feiniaonovel Chapter 295 - 294 Sakazuki: You think I’m just scaring you?
Chapter 295 - 294 Sakazuki: You think I’m just scaring you?
Holy Land, Mary Geoise.
The Elders watched the image of Sakazuki on the screen, a faint heaviness in their expressions.
The changing camera angles, the various branches and Marines constantly shown, all revealed a near fanatical reverence for Sakazuki, enough to make one's heart tremble...
There had never been a Fleet Admiral whose prestige reached such a level....
The Elder holding a blade narrowed his eyes slightly:
"Looks like we still underestimated him."
"This level of influence... is truly unsettling."
The Elder with curly hair gripped his cane:
"Our previous decision was indeed a bit hasty..."
"If this man really turns against us, then we'll have no choice but to ask Imu-sama to intervene..."
But there was also a hint of uncertainty. To be honest... no one in the world could one-shot a powerhouse of that level.
The burly Elder furrowed his brow:
"That may be true..... but his determination to annihilate pirates isn't fake."
"And with the Navy's current strength, after that Sakazuki fellow clashes with the Four Emperors in the New World."
"Not many will make it out alive..."
"For now, the most pressing concern is still the Revolutionary Army."
The blond Elder nodded:
"Indeed."
"With Sakazuki's style, before he wipes out every last pirate."
"We don't need to worry about those other issues."
"But the Revolutionary Army..... they've developed a lot of new things recently."
"The items the CP agents risked their lives to bring back, after testing, can greatly boost production efficiency."
The other Elders also fell into silence at the thought of those things...
Tools that could massively increase productivity weren't unheard of—but they were always under the government's control.
If the commoners were to be liberated, if their lives improved.
Then who would serve the nobles...
"This matter must be carefully studied..."
...
New World.
Wano Country, Onigashima.
Inside the grand palace, Kaido sat upon the throne.
Below him, King crossed his arms, and Queen clenched a cigar between his teeth, both watching Sakazuki through the Den Den Mushi's projected image.
Nearby, Jack and several of the later Tobi Roppo sat respectfully, not daring to make a sound.
Kaido grabbed his sake gourd, took several large swigs, then set it down.
"Hu——"
"That Sakazuki bastard..."
"He really played us good."
King frowned slightly:
"Blocking off the New World, what a bold move."
"He planned this back when we were still cooperating, didn't he."
"With this, all the territory we seized isn't much use anymore."
"Nothing can be brought in, nothing can be sent out."
"The New World can only digest so much internally."
"All that effort would be wasted."
Queen chuckled beside him:
"You brainless lump, King, what's your head even for?"
"If that route doesn't work, just use another."
"The Calm Belt is way faster than the Grand Line."
King snorted coldly:
"Idiot Queen, the cost of that would be absurd."
"The escorts would need at least real combat-level strength. With that much cargo and weaponry."
"If they all go on escort duty, who's left to guard the territory?"
"But you...."
"The Navy's scientist Vegapunk has already developed warships capable of crossing the Calm Belt."
"Didn't you always brag about surpassing Vegapunk? Why haven't you made a ship like that?"
"If you had, it wouldn't be this much trouble."
Queen's face darkened, biting the cigar clean in half:
"What did you say! You bas—"
BANG!
The sound of the sake gourd slamming against the stone table rang out.
Kaido wiped the wine from the corner of his mouth and stood up:
"That's enough."
"What are you bickering for."
"Everything proceeds as usual."
"For something like this, there are people more desperate than us....."
"All we need to do is wait."
"Ba lororororo!!!"
The corner of his mouth curled upward as he looked toward the direction where Knock was...
For the Four Emperors to temporarily set aside their grudges and borrow an open route wasn't strange at all.
After all, they now shared a common enemy...
...
South Blue.
Sober Kingdom, inside the royal palace.
Dragon and the Revolutionary Army's top brass had gathered here.
They watched the Den Den Mushi broadcast of Sakazuki's declaration of war against the pirates and the closing ceremony, all falling into silence.
No one knew how to begin... though he was their enemy.
No one questioned Sakazuki's resolve, his sheer will to eradicate the pirates.
There was even a hint of respect in their eyes...
Dragon's mind echoed with his last conversation with Vegapunk, and it suddenly became clear why Vegapunk had placed his faith in Sakazuki.....
He turned.
Looking at the Revolutionary Army's senior figures:
"Everyone, share your thoughts."
"And the direction the Revolutionary Army should take from here."
The others all subconsciously looked toward Sabo.
Though young, his intelligence far surpassed the norm. With everyone's tacit approval, he had already become the chief strategist under the Supreme Commander...
Sabo's face was serious as he stroked his chin in thought, then exhaled slowly.
"Hu——"
He lifted his head and flashed a confident smile:
"One word."
"Wait."
