In the Port City of the Coral Royal Court, the sea breeze carried a salty, humid scent, and waves rhythmically crashed against the shore.
It should have been a peaceful day, yet five warships flying the Skull Bay flag, like five monstrous, lurking beasts, silently appeared on the sea near the port, and the shadow of war instantly enveloped the entire city.
The moment these warships appeared, the port's guard force instantly tensed, and the news spread at the fastest possible speed.
Xavier had just finished some governmental affairs when he heard the urgent report from the guards; his heart sank, and without a second thought, he immediately rushed towards the port.
"Damn it!" Xavier cursed inwardly, "Leaving that fellow here overnight was indeed a mistake. And Duke (Bones), that old bastard, actually came in person!"
He hurried along, his mind rapidly considering countermeasures.
When he arrived at the port, looking at the five oppressive warships on the sea, his brows furrowed into a knot, and his face was so grim it looked like it could drip water.
"Thorn!" Xavier's voice boomed, echoing over the port, "Immediately initiate Level One combat readiness! Point all shore cannons at those damned warships; we absolutely cannot let their shells land on our soil and harm any of our citizens!"
"Yes, His Majesty Xavier!" Thorn's expression was grave; he accepted the order without hesitation, then turned and quickly went to arrange various defensive matters, his footsteps urgent and forceful.
"Someone!" Xavier immediately ordered loudly again, "Notify that bastard Red Hawk to get over here and solve this trouble immediately! He caused this mess, and he must be responsible!"
"Yes, His Majesty Xavier!" A guard soldier responded, then turned and ran off, his figure quickly disappearing at the end of the street.
At this moment, a chilling laugh came from the warships on the sea: "Heh heh heh heh!" The laughter sounded especially eerie carried by the sea breeze.
"Xavier, this time this Duke is too lazy to waste words with you!" Duke (Bones)'s voice, full of killing intent, resonated like rolling thunder, clearly crossing the sea to the port, "Hand over Red Hawk! I know he's hiding with you!"
Xavier looked up at the warships, his expression stern, staring fearlessly at Duke (Bones), and loudly retorted: "Old Bones! Red Hawk will be here soon. But I warn you, if you dare to fire on this city, I'll risk my life to make sure you die here!"
"It's been a few years, and your tone has grown quite a bit, Xavier!" Duke (Bones) snorted coldly, "Do you think this Duke is so old he can't even swing a fist anymore? However, this Duke has no patience; I'll give you three minutes! After three minutes, I want to see that bastard Red Hawk appear before me!"
His voice was full of menace.
Xavier did not respond; he gritted his teeth, silently praying that Red Hawk would appear quickly.
He had already sent someone to urge him; since this trouble was caused by Red Hawk, he should be the one to resolve it.
Time ticked by, second by second, each second feeling incredibly long.
The sea breeze still blew, the waves still crashed against the shore, but the atmosphere at the port was tense to the extreme, like a tightly stretched string that could snap at any moment.
Soon, three minutes passed.
"Xavier, where is Red Hawk?" On the warship's deck, Duke (Bones)'s furious roar sounded again; his face was flushed with anger, and his eyes seemed to be spitting fire.
Xavier was now burning with anxiety; with Red Hawk's strength and speed, arriving here should have been instantaneous.
But even now, there was no sign of Red Hawk at the port.
"Did I misjudge him?" Xavier couldn't help but feel a hint of doubt, "He didn't seem like someone who was cowardly and irresponsible yesterday..."
But despite the doubt, he didn't panic; he subtly signaled his subordinates to prepare to fire, while silently calculating his next moves.
"Xavier, can you bear the consequences of sheltering Red Hawk? Think carefully!" Duke (Bones)'s eyes were wide with rage, staring intently at Xavier as if to see through him.
Just as both sides were at loggerheads, with war on the verge of breaking out, the guard soldier who had gone to find Red Hawk ran back, panting.
His face was covered in sweat, and his steps faltered; he had clearly been running frantically.
"Xa... His Majesty Xavier..." The soldier said, gasping for breath, "Red Hawk... Red Hawk has already left!"
"What!?" Xavier's eyes widened, his expression instantly frozen, as if struck by a bolt of lightning; he was completely stunned.
He never imagined that Red Hawk Andy, the great pirate with an 80 million Berries bounty, would just run off without a word, leaving such a huge mess for their Coral Royal Court.
In an instant, anger, like a surging tide, instantly filled Xavier's chest.
He clenched his fists tightly, his knuckles white from the effort, and veins bulged on his forehead.
He knew that Duke (Bones) would now certainly believe he was hiding Red Hawk, and he had no way to explain.
But no matter what, he had to try; he couldn't let innocent citizens be dragged into this baseless conflict.
"Old Bones! I never provided Red Hawk with any shelter, and that bastard really has left the Coral Royal Court..." Xavier tried to keep his voice steady, attempting to explain clearly to Duke (Bones).
"Xavier! Do you take this Duke for a three-year-old?" Before Xavier could finish speaking, he was interrupted by Duke (Bones)'s furious roar.
Duke (Bones)'s old face was filled with chilling killing intent, like an enraged beast.
"Xavier, since you insist on sheltering Red Hawk, don't blame this Duke for being impolite! Let's go to war!" Duke(Bones) abruptly waved his hand and ordered loudly, "Men, flatten the city across from us for this Duke! Leave no one!"
"Old Bones, you..." Xavier tried to make one last effort, but before he could finish his words—
"Boom!"
A deafening explosion suddenly erupted, as if the sky and earth were collapsing.
The terrifying sound instantly shattered the port's tranquility, shaking the earth and sky, startling seabirds to scatter and fly.
At this moment, everyone present, both on Duke(Bones)'s side and the Coral Royal Court's side, was stunned.
One of the warships, which had just been flying the Skull Bay flag, suddenly experienced a terrifying explosion!
A warship was just destroyed like that?
As everyone was completely bewildered, Duke (Bones) and Xavier both instantly turned their gaze towards the sea further from the Port City.
Despite being several kilometers away, with their eyesight, they could still see a small, sail-less boat appearing on the sea.
This small boat was Andy's jet ski!
"Red Hawk Andy!" Duke(Bones)'s roar seemed to shake the heavens and earth!
Xavier on the shore was also stunned; that bastard Red Hawk hadn't run, but instead had circled around and headed out to sea!
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