Only a torrential downpour could extinguish the flames of anger burning within the hearts of both the Royal Army and the Rebel Army.
Aside from that—
It would take overwhelming power to suppress them.
That was precisely what Maude was about to do.
Tap, tap—
Maude walked along the shadow bridge suspended in midair.
However, his attention was not focused on the clashing armies below but on the western side of the palace.
That was where the royal tombs of the Alabasta Kingdom were located.
Amid the white-hot chaos of the battle, the aura belonging to Luffy had finally converged with Crocodile's deep within the royal tombs.
"It doesn't matter who wins or loses."
"With me here, the outcome is already decided."
Maude's gaze seemed to pierce through the smoke and buildings, locking onto the man laughing maniacally—Crocodile.
He wasn't certain if the battle between Luffy and Crocodile would end the same way as in the original timeline, given the changes his presence had caused.
If not—
Then he would simply eliminate Crocodile himself and pin the deed on Luffy.
Even the deaths of Baroque Works' senior agents could be attributed to the Straw Hat Pirates.
Maude walked nearly a hundred meters forward before coming to a halt, standing atop the shadow bridge extending from the clock tower.
Below him, the chaotic battle raged on.
The clashing of steel—
Gunfire—
Screams.
A cacophony of sounds filled the air.
Perona floated behind Maude, glancing down at the carnage.
Corpses piled high, blood flowing freely.
This was the true face of the world.
"What are you all standing around for? Hurry up and stop the war! Even saving one life is worth it!"
Below the clock tower, Nami's tear-filled voice cracked as she desperately commanded Sanji and the others.
Only they could hear Vivi's cries.
Only they could act to stop the war.
"..."
Hearing Nami's hoarse pleas, Sanji and the others remained silent.
They knew full well that their strength alone couldn't halt this battle, which had already reached its peak.
However—
Doing nothing wasn't their style.
They scattered across the battlefield, doing their best to stop the fighting.
As Nami had said—
Even saving one life was enough.
Their meager efforts did not escape Maude's notice from the shadow bridge above.
A drop in the ocean.
Maude mused.
Perona, watching Maude's back, realized what he was thinking.
"Maude... You're not thinking of stopping the war, are you?"
"I am."
Maude gazed down at the bloodthirsty soldiers below.
Perona's eyes widened in shock.
"That's... impossible, even for you."
"How would I know if I don't try?"
Maude turned to her with a smile.
"Besides, aren't you here to help me?"
"Huh?"
Perona froze, blindsided by the sudden burden thrust upon her.
She frantically shook her head.
"There are at least two hundred thousand people down there! Even if I exhaust myself, my Negative Hollows couldn't stop them all!"
"Just do your best. Leave the rest to me."
Maude never expected Perona's ghosts to quell the entire battlefield—he only needed her to lighten his load.
"Fine..."
With no room to refuse, Perona reluctantly agreed.
"Be careful."
Time was running out.
After offering Perona a brief warning, Maude tilted forward and plunged straight toward the plaza below.
The shadow bridge trailing behind him dissolved into a mass of blackness, following closely behind like a cluster of dark clouds.
With the bridge gone, Perona began to fall as well.
Hovering midair, she summoned a swarm of Negative Hollows, which flitted around her protectively.
The ghosts were immune to physical attacks, making them perfect for disrupting the soldiers without fear of harm.
Their task was simple—pass through as many soldiers as possible, draining their will to fight.
Meanwhile, Perona herself was still vulnerable, even from the heights.
Neither the Royal Army nor the Rebel Army noticed Maude's rapid descent.
He landed first—
Smack in the heart of the bloodiest fighting.
Boom—!
The impact shattered the stone tiles beneath his feet, sending shockwaves rippling outward.
Dust billowed in every direction.
The dramatic entrance instantly caught the attention of nearby soldiers.
"Who... is that man?"
Both Royal Army and Rebel Army soldiers found themselves asking the same question.
Amid the stunned silence, Maude slowly drew Shusui from its sheath, muttering to himself.
"The so-called Hakoku... symbolizes the unstoppable—a manifestation of spirit and will."
"Since mastering it, I've reaped countless benefits."
As he spoke, Maude assumed the Hakoku stance.
A whirlwind spontaneously formed at his feet, swirling dust around him.
His surging aura sent chills through the surrounding soldiers, who instinctively sensed that a single slash from this man would annihilate them all.
Driven by fear, they turned their weapons on Maude in rare unison.
"If I truly possess the talent, under the guidance of Hakoku... the result should follow naturally."
Facing down the sea of enemies, Maude merely projected his aura without delivering the slash.
This time—
He sought to replicate Hakoku through sheer force of will, directing his Haki outward to sweep across the battlefield.
After a brief buildup, his aura surged to its peak.
His Conqueror's Haki exploded forth—
The dust storm at his feet erupted outward, carrying with it a faint black shockwave that passed through every nearby soldier.
One by one, they convulsed before collapsing, eyes rolled back.
Thud, thud—
In mere seconds, tens of thousands of soldiers crumpled like dominoes.
This was the limit of Maude's Conqueror's Haki in its current guided state.
"What... just happened?"
The remaining soldiers stood paralyzed, unable to comprehend the sudden devastation.
The clamor of battle gradually faded into eerie silence.
Vivi, watching from the clock tower—
Perona, hovering midair—
The Straw Hat Pirates struggling to halt the bloodshed—
All stared in stunned disbelief at the lone figure standing amid the fallen masses.
Amid countless wide-eyed gazes, Maude slowly sheathed Shusui.
This... was the true Hakoku.
So Maude believed.
-------
Want to read waaaay ahead of schedule? Head over to my Patreon ——— patreon(.)com/EmperorGarus [remove the parenthesis ( )]
There are more than 400 advance chapters available for you!