Chapter 334: Dragon: "Pursue the Revolutionary Army with Full Force!"
Matters of the Otherworld were in full swing under the vigorous promotion of the World Government, while various situations and incidents were constantly occurring on the Sea Star Mainland.
[Bang!]
A Gunshot pierced the night sky, followed by more Gunshots echoing across the entire Fortress one after another, mixed with the Roar of explosions and human Screams.
Angry Battle Cries and shouts and various noises were incessant.
This was the Skurab Kingdom, located in the middle section of the third Route in the First Half of the Grand Line. It was a place without a Reverie Seat, but still more prosperous than many Countries.
At this moment, it was clearly plunged into a Riot. Citizens from the lower strata of the populace and Soldiers of the Royal Guard were engaged in fierce crossfire along the high Kingdom City Wall.
[Boom! Boom! Boom!]
Flashes of Gunfire repeatedly illuminated the surroundings before extinguishing again. Each time, they reflected the distorted Expression of the Citizens below the Fortress and the pale Face of the Soldiers on the Fortress.
Near the tightly shut City Gate, warm Corpses lay scattered in Pool of Blood. Some critically wounded individuals who hadn't quite died yet were letting out mournful Screams there.
But no one paid attention to their desperate pleas for help. Both sides were completely ignited by the raging Killing Intent fueled by blood and fire.
Outside the brightly lit Royal Palace Hall, men and women from the Noble District had gathered, awaiting the latest News.
Every Explosion sound transmitted from outside the Fortress would make them tremble with fear.
They discussed amongst themselves, voices overlapping.
"Damn it! Damn it! These damn lowlifes! How dare they do this?"
"Isn't it because of what happened two days ago? Just disperse them, why order to shoot and kill people, sigh—"
"Those lowlifes actually dared to gather and surround the outside of the Fortress, demanding the return of their confiscated Transponder Snails and a fifty percent reduction in taxes. They are simply audacious! What's wrong with the King ordering the killing of two leaders?"
"The problem now is why do these lowlifes have Weapons!"
Meanwhile.
Inside the Royal Palace Main Hall, Skurab V sat on the Throne, gritting his teeth as he listened to the sound of gunfire outside.
Below the Steps.
Thirteen high-ranking Nobility, including Dukes and Marquises, were also discussing in low voices with worried Faces.
"I wonder how long the City Gate can hold out. I just hope it can last until the World Government's reinforcements arrive."
"But the source of this Matter is that we didn't follow the World Government's Suggestion. They will have trouble even if they come!"
"You also said it was a Suggestion. The Heavenly Tribute Reform and the adjustment of taxes in various Countries, such a major Matter must be passed at the next Reverie to become explicit Law. We haven't violated the Law."
"Do you think the World Government will reason with us?"
These fragmented whispers made Skurab V on the Throne extremely angry. He immediately slammed the armrest of the Throne.
"All of you, shut up!"
"Look at yourselves, where is the Spirit of Nobility? Those lowlifes only have a few broken Guns in their hands, while we have twenty-three Cannons on the Fortress wall, and the City Gate is solid Iron that requires mechanisms to open. What is there to fear?"
At this moment, the King regretted not buying some Heavy Machine Guns earlier because he thought the price was too high. Otherwise, he could have just taken them out and cleared those hateful lowlifes who dared to Rebel.
After killing them all, he could just spend some money to buy back a batch of Slaves.
Although the Slave Trade in the Major Seas suffered an unprecedented huge blow due to last year's Reverie, as the saying goes, where there is demand, there is trade. This extremely ancient industry cannot truly disappear.
Suddenly.
Just as his voice fell, the very next second, a thunderous Loud Noise transformed into a mighty sound wave, surging into the Main Hall through layers of thick walls.
"What happened!"
Skurab V suddenly Stood Up. The Dukes and Marquises below also turned their heads in panic, watching a Guard rush in.
"Your Majesty!"
"The City... the City Gate is broken!!"
The Guard knelt on the Ground, shouting in a trembling voice.
"No, impossible..."
Hearing such bad News, the King felt his vision blur, and his entire Body swayed back and forth. At the same time, the dense Battle Cries outside seemed to grow louder and louder.
But even more jarring were the Screams of the Noble men and women outside the Main Hall, like Chickens whose Neck had been wrung.
Everyone was pushing and shoving, scattering and fleeing. Even if someone fell to the Ground and screamed in pain, others would just step over them.
"Your Majesty, let's leave quickly!"
An old Duke with graying Hair quickly urged, also waking up Skurab V on the platform.
"Ah, yes, yes, yes, let's hurry to the Port!"
Just at this critical moment, a 'Purururu' sound rang out.
This was like pressing a time-stop button, causing everyone in the Main Hall to stop their Footsteps. The King, who had just run down the Steps, was overjoyed and quickly took out his Transponder Snail from his pocket.
"Hello, can you hear me, King Skurab?"
"Yes, yes, yes, are you people from the World Government? Are you the Marines! Where are you now?"
"We are Police Officers from the Ministry of Police Affairs. We have already arrived above the Kingdom. Because of the Chaos outside, for your Safety, we Suggest you don't run around. Just wait in the Royal Palace."
