Naruto Online: Hyuga Branch Family? Let's go all out!

Chapter 302 The New King Ascends the Throne and Slaughters All the Ministers

"Float-Float Fruit, Sand-Sand Fruit, Cat-Cat Fruit (Tanuki Cat Form), Dog-Dog Fruit (Black Fox Form)!"

Ning Yuan remembered that Kaku and Kalifa of CP9 were rewarded with Devil Fruits after they made the great contribution of capturing Robin.

This means that Beaver and Ichinomiya held relatively high positions within the CP organization and must have made significant contributions.

Ning Yuan picked up the Den Den Mushi that Beaver had just taken out but hadn't had time to make a call, and then put it in the room.

He certainly couldn't make the call himself, because theoretically, he shouldn't know the CP agency's phone number.

So he could only wait for a phone call from them to inform them of Beaver and Ichinomiya's deaths.

If they don't plan to contact Beaver and Ichinomiya today, they'll likely hear about their deaths tomorrow, since Ning Yuan is already hunched over his desk writing.

"Ning Yuan?" The door to the room was gently pushed open, and Weiwei quietly strolled in. She thought Ning Yuan was sleeping, but she didn't expect him to be writing at his desk.

"Weren't you drunk?" Vivi asked, somewhat surprised.

"I was just pretending to be drunk!" Ning Yuan laughed. "By the way, what brings you here? I remember the banquet was going to go on until very late!"

"That was all in the past!" Vivi shook her head, then sat down next to Ning Yuan. "Alabasta is facing financial difficulties right now, so we didn't buy much food and drinks, and we've already run out!"

"Is that so!" Ning Yuan nodded, then asked, "I've already heard your father mention the financial difficulties, and now you're saying the same thing. Just how difficult are Alabasta's finances?"

"Alabasta is all desert, so they're not good at farming, you know?" Vivi asked.

"Yes!" Ning Yuan nodded. Alabasta did indeed need to import a lot of food in the past.

"Alabasta basically has no agricultural tax revenue; all tax revenue comes from commercial taxes!" Vivi said. "But because of the consecutive years of drought, many factories have shut down, and a large number of people have lost their jobs. Now everyone is broke, so not only can we not collect commercial taxes, but we also have to support 60 soldiers and pay exorbitant amounts of 'heavenly gold'!"

"I'm not entirely clear on the specifics right now, but the country's situation is definitely not good. I heard from my father that the soldiers haven't received their wages for several months!"

Ning Yuan felt that the people in this world still had a pretty good spirit of resistance.

They rebelled after only a few months without pay, while the Ming army next door hadn't been paid for years, even decades. Soldiers even had to farm and raise children for their generals, yet they still didn't rebel!

Of course, the Alabasta soldiers' betrayal was not only due to lack of pay, but also likely due to the excessive concentration of resources.

With 600,000 people placed in the same place, news spread extremely quickly; if someone at the top wanted to rebel, the people below could respond collectively.

If you had simply distributed these 60 people evenly across five or six different places, things wouldn't have turned out this way!

Naïve, Ning Yuan can only say that the military and political environment in Alabasta is actually quite naïve.

It's truly remarkable that such a nation has survived for five thousand years; we should thank the world government.

"Do you think our Alabasta can ever get better?" Vivi asked with a worried expression.

"Crocodile is dead. The rainfall in Alabasta will return to normal. Once there is rain, industrial production will naturally recover, and the finances will gradually improve. Alabasta will naturally get better then!" Ning Yuan comforted him.

Vivi nodded, hoping so!

"Oh, right!" Ning Yuan put down his pen. "Today is our big day, let's not talk about these things, shouldn't we?"

Weiwei blushed, knowing full well what she was about to experience.

She simply nodded, and then Ning Yuan picked her up.

"Wait a minute, it's not dark yet!"

"It's okay, you'll forget about the time soon!"

"Ouch, be gentle, it hurts."

The spring night is short and the day is high, and since then the king will not go to court early.

This was impossible, because it was only five o'clock in the morning when palace ladies came to wake the two of them up.

"No way, do I have to get up this early every day from now on?" Ning Yuan was speechless. He felt like he had only slept for two hours.

"Today is your coronation day, of course you have to get up early!" the lady-in-waiting said. "Once you become king, you won't need to get up so early!"

