"But… many of our companions have personally witnessed it."
A hesitant voice suddenly rose from the crowd.
"They saw the king give orders to behead civilians in the streets… even allowing soldiers to openly rob people."
Before the man could say another word, the sharp, blade-like gazes around him cut him short. His throat tightened, and he instinctively fell silent.
"…Could it be a Devil Fruit ability?"
Someone finally spoke.
"A transformation-type ability wouldn't have trouble imitating a king."
"That's entirely possible."
Every Earthly Executor carried a terminal connected to the network. Through shared data and intelligence exchange, they knew far more than ordinary Alabastan civilians ever could.
"Then… what should we do?"
Unease spread.
Fear crept into the ranks.
At that moment, the Earthly Executor leader stepped forward.
He was a Gold-rank enforcer.
With a thunderous slam, his palm struck the table, shaking the room.
"I don't know what you're hesitating about!"
His voice roared through the gathering like a war drum.
"We have already risen in rebellion—there is no retreat left for us!"
He scanned the room with blazing eyes.
"Power must be seized!"
After a brief pause, his tone lowered—but his words grew heavier.
"Don't forget: in Kobra's eyes, we are already rebels. Even if you kneel before him right now, do you truly believe you'll be forgiven?"
"Even if mercy is granted today, the reckoning will come tomorrow."
"No king tolerates traitors."
Silence.
Then he continued, each word deliberate.
"Therefore, we advance."
"We reach the capital."
"We uncover the truth."
"If someone truly hides in the shadows—destroying our homeland—then we drag them into the light."
"And no matter the outcome, the Nefertari family cannot continue ruling this country."
"If Kobra was framed, then he may retain the dignity of Alabasta's royal line."
"But if he is a tyrant—"
His eyes burned.
"—then he will face divine judgment."
"May the Black Sun rise as usual!"
The words struck like lightning.
The hesitation shattered.
Voices surged in unison, echoing across the camp:
"May the Black Sun rise as usual!!"
…
…
On the other side of the screen—
Blackbeard and his crew watched in silence.
Then admiration surfaced.
"…They really are believers of the Black Sun."
"These people are terrifying."
Not only unwavering in faith—
But leaders, tacticians, organizers.
From governance to warfare, talent after talent was emerging from the resistance.
And all of them—
Were being forged within Xiao's system.
With the experience gained from Alabasta alone, the future conquests of the Xiao regime would proceed far more smoothly.
"Looks like there's nothing left for us to do here."
Xiao smiled faintly.
"In that case—our next destination is Skypiea."
He reached out and shut down the surveillance screen.
For Xiao, Skypiea was irresistible.
First—
Enel's Devil Fruit.
The power of lightning could elevate anyone into a top-tier powerhouse.
More importantly, lightning was a core authority of the God of All Machines.
Second—
The flying ship Maxim.
Unassuming in appearance—
Yet capable of reaching the moon.
Even in Xiao's previous world, mankind had barely touched the lunar surface, relying on machines rather than manned exploration.
The technological gap was absurd.
If he could obtain that vessel and dissect its principles—
His technological leap would be immeasurable.
"Ohhhhh—!"
The remaining four shouted excitedly.
Silvery liquid surged outward, flowing over the raft like living mercury.
In seconds, the fragile wooden platform transformed.
Jets ignited.
The craft elongated, streamlined, hardened—
Becoming a sleek, jet-powered aerial skimmer.
With a thunderous roar, it shot skyward.
"Ufufufu~ No matter how many times I see it; the captain's abilities are unbelievable!"
Lafayette clutched his hat as violent winds tore past, laughter echoing in exhilaration.
Poison Q, eyes gleaming with curiosity, finally voiced what had been gnawing at him.
"Captain… what exactly is your ability?"
"You monitor the world, reshape machines, manipulate darkness…"
"This doesn't look like a single Devil Fruit power at all."
Xiao smiled.
"I'm a compound ability user."
"…Compound?"
"Yes."
He spoke calmly, as if stating a simple truth.
"I divide Devil Fruit development into three stages."
"The application stage."
"The awakening stage."
"And the final stage—ascension."
"At present, all of you are still in the application stage."
"You use the power of your fruits."
"You rely on inherited combat instincts."
"You fight using paths already carved by others."
His tone turned sharp.
"That's nothing more than imitation."
He paused as the wind howled louder.
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