Chapter 64: The Fury of Sarkozy IV!
King Sarkozy IV of the North Blue's Sarkozy Kingdom was in a very cheerful mood lately. Ever since plundering the White Town eight years ago, the kingdom's treasury, which had been nearly empty, was suddenly replenished. In addition, at the last two World Conferences, he had received support from the top echelons of the World Government, allowing him to suppress the neighboring Trebolsa Kingdom.
This increase in influence was a matter of great celebration for Sarkozy IV. And for a celebration, the more the merrier. Having just returned from the Holy Land, he hadn't had time to prepare anything. Holding a celebration so hastily wouldn't properly display the power of the Sarkozy Kingdom, so preparations were necessary.
The invitations were sent out early, all in anticipation of today.
Standing on the highest tower of the royal palace, Sarkozy IV looked down at the bustling crowd below, feeling very satisfied. As soon as the nobles arrived with their gifts, the celebration could begin with great fanfare.
He looked up at the sky. A blue canvas without a single cloud. The winter sun was warm but not glaring. It was truly rare and fine weather. It seemed that after the banquet, he would have to reward that law enforcement officer who had recently come into his service; his weather predictions were truly accurate.
Just as Sarkozy IV's spirits were high, the sky suddenly dimmed.
What's going on?
Sarkozy IV, looking up at the sky, felt very angry about this sudden change in weather. Yes, very angry.
Compared to the kings of many other kingdoms, Sarkozy IV was a rare powerhouse among them. With his broad knowledge, he didn't believe that the weather in the North Sea, where his country was located, would change as erratically as in the New World, and with absolutely no warning.
This change in weather was clearly due to other reasons.
In just an instant, Sarkozy IV determined that an enemy had arrived. As for who it was or how strong they were, Sarkozy IV didn't care at all. At this moment, he was furious. All he wanted was to find the person who dared to ruin his banquet and then execute them in the cruelest way possible, to let the world know the consequences of angering him.
"You damn fools, what are you still staring blankly at the sky for? An enemy is attacking! Guards, relay my orders! Prepare our defenses, then find the attacker for me! I will execute him in the most brutal way—"
Before Sarkozy IV's voice could even fall, a massive bolt of lightning shot down from the churning dark clouds in the sky, heading straight for him.
Seeing the lightning strike down, Sarkozy IV did not panic. Sidestepping with super-fast speed, he dodged the lightning strike without any harm.
"Who are you going to execute in the most brutal way?"
Just as he dodged, a voice mixed with the sound of thunder rang in Sarkozy IV's ear.
"How could it be you?" Seeing the figure not far away, Sarkozy IV cried out in shock.
"And why couldn't it be me?" Standing at the very top of the high tower, Daz Bonez looked down and asked Sarkozy IV.
"Rear Admiral Daz Bonez, do you not know my identity? I am a member of the World Alliance of Nations! The top brass of the World Government even specifically commended me this year! Do you know what the consequences will be for causing trouble in my country?" Sarkozy IV naturally recognized Daz Bonez, the rising star of the Marines. Who wouldn't, when Daz Bonez had created the fastest warship in the Navy's history?
"Whether I know or not is not important. What's important is that I'm not actually a Marine. Hmm, I did indeed spend a few years in the Marines to build the warship my captain needed, but that doesn't mean I became one of them. From beginning to end, it has never changed. I, Daz Bonez, am a member of the Red Nose Pirates. So please, don't make that mistake again." In a departure from his usual self, Daz Bonez was patiently explaining things to Sarkozy IV.
His face turning grim, Sarkozy IV naturally understood the meaning behind Daz Bonez's words.
"Whether you're a Marine, a pirate, or a bounty hunter from the West Sea, I just want to ask you, what do you want by coming to my country, to my palace?" Sarkozy IV asked, suppressing his immense anger.
"Eight years ago, your Sarkozy Kingdom, along with Oba Kingdom and Vonsale Kingdom, sent troops to annihilate Flevance, the so-called White Town. That's correct, isn't it?" Daz Bonez asked unhurriedly.
"Hehe, that's right. What about it? Is your Red Nose Pirates crew going to meddle in affairs that even the World Government ignores?" Sarkozy IV retorted with a cold laugh.
"We don't meddle in other people's business, but our ship's doctor is the sole survivor of that great battle. He wants revenge, and as his comrades, we naturally have to lend a hand," Daz Bonez still replied unhurriedly.
"Damn it! It wasn't just our Sarkozy Kingdom that sent troops back then! Why did you have to come to us first?" Sarkozy IV grew even more furious.
"Who told you we came to you first?" Daz Bonez asked in return.
"Isn't that the case? You attacked the royal palace as soon as you arrived. If this wasn't the first stop, I would have received news long ago," Sarkozy IV continued to endure.
"Do you think our captain would be foolish enough to attack one place first and then give you all a chance to escape? Impossible. So naturally, all three kingdoms that sent troops are being attacked at the same time. Rest assured, not a single one will be able to run."
Receiving Daz Bonez's answer, Sarkozy IV's expression actually improved significantly.
"Hahahaha, who do you think you are? The Whitebeard Pirates? Daring to wage war against three kingdoms at the same time, is your captain a madman? Even the Whitebeard Pirates couldn't bear the pressure of fighting three kingdoms at once! You are doomed to lose! Trying to annihilate our three great kingdoms is simply wishful thinking!" Sarkozy IV had now become quite happy.
Encountering a pirate crew led by a madman was indeed troublesome, but encountering a pirate crew led by a madman who was also an egomaniac was not so scary.
"Who told you we were going to annihilate the three great kingdoms?" Daz Bonez's voice still sounded very calm.
"Aren't you here for revenge? Are you not going to kill those soldiers?" Now it was Sarkozy IV's turn to be a little confused.
"Our captain said that our Red Nose Pirates are a fair and reasonable crew. Soldiers are merely blades in the hands of a ruler, just a tool. It's meaningless to quibble with a tool, because if this tool breaks, the ruler can just get another one, right? So the target we're looking for is the person holding the tool. In other words, your royal families are our targets. As for the commoners, our captain has absolutely no interest in oppressing them."
Now, Sarkozy IV finally understood what Daz Bonez meant. Actually, it wasn't that Sarkozy IV couldn't understand him before, he just hadn't thought in that direction at all.
(End of Chapter)