"That's alright!" Ning Yuan nodded. Although he was in good health, getting up at five o'clock every day was indeed a bit inhuman.

At six o'clock, Ning Yuan and Weiwei finished washing up and then changed into their uniforms.

At seven o'clock, Ning Yuan and Weiwei arrived at the palace gate, and the ceremony officially began.

There are two ceremonies today: one is Kobula's abdication ceremony, and the other is Ningyuan's enthronement ceremony.

Cobra's lust for power wasn't very strong, as evidenced by the fact that he only married one wife, yet Crocodile recognized him as a hero and gained such great fame.

However, he was still very unhappy about Ningyuan succeeding to the throne because he felt that the child did not seem very smart.

Moreover, Ning Yuan's position was pushed up by the World Government, and Cobra suspects that Ning Yuan is a member of the World Government.

"By the way, where are those two CP agents?" Cobra looked at the ministers preparing for the ceremony with displeasure, and suddenly realized something was wrong.

Those two men in black suits don't seem to have attended the ceremony.

However, he didn't think much of it. These CP agents always moved around in the air and were very secretive. Who knew where they were hiding now!

After a series of complex ceremonies, at nine o'clock in the morning, Cobra removed his crown.

After a series of complicated ceremonies, at 11:00 a.m., Ningyuan was crowned.

Thus began the era of Ningyuan in Alabasta.

In the main hall of the Alabasta Royal Palace, Ning Yuan sat on the throne. The Alabasta throne was rather small, only big enough for one person, unlike the dragon throne of the Chinese dynasty, which was wide and large, and one could even lie down on it.

Vivi sat next to him, with the ministers of Alabasta in front of them.

There are ministers of economy, agriculture, environment, cities, maritime transport, and so on.

These kinds of meetings are usually just for everyone to get acquainted; no one is expected to do anything with the new king.

There's no concept of reform in the world of One Piece; once a king ascends the throne, he simply continues the old king's policies.

Of course, the ministers had something to say, mainly to report various data about Alabasta so that the king could have a basic understanding and, by the way, learn what kind of person the new king was through conversation.

Anyway, it's just a chat, catching up, and that's it.

However, that was before. Now Ning Yuan has taken over, so the original procedures no longer apply.

The main reason is that Ningyuan started doing things even before he took office, so the ministers had to ask what was going on.

The Minister of War stepped forward first: "Your Majesty, since the rebels have ceased their activities, why not repatriate them to their places of origin? I have heard reports from below that some people, carrying your orders, have stationed their soldiers near the St. Martin's River. What is Your Majesty doing?"

Ning Yuan frowned and asked, "What does the Minister of Military Affairs do?"

"I am in charge of all military affairs in Alabasta, including fighting pirates abroad and suppressing bandits and outlaws at home!" the Minister of Military Affairs said proudly. "I am also in charge of the army, navy, and city guards!"

His position was one of immense power and influence; if he had any ambition, becoming a Dong Zhuo or Cao Cao would have been a piece of cake.

So much so that even Cobra respected him.

The king's respect was met with the arrogance of the military minister, which naturally extended to his attitude towards Ningyuan.

You're just a little kid, don't do things on your own. You should always listen to our opinions!

Ning Yuan thought for a moment and asked, "Since you're in charge of fighting pirates, why is Crocodile famous for fighting pirates?"

The military minister was taken aback, then heard Ning Yuan continue, "It's obvious that this is all because of your ineffective resistance against the pirates!"

"How could this be? Your Majesty, I'm innocent!" the Minister of War cried out hastily. "Crocodile is one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea; how could I possibly control his actions?"

"Then why didn't you kill the pirates before him?" Ning Yuan questioned.

"Our Alabasta is mostly composed of land forces; we can only fight the pirates after they land!" the Minister of War hurriedly said. "In that case, how can we fight the pirates before Crocodile?"

"Then why not establish a navy?" Ning Yuan pressed.

"Alabasta is not wealthy. A single ship costs tens of millions of Berries. We can't afford to maintain one!" the military minister advised.

"You're the Minister of War, why should you be worrying about money?" Ning Yuan retorted. "Isn't your job to improve Alabasta's military strength at all costs? If you don't have enough money, just ask the King. Whether he gives it or not is another matter. So, did you ask?"

