palace.
Immediately after, a series of shouts rose as large numbers of the Royal Guard and the Marines moved quickly to secure the main passages of the royal palace.
"What are you afraid of?" A faint laugh echoed from within the throne room. The ministers looked up, and when they saw Arashi, they were all stunned.
"I am here! The Marines are here! The Lulusia Kingdom is my territory!"
The powerful voice resounded through the palace, and after a moment of confusion, the eyes of the many ministers began to brighten.
That's right! At this very moment, the world's undefeatable man was present in the Lulusia Royal Palace.
With the Supreme Commander of the Marines leading a force that included one of the five Admirals, what did they have to worry about?
Even if the sky itself were to fall, these giants standing before them would hold it up.
A low, droning horn sounded from all directions, and the clamour of battle cries could be heard in the air, creating a palpable tension.
Although they had not left the palace, everyone present could feel it. This was the scent of war.
The young prince stood to the side, and while he was worried about the old king, his body also trembled with nervousness and excitement.
He had never experienced such a moment; war was coming to the Lulusia Kingdom. And not far from him stood the powerful Marines.
On their faces, one could see no hint of worry or tension, as if nothing at all was happening.
"What's going to happen next?" the young prince murmured to himself. His nervous gaze fell upon Arashi, though he did not dare to look for long.
....
Meanwhile, within the royal capital of Lulusia, the defences at the four city gates—east, south, west, and north—were shattered by the rebel forces in an instant.
An explosion roared as flames shot toward the sky, spreading rapidly in the blink of an eye.
Screams echoed from the ranks of the King's Army as they were routed almost immediately upon contact.
Then, large numbers of troops poured into the capital. "All civilians, stay in your homes! Do not come out!"
"We are the Revolutionary Army! We will not harm you! Please cooperate!" The shouts echoed over the capital.
Civilians rushed back to their homes in a panic, bolting their doors. The braver ones peeked out through their windows.
"It's the rebels! No, that's not right. They call themselves the Revolutionary Army."
"The Revolutionary Army? Is that the army that's been causing trouble all over the world recently?"
"Isn't their leader supposed to be the World's Worst Criminal? I thought the Marines were invading. What a disappointment!"
"The Marines? I think I saw a squad of Marines entering the royal palace a little while ago."
After entering the capital, the vast numbers of Revolutionaries did as they had proclaimed, not disturbing the civilians but instead assembling quickly in the open space of the central park.
"Hee-haw! I can't believe it was so easy for us to break in. All that's left is the royal palace. As long as we capture the royal family of Lulusia and overthrow them, this operation will be a success!"
One of the Army Commanders, Emporio Ivankov, laughed heartily with his hands on his hips.
The troops under his command were also extremely excited. The operation had been far too smooth, even exceeding their expectations,
as they had encountered almost no meaningful resistance. "Don't get careless, Ivankov! The Royal Guard must be concentrated in the palace."
"That palace will be the hardest part to break through!"
A flock of crows flew in, converging on a rooftop to form a human figure, followed by a large number of personnel rushing over.
"Karasu!" Ivankov said, looking at the newcomer.
"The Commander of the Northern Army is right. We didn't encounter many of the King's forces on our way here either!" Immediately after, another voice was heard.
"Morley, Commander of the West Army!" Ivankov noted.
"Our South Army didn't run into many people either!" the South Army Commander, Lindbergh, said with a smile.
"The East Army, the same! It seems the King of Lulusia is a coward who fears death and has gathered all his forces in the palace."
"He must be well aware of the rebellions happening all over his kingdom!" The East Army Commander, Belo Betty, walked over,
a lit cigarette in her mouth. The five Army Commanders gathered together. Behind them were the main rebel leaders from each city, all with excited and invigorated expressions.
From the very start of the operation, led by the formidable power of the Revolutionary Army's commanders, they had swept through everything like breaking rotten wood, meeting almost no resistance.
