"Hey, old man. Hand over the one who awakened Conqueror's Haki. Otherwise… hehehe."
Captain John, reeking of alcohol, smirked at King Riku in the distance.
The king was battered, his soldiers equally wounded. When John's crew invaded, Riku had ordered Tegu to evacuate the civilians while he and his troops fought to hold the line. At first, they managed to stall the pirates, but the moment John's three top officers joined the fray, the battle turned.
"Oi, John, why waste time talking? Just kill them all. We'll find the girl ourselves."
The speaker stood four meters tall, muscles bulging, his face twisted with brutality.
His epithet: Tyrant. John's first mate and strongest enforcer. A man known for his savagery.
"Tch. Tyrant, is your brain only wired for slaughter? This is a World Government affiliate. Without Rocks around, attacking one means we'll be hunted forever. Use your head!"
A sharp female voice snapped at Tyrant.
"Scorpion's right, Tyrant," another added. "Try using your head for once. You're always hacking and slashing like some brainless brute."
This second voice belonged to a slender woman in a tight-fitting purple suit, with long, painted nails and a dangerously alluring charm, Scorpion.
The third officer, Viper, was gaunt and hunched, his pale skin and blood-red eyes giving him a sickly aura.
"Hahaha! Tyrant, ease up. This is King Riku we're dealing with. We should negotiate… right, Your Majesty?"
John grinned, then kicked Riku across the port, sending him flying dozens of meters.
"You scum sucking pirates!"
The soldiers roared in fury, but before they could act, a muscular figure charged in from a distance.
"Bastards! Get away from the king!"
A man with a chiseled physique, bare-chested and wielding a massive two-handed sword, sprinted toward John.
King Riku shouted desperately, knowing the strength of John's crew. Even Kyros wouldn't stand a chance.
But Kyros was blinded by rage. His only thought: annihilate these pirates who hurt the king!
"Too bad you're out of your league!"
Tyrant grinned menacingly and launched himself at Kyros like a cannonball.
Kyros didn't flinch. He swung his greatsword with both hands and struck Tyrant directly.
The blade rang out, but Tyrant remained unfazed.
"Hehehe... Kid, you really think that toy of yours can cut through me?"
Tyrant's body shimmered with Armament Haki, hardened and darkened to a jet-black sheen.
In the New World, dual-Haki usage was basic for pirates, and Tyrant was no exception. His mastery of Armament Haki was top-tier.
Tyrant blocked the sword and counterattacked, hurtling forward with a monstrous right fist cloaked in Armament Haki, aimed straight for Kyros' face.
Kyros barely managed to block with his sword.
He was launched backward like a ragdoll.
A spray of blood burst from his mouth.
"Damn... what power..."
Kyros' hands trembled as he struggled to rise.
"Hahaha! Kid, take pride in surviving one of my punches."
"Now then, hand over the Conqueror's Haki user!"
The pirates advanced with killing intent, surrounding King Riku's group.
"Never! We won't let you!"
"Stop! Don't you dare harm my father or our soldiers!"
Two voices rang out simultaneously.
Unlike King Riku's bold proclamation, the second voice was unwavering, resolute, and graceful.
A pink-haired girl walked toward the king's side with unwavering steps, a rapier at her waist.
She was Princess Scarlett, John's target.
"Oh? There you are... the Conqueror's Haki user."
John's eyes lit up as he stared at the approaching Scarlett.
"Scarlett! Why are you here?! Get back!"
King Riku panicked upon seeing his daughter on the battlefield.
"As a royal of Dressrosa, how can I run from mere pirates?!"
She drew her rapier, her aura flaring.
An invisible wave of pressure surged from her, Conqueror's Haki bursting forth.
"Pirates! You will not lay a finger on Dressrosa!"
Though still young, in that moment, she stood tall like a true ruler. Her aura radiated with nobility and force.
The intense Conqueror's Haki exploded outward in all directions, so fierce it actually sobered up the drunken Captain John.
His eyes narrowed, a killing aura replacing his earlier mirth.
"Big words, little girl. You're the key to me retaking Hachinosud!"
"Scorpion, Tyrant, Viper, grab her!"
The three officers moved forward, but Scarlett didn't retreat an inch.
"Tch! Don't order me around!"
She held her rapier high, Conqueror's Haki in full force, unshaken, unafraid.
"Come quietly, little girl."
"Spare yourself the pain." Scorpion smiled eerily at Scarlett.
"She's not going anywhere."
A voice, cold as steel, answered, followed by a wave of magma.
A justice coat flared. Golden-red axe. Crimson flames.
Sakazuki had arrived.
"Tch. Marines. Faster than expected."
The three officers backed off quickly, eyes narrowing.
The Monster of the Marines, The Mad Dog, user of the Magma-Magma Fruit, they all knew who he was.
"King Riku. Take your people and fall back. I'm not liable for any... collateral damage."
Sakazuki didn't even glance at the king; he issued orders, not requests.
In his eyes, the mission came first. Always.
Before King Riku could respond, Scarlett's temper flared.
"Marine! Watch your tone! That's King Riku Dold III, ruler of Dressrosa!"
"And I am the future queen, Scarlett! The strongest queen!"
"Also, the future wife of Hammer!"
As she finished speaking, her Conqueror's Haki surged again, Sakazuki blinked.
He'd dismissed her at first... until he heard the words:
He froze. Whipped his head around and stared at the little girl.
'Oh right, Iron Hammer owed his life to Dressrosa.'
'But still, what the hell was this kid talking about?!'
'Hammer may be reckless, but surely he wouldn't go for a literal bean sprout , right??'
At that exact moment, racing full-speed across the sea...
Hammer sneezed violently.
"Which bastard just cursed me?!"
If you enjoy the story, my p@treon is 30 chapters ahead.
[email protected]/DaoistJinzu