Pirate: I was just slacking off, do you really think I'm bad?

At dawn, in the hall of the Kingdom of Sobel, the dragon had been sitting there for a long time.

This included some regional managers being urgently woken from their sleep to start meetings using Den Den Mushi (snail phone dens).

The dragon's expression was very unpleasant.

He had long realized that Sakazuki's offensive would not be simple, but he had not expected it to be so fierce.

Despite having repeatedly given orders to be on high alert, Sakazuki still managed to breach their defenses.

A nail has been driven into the heart of the world.

Where is the problem? Have you found it?

After everyone had arrived, Long Ya, seeing the anger burning within him, asked...

Sabo, looking at the report in his hand, answered.

"Reporting to the leader, it has been confirmed."

The navy, with Admiral Sakazuki's fleet, surged out of the doldrums in the western sea at dawn. Rudolf Swinburne, in charge of the port of Senzo, failed to detect anything amiss beforehand, allowing the navy to successfully capture the port.

However, we still don't know what technology the navy used, and no one in the port of Senzo sent any message, which led to the Kingdom of Nitasulo being attacked by the navy as well.

The commander of the Kingdom of Nitasurlo, Wulfeyehudi, had also died in the line of duty. When the news reached us, the navy had basically taken control of the Kingdom of Nitasurlo, leaving only a small group of revolutionary soldiers who were using the terrain to their advantage to fight against the navy.

Everyone sighed silently.

Nobody wants this to happen, but when it does, they feel lucky that they weren't the primary target.

Otherwise, the outcome would be no different from that of Woolf and Yehudi.

Long stared intently at the defense map of the Western Sea, where the areas captured by the navy had been marked.

After thinking for a moment, the dragon spoke:

All of the West Sea's forces have been deployed to the vicinity of the Kingdom of Nitasulo; everyone must stop the navy's attack.

Their sharp edge pinned them firmly to this spot.

"Revolutionary soldiers from the South China Sea and the East China Sea were mobilized to provide support in the West China Sea."

"Sabo, you are in charge of the Western Sea Commander-in-Chief. Make sure the Navy cannot gain more territory in the Western Sea."

After making some arrangements, everyone left to prepare for war.

The bear appeared silently behind the dragon and served it a pot of hot tea.

"What's wrong, Bear?"

Dragon sensed that Bear was in a bad mood.

Xiong hesitated for a moment, then said helplessly:

"Mr. Dragon, the Navy has summoned me. As you know, I'm one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea."

Almost everyone in the Revolutionary Army knows that Kuma is a Shichibukai, but very few people outside the Revolutionary Army know that Kuma is a member of the Revolutionary Army.

Dragon was horrified; he knew all too well how terrifying Raleigh was.

The fact that the bear belongs to the Revolutionary Army might be kept secret from others, but it certainly won't escape the notice of Raleigh's discerning eyes.

Therefore, if Kuma were to go to the Navy Headquarters, he would definitely face a life-or-death situation.

"Kuma, you can't go. If you go to Marine Headquarters, you definitely won't survive."

The dragon gripped the bear's right hand tightly.

The bear felt the care from the dragon and was deeply moved.

"But, Mr. Dragon, if I don't go, the Kingdom of Sobel will be targeted and destroyed."

It's important to understand that the Navy spares no effort in combating pirates.

The dragon stood up from its seat, pacing back and forth anxiously.

That won't work either. Let's stall for now and think of something else.

Within the temporary naval base of the Kingdom of Nitasulo.

In front of Sakazuki was a sand table of the Western Sea, densely covered with all sorts of small flags.

The exiled nobles of the former kingdom heard about this at some point and fled from their hiding places to the navy's temporary base, clamoring to see the admiral.

Damn it, let me in right now! Do you know who I am?

"A bunch of lowly people, how dare they stop someone as noble as me?"

Unforgivable! When I see Lord Sakazuki, I will definitely file a complaint against you.

A group of nobles surrounded the entrance to the naval temporary base, their emotions running high.

Miles spent a long time trying to calm him down at the door, but ultimately failed and had no choice but to go inside to find Sakazuki.

