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OPI Chapter 269: Peace, Power, and War
🕑 Added 2024-12-08 23:19:48 +0000 UTCA month had passed since the Empire, the Kingdom of the Gods Islands, and the Alchemy Kingdom formally submitted their applications to join the World Government.
During this time, the reconstruction of Seika Fortress, led by Pica, was progressing rapidly.
The fortress, once reduced to ruins, was now unrecognizable.
Large white buildings of various shapes made up different areas, linked by wide two-way avenues 100 meters wide. Everything revolved around an imposing central construction: five cylindrical towers connected by aerial walkways, forming a circular cross when seen from above.
Next, Pica and his team only need to complete the final decoration to declare the completion.
Then the World Government will send people to receive and manage it, and finally the army will move in to arrange city defense and patrols.
While the new headquarters of the World Government in the Teigu World was being finalized, it gave all parties time to prepare for the official negotiations and formal surrender of the Empire, the Kingdom of the Gods Islands, and the Alchemy Kingdom.
...
Kabane World.
It has been four years since the World Government conquered this world, but during this time it has undergone enormous changes in all aspects.
Since it was decided to turn this world into an Agri-World, most of the population is involved in jobs related to this industry.
They grow cereals and fruit trees, raise poultry and livestock, venture out to sea to fish, cut down trees, replant forests, among other activities that have become the main source of employment in the world.
Today, it is common to see vast agricultural fields throughout Hinomoto, with farmers hard at work in them.
...
At that time, inside the Shogun's residence in Kongoukaku.
Ayame was sitting next to her husband Kurusu, both of them were reading the latest news projected by the Den-Den Mushi.
Near them, a baby rested in a special crib, carefully tended by two maids.
"If the world government has allowed Teigu World to be part of the affiliated nations, it means there might be room for us. Maybe we should try it." Kurusu commented thoughtfully.
"Join the world government as an independent nation? Even if we try, do you think they'll let us?" Ayame looked doubtful.
Kurusu replied: "We won't know until we try. We should also request permission to form an independent Legion within the Auxiliary Troops. If the Demon Slayer World is allowed to do so, we too should have at least a small military force."
Kurusu's gaze turned serious. “Even if we are fewer in number, it doesn’t matter! I myself will lead the group, and I’m sure we can gain more military merits.”
Kurusu hesitated for a moment, but eventually expressed his thoughts.
As a samurai with outstanding skills, he was fed up with a life that was reduced to eating, drinking, and settling trivial disputes between the inhabitants.
Although he maintained intense daily training in the art of the sword, he could feel his body and spirit slowly wearing down.
Furthermore, he is now more aware than ever of how important power is in the face of threats, and as more worlds are conquered by the World Government, the more he realizes his insignificance.
But his words deeply surprised Ayame.
"What!?"
“Do you want to participate in the World Government’s wars?”
“No way!”
Ayame showed an unyielding attitude, making her position clear.
Kurusu sighed. “Ayame, you have to understand how much importance the World Government places on personal strength. If I continue to live in this tranquility, I will end up ruined. And for now we will be fine because the World Government needs a figure with legitimate authority, but what about our son? What if someone strong enough goes crazy near us? We would be unable to do anything and just watch as our world is torn apart.”
Although Ayame knew that to a certain extent Kurusu was right, she still stood up suddenly, her face full of indignation, staring at him.
“What would we do if something happened to you? What would Kotaro do? He’s so little that he doesn’t even remember what you look like!”
Kurusu tried to calm her down: “You know well what I am capable of with my sword. Besides, my constitution is almost equal to that of an inhabitant of the Starfish World, and the strength of my Devil Fruit gives me an advantage. It is not that easy for something to happen to me.”
“But this is a war between worlds! Even the generals of the World Government’s army have fallen in battle. What makes you think you are invincible?”
Ayame's face was red with rage, more because Kurusu was right, but she couldn't accept the fact that she could lose him.
"Since it's a war, of course there are risks. But this is also what allows anyone who tries hard enough to rise through the ranks and earn enough military merits."
Kurus slowly stood up and gently wrapped his arms around Ayame’s waist. With a sincere look on his face, he expressed his request from the bottom of his heart. “Without enough power, anything we possess can be taken away at any time. I want to become stronger, so that our son will have a better future. Besides, it’s not just me, many of the samurai under my command feel the same way.”
Although most of the inhabitants of Hinomoto enjoyed a prosperous and peaceful life, there were those who longed for something more, especially the samurai.
In the Kabane World, the situation had become stagnant, there was no way to ascend, nor to achieve something better. And although the situation was not as serious as in the Titan World, but this was something unacceptable for the samurai, a previously privileged class.
