Previous chapter Recap:-
Lucius combines his stand Ability with observation haki. Rayleigh begins their combat training, Roger finds out about his incurable disease two years early, they set out to explore and discover every island. Bekori requests help that comes with a hefty price.
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Lucius's expression changed to a deep frown when he looked at the capital city of Sorbet kingdom. What he sensed there wasn't merely misfortune anymore. It was inevitable death itself. His mind pondered what could possibly cause it and he didn't like the answer at all.
"Miss Espionage For the next period of time, Try to evacuate as many civilians as you can." Lucius abruptly gave an order to Ginny who was observing the city along with him while standing atop their base located in the deep forests of Sorbet kingdom.
"Got it… Should I Contact Mr One to come back?" Ginny replied without being snarky. Because the last twelve months had made her realize how ingenious Lucius truly is when it comes to strategic decisions. To the point, Ginny sometimes felt as if Lucius could look into the future itself. Lucius shook his head then spoke "No need, He should focus on his current mission… But I will inform him of some contingency just in case"
Ginny nodded before she went downstairs to inform the others. Meanwhile Lucius used a transponder snail to call Kuma.
Puru Puru Puru~ Katcha! "Little Gunter! It's been awhile since you called. How are you?" Kuma asked a question in the manner Lucius had taught everyone. Lucius approved internally before he spoke like a kid would "Yes! Uncle, I am feeling good, I just missed you so I called.. I hope I didn't call you when you were in a negotiation."
They talked for a few minutes or so about random interesting topics that would make sense in a random conversation between an uncle and his nephew until eventually he conveyed the message by saying "By the way, Uncle, the weather seems to be getting quite windy recently. I think there could be a storm coming soon, so if you aren't able to contact me, presume it's probably due to the storm and not me trying to ignore you."
Kuma frowned slightly upon understanding the message so he replied to convey he understood. "I see! That is indeed quite troublesome, I was hoping to occasionally share some interesting things I have seen in my journey. Either way, Make sure to stay safe and hydrated, Little Gunter.." They continued chatting for a few more moments before finally ending the call.
'I hope what I am presuming doesn't come true… It will get pretty hectic otherwise.. Hmm I could also contact the news coo just in case' Lucius mused internally trying to think of different contingency plans for his hypothesis… That Sorbet kingdom will be erased from history.
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Bekori waited with anticipation and Anxiety on the City's large port for his esteemed guest to arrive, soon enough he noticed three marine battleships in the horizon following a smaller ship on the front. He saw a man with an arrogant smirk on his face come out and Bekori almost immediately bowed, trying to appear humble and submissive. "My lord! I hope you didn't experience any difficulties while arriving in my meager kingdom." He exclaimed such words that caused people who were quietly observing this from far away to be stunned and curious about the person's identity.
Spandine's smile almost immediately widened after hearing Bekori's bootlicking. "It seems you know your place, Come, Let's go to the castle and discuss your 'pest' problems" Spandine spoke with a sneer on his face at the end. Bekori quickly led Spandine to his castle, unaware of the events that would occur.
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"Indeed! Such troublesome parasites must be eradicated immediately." Spandine spoke with contempt as he slowly sipped on his tea. Causing Bekori to feel some comfort after having to 'donate' that hefty sum of money. Although what he heard next made him feel more uncomfortable.
"However.. I suspect.. your 'obedient' citizens are likely helping the rebels. So I think it would be for the best if we launch a city wide search and interrogation from them to find out the traitors, Probably even offer rewards before we snuff all the rats…" Spandine spoke indifferently while sipping his tea. Although inwardly he was pleased to see bekori's reluctant acceptance of his 'plan', which was but merely a way for him to get some shares of this big pie.
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The citizens of Sorbet Kingdom, Initially felt hope that the marine had finally learned of their situation and had come to help. However their actions and interaction with their Tyrannical 'King' told them otherwise. Their life became even more miserable than it already had been since Bekori became king.
But. Despite all that, they never lost hope; rather it only grew more stronger with time due to a group of rebels that had been resisting the tyrannical actions of King bekori. And Spandine.. learned that the wet way. When he was directly spat on by some rebels who would rather die than reveal any information about the core members of this rebellion.
