The royal palace quickly became a sea of fire. The royal family was dragged out by the enraged populace. People, who had long lost all hope, used the most malicious methods they could think of on these vampires. Initially, the obese king still clamored for these commoners to release him, threatening that they would all die when the World Government's army arrived. But soon, arrogance turned into pleas, and reprimands turned into wails.
Absolute malice and the brainwashing effect of the group atmosphere drove the already desperate people completely insane. All morals and bottom lines were cast aside, leaving behind only the purest evil!
On a nearby rooftop, Doctor Trafalgar, the man who first knew the whole truth, looked on with a pained expression. He wasn't grieving for the royal family. Even the most innocent members of the royal family had grown up sucking the blood of their countrymen. Every thread on their opulent clothes hung with piles of white bones. Every single one of them deserved to die.
But, this country was finished. From today onwards, there would be no more Flevance in the world, no more place for its citizens to stand. Tears flowed uncontrollably from his eyes.
"If you have time to cry here, you'd best take your family and leave quickly."
Beside him, the man who had single-handedly ignited this riot spoke quietly, "The World Government will react soon. By then, you won't even be able to run."
"Run?"
Doctor Trafalgar said, distraught, "Where else can we run to? Where in the world is there a place for us?"
"Live one day at a time, I guess."
The man stretched lazily. "There's still more than a decade left. You've got to find something to do, right? Maybe you'll even discover a cure for Amber Lead Syndrome?"
Doctor Trafalgar gave a bitter smile. As a doctor, didn't he know whether it could be cured? But the man beside him was right; living was better than dying.
Doctor Trafalgar took one last look at his compatriots below. This country was coming to an end, but what would the North Blue become next? When these desperate people, consumed by hatred and only seeking revenge, escaped to the sea, what would they turn the North Blue into?
What Doctor Trafalgar feared was exactly what the man beside him desired. Their people had already infiltrated the angry populace. Next, they would guide these people, consumed by despair and hatred, to spread the flames across the entire North Blue.
The moment the riot in Flevance occurred, the news reached Marijoa immediately. Although it was just an insignificant small country in the distant North Blue, it still managed to alarm one of the busy Five Elders. That powerful figure, who wielded the highest authority in the world, spoke only one sentence: "No one is allowed to damage the government's reputation."
Immediately, several World Government affiliated nations surrounding Flevance received urgent communications from the government, stating that a terrifying and highly contagious plague had broken out in Flevance, and if not dealt with quickly, the entire North Blue might be affected. Then, several countries urgently dispatched troops, preparing to purge Flevance of everything that moved. However, when the joint fleet of these countries arrived at the white town, the country was already empty.
"Fortunately, we prepared enough ships; otherwise, it would have been impossible to transfer everyone in such a short time. Umite and Feld were a great help! In the end, the World Government could only force all our newspapers to shut up, and then ordered all affiliated nations in the North Blue to kill all Flevance survivors! Under the guise of an infectious disease!"
In Wano Country, Roa leisurely listened as Morgans relayed the latest developments from the North Blue over the Den Den Mushi. "Hahahaha! Of course, this order also reached the ears of those unlucky survivors immediately."
"Oh, that's truly pitiful."
Roa said compassionately, "Damn World Government, how much further will they bully them? Morgans, quick, help them!"
"Of course, Boss! Besides us, who else would help them?"
Morgans naturally chimed in, equally indignant. "They have nothing left. At the very least, we must ensure they still have the right to revenge!"
"Our people have been guiding them. While directly attacking Marijoa is certainly impossible, seeking revenge on those hateful affiliated nations who supply the World Government is definitely not a problem."
"That's excellent!"
Roa breathed a sigh of relief, not forgetting to instruct, "Since you've decided to guide them, do it well. You can even set up some training for them!"
"If they can't be law-abiding citizens, then they can switch careers and become pirates. Give them a good crash course in professional skills."
"The next era belongs to pirates. This way, early employment means catching the wind before it blows!"
"Boss!"
