Chapter 91 – Leo Joining Crew Officially
The streets of Cleaica were alive with chaos and hope, a strange combination that only war and liberation could forge. Smoke still rose from toppled banners, the scent of fire lingering as a reminder of the night's conflict, but now it mingled with the lighter aroma of flowers thrown by civilians onto the cobblestones. Citizens stepped from their hiding spots, blinking in disbelief, whispering in hushed tones.
"They… they actually did it…" one woman murmured, clutching her child tightly.
"They fought back… the pirates…" an older man whispered, tears gleaming in his eyes.
Arthur stood atop a shattered statue of the king, surveying the scene below. His silver hair gleamed in the early morning sun, whipped by the wind, and his eyes, sharp and calculating, scanned both the freed citizens and the lingering threats in the streets. The adrenaline from the battle still thrummed in his veins, but his mind was already analyzing the aftermath.
Beside him, Leo lowered his axe, breathing heavily. Sweat dripped down his face, yet there was a light in his eyes—a mixture of relief, pride, and mourning. "Father… we did it," he whispered, staring at the distant square where his family had been imprisoned, now finally liberated. "You… can rest. Your fight… wasn't in vain."
Hiroshi sheathed his katana and let out a low whistle. "That… that was something else. Never thought I'd see the day an Admiral gets pushed back, let alone in a city filled with civilians." He glanced at Arthur, eyes filled with respect. "Your coordination… and foresight… it's insane."
Arthur nodded slightly, his expression calm. "It's never about strength alone. Strategy, timing, and trust in your crew—that's what wins battles."
---
Meanwhile, Surv moved through the streets, lightning still dancing lightly along her arms. She was checking on the citizens, ensuring no one was trapped beneath rubble or in the chaos of fleeing Marines. Her eyes softened when she saw children hugging their freed parents. "They're safe," she said quietly to herself, almost in disbelief. "They're actually safe…"
Rio perched on a rooftop, scanning the horizon. The last pockets of resistance from the Royal Guard were being subdued or fleeing, and he gave a small nod. "City is mostly clear. Minimal casualties among civilians… We actually did it."
Clover approached cautiously, analyzing every detail. "Yes, but this won't end here. Word will spread. The World Government, the Admirals, even the Five Elders—they'll notice Cleaica's liberation. Arthur… we need a plan."
Arthur's lips curved into a faint smile. "I already have one." He paused, closing his eyes for a moment. The battlefield, the city, the liberated cries of the citizens—all of it fed into his System interface, glowing faintly in his mind's eye.
SYSTEM ALERT: Achieved Major Objective – Liberation of Cleaica Kingdom
Rewards Acquired:
Experience +5000
Item Acquired: Blueprint of Uranus (retrieved previously, confirmed secure)
Power Allocation Available: +1 Haki Mastery / +1 Combat Efficiency / +1 Future Sight Precision
Special Reward Activation: System Choice Pending
Arthur opened his eyes. The reward pulsed in his mind like a heartbeat, waiting for him to claim it. The blueprint of Uranus, the ancient weapon they had secured from Shayia Island, was safely in his possession—but the System's gift was a separate boon. He could choose to enhance his Haki, combat efficiency, or predictive abilities, or save it for a critical moment.
He chose carefully. This wasn't a moment for impulsiveness. "Future Sight Precision," he muttered quietly. "I need to foresee more, to move faster than anyone else can react…" The System confirmed, embedding the reward deep within his consciousness. His perception sharpened instantly, the faint hum of incoming threats already visible in subtle air currents, the weight of steps, even the pulse of the city itself.
Arthur's gaze drifted toward Leo, who had collapsed to his knees, exhausted but alive. His silver hair glimmered in the sunlight, his eyes still shadowed by grief, yet alive with purpose. Arthur crouched beside him. "Leo… your father's legacy lives through you. Today, you didn't just fight; you inspired an entire kingdom."
Leo's hand tightened on the axe. "I… I just remembered him. And now…" He exhaled shakily, tears running down his face. "Now I know he wouldn't want me to mourn. He'd want me to fight. To live… for freedom."