Some were puzzled, but Dragon's lips curved into a faint smile. Not bad...
Sabo chuckled as he continued:
"Although I greatly admire this new Fleet Admiral."
"Unfortunately, we're enemies."
"From the perspective of the Revolutionary Army's future."
"The best moment to overthrow the World Government."
"Is when this Fleet Admiral clashes with the Four Emperors in the New World."
"From the order Fleet Admiral Sakazuki just announced, it's clear he's going all in. Even if the war ends in failure, he'll drag every pirate in the New World down with him."
"One-third of the Grand Line's forces are already being pulled to the New World."
"And when the decisive battle comes, he'll draw even more."
"So all we have to do is wait patiently, build up our strength. Industrialization has only just begun—now's the time to rest and recover."
"Once industrialization is complete, our strength will be enough to sweep through the farming kingdoms across the Four Blues."
These terms like industrialization and agrarian were things Sabo only learned after talking with Robin.
Back then, he was struck with awe..... the wisdom of the Flame of Revolution was truly... unfathomable!
Sabo went on:
"When the Navy and the pirates clash, the Grand Line's forces will likely be fully deployed to the New World."
"This is also our chance."
"This is when we can push straight in and storm the Red Line in one go."
"Pull those high-and-mighty fools down."
"Although their technology is more advanced than the industrial age we've just entered."
"They don't have our unity."
"Every nation acts for itself; they're not of one mind."
"Though the World Government's foundations run deep, at that time we controlled the four seas."
"Who wins and who loses isn't necessarily certain..."
Dragon nodded.
"Sabo is right."
"Does anyone else have anything to add?"
Everyone shook their heads — too much detail, nothing really needed to be added....
Dragon smiled and said:
"Then execute the plan. Try to avoid direct conflict with the Government and the Navy."
"Notify the World Government's allied branches as well: before the decisive battle arrives, no major moves."
"Meeting adjourned."
"Kuma and Sabo, the two of you come with me."
...
On the palace rooftop.
Dragon, Kuma, and Sabo gathered here.
Dragon looked at Kuma:
"Have you found out anything from the Government side?"
Kuma shook his head:
"No. Conney used her connections to inquire, but the Government's higher-ups are keeping their mouths shut — it seems they've really decided to move against me."
The Queen Dowager Conney, was extremely well connected across the nations.
There were even many people in the World Government who had received favors from her.
But even so, they couldn't dig up anything — everyone kept silent, which said it all.....
Sabo and Dragon exchanged a glance; they too clearly understood that Kuma's identity had been exposed.
They had to come up with a countermeasure quickly — unlike others, Kuma was now the king of the Sorbet Kingdom.....there was nowhere for him to run.
Suddenly.
All three perceived Queen Dowager Conney dashing toward them, carrying a telegram, followed by anxious servants...
A bad premonition rose in the three of them.
A gust of wind swept Queen Dowager Conney up and onto the rooftop; she gently set herself down.
Before she could steady herself, Queen Dowager Conney, holding the telegram, shouted in terror:
"Kuma! Run! Run now!"
They exchanged looks, took the telegram, and read what was written on it.
"Elder-sama has just given the Navy orders to arrest Bartholomew Kuma. Please take care."
That shocking news — before they could even think of a plan —
Brroo — brroo — brroo —
Kuma's royal Den Den Mushi began to ring.....
After calming his mother, Kuma signaled for silence and answered the Den Den Mushi.
From the other end came a voice that had sounded coldly familiar just moments before....
"Bartholomew Kuma."
"Given the Sorbet Kingdom's influence in the South Sea."
"After consultation between the Government and the Navy, you are to be granted the title of one of the Shichibukai."
"You are given one month to arrive at Navy Headquarters — New Marineford — to receive your reward."
Queen Dowager Conney tried to snatch the Den Den Mushi and shouted:
"What kind of joke is this!"
"The Shichibukai are a title given to pirates!"
"The Sorbet Kingdom is a World Government member! Kuma is the king of the Sorbet Kingdom!"
"Giving a king a pirate's title! What are you playing at!!!"
"This is lawless!"
"This is an insult to our Sorbet Kingdom! I will unite the nations and lodge a complaint with the Government!"
"Sakazuki!!!"
From the Den Den Mushi, Sakazuki's indifferent voice came through:
"Seven days. Arrive at Headquarters to receive your reward."
"If you don't make it, then under the extermination order you will repent before the Sorbet Kingdom."
Queen Dowager Conney's eyes widened in fury — the extermination order is for slaughter...how dare they!!!!!!
"Saka....!!!!"
Before she could finish the angry shout she was stopped by Kuma:
"Fine."
"I'll go."
Click—
The Den Den Mushi was hung up.
Queen Dowager Conney collapsed to the ground, crying without stop.