"Lord Sakazuki, those nobles outside are really too troublesome. They are clamoring to see you and refuse to leave no matter what."

Miles said with a frustrated look, without even looking up, as he continued to deduce the direction of the attack on the sand table.

After a long while, he finally raised his head and looked at Miles in front of him, and said;

Over the years, your abilities have grown rapidly, but your political acumen is still too immature.

Miles lowered his head in shame, unsure of what to say.

Sakazuki saw this,

Da Tu Guan Shang Wei Zhong Nei Ren Yi Shang E

He patted the person next to him, gesturing for Miles to sit down as well.

He took out a cigar from his pocket, lit it, and exhaled a faint puff of smoke before speaking;

Political struggle is something everyone must learn and master.

In this world, power represents many things, but the wisdom of political struggle is equally important.

"Everyone has different methods and approaches. Take those nobles at the gate, for example. I would order their execution. I might face some accountability from the World Government for that, but those things are irrelevant because my strength is enough; they can't afford to abandon me."

"But if it were your master Raleigh, he would probably choose to appease these nobles on the surface, provide them with good food and drink, and then have someone disguised as a revolutionary soldier assassinate them, exonerate himself, and frame the revolutionary army. That would also be a way."

These two methods are both fine. One is quick and easy but has more troublesome consequences, while the other is slower but has fewer follow-up problems.

Miles gaped in astonishment; he had never imagined things could be done this way.

Sakazuki said with a smile on his face:

"Kid, your knowledge is still too shallow. Learn more from me before going to Raleigh."

"Someone, invite those nobles in."

"yes."

The naval soldiers quickly let the group of nobles in.

They walked into the temporary naval base with their heads held high.

However, when they stepped into the reception room, they found the atmosphere to be extremely heavy.

A tall man sat in the main seat. He was so imposing that no one dared to speak.

The leading nobleman was so frightened that he retreated repeatedly, not daring to speak, but he was held back by the people behind him, and could only force himself to say:

"General Sakazuki, I am from the Kingdom of Nitasulo—"

Sakazuki raised his hand to interrupt:

Ladies and gentlemen, may I interrupt for a moment?

"The revolutionary army has only been temporarily driven back by us, but they will definitely launch a fierce counterattack afterward. The Kingdom of Nitasulo may not be safe."

I have contacted the World Government and the Marine Headquarters, and they have tacitly approved of all my actions in the Kingdom of Nitasulo. Therefore, the kingdom will be under the control of the Marines for a considerable period of time.

If you wish to stay here, the navy will provide the necessary protection, but not in large numbers. If you wish to leave, the navy can send ships to escort you to Jogmari.

The nobles turned around and began to discuss it.

They had initially been very assertive in demanding the restoration of their rule, but after meeting Sakazuki, they were forced to swallow all their words.

They were very frustrated, but had to face reality: they could only choose two options from the choices Sakazuki had given them.

Most of the nobles failed to recognize reality, believing that the revolutionary army was nothing more than a bunch of peasants who would surely be defeated by the navy, so they decided to stay in the Kingdom of Nitasulo.

Others felt their lives were more important and decided to take their wealth to Jorgmali and return once the situation stabilized.

Two groups of people were divided. One group, led by the older Duke Morton Marvin, chose to remain in the Kingdom of Nittasolo, while the other group, led by Earl Bellamy Ebel, advocated leaving.

Sakazuki sat silently in his seat, saying nothing.

Only after the two groups had finally decided on their own ideas did they speak calmly.

Those who choose to stay stand on the left, and those who choose to leave stand on the right.

Soon, naval soldiers entered one after another, taking these former nobles away and executing different orders based on their choices.

After they left, Miles stepped out from the corner and asked:

"Lord Sakazuki, didn't you say to kill them?"

Sakazuki, unusually, smiled and said:

"I'm not stupid, how could I not improve? Sometimes I learn a lot from Raleigh, such as how to minimize trouble."

Both groups ultimately met their demise, but Sakazuki deliberately left them with hope by urging them to voluntarily transfer their wealth. Without their cooperation, Sakazuki might not have been able to find their wealth even after searching the entire island.