Spandine fumed in anger, trying to calm himself yet failing to do so. He brutally tortured that rebel but that still didn't satisfy him when he heard the rebel mockingly look at him with a smile and say "Give up! We have experienced something that people like you, can never understand! It doesn't matter if you kill me. In fact I encourage you to do it! My death will merely serve as fuel for the Fire burning in our hear-Bang!" The rebel didn't get to finish his speech as Spandine shot him with his pistol. bang! bang! He shot a few more times with cold eyes.
"Tsk." Spandine clicked his tongue, his mood now ruined, He went back to his room in an attempt to relax and sleep for the day. Hours later however he was jolted awake by exclamations of his subordinates causing him to frown, He quickly grabbed his Pistol and hid until one of his subordinates came to report on what happened.
"What the actual fuck Happened?" Spandine asked with feeling displeased for having his sleep disturbed. The subordinate hesitated for a moment then finally decided to say "Seven of our guards have been found dead in their room.." causing Spandine to widen his eyes with surprise and anger. But he held back from saying any harsh words to his subordinate. Because he never mistreated his guards in case they tried to betray him when his life would be in danger. Instead he asked with gritted teeth "Did you find any clues on who did it?"
The guard nodded with a serious look on his face. "In the walls of their rooms, There are some messages that we suspect are from the rebels.." He quickly handed over a piece of paper in which they have hastenly written down each message.
Spandine frowned deeper the more he looked at the message 'A head for a Head, That is our Justice, That is our Kindness. Viva La Revolution!'. He took a deep breath before his eyes shot open, now colder, He crumpled the paper while he muttered "Justice.. you say? Fine, I will show you Justice."
Thus begun a period of harsher injustice against the inhabitants of this kingdom.
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Amara leaned against the wall of Oro Jackson, Her heart beating in anticipation. Thinking of her inevitable reunion with her husband. As Roger's crew casually stockpiled on the supplies before They would enter the second half of the Grandline known as 'New World'
A precarious part of the sea where the rest of the world's logic doesn't apply.
Roger, noticing the peculiar behavior of Amara, felt an urge to have a conversation so he casually walked over and stood next her while leaning back against the railings. For some moments nobody spoke until Roger asked "He is with Kaido, Right?." to which Amara nodded. Having already told them about her past after traveling with them for so long. She and Roger both did find it amusing since they both had the Initial D. Even joking sometimes that would probably mean double the trouble for the world government.
"Bahaha! Then that kid will definitely try to find me when we reach the new world." Roger commented after a light laugh, reminiscing about the past when he used to fight against a particular frenemy. Causing Amara to smile in return as well.
"Initially.. The reason I visited the sorbet kingdom was because of Lucius." Roger revealed, causing Amara to glance at him and muttering "You have 'That' don't you." Roger didn't answer but they both knew what it was. The voice of all things.
"Lucius.. He is special. Even more than I am." Roger finally spoke about what he had been holding back, Amara paused for a moment before smiling bitterly. She would have felt happy and even proud if it had been any other big shot who said it.
But she knew what it meant to be greater in their 'Heritage'. The will of D. It was both a curse and also a blessing. It meant Lucius's destiny would cause a bigger storm than even Roger himself.
Roge shifted the conversation to what he really wanted as he nervously asked "Amara.. Can I Have some sake..? you know since we are returning to the New world and such, I think that deserves some celebration.." Amara merely stared at Roger without saying a word, who uncomfortably moved around like a kid asking his mother about wanting an extra cookie.
"Even if I didn't, You would probably drink the whole sake bottle you have stashed behind your cape. But Only half that's all I will allow.." Amara finally replied while rolling her eyes at the sheepish Roger who had been found out.
Roger feeling invigorated excitedly shouted towards his crew "Everyone! Time to party!". Causing Amara to shake her head in Amusement at her Captain's Childish antics.
As Roger partied with his Crew, Amara noticed a Troubled Kuma rushing over to her. "What's wrong, Kuma?" She asked with concern "I can't contact Lucius! Its like the connection is jammed… He did warn me something like this could happen but I don't know if it's because he is in trouble or because we are under the sea right now" Kuma spoke with a voice of anxiety.
Amara frowned slightly "We will be on the surface of New World in an hour or so, If you can't contact him even after that.." They both understood what that meant and they soon arrived on the surface but.. Kuma still couldn't contact Lucius.
