"Who's there?!" The Kingdom Army Commander-in-Chief reacted instinctively, drawing the longsword at his waist. The sharp blade gleamed coldly in the sunlight. He warily scanned his surroundings, only to see a child—yes, a child, probably not even ten years old—standing in the center of the hall, having appeared there at some unknown moment.
The surrounding guards also reacted, quickly forming ranks to surround Enel, the tips of their spears flashing with a cold light.
BOOM!
However, Enel's temper wasn't exactly good. Violent electricity suddenly erupted from his body, blue lightning snaking around him like living serpents. Several bolts of lightning directly struck the soldiers encircling him, emitting sharp cracking sounds.
Instantly, the soldiers collapsed one after another, smoke rising from their armor. The hall was immediately filled with the smell of burning. The fallen soldiers still had wisps of smoke curling from their bodies. The King's wine glass slipped from his grasp, clattering to the floor, the wine splashing onto his ornate boots.
"You... who are you?" The King's voice trembled noticeably. His portly frame involuntarily shrank back, almost sinking into the throne itself.
Enel tilted his head, dangerous light flickering in his golden pupils. "Yahahaha! I'm a pirate!" He spread his arms, tiny arcs of electricity dancing at his fingertips. "A waste like you isn't fit to be king at all!"
The Commander-in-Chief, fighting down his fear, tightened his grip on his sword and stepped in front of the King. "Protect His Majesty!" he shouted, but the tremor in his voice betrayed his terror. Sweat beaded on his forehead, and the hand holding his sword shook slightly.
Enel curled his lip in disdain. "With you bunch of ants?" He snapped his fingers lightly. A blinding bolt of lightning descended from above, striking the massive crystal chandelier hanging in the center of the hall. The enormous chandelier crashed down with a deafening roar, shattering into pieces as it hit the marble floor.
The Finance Minister had collapsed onto the floor. The Minister of State was trembling behind a pillar. The attendants in the hall were in disarray, some even falling to their knees.
The King's face turned deathly pale, his lips quivering uncontrollably. "W-what do you want? I-I'll have you know, I am a king of a nation affiliated with the World Government. Even if you are a Logia user, if you harm me, the World Government will not let you go!" His voice grew weaker and weaker, ending almost in a plea.
"Yahahaha!" Enel laughed uproariously, the sound echoing in the hall. "Just the World Government? I'm not afraid of them!" He floated into the air, looking down upon these panicking 'important' people. "I'm just following my Captain's orders to bring a waste like you to see him."
"C-captain?" the King stammered, his eyes full of dread.
"That's right. My Captain is summoning you at the port. Come with me to see him," Enel said from his lofty position, blue lightning crackling around him.
"And who is your Captain?" the King asked, trembling, his obese frame almost sliding off the throne.
A proud look appeared on Enel's face, excitement gleaming in his golden eyes. "Hmph! My Captain is the leader of the Beasts Pirates—Kaido of the Beasts!"
The hall fell into a deathly silence. Even the sound of breathing became audible. The King's face instantly turned ashen, large beads of sweat rolling down his forehead.
"Alright, now come with me to see our Captain. Otherwise, I wouldn't mind killing you and finding a new king," Enel said.
"Y-yes, of course," the King said hurriedly, his face white as a sheet upon hearing Enel's words.
Soon, escorted by a large contingent of the Kingdom Army, Enel led the pale-faced King aboard the pirate ship. The King's hands shook uncontrollably, fine sweat beading on his forehead—clearly, he was utterly consumed by fear.
"Wororororo. So you're the king of this country?" Kaido looked down at the King from his great height, asking a question whose answer was obvious. His massive frame cast a shadow that nearly enveloped the King completely, his rough voice sounding especially deep in the sea breeze.
"Y-yes, I am," the King stammered in reply, his legs almost giving way. When he saw Kaido's demon-god-like physique up close, his eyes filled with despair. "Lord Kaido, this country's treasures, its beauties... you can have whatever you want... take it all... just spare my life..."
Kaido let out a low chuckle. "Don't worry. I didn't come to Baspa Kingdom this time to plunder it."
Hearing this, the King's taut nerves relaxed a fraction, but the fear in his eyes didn't diminish at all. He cautiously ventured, "Then... then what is the purpose of your visit...?"
"I came this time to pick up Kuzan, a future officer of the Beasts Pirates, and take him aboard," Kaido stated his purpose bluntly.
The King immediately understood, bobbing his head repeatedly. "I see! For Lord Kaido to personally come to collect Kuzan is... is truly our great honor!"
Kaido narrowed his eyes, his tone suddenly turning dangerous. "Hmm... Since he'll be an officer of the Beasts Pirates, it wouldn't seem quite right if he didn't have a bounty poster, don't you think?"
The King's back was instantly soaked with cold sweat. He immediately promised, "Lord Kaido, don't worry! I will contact Marine Headquarters at once and have them issue a bounty poster for Kuzan immediately!"
"Good." Kaido nodded in satisfaction. "Remember, I want to see Kuzan's bounty poster within three days. If I don't..." His voice abruptly turned icy. "...I'll come back and settle accounts with you personally."
"Of course! Absolutely!" The King bowed repeatedly, his voice growing shrill with fear. "I promise I will urge the Marines with the utmost speed!"
Kaido waved his hand, indicating they could leave. The King, as if granted a pardon, staggered off the ship with the support of his Kingdom Army.
After the King and his retinue disembarked, Kaido walked directly to the bow of the ship. He opened his mouth, and then scorching energy began to gather. A Boro Breath stretching several kilometers long melted the frozen sea ahead of the pirate ship.
"Oh no, Your Majesty! Run!" Feeling the terrifying wave of heat and the ice beneath their feet beginning to melt, the Commander-in-Chief hurriedly half-dragged, half-carried the King as they fled towards the port.
By the time the King and the others reached the port, panting and gasping, the once-frozen sea in the distance had been cleared, leaving only a few large ice chunks floating on the water.
The King stared at the pirate ship, now receding into the distance, his eyes filled with pure terror.
Upon returning to the palace, the King immediately summoned all his ministers. His face was still pale, his voice trembling as he issued the order. "Contact Marine Headquarters immediately! I want to see a bounty poster for Kuzan in the shortest time possible!"
The ministers looked at each other. One of them, gathering his courage, asked, "Your Majesty, wasn't Kuzan the hero of our kingdom? Why would we—"
"Silence!"
The King suddenly erupted in fury, slamming his hand on the table and standing up. "This is Lord Kaido's command! Do you want to see the entire kingdom destroyed?!"
***
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