Buggy and Shanks' Clash Over Ideals
Buggy, with his distinctive red nose and exaggerated expressions, puffed out his cheeks in disdain.
"To think that a pirate would want to be a king… Ridiculous!" he scoffed.
To Buggy, pirates should never aspire to rule or become nobles. That wasn't the pirate way.
"Well~ as long as it's my dream, I can do anything! Besides, he saved so many people!"
A young Shanks, his red hair swaying in the sea breeze, firmly opposed Buggy's view.
The two cabin boys of the Roger Pirates quarreled fiercely, their argument growing louder by the second.
Seeing them bickering, Gol D. Roger burst into laughter.
"Gahaha! If we ever get the chance, we should see that new country for ourselves!" Roger grinned, looking toward the horizon. "A kingdom ruled by pirates, huh? Now that's something worth witnessing."
The Kingdom Under Caesar's Rule
The Navy Reprimanded by Civilians – Sengoku: "This is Unsettling."
In just a few days, with the abundance of food supplied by Caesar, the kingdom experienced an unprecedented transformation.
The once-dying land flourished with new life. Hope rekindled, and the people worked tirelessly to rebuild their home.
Over time, bold merchants ventured into the kingdom. What they found astounded them—absolute safety, minimal taxation, and numerous incentives.
Caesar had eradicated the former royal family and nobles, redistributing their wealth equally among the citizens.
Each person now possessed enough money to spend, and with their newfound security, the demand for goods surged. Human nature craves a better life, and the merchants prospered as a result.
Word of this economic miracle spread rapidly. Businessmen from across the seas flocked to the kingdom, bringing wealth and industry. The once-broken nation was now reborn, shocking neighboring countries.
The Navy's Arrival and the People's Rejection
Meanwhile, on the open sea, a fleet of Marine warships, led by Fleet Admiral Sengoku, cut through the waves, heading toward the central island.
Caesar remained unaware of their approach, occupied with the overwhelming responsibilities of governance. The fledgling kingdom required order, and he had already purged countless corrupt officials.
Seated on his throne, Caesar sifted through documents with Wei Na at his side. His eyes narrowed as his Kenbunshoku Haki (Observation Haki) flared, scanning the port.
He sensed the approaching warships.
Caesar had anticipated the World Government's response to his actions, but he wasn't concerned. He had already foreseen this confrontation.
Looking to Wei Na, he ordered, "Take care of things here. I'll handle this myself."
Wei Na nodded without hesitation. "Understood. Don't worry about a thing."
With that, Caesar soared toward the port.
Confrontation at the Port
By the time he arrived, Gnali and the others had already gathered, blocking the warships from advancing.
Standing at the bow, Sengoku folded his arms behind his back, his face solemn as he surveyed the kingdom. The reforms were evident—this was no longer the impoverished land he had expected.
Behind him, Admiral Kizaru (Borsalino) wore his usual carefree expression, but there was an undeniable flicker of intrigue in his eyes.
Akainu (Sakazuki), however, was seething. His fists, now molten lava, dripped with barely contained fury.
"To think pirates are running a country," he growled. "Unforgivable."
But before the Marines could advance, a mass of civilians swarmed the port.
To the Navy's shock, these were not people crying for help—these were citizens defending the Caesar Pirates.
"You damn Marines, what are you doing here now?!" a man shouted.
"Where were you when we were starving? When we were dying?"
"Leave! You're just the World Government's lapdogs, slaves to the Celestial Dragons!"
Their rage echoed across the port, the collective resentment boiling over.
Sengoku's face darkened. He had not expected this level of hostility toward the Navy.
Then he saw them—haggard, malnourished men and women, their bodies frail and worn. They didn't resemble citizens of a kingdom. They looked like refugees. Victims.
A woman clutching her child stepped forward, her voice trembling with emotion.
"My husband died under the old king's tyranny. We prayed for justice, for salvation! But the Navy never came!"
Tears welled in her eyes as she pointed toward Caesar's castle.
"But he came."
She wasn't alone. One by one, the civilians voiced their grievances.
"The former king bled us dry to pay the Celestial Dragons' Heavenly Tribute!"
"When the nobles stole our food, where was your justice?"
"But now we have a leader who protects us! You won't take him away!"
The waves of accusations struck Sengoku like hammer blows.
This was the Navy's dilemma—justice had failed these people.
Even Kizaru, usually indifferent, looked away, unable to ignore the truth.
But Sakazuki clenched his fists tighter.
"A pirate is still a pirate," he spat. "They're criminals. Those who protect them are criminals too. Justice demands their eradication."
The Caesar Pirates stood in silence, absorbing the people's unwavering support.
Fukurokuju, standing beside Caesar, smiled—a rare, genuine smile.
"They understand," he murmured. "They know who truly fights for them."
Just then, a deafening cheer erupted from the crowd.
"Heavenly King! Heavenly King!"
The title—originally coined by the Navy to paint Caesar as a threat—had now become a badge of honor, a symbol of the people's love.
Sengoku felt a deep bitterness settle in his heart.
Then, stepping forward, he pointed an accusing finger at Caesar.
"You slaughtered a nation's royal family. You seized power through force. That is an unforgivable crime!"
His voice rang with authority, yet deep down, even he wasn't sure if he believed his own words.
For despite being a pirate…
Caesar had done what the World Government never had.
He had saved them.
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