At the center of the battlefield.
"Hssss— Hssss—"
Aramaki clutched his crotch, cold sweat dripping from his forehead as his face turned completely green, clearly enduring unbearable agony.
Cr-crushed!
Unlike typical Logia-types, the Forest-Forest Fruit had a physical form. Due to the nature of plants, the roots buried deep underground were the core of his being.
As long as the roots remained unharmed, his above-ground body could regenerate no matter how severely damaged—an almost invincible ability.
But if the roots suffered heavy damage, the user would also be injured.
Moreover, in his transformed state, his upper body was above ground while his lower half's senses were connected to the roots.
Thus, when the earth contracted, his entire lower body was squeezed. His legs were fine—just painful—but the most vital part of a man had suffered a devastating blow.
His balls had been flattened into pancakes!
Aramaki raised a trembling hand, trying to grab Gurd, but his limbs shook comically.
"Y-you bastard—"
"Brother Aramaki, need me to call a doctor for you?"
Gurd grinned.
He had long sensed Aramaki's roots beneath the ground.
Even Logia-types had a true body. Since his opponent's form had been shattered dozens of times without effect, the real body had to be underground.
With his mastery over the earth, Gurd could clearly perceive the range of Aramaki's roots and attack them simultaneously.
There was no way both the upper and lower body could regenerate infinitely—otherwise, that would make him truly invincible.
Thud!
Aramaki collapsed onto the ground, curling up like a caterpillar.
Pain, pain, pain—
He needed a moment.
But then, Gurd stood right in front of him.
Clang!
A massive sword plunged between his legs!
"About the tree-planting?"
"I-I'll plant them!"
Aramaki wanted to stand firm, but feeling the cold, razor-sharp blade at his crotch, he didn't dare refuse Gurd's demand.
Being an Admiral meant endurance was paramount!
Planting trees? Fine!
He loved nature!
After resting for over ten minutes, Aramaki finally stood up, legs still trembling but at least functional.
"Let's go."
Gurd walked ahead.
Aramaki hesitated, then followed.
No matter how unwilling he was, a promise was a promise. Going back on his word would make him no better than a scoundrel—he still had his pride.
On the deck, Cobra watched as Gurd and Aramaki approached and immediately disembarked to greet them. His heart had been in his throat earlier.
If a Marine Admiral died here, Alabasta could easily become a battleground between the World Government and Hoenn.
Thank goodness nothing happened!
"King Cobra."
Gurd nodded with a smile. "Apologies for the trouble. Brother Aramaki and I hit it off, so we played around a bit."
"O-oh, I see..."
Cobra glanced at the warped earth and shattered forest behind them. That didn't look like "playing around" at all.
Truly, the ways of the strong were beyond him.
"By the way, King Cobra."
Gurd grinned. "Aramaki and I are heading to Aruba to plant some trees. Care to join us?"
"Plant trees? Uh… sure."
Cobra was baffled.
A Marine Admiral… planting trees?
And why invite him?
Was there some hidden meaning to Gurd's "tree-planting"?
He soon found out.
"King Cobra, hold it steady!"
"Oh, right!"
"Brother Aramaki, take this seriously!"
"Got it!"
"Don't look so stern, smile!"
"Not at me! I told you to smile for the camera!"
In the ruins of Aruba.
Aramaki dug holes with a shovel, Gurd planted saplings, and Cobra watered them with a bucket.
All three beamed at the camera.
"Click! Click-click!"
Their subordinates took photos to document the scene!
Against the backdrop of the construction site, it looked exactly like leaders putting on a show during inspections. Regardless of anything else, the ceremonial aspect was dialed up to the max.
Aramaki was utterly baffled.
What was the point of this? With his power, he could create an entire forest in an instant. Why go through all this trouble?
He hated trouble more than anything!
Gurd maintained his smile.
"Are the photos done?"
"Yes, Lord Gurd!"
The subordinates handed over the freshly developed photos.
"Ohhh, absolutely perfect!"
Gurd grinned as he examined the pictures.
"Quick, send these to Morgans!"
"Understood!"
The subordinates immediately got to work, already familiar with this routine—they'd even brainstormed headlines in advance.
Aramaki sensed something was off.
"Hey, hey—"
"Hey what? Get back to planting trees!"
Gurd glared at him. "Follow the map and plant trees in every marked area—not a single one missing! And plant a drought-resistant variety around the city's perimeter to block wind and sand!"
"I—"
Aramaki was speechless.
What the hell did this bastard take him for?!
Gurd shooed Aramaki away, then turned to Cobra, who stood there dumbfounded. "King Cobra, did you come here to discuss diplomatic matters?"
"Ah, yes."
Cobra nodded nervously.
Even a Navy Admiral had been brought to heel—this man was as formidable as the rumors said!
If he refused, Gurd might use the same underhanded, cruel tactics he'd employed against Admiral Ryokugyu to force compliance.
Wait—
Had Gurd defeated Ryokugyu specifically to intimidate him?
Yes, that had to be it!
This was a classic case of "killing the chicken to scare the monkey."
For the sake of Alabasta's safety, he'd have to lower his stance in the upcoming negotiations.
Lost in thought, Cobra forced a strained smile at Gurd, who returned a friendly grin.
But against Gurd's fearsome features, the smile seemed a little too "friendly," carrying an indescribable edge.
Three days passed in a flash.
The Aruba construction site was now filled with towering trees, lush and vibrant. Gurd had even split the earth to divert multiple tributaries from the Sandora River.
Environmental transformation—complete!
Hearing the news, the kingdom's residents flocked to see the changes. Many wealthy individuals wanted to buy property in Aruba or open businesses there.
Gurd's diplomatic negotiations with Cobra also went smoothly—too smoothly, in fact. Cobra agreed to almost everything, as long as the demands weren't too outrageous.
Especially regarding Aruba itself.
A 100-year lease, free of charge. After that, only a symbolic 3% tax would be levied annually. Everything else, including legal jurisdiction, would fall under Groudon Company's management.
Effectively, a Concession.
At the Port of Yuba, aboard the Groudon Ship—
The subordinates rushed over with freshly bought newspapers.
"Lord Gurd, the news is out!"
"Bring it here!"
Gurd took the newspaper. The large photo on the front page showed him, Aramaki, and Cobra together in a tree-planting scene.
It was quite impactful.
The headlines were equally explosive.
[Three Forces Gather!]
[Creating a Harmonious and Beautiful Future Together!]
[Let the World Be Filled with Love Again!]
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