A small smile appeared on Ryuen's lips. "Heh…"
"Hey!" Nami frowned and called out with annoyance, "What's going on? Hurry up and tell us!"
She lightly tapped Ryuen on the shoulder.
Everyone else was just as curious.
Ryuen chuckled and said:
"Hehehe~"
"To be honest, it's not that big of a deal. After what happened last night, the World Government now thinks the Magiatsuka Kingdom might start working with the Revolutionary Army."
"So, they decided to pull the Marines out of the kingdom—openly, not secretly. They didn't even try to hide it from the people here."
"They're using this move to pressure the kingdom's new king, who's about to take the throne."
"I get it now."
"Once the people realize the Marines are gone, they'll have to face the threat of pirates on their own."
"That way, regular people might start blaming the new king before he even takes the throne." A sly look flashed in Nojiko's eyes, as if she'd seen right through the World Government's plan.
Everyone suddenly understood—so that's what this was all about. The World Government really was manipulative and hard to guard against.
"Exactly!" Everyone agreed.
"This really will put the new king in a tough spot," Anya said with a sigh.
"There's another possibility," Robin added, "If the new king doesn't stop working with the Revolutionary Army even after the Marines leave, then the World Government might kick the Magiatsuka Kingdom out of the alliance altogether."
"If that happens, the kingdom won't just have to worry about pirates—it might even get attacked by the Marines themselves," Nojiko said, following up on the thought.
"Damn it!" Reina couldn't help but curse. "If that's true, then the World Government is way too overbearing!"
Her young face twisted with anger.
"This is probably one of the World Government's usual tricks," Robin said calmly, but her voice was firm. "Their only goal is to hold onto power."
"Do you think Marine HQ even knows what's happening here?" Daisy asked, looking around.
"They don't. The World Government bypassed HQ and gave the order straight to the base commander here, Corki. Let's go, it's time to head back to the hotel." Ryuen turned and walked away.
The others looked frustrated. This really did sound like something the World Government would do.
Then everyone followed Ryuen.
.....
On the wide road from the capital of the Magiatsuka Kingdom to the port city, tension hung thick in the air.
Two groups stood face to face, ready to clash at any second.
One side was filled with people whose anger had twisted their faces. They stared at their enemies with clenched teeth, like they were ready to tear them apart.
The other side wore masks that hid their faces and emotions.
They were CP0—who had finally caught up.
One of the CP0 agents spoke coldly: "Garfield Angela, so you really are working with the Revolutionary Army. Don't you understand that the Magiatsuka Kingdom is still a member of the World Government?"
His voice was icy and full of threat.
Hearing that, the 13-year-old Angela's face darkened. The eyes of Witt and the hundred-plus soldiers behind her were filled with hatred and anger, as if flames were about to burst out.
Angela's lips trembled as she shouted back with emotion:
"CP0!"
"You bastards! If you hadn't helped the noble alliance pull off that coup all those years ago, they never would've succeeded!"
"It was your World Government's interference that led to the people of Magiatsuka suffering fifteen years of pain!"
"Our country has been ruled by those brutal nobles. So many innocent people have been tortured and killed. And my family was almost completely wiped out because of it! I hate all of you!"
Her eyes were filled with tears, but even more with pure hatred toward CP0.
Kana and the rest of the Revolutionary Army were already on high alert, watching the seven CP0 agents. They knew that now that they'd been caught, a fight was unavoidable.
"Oh dear~"
"Looks like Princess Angela really has chosen to side with the Revolutionary Army. Do you realize that by doing this, the World Government will remove your kingdom from its alliance?" the CP0 agent said flatly, clearly unfazed by her accusations.
"Your Highness, please leave now! We'll hold them off!" Witt drew his rapier without hesitation and stepped in front of Angela, staring coldly at the seven CP0 agents.
At the same time, over a hundred soldiers behind him mounted their horses and got into battle formation.
"Witt, former captain of the Magiatsuka Royal Guard!"
"We let our guard down back then, and you managed to escape with that useless prince and the queen."
"Can't believe you're still alive. But this time, I'll make sure both you and your men die right here," one CP0 agent said, a ruthless glint flashing in his eyes behind the mask.
"Captain Witt, you can't stop them on your own. If we don't work together, we don't stand a chance," Kana said as she rode up beside him, gripping her sword tightly, her eyes full of determination.
The rest of the Revolutionary Army stepped forward as well, standing behind Kana and Witt, ready for a life-or-death battle.
"Uncle Witt… Sister Kana…" Angela looked at everyone standing in front of her, her eyes full of worry.
Right then, Liv couldn't help thinking — if only Ryuen and the others were here!
"Soru!"
In a flash, three CP0 agents vanished!
"Rankyaku Barrage!!!"
Suddenly, the three disappeared CP0 agents reappeared mid-air, kicking out a series of sharp air blades using Marine Six Powers. The dozens of slashes shot straight toward Angela's carriage!
"Your Highness!" Witt cried out in shock.
Angela and Liv saw the deadly slashes coming. Their faces went pale, filled with pure terror.
At that moment—
Three Revolutionary squad captains leapt into the air, swinging their weapons to block the barrage of slashes.
Witt sprinted toward Angela and Liv with incredible speed, grabbing them both and pulling them away just in time.
"Boom!"
"Boom boom boom!"
The sound of explosions rang out as the shockwaves completely destroyed the carriage!
The other four CP0 agents also made their move. Their target was clear — Angela!
---
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