The Transponder Snail turned into a terrifying appearance with fangs all over its mouth, issuing Instructions in a hoarse, impolite Attitude.
But at this time, he had become the Hope of the King and the Dukes and Marquises. No one paid attention to such a rude Attitude.
"Good, good, good, this King won't go out, definitely won't go out!"
Skurab V nodded repeatedly, his Face full of the Smile of Surviving a Calamity. Although he wasn't Clear why it was the Police instead of the Marines who came, as long as the other party was from the World Government, it was fine.
Above the Royal Palace, under the night sky filled with the Milky Way and the bright Bright Moon, a large Black Shadow silently appeared there.
Suddenly.
Several small black dots leaped out from the large Black Shadow, scattering rapidly towards the surroundings of the Kingdom. Immediately after, the former also began to descend slowly.
"Kill! Kill these King's lackeys!"
"Overthrow the Nobility!"
"We! Are the Revolutionary Army!"
Thousands of Young and Strong Men wearing patched Clothing fought together with a group of Soldiers in white uniforms, using Firearms, Blades, and even Iron forks and clubs in their hands.
The Battlefield where the two sides clashed centered around the broken City Gate, forming a fan-shaped Area several miles wide, and it was constantly spreading outwards.
On the Fortress, below the Fortress, everywhere was filled with Screams, Gunshots, and the sound of Flesh and Blood being torn apart.
[Bang—Bang—Bang—]
At this moment, streaks of Black Shadow descending from the sky heavily landed on the Ground. The surging Energy/Force they generated spread in all directions, and everyone affected fell down like Wheat blown by the Wind.
At the same time, the overly obvious commotion and the rising Smoke and Dust also attracted the Citizens and Soldiers who were fighting nearby.
"Police Enforcement! Stop immediately!"
A loud shout rang out from the Smoke and Dust. But in this Bloodbath of life and death, how many people would truly dare to stop first just because of a shout?
Clearly, the person who spoke didn't think that talking alone could solve the Matter.
The next moment.
With the Whistling Sound, long, dark green objects shot out from the Smoke and Dust that had not yet dispersed.
Their Speed was so fast that in the eyes of many, they were merely fleeting green shadows. The target person was wrapped up before they could even react.
"Ah, what is this thing?"
"Let go of me!"
When they reacted, they all screamed in panic, and at the same time, they struggled desperately with their Bodies, trying to break free from these sticky things with their Strength.
"So noisy~"
From the mostly dissipated Smoke and Dust, a blonde giant with a Height of two meters and five centimeters strode out, appearing before everyone's eyes.
This person's hands were empty. A custom-made green Uniform was paired with a Dark Green Coat. The surface of his Black High Boots reflected streaks of Moonlight, making crisp sounds as he stepped on the blood-stained Ground.
With his dissatisfied complaint, the dark green sticky things wrapped around the people, like living Slimes, sealed their mouths by going up their Necks.
"I am Gaspardi, a Constabulary Police Superintendent under the World Government's Ministry of Police Affairs. Remember this Name firmly, because I don't have a very good temper!"
With that, his raised right arm turned into a mass of green soft Sugar, and in the blink of an eye, it hardened with a *swish*, turning into a sharp green Blade shimmering with cold light.
Gaspardi had not been in a good mood recently.
If it weren't for the strict Order from the Ministry of Police Affairs that under the premise of no life-threatening danger to oneself, even if the opponent is a Criminal, killing is absolutely not allowed easily, he would have really wanted to directly pierce the Bodies of these Trash.
He was clearly doing well as a Marine in the G-0 Branch below Reverse Mountain, but he was transferred to this Ministry of Police Affairs by a single Order to be some Police Officer!
Although Police Superintendent corresponds to Military Officer (Field Grade), which should be considered a promotion, his Dream was to become a high-ranking Marine Admiral. How could this make him happy?
Meanwhile.
In another part of the Battlefield, large numbers of Citizens and Soldiers appeared dizzy and swayed back and forth in a hazy mist, collapsing to the Ground, then sleeping soundly with red Faces.
"Hiss—this wonderful smell of Alcohol is truly unforgettable!"
"Hello everyone, I am Buck, a Constabulary from the Ministry of Police Affairs. My Police rank is Senior Inspector. I wish you all a pleasant sleep tonight, and be sure to have another drink when you wake up tomorrow morning~"
It turned out that he was the Son of Dr. Wolf from the Academy of Science's Submarine Research Institute, the Special Paramecia Type Drunk-Drunk Fruit Ability User.
However, Buck's action of standing in the center of a group of unconscious people and introducing himself was truly somewhat bizarre.
[Boom——————]
A dark red Air Current, like a Tsunami wave, swept over from Buck's left side. The fighting parties affected along the way fell to the Ground one after another with White Eyes, covering two-thirds of the Battlefield.
In the blink of an eye, the entire Kingdom fell silent.
The Soldiers and rioting Citizens on the Edge were also scared stiff, staring blankly at the bloody Ground paved with Human Bodies before them.
The Moonlight shone down, appearing so eerie.