The military minister was speechless.

Did he want it?

What the hell do you want?!

His father's father's father was the Minister of War in the same way, so it was a position passed down from generation to generation, and a set of fixed methods of doing things had long been formed.

Their thinking is so fixed that they wouldn't even consider increasing military spending.

"It's obvious you're unfit to be the Minister of Military Affairs!" Ning Yuan said calmly. "Your ineffective resistance against the pirates allowed Crocodile to grow powerful and develop ambitions to usurp the throne!"

"As the Minister of War, you did absolutely nothing when your 60 troops mutinied. It was only through the princess's own risk that the soldiers were persuaded to surrender!"

"Have you ever thought about what would happen if Crocodile succeeded in usurping the throne?"

"Have you ever thought about what would happen if the princess failed?"

The Minister of War bowed deeply. He couldn't refute it, but he wasn't nervous at all.

After all, aside from his position as Minister of War, he was also a nobleman.

If nobles don't kill other nobles, they can simply relinquish their position as Minister of War.

As for who will inherit it?

That was naturally his own son.

This is an unspoken rule of aristocratic rule: no matter how big a mistake someone makes, they will neither die nor lose their status and wealth.

Just like the scholar-officials of the Song Dynasty.

No, just like the princes of the Ming Dynasty, as long as they didn't rebel, they could enjoy endless wealth and honor.

Ning Yuan saw through his thoughts, then sneered and said, "You hold a position without doing your job, you're a scourge to the country and its people, utterly useless and unjust! Guards, seize him!"

At his command, two excited soldiers rushed out and pinned the military minister to the ground.

The military minister hadn't panicked yet, until he heard Ning Yuan say again, "Take him away, confiscate his property, and exterminate his entire family!"

This is an old nobleman, and the goddess of wisdom has already investigated his family relationships, so they don't belong to Vivi and Cobra.

As for the way this nobleman behaved, well...

You know the Celestial Dragons, right? This nobleman and his family are practically the Celestial Dragons who took the fish tank down.

They may lack power, but they certainly don't lack in indulgence and sin!

"Huh?" The Minister of War looked up, completely bewildered.

The Minister of Justice immediately stepped forward: "Your Majesty, you mustn't! And what is meant by 'exterminating nine generations of one's family'?"

Ning Yuan shouted, "Take this Minister of Justice away too, and execute his entire family!"

If the Minister of the Army can enjoy himself so much, what good can the Minister of Justice be?

Two more soldiers, looking excited, came in, grabbed the Minister of Justice, and dragged him out the door.

After two people were dragged away, the remaining ministers finally sensed that something was wrong.

The Minister of the Environment stepped forward tremblingly: "Your Majesty!"

"Oh, and you too!" Ning Yuan looked at the white-haired Minister of the Environment: "Alabasta's desertification has become so severe, you bear primary responsibility. Drag him away, execute his entire family, and find this old man a large square to be executed by slow slicing!"

Two more soldiers came in and dragged the old man away.

The remaining ministers were dumbfounded. What was going on? How could a king kill people as soon as he took the throne?

Weiwei's eyes widened as well: "Ning Yuan?"

Of course she knew Ning Yuan was a revolutionary, but hadn't they agreed not to reveal his identity for the time being and to focus on building Alabasta first?

"Don't worry!" Ning Yuan patted Weiwei's hand. "Trust me!"

Vivi blinked: "But!"

Among those who were dragged down were her uncles, paternal uncles, and paternal uncles—people who had watched her grow up since she was a child!

"Then think of it this way!" Ning Yuan said, "Where were these nobles when Crocodile was about to usurp the throne, when the rebels were marching towards the capital? What were they doing?"

Vivi was speechless.

When the rebels attacked the city, these nobles couldn't come up with a single countermeasure. They didn't even leave their homes, instead indulging in debauchery.

Once the rebels retreated and Ningyuan ascended to the throne, these ministers all jumped out, wanting to help Ningyuan govern the country.

"Your Majesty!" After careful consideration, another minister finally stepped forward resolutely.

He was the finance minister, and he didn't think Ning Yuan would kill him.

After all, he should have done a pretty good job, right?

Although Alabasta's finances collapsed, it wasn't his fault. It was because the sky wasn't raining. What could a mortal like him do?

