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"Oops, I didn't expect King Anos of Tru Kingdom to be here as well," Aokiji remarked, his voice carrying a lazy drawl as he sat back in his chair.
His demeanour was nonchalant as if nothing could faze him, yet his gaze sharpened as he acknowledged the king's presence. "The World Government meeting isn't for another two months. It seems you're here a little early."
King Anos, a figure whose mere presence commanded respect, arched an eyebrow, offering a slight smirk in response.
The room was filled with high-ranking officers and officials, each bearing the insignia of the World Government, yet Anos seemed unfazed by the importance of this gathering.
It was as if he had come here for a reason beyond the official protocols.
"Is he the king of Tru Kingdom in the South Blue?" murmured a Marine officer seated near Aokiji, casting a sceptical glance at Anos.
Though Tru Kingdom was a respected member of the South Blue, its power was far overshadowed by the influence of the World Government, which made Anos's presence here both surprising and slightly unnerving to those unfamiliar with his confident demeanour.
"We're conducting a meeting here. I wonder what brings King Anos to this gathering," another Marine chimed in, his voice carrying a cold edge.
This officer, the first to address Anos, held a stern expression that conveyed both caution and mistrust.
Anos met his gaze calmly, unflinching. "Don't speak to me in that tone," he replied, his words laced with a hint of mockery. "We're here because the World Government extended an invitation to the Tru Kingdom to consider joining as a member nation."
"And given how the future unfolds, we may even be offering financial support to the Marines."
A hushed silence filled the room as his words lingered in the air. Several Marines shifted in their seats, exchanging uneasy glances.
The idea of a new kingdom joining the World Government always stirred mixed reactions, especially when it involved potential shifts in financial backing or alliances.
Yet, Anos seemed entirely at ease, almost as if he anticipated such a response.
There were at least a dozen figures in the room, all familiar with each other's faces, yet the presence of an outsider, particularly a king, seemed to alter the usual atmosphere of their meetings.
It wasn't difficult to guess that this gathering involved preparations for the upcoming World Government Conference, a highly anticipated event that was still two months away.
For Anos, however, this opportunity felt like fate's subtle hand guiding him to this particular place and time.
Who would have thought that these Marine officers, who normally received little respect outside their jurisdiction, would soon be heading to Mariejois, the seat of power for the World Government, for a meeting of such magnitude?
"If you're joining the World Government, then go ahead and join," one Marine officer interjected, his voice dripping with disdain. "Why show up here?"
"Boring," Anos replied, shrugging off the hostility. "I'm not here to please you. Perhaps I happened upon this meeting by pure chance, or perhaps I wanted to see the Marines in action."
The Marine scoffed, narrowing his eyes as he studied the king, but chose not to press further.
Anos's provocations had struck a nerve, yet the man could do little but simmer in silence.
"Oh boy, another headache," Aokiji muttered, stretching as if burdened by an invisible weight. "You all continue here; I'll take him where he needs to go." With a heavy sigh, he rose from his seat, offering a resigned look to the others.
His laid-back attitude seemed at odds with the tension in the room, yet his rank as an admiral granted him the authority to act as he pleased.
Seeing Aokiji, a Marine admiral, willing to guide him, Anos simply smiled, choosing to remain silent as he followed.
The Marines seemed to watch him with a mixture of suspicion and curiosity, yet no one dared question the admiral's decision.
As they exited the room, Suzu, Anos's close aide, remained close behind, carefully closing the door.
She was one of the few he trusted implicitly, a skilled advisor and tactician in her own right, though she preferred to keep a low profile.
"Don't you need to attend the meeting, Admiral Aokiji?" Anos asked, breaking the silence with a slight smirk.
Aokiji gave a dismissive wave. "There's nothing worth discussing. Just the same topics I've grown tired of hearing alliances, conflicts, trade routes. It's a never-ending cycle."
Anos nodded thoughtfully. "Congratulations on your promotion, by the way. I hope you'll remember this alliance and lend Tru Kingdom your support if the need arises in the future."
Aokiji sighed, his expression shifting from nonchalance to mild exasperation. "I'll be grateful if you don't cause me any more trouble. After the last incident, you don't know how much scolding I got when I returned."
The "incident" he referred to was the recent manoeuvre in which Tru Kingdom had cleverly leveraged Aokiji's influence to enter the Roya Kingdom's capital.
The move had allowed Tru Kingdom to block potential threats from neighbouring nations, though it had caused a stir within the World Government.
Aokiji, however, had taken the brunt of the criticism.
"I'm truly sorry about last time," Anos said, though his smile betrayed no regret. "But Tru Kingdom is still small and vulnerable. We had to borrow your name, Admiral Aokiji. This time, I've brought some tokens of goodwill for you."
Aokiji waved him off. "I don't need any tokens. Just finish your business here and return to Tru. And try not to cause any trouble in Mariejois."
"Understood," Anos replied with a casual nod, his demeanour calm and composed.
The presence of someone familiar by his side made things significantly easier for Anos, saving him the hassle of navigating the labyrinthine corridors of the World Government's facilities.
Yet, as they continued walking, they encountered an unexpected figure.
A man wearing an oxygen mask, whose mere presence exuded authority, appeared from around the corner. His gait was slow and deliberate, each step radiating a sense of entitlement that only one of his status could possess.
This was Saint Charlos, one of the Celestial Dragons, and his arrival sent a ripple of tension through the hallway.
Fortunate to have Aokiji as his guide, Anos kept his composure.
As Charlos's eyes swept over them, he addressed Aokiji with an air of superiority. "Admiral Aokiji, who's that behind you?"
Aokiji, unfazed, replied with his usual indifference. "Saint Charlos, why trouble yourself with minor details?"
The Celestial Dragon ignored the slight, his gaze shifting to Suzu with a lascivious gleam. "I like that woman. She should come with me."
Anos's calm expression wavered for a fraction of a second, but Aokiji stepped in before he could respond.
"That won't be possible, Saint Charlos. Tru Kingdom is here to join the World Government," Aokiji stated, his tone firm but devoid of reverence.
Charlos's eyes narrowed as he scrutinized Anos with an air of disdain. "What kingdom?"
Anos maintained his composure, bowing slightly as he replied, "Saint Charlos, we're from Tru Kingdom in the South Blue. It's an honour to meet you."
Charlos smirked. "How much will it cost me to buy that woman? Women from your kingdom are quite a prize. She'd be lucky to become my fifty-seventh wife."
A flicker of irritation passed over Aokiji's face. "Saint Charlos, you're aware that clear orders are preventing Celestial Dragons from acting against citizens of member nations."
"Hmph," Charlos scoffed. "As if there's ever been a woman I couldn't have."
With a final sneer, he turned on his heel and strode away, his guards trailing behind him.
Yet, as he departed, a faint blue light emanated from Anos's fingers, subtle and barely noticeable, attaching itself to Charlos's back. The light vanished in an instant, leaving no trace.
Anos turned to Aokiji, his expression neutral. "Are all Celestial Dragons like that?"
"More or less," Aokiji replied with a sigh, his tone resigned.
Anos managed a wry smile. "Best to conclude matters here quickly and return to Tru."
Aokiji nodded. "Everyone's already here, and the World Government meeting will take place in two months. Since you've chosen to join, will the Tru Kingdom be attending?"
Aokiji had long suspected that Tru Kingdom would join the World Government, understanding well that Tru's power extended beyond appearances.
For Anos, this was just the beginning, a chance to solidify Tru Kingdom's place on the world stage.
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