...
The freezing wind howled as snow covered the cleared area in front of the World Government headquarters in the Teigu World.
On the wide ground, a huge, slowly rotating Taichi diagram suddenly appeared, radiating a bright purple glow.
Inside a command tower on an aircraft carrier flying over the new base, King watched silently. As a lieutenant, he was in charge of leading the air unit in Kaido's place.
"Wow, looks like the party's about to start." A relaxed, mocking voice suddenly said behind him.
On the sofa, which had been empty a second before, Borsalino appeared, sitting comfortably with his legs crossed, while a faint golden glow faded around him.
"General Borsalino?" King asked, turning to look at him. "You won't be taking part in the negotiations down there?"
"That depends. I came here mainly to warm up a bit. Everything down there is frozen, and I'm not a big fan of the cold~" Borsalino replied.
King replied somewhat confused: "I see."
Meanwhile, down in the clear space, the purple glow shone brightly for an instant and then abruptly disappeared. In its place, a colossal figure appeared.
"Wow-it's so big, the giants seem small in front of it, so scary~~" Borsalino exclaimed in a mixture of astonishment and mockery.
King just glanced at him.
The gigantic figure, over two hundred meters tall, had a humanoid appearance, was wrapped in a dark blue cloak, wearing a helmet adorned with shades of blue, white and gold, combined with shiny black metallic armor.
An invisible and overwhelming pressure emanated from its figure, spreading like a tide in all directions.
"So this is the Empire's Ultimate Teigu, the Imperial Guardian: Shikoutazer. Interesting." Commented Kong who was watching the scene through a virtual screen at Army Headquarters.
Meanwhile near the Shikoutazer's feet, a man stood calmly. He wore a burgundy academic robe adorned with intricate gold patterns and sported long, curly hair that fell over his shoulders.
This man was Isaac, director of the Alchemy Kingdom's Truth Alchemy Academy.
"Hmm?"
Just as Isaac began to levitate to be level with the Shikoutazer's hull, he detected a change in the clouds above his head.
He looked up and, sure enough, saw a giant dragon coiling among the dark clouds.
At the same time, Isaac noticed that a small black dot appeared in his field of vision, growing larger and larger. It was Yami Tsukahara, who was descending in free fall from the clouds.
When he was less than a thousand meters from the snow-covered ground, a white cloud rose from his body, slowing his rapid descent. Finally, the cloud solidified beneath his feet, creating a platform that held him in the air.
Moments later, Yami Tsukahara stood at the same height as Isaac.
"Your Majesty the Emperor, Director Isaac, I am Yami Tsukahara. It is an honor to meet you both."
"Understood." The Emperor, controlling the Shikoutazer, responded coldly, his gaze fixed on the ancient dragon appearing and disappearing among the black clouds.
Noting the Emperor's attitude, Isaac confirmed that the Shikoutazer significantly affected its user's emotions.
"Sword Saint, is that skill you use an ability derived from some Teigu?" Isaac looked curiously at the cloud beneath Yami Tsukahara's feet as he asked.
"Hehe, this is not the power of the Meihou." Yami Tsukahara shook his head. "I was fortunate to receive the Divine Dragon's blood. Although the process was extremely dangerous and painful, I eventually managed to adapt to the wild nature of its essence."
Isaac nodded, as if he suddenly understood everything.
Suddenly, the ancient dragon partially emerged from the clouds, showing its head.
"Come out, Tyrant!"
Instantly, about 400 meters away from the three people present, the snow began to churn. Within seconds, a creature over 50 meters tall appeared. Its snow-white fur contrasted with its mouth full of sharp fangs, while two pairs of crimson eyes glowed menacingly on its face.
It looked like a giant arctic wolf standing on two legs but sprouting from its back a pair of rough white bat wings.
A mix between a flying dragon and a demon.
Seeing that only Tyrant appeared and the Nine-Tailed Fox who was also supposed to go with them did not appear, the Emperor was puzzled, so he couldn't help but ask: "Divine Dragon, may I know where the Nine-Tailed White Fox is?"
Isaac was also intrigued. Looking around, he noticed Tsukahara's strange expression and asked quietly: "Is something wrong?"
Tsukahara resignedly coughed before replying: "...It's complicated."
The Ancient Dragon interrupted with a voice full of anger: "Guren was captured by the World Government! And I plan to demand an explanation!"
To him, the Super Class Danger Beasts were not just allies, but companions for a thousand years. The news of one of them being captured filled him with fury.
"..."
Hearing this news, the emperor and others were silent.
Such a feat was only achieved by the First Emperor a thousand years ago with the strength of the entire nation.