Morgans' voice had a hint of a whimper. "You, you are truly benevolent! Even for people you've never met, you care for them so much! I understand, I will surely fulfill your instructions well!"
"Then I'll leave it to you!"
Roa said, sighing with emotion, As expected of my Morgans, a genius who is completely on par with me in this regard!
"Oh, right, Boss,"
Morgans suddenly added from the other end, "Zephyr has left the new recruit training camp."
"Huh?"
Roa was startled. "When did that happen?"
If Zephyr wasn't training new recruits anymore, what about the future Marines? Could Aokiji still smoothly become an Admiral—oh, he didn't even learn Haki upon graduation; he relied entirely on Garp's tutoring, so never mind.
"Just now,"
Morgans continued, "He's formed a new unit called the Marine Guerrilla Force."
"Oh?"
Roa's eyes narrowed. Could it be that the ability is truly taking effect?
In a training ground at the distant Marine Headquarters.
Clang, clang, clang, clang!
The steel target wailed in agony. The man standing before this heavy target silently left deep imprints on it with kick after kick. He wasn't using Haki, nor was he even exerting much force. He was simply adapting to fighting with his feet!
"Without my hands, I still have my legs! Just wait!"
The man, former Marine Headquarters Admiral, former Chief Instructor, and current commander of the Marine Guerrilla Force, Black Arm—no, aiming to be Black Leg—Zephyr, spoke in a low voice, "Roa, and those pirates in the New World, all of you, just you wait!"
The flame of revenge burned fiercely within his heart, never ceasing. This flame transformed into surging power, constantly propelling Zephyr forward. Tsuru, Garp, Sengoku, and Kong all advised Zephyr to calm down. But Zephyr felt that his current state was not bad at all. It had been a long time since he had felt such fighting spirit. Although he had lost an arm, he felt, paradoxically, that he was about to return to his peak!
"Sir! Soldier Sakazuki reporting!"
A voice came from behind him. Zephyr turned. Sakazuki was standing there, carrying his luggage.
"Last question, Sakazuki,"
Zephyr asked sternly, "Are you sure you want to graduate early from the new recruit training camp and join my Marine Guerrilla Force?"
"Rather than studying, I'd prefer to gain practical experience with pirates' lives!" Sakazuki didn't hesitate.
"Good!"
Zephyr nodded with satisfaction. With this kid joining, the Marine Guerrilla Force would finally start looking like something.
"Then follow behind me! Together, we'll clear out all the pirates!"
Zephyr declared loudly, "The Marine Guerrilla Force is not for protection, not for vigilance. We will only take the offensive and eliminate all pirates within our attack range!"
"Yes, sir!"
Sakazuki's eyes were filled with excitement. This was the Marine he had always envisioned!
That day, on the square outside Grand Gate Castle.
Roa was clashing swords fiercely with Shiki the Golden Lion. After a long time apart, their usual sparring sessions had resumed. However, now, Shiki could no longer easily push Roa back just by manipulating two swords with his Float-Float Fruit. Without using Haki Imbuement, Roa could fight him to a standstill.
"If you have any more hidden moves you haven't taught me, just use them," Roa said with a bright smile, "Otherwise, in another two years, once I surpass you, I might lose interest."
"Surpass me?!"
Shiki sneered. "Who do you think I am?!" Black lightning instantly crackled on his sword blades, leaping skyward. Perhaps Roa would surpass him in the future, but for now, this kid needed to behave!
"Hey! Uncle Shiki! This isn't what we agreed on!"
Accompanied by a cry of pain, Roa flew off. It was at this moment that Piercer Borg, the Flying Pirates' top sniper, descended from the sky, flapping his wings. The man's face held obvious excitement. "Admiral, the whereabouts of the Roger Pirates have been confirmed!"
"Finally!"
Shiki's eyes gleamed, and black lightning surged skyward from his twin swords. "Gehahahahaha! Roa!"
"Understood."
Roa scrambled to his feet. "Then, let's attack."
The Roger Pirates, the most legendary pirate crew after Joy Boy and before Luffy. The time had finally come to meet them!