After putting in so much effort to bring Vice Admiral Aokiji of Marine Headquarters here, Nero had no intention of letting him simply watch from the sidelines.
Everything was already in place.
How could he settle for something so superficial?
“Vice Admiral Aokiji, I’m not asking you to participate in the battle,” Nero said.
“I only have one small request.
There are too many pirates inside the city.
Could you use your strength to break open the city gate?”
“That sounds troublesome.
If Marshal Sengoku hears about it, it could cause problems,” Aokiji replied lazily.
“I think you misunderstand,” Nero said with a smile.
“I’m not asking you to hurt anyone.
I only want you to open the city gate.
That shouldn’t be difficult for someone of your strength, right?”
“Considering the abilities of your people, opening a gate shouldn’t be much trouble either,” Aokiji replied.
He wasn’t foolish.
Although he couldn’t immediately identify the issue, he had a strong feeling that the young king in front of him was trying to use him somehow.
Seeing Aokiji hesitate, Nero turned to Junhe and said coldly,
“Prepare to take the royal capital at any cost.”
“As for the pirates, leave none alive.
Kill them all.”
“Your Majesty, the civilians…” Junhe began.
“War always comes with casualties,” Nero interrupted with a helpless expression.
“Since Vice Admiral Aokiji doesn’t wish to help, we have no choice.”
“Fine.
It’s only a gate.
I’ll help you.”
Aokiji sighed.
After spending several days enjoying the Tru Kingdom’s hospitality, this small favor didn’t seem to violate Sengoku’s orders.
Destroying a gate wasn’t the same as harming people.
The moment Aokiji agreed, a bright smile appeared on Nero’s face.
Junhe immediately understood and quietly withdrew.
Just as Aokiji prepared to act, several people nearby raised Den Den Mushi cameras and aimed them directly at him.
Aokiji noticed but thought little of it.
How else could someone become an Admiral candidate?
He casually pressed one hand against the ground.
Frost instantly spread forward.
Although they stood over a hundred meters away from the city gate, such a distance meant nothing to a man of Aokiji’s level.
In an instant, the entire gate was frozen solid.
The ice shattered.
The gate exploded apart.
Nothing remained to stop the forces of the Tru Kingdom.
The moment the gate fell, hundreds of Royal Guards launched themselves into the air using Geppo.
Others rushed forward at incredible speed.
The hostages were rescued almost immediately.
As for the pirates on the city walls, none survived.
Every scene was faithfully recorded by the Den Den Mushi.
This had been Nero’s plan all along.
The next morning, the News Coo delivered newspapers across the seas.
The incident dominated the front page.
“Kingdom of Roya Occupied by Pirates!
Marine Headquarters Vice Admiral Cooperates with the Tru Kingdom to Save the Nation!”
The headline instantly drew worldwide attention.
Most importantly, the newspaper featured a large photograph of Aokiji using his powers to destroy the gate of Roya’s capital.
The title, the article, and the image all served as proof of the event’s authenticity.
The photograph of pirates holding civilians hostage only strengthened the story.
The purpose behind Nero’s scheme was simple.
He wanted a legitimate reason to absorb the Kingdom of Roya.
According to the official story, pirates had seized control of the kingdom.
The Tru Kingdom had launched its campaign solely to rescue the people.
Aokiji’s appearance and actions gave the story complete credibility.
After all, a Vice Admiral from Marine Headquarters was the best witness possible.
The evidence was undeniable.
Even if the Kingdom of Roya ultimately became part of the Tru Kingdom, few people would dare object.
Not even the World Government would have an easy time opposing it.
Nero had wanted the entire world to know.
Otherwise, Junhe could have stormed the capital long ago.
The delay had been solely to set this plan in motion. Read this novel at g.com for the best experience.
Nero trusted his own judgment.
No matter which Marine Headquarters representative had been sent, the outcome would have been the same.
Even Akainu, who was far more difficult to deal with than Aokiji, would likely have fallen into the same trap.
As a man who upheld Absolute Justice, Akainu would never have tolerated pirates threatening civilians.
Now every objective had been accomplished.
Aokiji still had no idea that he had been used.
“Losta,” Nero called out as soon as he passed through the city gate.
“Count every last Bailey in the royal treasury and distribute it to the people of Roya.”
The capital hadn’t even been fully secured yet, and he was already discussing how to distribute the kingdom’s wealth.
Even the usually indifferent Aokiji looked at Nero with open disbelief.
Losta stepped forward elegantly and adjusted his glasses.
“Rest assured, Your Majesty.
I would be honored to handle such a task.”
“The capital is already ours,” Nero continued.
“There should be no more significant resistance.”
“Junhe, capture every Devil Fruit user in the city.”
“I want them alive.”
“Every single one.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“What do you want with those Devil Fruit users?” Aokiji asked curiously.
“Execute them, of course.”
“They caused heavy casualties among my soldiers.
They should pay the price.”
Nero answered without hesitation.
He did not reveal his true purpose.
In this world, countless Devil Fruit users existed, and nobody truly understood where Devil Fruits came from.