They had never imagined this operation would be so successful. "Now, only the final palace remains," Betty said in a low voice, exhaling a puff of smoke.
Her eyes were fixed on the strangely silent palace in the distance. Its current state was utterly unexpected.
According to their predictions, with the Revolutionary Army storming the city and a nationwide rebellion erupting on the same day, the palace should have been in chaos.
The King of Lulusia should have been scrambling to escape in a pathetic panic. Why did it now seem like he was putting on a brave face?
"That place," Karasu murmured, "is the most difficult part of this entire mission." Suddenly, a great wind swept through the air.
The five commanders all looked up at the sky. At some point, a formidable, cloaked figure had appeared on a rooftop ahead.
The figure's back was to them, but they could sense that his gaze was fixed on the Lulusia Royal Palace. A faint but heavy aura emanated from him.
"What is it, Mr. Dragon? Do you sense something?" Sabo asked in a low voice, also looking toward the palace. He saw that a dark cloud shrouded the sky above the Lulusia Royal Palace.
Lightning flashed within it, like countless thunder dragons roaming about, creating a heavy and oppressive feeling.
It was as if a terrifying monster was sleeping inside the palace. "Do you see the lightning within the palace? Sabo!"
Dragon suddenly said in a grave tone, his eyes narrowing. His expression was more solemn than ever before.
"Lightning?" Sabo was startled and still confused. At Dragon's prompting, he looked at the palace again.
He saw streaks of lightning leap from the clouds with a crackle, illuminating the entire sky before striking down.
The sight was like countless branches reaching out, as if a great, towering tree were growing from within the cloud layer.
"It's nothing. It just reminds me of the moment I met that man, many years ago."
"Back then, the sky was just like it is today, shrouded in dark clouds and flashing with lightning," Dragon murmured.
"That man?!" Sabo was even more bewildered.
"However, he shouldn't be here, not on this occasion. But," Dragon paused, a shadow falling over his face, "if it is him, then this will likely become an incredibly difficult war for us."
Hearing this, Sabo was astonished. "A war?!"
What kind of perilous situation could lead Dragon to use the word "war" to describe it? Was there truly a terrifying monster hiding in the palace ahead?
The roar of thunder was deafening. The lightning flashing in the sky cast shifting shadows on Dragon's face. For some reason, Sabo felt a suffocating pressure.
The palace was indeed too quiet, strangely so. After a moment, the Straw Hat crew arrived with a loud laugh.
"Hahahaha! Looks like everything is going smoothly! We haven't even had a chance to fight," Luffy laughed.
"Keep it down, Luffy!" Nami shouted, landing a hard punch on his head. Luffy immediately grabbed his head and cried out in pain.
"Hahahaha, Luffy, you're here too!" Sabo said with a smile, jumping down from the roof to meet him.
"Sabo! This operation looks like a big success!" Luffy said cheerfully.
"So far, yes, but," Sabo said, turning his gaze toward the palace, "only by capturing that palace can we be sure of the outcome, and what's more," he paused, "Mr. Dragon says that the palace ahead is likely the biggest obstacle in our entire operation."
Hearing this, Luffy and the others were confused, and all looked ahead. "It looks pretty peaceful. Did the royal family already run away?" Sanji wondered aloud.
"No, they wouldn't. The army of the Lulusia Kingdom should all be gathered inside. The next battle will be the most intense," Sabo said, shaking his head.
Just then, another group of people approached quickly from the side. "Something doesn't feel right."
"Ace!" Luffy and Sabo exclaimed, turning their heads. The newcomers were none other than the Whitebeard Pirates, led by Ace. "Sabo, Luffy,"
Ace said gravely. Dragon, at this time, also leapt down, landing in front of the three of them. "I have the same feeling you do. But, no matter what is in that palace, it is a target we must conquer."
"Only by taking the palace can this mission be considered a complete success." The three of them looked at each other and nodded in unison.
(T/N: Please give me some power stone, I hope it can at least reach top 100)
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