Arthur nodded. "Then live for it. For Cleaica. For your father. For all of us."
---
Elsewhere, the freed citizens were beginning to take their first real breaths of liberation. They started tearing down the royal banners, smashing the king's statues, and raising the flag of freedom. Their cheers echoed through the city streets, shaking loose debris and ringing in the ears of the exhausted Marines.
"Everyone… together!" Surv shouted, electrifying the crowd's momentum with her Logia powers in controlled pulses, allowing barricades to be lifted and trapped civilians to escape. "Take back your city!"
A group of villagers, emboldened by the Pirates' bravery, rushed toward the palace gates, now shattered by Arthur and his team's infiltration. "For Cleaica!" they cried, tearing down tapestries bearing the king's face. Children laughed, waving sticks as makeshift swords, while their parents fought back tears, reclaiming the streets as their own.
Clover stepped beside Arthur, her eyes analyzing the aftermath with precision. "The city will rebuild, but the government will send reinforcements. We need to prepare for them. And you… your System reward…"
Arthur's eyes flickered toward the floating interface in his mind. "I'll keep it ready. For now, the priority is the people. Every action must protect them first."
---
As the morning sun climbed higher, Arthur called the crew together on the steps of the now-liberated palace. Leo rose slowly, clutching his axe as if it were a talisman. Hiroshi, Surv, Alex, Rio, and Clover assembled in formation, each weary yet alive, their uniforms torn and bloodied, but their spirits unbroken.
Arthur addressed them with his usual calm, authoritative tone. "Today, we did more than fight. We gave the people hope. Cleaica is free because each of you trusted each other. Remember that. Every city, every kingdom we face… the same principle applies. Strength, strategy, and heart."
Hiroshi nodded sharply. "And if the World Government retaliates?" he asked, voice low but steady.
Arthur's lips curled into a faint smirk. "Then we'll show them why the Silver-Hair Pirates are different. We don't just fight for treasure. We fight for the powerless. For freedom. And we win, not with fear, but with courage."
Leo finally looked up, his eyes now bright with purpose. "I… I want to join officially. I fight not just for my father, but for everyone who cannot fight for themselves."
Arthur extended his hand. "Then welcome aboard, Leo Von Seo. Your courage will strengthen this crew."
Leo grasped it firmly. "I won't fail."
Surv crossed her arms, a faint smirk playing on her lips. "You'd better not, newbie. We don't carry dead weight."
Leo chuckled, despite the lingering tension. "I wouldn't dream of it."
---
The city continued to roar around them, now alive with voices of liberation. But Arthur's attention remained outward. He could sense the faint ripples of far-off power—a subtle, ominous warning. The world was watching. The Admirals would not ignore this. The Five Elders would soon take note. And somewhere, Shanks was already moving against Big Mom.
Arthur allowed himself a brief exhale. He activated the final component of his System reward—Future Sight Precision—and felt the world slow around him. Every motion of the citizens, the flicker of distant sails on the horizon, even the heartbeat of his crew, was now a visible thread in the tapestry of fate.
"System ready," he murmured quietly, almost to himself. "The world is watching… and so am I."
He scanned the streets below, noting each citizen, each surviving soldier, each Marine fleeing in terror. A plan began forming in his mind, not for the next battle—but for the one after that. Every action, every decision, every strike would now carry the weight of possibility.
And somewhere deep in his chest, the pulse of the System reward thrummed like a second heartbeat, promising power, insight, and the potential to shape destiny itself.
Arthur looked toward Leo, toward his crew, and toward the horizon, silver hair shimmering in the dawn light. "This… is just the beginning. Cleaica is free. And the world… is waking."
The Silver-Hair Pirates, battered yet unbroken, stood atop the ruins of tyranny, gazing at a city reclaimed by hope. And for the first time, Arthur allowed himself a faint, confident smile.
The storm had broken. But the winds of change had only just begun.
" Get Ready Navy Reinforcement are on the way"
Arthur said as dominator
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