Their unusual and anxious behavior was quickly noticed by other members who after learning the gravity of the situation also turned serious. "This is troublesome… But I won't stand by and let someone harm my crewmate's family. Everyone! Prepare yourself." Roger spoke with a rare moment of seriousness. Letting Amara appreciate his gesture.
Kuma on the other hand had already started charting the exact location he needed to repel Oro Jackson back near Sorbet kingdom.. yet he knew even then they would only arrive to help Lucius after at least two days.
'Lucius.. Please stay safe.' Amara thought with her intuition warning her that something bad was about to happen and as if timed. Trouble did come find them. Roger looked towards Shiki with a serious expression who spoke loudly with an arrogant smile on his face. "Shikakakaka! Roger! you didn't expect this… did you?!"
But Shiki saw Roger not replying as he expected. A rare moment of seriousness appeared on Roger's face as he spoke "Shiki, I would have loved to fight you but... not today. I have a nephew to rescue!" Before shiki could even sneer and tell Roger to look at his large group of fleet. His jaw almost dropped when he saw the oro Jackson instantly vanish as if never existed there. he rubbed his eyes to see if he was hallucinating. But he still couldn't see the Roger pirates nor their flagship.
"C-Captain! The weather has abruptly shifted! A whirlpool has been spotted nearby, if we don't escape, We will lose half of our fleet!" Shiki's Navigator shouted. Gritting his teeth he finally barker orders "Set sail!" not wanting to waste his forces until he clashed with Roger.
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Bekori sipped his wine in contentment. Spandine had informed him that The rebels likely had some Grandline organization backing them. So Spandine had been granted an additional 10 battleships to command as he pleased. But what truly relieved Bekori was that he would finally be free of those rebels.
Just as he was celebrating his inevitable victory, One of his subordinates knocked on his bedroom door causing Bekori to frowned slightly at his subordinate disturbance but he still yelled out "You can enter." knowing they would only do such actions if it was an emergency.
Bekori's Impatient gaze shifted to a more anxious one when he looked at his Subordinate who had an equally panicked expression on his face. The subordinate without saying anything showed him a piece of paper which had a Lotus symbol on its back. Feeling a sense of foreboding He quickly snatched it and started reading it. Initially he felt excited upon reading the beginning but that quickly turned into anger. It reads as follows.
[My dear Brothers and sisters. I am deeply saddened to say this today. However it seems.. We have failed. Our mission to liberate this kingdom of yours have failed. No, It wasn't your fault nor because we have given up but rather... It seems those unreasonable scums have chosen to take a drastic course of action.. to erase your kingdom from the Map.]
Bekori's brain almost short circuited due to what he read then it turned into panic. he took a deep breath to calm himself down and continued reading the notice which further increased his dread.
[Truly inhuman... I know. The source I have is very creditable so I know for almost certainly they plan to do it. So I kindly request if you can then.. escape! Your survival is more important because as long as you survive, You will be able to help us enact Justice for their disgusting behavior! For those who are capable and want to help.. I would suggest taking up any sort of weapon even if it's just a shovel! Help anyone you can! This is a matter of going extinct and Do not trust the Marine at all cost! They are following the orders of a lunatic on the same level as that Tyrant! The man named Spandine and Bekori are in colludes! They are the one who is trying to do such an unreasonable act! So In order to Uphold Justice We 'Lights of Revolution.' Condemn this heinous war criminal and Declare a justified Civil war against him. VIVA LA REVOLUTION!!]
Bekori slumbed down on his chair with despair written on his face. 'Its over.. By the time the battleships arrive.. they would have my head.. No.. I refuse! I must resist until the end! I must hold o-Crack' His thoughts so chaotic and desperate that he did not notice until he died that a deep hole had appeared through his head. The 'subordinate' Looked at his 'King' expressionlessly before stealthily escaping.
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Word count: 2569
Author's Note:
I had three candidates to select for this incident but eventually decided that Spandine makes the most sense. Especially considering Lucius's birthday is on the same day as Robin. February 6th.
Also in order to ensure, I don't drain myself, I will postpone the Thursday missed upload to hopefully Friday if everything goes well. I rested on both days to fully recover so I wrote this chapter today.