But Nero knew one thing.
With his Space Fruit abilities, he could influence where a Devil Fruit reincarnated after its user died.
His current spatial barrier wasn’t large, but it was enough.
Aokiji silently studied the boy beside him.
At only sixteen years old, Nero already possessed such methods.
It was difficult not to be impressed.
Aokiji’s visit had allowed him to observe the Tru Kingdom’s military firsthand.
What surprised him most was that nearly all of them trained primarily in the Six Powers.
Their teamwork and discipline were also stricter than many Marine units.
To transform a once-impoverished nation into this within only a few years was almost unimaginable.
Aokiji found himself wondering what kind of man Nero would become in the future.
At the same time, he remained curious about one question.
How did Nero know so much about Marine Headquarters and the New World?
The people of Roya offered almost no resistance.
Many residents actively celebrated the arrival of the Tru Kingdom’s army.
Some even danced in the streets.
To prepare for this campaign, Nero had spent considerable resources producing informational pamphlets describing the benefits enjoyed by Tru Kingdom citizens.
The results had been remarkable.
Although Roya was not affiliated with the World Government, many nations still paid close attention to events occurring in the South Blue.
If the Tru Kingdom successfully absorbed Roya, it would become the largest nation in the entire South Blue.
Still, given Roya’s current condition, recovery would take time.
At minimum, it would require two years to reach the level of development currently enjoyed by the Tru Kingdom.
Its population and territory were simply much larger.
“Mr.
Aokiji,” Nero asked as they walked through the city.
“What do you think of the Royal Guards of the Tru Kingdom?”
The question caught Aokiji slightly off guard.
After all, evaluating the Tru military was one of the main reasons for his visit.
After a moment of thought, he answered honestly.
“They’re excellent.”
“Their mastery of the Six Powers is impressive.”
“In some areas, their training methods even seem more effective than those used by the Marines.”
“I hope you continue maintaining order here and prevent pirates from spreading through the South Blue.”
“That alone would be a remarkable achievement.”
“You can rest easy on that point,” Nero replied.
“At least within my territory, such things will not be tolerated.”
“Oh?”
Aokiji scratched his head.
“That reminds me. Follow the newest chapters on g.com.
How am I supposed to explain all of this when I return to Marine Headquarters?”
“Why not tell the truth?” Nero asked.
“Didn’t you say yourself that Roya would become part of the Tru Kingdom?”
“When that happens, the World Government will definitely send people to investigate.”
“And the CP agencies you know so much about will likely visit as well.”
Aokiji spoke calmly.
“Is that all?”
Nero laughed.
“There’s nothing to worry about.”
“Our country doesn’t possess anything valuable enough to attract the World Government’s attention.”
“At worst, they’ll encourage us to join the World Government.”
“If circumstances permit, we’ll join.”
“There’s no real disadvantage for us.”
Aokiji narrowed one eye and looked at him.
“That’s not what you said two days ago.”
“If I remember correctly, you said joining the World Government meant serving the Celestial Dragons and paying Heavenly Tribute every year.”
“You even claimed it would make your country poorer.”
“The Celestial Dragons aren’t short of money,” Nero replied.
“They already enjoy the highest status in the world.”
“Money itself means little to them.”
“When the time comes, we’ll simply offer them a few rare treasures.”
“That should be enough to replace Heavenly Tribute.”
Aokiji chuckled softly.
“I really am looking forward to seeing what kind of future awaits you.”
“And what kind of nation the Tru Kingdom eventually becomes.”
“But remember this.”
“Don’t cross Marine Headquarters’ bottom line.”
“When that happens, a kingdom alone won’t be enough to protect you.”
Nero smiled.
“You worry too much.”
“I have no interest in provoking Marine Headquarters.”
“Living peacefully in this corner of the world suits me just fine.”
“Good.”
Aokiji nodded.
“That would be for the best.”
Privately, however, he remained deeply curious.
He still didn’t know Nero’s true strength.
Was he a Devil Fruit user?
Since arriving in the Tru Kingdom, Aokiji had never once seen him fight.
That alone felt abnormal.
Before they realized it, they had reached the palace of Roya.
There had been little resistance throughout the city.
Only scattered pirate activity.
Yet the moment they arrived at the palace gates, both men felt something unsettling.
Most of the troublesome pirates had already been captured, including the Devil Fruit users.
But the palace itself radiated an ominous atmosphere.
Anyone with Observation Haki could sense it.
A sinister presence lingered inside.
Something that felt as though it should not exist in this world at all.
“You feel it too, don’t you?” Nero asked seriously.
“Of course.”
Aokiji’s lazy expression vanished.
“I have a very bad feeling about this.”
“Junhe!”
Nero immediately shouted.
“Pull everyone back.”
“Without my orders, nobody is allowed within five hundred meters of the palace.”
“Put all forces on the highest level of alert.”
“Yes, Your Majesty!”
Junhe immediately began carrying out the order.
Nero then turned toward Losta.
“Losta.”
“Evacuate every civilian in the city.”
“As quickly as possible.”
“Make sure it’s done.”