"Is this Conqueror's Haki? How amazing," Buck clicked his tongue in admiration. Gaspardi on the other side snorted coldly.
"Charlotte Katakuri, huh? Just a Son of a Pirate!"
Gaspardi felt that Charlotte Katakuri should not have been directly granted the rank of Senior Police Superintendent (Military Colonel). Although the other party's Strength was indeed Strong, it was still the same point.
He had a Pirate Origin!
And he himself was a genuine Navy Second Generation!
Just at this moment, a series of rapid and dense Footsteps came from far to near. Charlotte Katakuri, also wearing a Dark Green Coat, looked towards the City Gate.
A group of Police Officers in green Uniforms, with two Handcuffs hanging from their Waist, rushed into the Royal Palace. Without waiting for anyone's Order, they immediately began collecting the Weapons on the Ground and detaining the Citizens and Soldiers who had not fallen unconscious.
"Hey, what are you doing? I'm a Guard of this Kingdom!"
"Arrest these rioters, they are the Criminals!"
The Soldiers of the Royal Guard, seeing that they were also about to be arrested, immediately shouted in dissatisfaction.
But the Police Officers didn't waste any words. When they encountered resistance, they raised their Gun stocks and smashed them down hard. When these Soldiers cried out in pain and begged for mercy, they were handcuffed.
At this time, Charlotte Katakuri, leading a dozen Police Officers behind him, walked into the Royal Palace Main Hall with his long legs, and met the King and the Dukes and Marquises who were waiting obediently.
"You're finally here! That's great! How's the Situation outside now? This King seems to hear no more commotion..."
Skurab V quickly stepped forward to greet them, asking with a joyful Smile.
"I am Senior Police Superintendent Charlotte Katakuri from the Ministry of Police Affairs' Military Police Bureau. I have been ordered by Minister Dragon to come here to maintain Public Order, investigate this Riot incident, and arrest the relevant Law violators. This is my police ID."
Charlotte Katakuri's Attitude was completely businesslike. He directly took out his Document and showed it to the King.
"Okay, okay, thank you for your trouble!"
Skurab V nodded repeatedly. He had been scared by the rioters outside tonight and didn't care about maintaining the dignity of a King of a Country.
"First, the Riot outside has been suppressed by us. Next, please tell us the information you have."
While Charlotte Katakuri was communicating with the King, Buck and Gaspardi outside the Royal Palace were also cooperating with ordinary Police Officers to interrogate the rioters and Soldiers.
Three hours later.
Dragon in Sabaody Archipelago received a Transponder Snail call from Charlotte Katakuri in his Office.
"Katakuri, how's the Situation?"
The Minister of Police Affairs was looking down and processing Documents while talking to the Transponder Snail on the Edge of his desk.
"The Riot has been resolved. The main reason was that Skurab V ordered the shooting of two leaders who were gathering for a demonstration."
"These Citizens' demands were the return of their confiscated Transponder Snails and the cancellation of the allocated Heavenly Tribute according to the World Government's Suggestion, paying the Heavenly Tribute from the normal total Citizen tax revenue instead."
Dragon stopped his Pen after hearing this, raised his head to look at the Transponder Snail, and asked in a deep voice, "Then how did you handle it?"
"Arrested Skurab V and all Nobility above the rank of Marquis for the Crime of disrespecting the World Government, and escorted them to Enies Lobby to await Trial by the Supreme Court."
Dragon was very satisfied after hearing this. Although the Law was improving now, it did not yet involve the King's Authority within his own Country.
In other words, a King executing his own Citizens was not a Crime.
But if he disregarded the World Government's Suggestion, it could be considered disrespecting the World Government, which is equivalent to disrespecting the World Nobles, the Celestial Dragons.
This Matter could be big or small, entirely depending on whether the World Government decided to be serious about it.
Does it seem unreasonable?
Then it's correct.
The World Government's Rule over the past nine hundred years has never relied on perfect Laws or reason, but on absolute Combat Power, Military Power, and Influence/Power!
"In addition, I think there are three strange points about this Riot," Charlotte Katakuri on the other end of the Transponder Snail continued.
"First, these Citizens had a large number of Firearms and Weapons of unknown origin."
"Second, these Citizens used the Name 'Revolutionary Army'. It is said that the first people to bring it up were the two leaders who were previously ordered to be shot by the King, but they did not die on the spot."
"Instead, they died from severe injuries the night after being taken back to the Commoner District."
"Finally, there were no Powerhouses who reached the Sword Master realm among these Citizens, yet they directly broke through the twenty-centimeter thick solid Iron City Gate head-on."
"I observed carefully, and the cut was very smooth. It must have been caused by a powerful Slash."
After listening, Dragon frowned and muttered the words 'Revolutionary Army' in a low voice.
He had a Feeling that the main Opponent of his Ministry of Police Affairs in the Future might be this group of Masterminds hidden in the dark.
"Inciting Citizens, using them to overthrow the King and Nobility, their Means are truly malicious. How many Citizens and Families will this harm?"
"They must not be let go! Pursue the Revolutionary Army with full force!"
(End of this chapter)