"What's the matter?" Ning Yuan asked.

"It's already August, and we need to prepare the Heavenly Gold and send it to Mary Geoise by February next year!" the Finance Minister said, forcing a smile. "But Alabasta's finances are in dire straits right now, and there's no time to recover. I'd like to ask what we should do with this Heavenly Gold?"

"What are your plans?" Ning Yuan asked.

"We can intercept the money and supplies meant for the rebels and hand over the 'Heavenly Gold' first!" the Chancellor of the Exchequer said after a moment's thought.

"Your suggestion is good, but don't make suggestions like that next time!" Ning Yuan waved his hand. "Men, chop this guy up too, and take his family with you!"

"Huh?" The Chancellor of the Exchequer was completely dumbfounded. "No, why, Your Majesty? What did I do wrong? I just made a suggestion!"

"Explain the origin of all that gold in your basement first, then ask me why I want to kill you!" Ning Yuan said calmly.

In order to raise money to build the canal, Ning Yuan had previously planned to have people from the Baroque Works disguise themselves as pirates to kill noble officials.

But with the arrival of the goddess of wisdom, the plan changed.

The goddess of wisdom scanned Alabasta and could clearly record the crimes committed by each nobleman.

The reason I impersonated pirates before was because I knew they were guilty, but I had no evidence, so I had to overturn the chessboard.

While doing this might achieve the desired result, it's very unpleasant.

Moreover, since they were attacked by pirates, and the pirates are the villains, wouldn't these nobles become the heroes?

Who knows, ten or a hundred years from now, their story might be adapted into novels, operas, and TV dramas and sung about. Ning Yuan has already thought of the themes, like the Orphan of Zhao, where pirates killed some people but didn't kill them all, leaving behind an orphan or something.

But how can that be allowed!

Evil people should be nailed to the pillar of shame forever!

Now that I have evidence of your crimes, of course I'm going to confiscate your property!

I will not only confiscate your property, but I will also hold a public trial so that the people can witness your crimes!

I will not only hold a public trial, but I will also publish your crimes throughout the country and even archive them!

Electronic file!

I will make them infamous for eternity!

"And you too!" Ning Yuan looked at the remaining ministers. Can you believe it? Not a single one of these ministers was clean!

It can only be said that if the upper beam is crooked, the lower beam will be crooked too. The Celestial Dragons are just like that, and the nobles below follow suit, so how could things possibly get better?

Only the father and daughter, Kobra, are a bit odd; they're like a white lotus growing out of a cesspool.

Ning Yuan clapped his hands lightly, and squads of soldiers entered the palace, then grabbed the ministers' arms and pulled them down.

In a short time, all the ministers were arrested, and the palace was completely empty!

"Ning... Ning Yuan?" Weiwei looked at the ministers who were still wailing in shock, and asked hesitantly, "These ministers have all been arrested, how are we supposed to govern the country?!"

"It's alright, we have another team!" Ning Yuan clapped his hands, and a group of people filed in from outside the palace.

The leader was Nico Robin.

Behind Robin were members of Baroque Works.

Mr. 1 Daz Bones: Paramecia-type Devil Fruit user, Slash-Slash Fruit.

Miss. Double-Finger Bora: Paramecia-type Thorn-Thorn Fruit user.

Mr.2 Bon Clay: Paramecia-type Imitation Fruit user.

Mr. 3 Galdino: Paramecia-type Wax-Wax Fruit user.

Miss. Golden Week Mariano: The Incapable.

Mr.4 Bebu: A non-ability user.

Miss Christmas Dorothy: A Zoan-type Mole-Mole Fruit user.

Mr. 5 Jem: A Paramecia-type Devil Fruit user with the power of the Blast-Blast Fruit.

Miss Valentine's Day Michita: Paramecia-type Light-Weight Fruit user.

"Besides these people, we also have 200 million-year elders, 1800 million-year elders, 3 prospective elders, and 1.8 peripheral members of the Baroque Works!"

Weiwei looked at the people in front of her, some strong and some cute, with a complicated expression.

"I admit they are all very capable, but governing a country isn't like fighting a war, is it?"

Ning Yuan smiled and said, "Having the strength is enough. As for governing the country, let me introduce you to the Goddess of Wisdom!"

(End of this chapter)