Sabo's pupils constricted; his fists clenched, filled with unwillingness yet helplessness....
The others were in a haze of confusion....nothing else to do.
Think Sakazuki wouldn't carry out the extermination order?
What a joke...
That man has no mercy...he truly would do it.....
Once he acted, it was decisive...
Terrifying Sakazuki...
...
North Blue.
The Vinsmoke family.
A maritime kingdom made of massive Den Den Mushi.
In the largest palace, Sakazuki's promotion ceremony had just concluded.
The channel had been severed.
But Germa's (the Vinsmoke) chief — eyes still bloodshot — kept panting heavily....his whole body trembling:
"An opportunity! An opportunity!"
"The glory of the Vinsmoke family! Will once again preside over the North Blue!!!"
"Ha ha ha ha ha!!!"
He was like a madman.
All these years of campaigning he hadn't gained an inch of land.
Even if he were slow to react, he realized he had been made a puppet by the World Government.
But there was no choice — if they did not go along with the Government's plots, their family's existence itself would be in jeopardy.
So even knowing it, they had to swallow their pride.
But when he saw Sakazuki's plan today, he saw a chance for the Vinsmoke family to regain glory!!!
Sakazuki had blockaded the New World; pirates could not enter or leave.
The Four Emperors' strongholds lie within the New World — their business likewise...
Routes to Fish-Man Island were severed unless one could scale the Red Line or traverse the Calm Belt...but the cost of that would be unimaginable.
And the Vinsmoke family possessed the world's unique massive Den Den Mushi technology!
They could cross the Red Line without obstruction.
What is this?
This is opportunity!!!!
A chance to join forces with the Four Emperors!
A chance to restore the family's honor!
A chance to dominate the North Blue!
A chance to strike back at the Government!
"Vinsmoke! Will once again be great!!!!"
"Ha ha ha ha ha!!!!"
...
Grand Line — first half.
Former Marineford, now the G-1 Branch.
In the fortress office, the promotion ceremony had just ended.
Sakazuki hung up the Den Den Mushi.
He had originally intended to spare the Revolutionary Army for a while — after all, they were only a rising thunder to him; for the Navy right now, pirates were the main target.
But.....one couldn't even protect one's identity, if the Elders' Den Den Mushi called here.
Sakazuki shook his head:
"Fools....."
Zephyr and Morris sat in the office as well.
They assumed Sakazuki was referring to Queen Dowager Conney...after all, she had provoked things and only seven days remained of the initial month because of her provocation.....
Zephyr frowned slightly:
"Isn't this a bit too extreme, Sakazuki."
"After all, it's a World Government member kingdom — the extermination order...might be rash."
"What if they aren't frightened."
"And the war mobilization declared today was all too sudden."
"What if those in the New World, cornered, act wildly..."
Sakazuki chuckled lightly:
"You think I'm trying to scare them?"
Zephyr opened his eyes wide in disbelief.
Morris paused with the teapot in his hand, but had no other reaction and continued pouring tea.
Sakazuki stood and walked to the window, looking out over the distant sea:
"It's only a kingdom."
"If they don't know their place, then destroy it."
"If the king of the Sorbet Kingdom chose to join the Revolutionary Army and was discovered by the Government, there is only one ending."
"Death."
"I don't have the patience to play make-believe with them."
"I joined the military at twelve."
"For what?"
"I've killed countless pirates, and pirates nearly killed me too."
"Was I doing it for myself?"
"Whitebeard's power tore my body; Roger's slash shattered my chest."
"But so what — they are all dead."
"I remain alive....."
"The greatest cancer in this world is the pirates."
"If you don't eradicate them at the root."
"Even if I spend my whole life, I cannot kill them all."
"Hundreds of years, thousands of years later this chaos would still not end."
"Radical methods?"
"I don't think so."
"Until now, the Navy and Government's methods have been too soft."
"Maintaining balance, fearing sacrifice — it's laughable."
"This declaration of war."
"I intend to plainly tell the world."
"The pirates' end has come."
"I will make them watch their own deaths with helpless eyes."
"The Four Emperors?"
"I will personally crush their dreams and futures: their children, territories, crewmates?"
"Do they deserve those things?"
"I will make them lose everything, then die in despair."
"If ten years, twenty years from now, there are still pirates in these seas."
"That will be my dereliction of duty."
"But that will never happen."
"So....."
"From the moment of today's declaration, until every pirate is wiped out."
"This war, launched for the sake of the world's future, has begun to turn; no one can stop it even for a moment."
"The Revolutionary Army? A kingdom? What of them?"
"All obstacles in front of me will be utterly crushed until every pirate is eliminated..."
"This is for the future of this world."
"Sacrifice.....one generation is enough..."
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The fanfic is Finished on p@treon/tambeerg. 414 chapters in total