As for the revolutionary soldiers, they were even less likely to be found.

I recall that in my private conversation with Raleigh before the expedition, Raleigh had said:

Suppressing the revolutionary army is not the main focus, because the revolutionary army is too complex in composition, and their ideology is the most terrifying weapon.

If these corrupt nobles are left alive, the people will see no hope, and the revolutionary army will never be eliminated.

Furthermore, as the navy's offensive momentum expanded, it eventually became embroiled in endless encirclement and suppression by the revolutionary army and the people.

If you want to make money, the best way is to squeeze money out of these nobles. Anyway, apart from the World Government, the Navy, the Revolutionary Army, and the general public don't care about their lives.

As for the heavenly gold?

That's a matter for the World Government, not something the Navy needs to worry about.

After returning to their residences, the nobles happily summoned their former guards and secretly headed to the burial site of their wealth.

Duke Morton Marvin, busily directing the guards, said:

"Quick, take all of these with you too."

Damn it, pay attention! This was a gift from the King, and it even has the master's signature on it. Killing you wouldn't be worth as much as this treasure.

Looking at the cave that was gradually being emptied, Duke Morton Marvin smiled with satisfaction.

Those damned revolutionary soldiers almost took all my treasures, but what a pity about my big house and all the things I couldn't take with me.

The thought of this made Duke Morton Marvin's chest tighten. His family's wealth, accumulated over generations, was reduced to only two-thirds; the rest had been confiscated and taken away by the revolutionary army.

"Hmph, and those foolish wretches who helped the revolutionary army plunder my wealth—once I regain power, I'll make them pay!"

The Duke of Morton Marvin was not at all worried about whether he could regain his power.

The navy has no right to station troops there; they are only temporarily staying in the Kingdom of Nitasulo. Once the navy leaves, everything in the kingdom will still be under their control.

They would be more than willing to give up some of their wealth to the world government to regain power.

Unfortunately, things aren't always perfect.

Dozens of carriages laden with wealth slowly emerged from the cave and traveled along the forest path.

"Isn't that unethical?"

A naval soldier whispered, and Miles's lips twitched. Sakazuki had specifically sent him on this mission to toughen him up. "Alright, stop talking and get to work quickly."

Miles said with a dark expression.

The Duke of Morton Marvin in front of them was a big fat sheep. Sakassky had specifically instructed that they be all killed and that no one be allowed to escape.

He was key to the navy's efforts to intimidate the nobles and frame the revolutionaries.

Only with the death of the Duke of Morton Marvin will these unwilling nobles come to terms with reality, entrust their wealth to the navy in exchange for its protection.

As for the nobles who left, Sakazuki believed that Raleigh would let them say what they needed to say.

The Duke of Morton Marvin's entourage was forced to stop after only ten minutes.

Duke Morton Marvin poked his head out of the carriage and asked in confusion:

"Bang! Bang! Bang!"

The guards, whose combat effectiveness was extremely low, were immediately thrown into disarray, and a large number of them fell to the ground.

Miles covered his face, raised a katana, and charged forward. "This is all treasure destined for the Navy! Kill them all and loot the treasure!"

"The revolutionary army will surely win!"

Miles yelled and then slashed down one of the guards.

"The Revolutionary Army??? How did they get here?!"

Duke Morton Marvin was so frightened that he could barely move and remained inside the carriage. "Quickly finish this!"

Before the guards could react, a large number of naval soldiers rushed over.

Their skills, honed through years of fighting against all sorts of vicious pirates, are a devastating blow to these guards who can only bully civilians.

Even with their strength concealed, the guards were no match for them.

Soon, all the guards were dead.

"No, you are not the revolutionary army!"

It was only when the Duke of Morton Marvin was dragged from his carriage that he uttered this sentence in a moment of sudden realization before he died.

You answered correctly, but there's no reward.

Miles plunged the knife straight into his heart.

He wouldn't do what others do, taking off his mask before killing.

"Alright, secretly move all the treasure away."

"The remaining people staged the scene to make it appear as if the revolutionary army had taken action."

The convoy started running again, but this time the passengers had changed.