"Did you hear? The Revolutionary Army office stationed in the Kingdom of Lulusia has been driven out!"
"That's been a while now. You could say this is our best chance to invade the Kingdom of Lulusia."
"That's a World Government member nation though… can we really pull this off?"
"Ha! Those guards are nothing but old men, cripples, and kids! If not for the Revolutionary Army being there before, I'd already be the new king of Lulusia!"
A large fleet of pirate ships surged forward across the sea.
Their target—the Kingdom of Lulusia, located in the first half of the Grand Line, known as the "Paradise."
After all, Lulusia was well-known among nearby nations as a soft target.
And these pirates weren't just one crew—they were a pirate alliance formed from eleven different crews of various sizes.
Ever since the Whitebeard Pirates and Big Mom Pirates had begun establishing their own nations, the pirate world had plunged into chaos.
After that, some pirates realized that if they wanted to survive, relying solely on themselves wasn't enough.
And thus, the pirate alliances were born.
Of course, the strong disdained such cowardly cooperation, so these alliances were mostly made up of weaker crews clinging together for warmth.
But still—for a time, these roaming pirate alliances became a real headache for the World Government.
And now, this particular pirate alliance had set its sights on the Kingdom of Lulusia.
The pirates weren't stupid. What was the point of robbing commoners? How much could ordinary people possibly have? So why not rob royalty instead?
After all, the wealth created by the commoners was all hoarded in royal hands.
"Still… why do I have a bad feeling about this?" said Peachbeard, one of the alliance's leaders, looking out at the dark sea with worry. "Hope it's just my imagination… This opportunity's too good to miss!"
And so, the pirate fleet—made up of ships of every shape and size—approached and landed on the shores of the Kingdom of Lulusia.
"Alright, you lot! Grab your blades and guns! After tonight, we'll be the ones living like royalty!"
"Yes!"
Peachbeard's loud roar fired up his ragtag men.
Truth be told, if they hadn't been beaten and chased out of other seas, they wouldn't have ended up back near Lulusia by chance like this.
Some things were just fate.
Peachbeard thought his luck couldn't be better.
But… when they pushed through the bushes and entered the city, something felt wrong.
Even if the guards were old and weak, it shouldn't be completely deserted, right?
"What's going on here? Why is it so bright over there?" Peachbeard frowned. "It's the middle of the night! Don't tell me the people of Lulusia are having a bonfire party?"
"Boss Peachbeard, the folks in Lulusia are so poor they can barely eat. You think they can afford a party?"
"Good point…" Peachbeard's brow furrowed deeper. "Let's go check it out!"
"Uh, Boss, shouldn't we… head for the palace first?"
"The whole Kingdom of Lulusia will be ours soon enough! No need to rush!"
So, under Peachbeard's orders, the pirates of the alliance marched grandly toward the blazing square where bonfires lit up the night.
Then… they saw something they would never forget for the rest of their lives.
Before the enormous bonfire stood a massive guillotine—and countless Revolutionary Army soldiers with firm, unyielding expressions.
Behind them stood the citizens of Lulusia—some fearful, but most filled with anticipation.
"My fellow citizens, I am Michael, Chief of Staff of the Revolutionary Army," said the man at the guillotine. "Tonight, I've invited you all here to witness the end of those who have endlessly exploited you—the royal family."
"Though I don't wish for children to see something so bloody, it's best they do."
"This is the fate of those in high places who abandon virtue!"
After Michael finished speaking, Ivankov nodded and waved his hand.
Immediately, a large number of the Lulusia royals were dragged beneath the guillotine.
Among them were King Seki and his daughter, Princess Komane.
"You filthy commoner! You traitor to the Marines! The Marines are the lackeys of the World Government and its member nations! You treacherous cur who bit your own master!"
Even as she was shoved forward, Princess Komane screamed curses at Michael. But when she was forced to kneel before the guillotine, her tears burst forth like a broken dam.
"Uuuh! Father, I don't want to die! I was wrong! I really was wrong!"
"I'm not a commoner, nor a traitor to the Marines. And the Marines are not your lackeys." Michael shook his head disdainfully. "Some people only start confessing when death is staring them in the face… But do you truly regret your sins? No—you just regret meeting the Revolutionary Army."
He raised his hand and made a gentle motion.
In the next instant, the guillotine dropped with a heavy thud.
Every royal beneath it lost their head in unison.
The wails and pleas for mercy vanished in an instant.
And yet, that very sight brought applause and cheers from the citizens of Lulusia—followed by tears of release and relief.
Michael then approached the few remaining members of the royal family.
Their eyes were clear and upright, unflinching as they met his gaze.
Michael couldn't help but feel a trace of admiration.
Now this—this was what decent people looked like.
When one's heart was just, even heaven and earth felt wide and open.
"I'll spare you because the Revolutionary Army is not a band of murderers, but a force for liberation and justice." Michael looked down at them.
"Though you've committed no crimes, you've lived as beneficiaries of a system built on your people's suffering… and for that, you must atone."
"From this day forward, the Revolutionary Army will reestablish its office in the Kingdom of Lulusia. You will be its first volunteers. Food and lodging are provided—no salary, but full support. Your first mission: to plan and organize a nationwide referendum to elect Lulusia's new king."
After speaking, Michael flicked his hand toward the corpses.
Several pale blue flames fell upon them.
In moments, the bodies and blood on the ground turned entirely to ash.
Watching this, Peachbeard's eyes went wide.
Something seemed to catch in his throat.
"R–Retreat…! Retreat, now!"
He shouted hoarsely and turned to flee.
"Fufufufu—ha! You've watched this show for so long, and now you want to just walk away?"
A massive face painted with thick makeup suddenly appeared before them—an okama's grinning visage.
"The pirate alliance, huh… Might as well clean them up while we're at it."
Michael's calm voice echoed faintly from afar.
Silhouetted against the bonfire, his sapphire-blue eyes pierced the night and fell upon them.
"Pirates entering the Kingdom of Lulusia armed to the teeth… clearly came to plunder."
"Sink the men and their ships alike."
"Tch… moments like this really make me miss T Bone and Shu. Now those two knew what professionalism and efficiency meant!"
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