----
They had meetings from morning to night, and the people outside had been watching the entire time. For these observers, every topic discussed related to their interests.
However, the portions of these meetings that were broadcast publicly were, in fact, irrelevant. The truly significant matters were those that could not be revealed.
Before this public meeting, many had already started discussing various topics, primarily focusing on military and political matters, as well as potential future concerns.
Most of these discussions revolved around real-time political strategies and military strengthening theories within the pirate world.
It had only been half a month since the Roya Kingdom merged with the Tru Kingdom, yet the military and political systems of both Kingdoms had already been integrated.
The number of people involved in facilitating this cooperation remains unknown.
What is certain, however, is that Anos had already begun recruiting soldiers with strong physical abilities for training, and they were undergoing rigorous preparation based on the Marine's training methods.
It Is estimated that within a few years, the entire Tru Kingdom will be able to dominate the entire South Blue.
Although they could achieve this even now, they are not in a hurry. Their priority is to conserve their strength and recover.
Currently, the Tru Kingdom has an army of approximately 500,000 soldiers. However, only a small percentage are eligible for selection into the Marine Guard.
Even with only 10,000 chosen, it would still be more than sufficient.
During the one-day meeting, almost all future strategies were decided. The people could already feel the growing prosperity of their kingdom and eagerly cooperated with the policies handed down from above.
Soon after, the Tru Kingdom entered a period of economic development.
However, there was still one more pressing issue to address.
The pirates with Devil Fruit abilities who had been encountered while conquering the Roya Kingdom posed a significant challenge.
----
Three days after the meeting.
Anos met with Daiki, alone in the palace hall. The meeting was highly confidential.
It wasn't just that the meeting itself was confidential the content of their conversation was of the kind that must never be revealed.
"Daiki, how are you handling the pirates with Devil Fruit abilities?" Anos asked calmly, standing beside Daiki.
"Your Majesty, they are all imprisoned in the royal city. Each of them is wearing a Seastone restraint. I can guarantee that there will be no issues," Daiki replied respectfully.
"I asked you to investigate their Devil Fruit powers earlier. Have you identified them all?" Anos asked again.
"Everything has been thoroughly researched and recorded. I have it all here for Your Majesty to review," Daiki responded, pulling out a sheet of paper filled with details.
Anos glanced at the list, then sighed. "Seventeen Devil Fruit users! How did so many come from the West Blue?"
"Your Majesty, some of them acquired their Devil Fruits through auctions, while the others obtained theirs through luck or theft," Daiki explained.
"Tomorrow, bring all of them secretly to the hidden chamber in the back mountain. Make sure no one sees them during the transfer," Anos commanded, his tone serious.
"Yes, Your Majesty…" Though Daiki didn't understand the reasoning behind the order, he followed Anos's instructions without question.
When Anos reviewed the Devil Fruit abilities on the list, he found a few of them quite valuable, while others were nearly useless.
The most impressive among them was the Superhuman-type Petrification Fruit.
Its users could turn anything they touched into stone a power that would be invaluable for the kingdom's future infrastructure projects.
As for the other Devil Fruits, though some were less remarkable, they all had their unique uses.
For the Tru Kingdom or Anos, Devil Fruits were no longer a rarity. In the old Roya Palace, they had found six additional Devil Fruits.
Though their quality varied, it was still an impressive haul.
Anos's plan was simple: to convert all these Devil Fruits into the kingdom's strength. Each fruit had unique potential that could be harnessed for the benefit of the Kingdom.
Possessing a dozen Devil Fruits, even for a kingdom on the Grand Line, was considered a rare luxury let alone for a kingdom outside it.
Anos looked at the list once more. If these fruits were converted into Beris, the kingdom would be wealthy for a time.
But what they truly needed now was not money. It was the ability to Prepare for future disasters.
----
Early the next morning, Daiki and his Marine Guard secretly transferred all 17 pirates with Devil Fruit abilities to the hidden chamber in the back mountain.
The area behind the palace was completely secluded, with no chance of intrusion.
Although there were no additional guards, the only access was through the palace itself.
Anos arrived at noon. Some of the pirates once feared and domineering, were now terrified.
The so-called secret chamber was a cave, but it was vast enough to accommodate thousands of people.
When Anos entered, Daiki and his guards immediately bowed in respect. As for the restrained pirates, they were powerless mere lambs awaiting slaughter.
Bound with ropes and wearing Seastone collars, they had no hope of escape.
Their former glory as feared criminals of the West Blue was now a distant memory. All they could do now was struggle for survival.
Anos nodded to Daiki and his guards, then turned his gaze to the pirates, a faint smile playing on his lips as he assessed their worth.
"Let's start"
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