One Piece: Failure’s Road to the Pirate King

Marika was the Royal Chef of the Deep Forest Kingdom, possessing the power to transform simple ingredients into exquisite delicacies.

If she wanted wealth, she could certainly stay in the Deep Forest Kingdom; taxes wouldn't hinder her. With her culinary skills, even the king wouldn't dare tax her.

Yet, she came here.

Those driven out to the Shallow Sand Kingdom also had to pay. Besides rent, they arrived with nothing, not even tools allowed.

Survival in this place was impossible without tools, but this land was barren, nothing but sand.

However, to use tools, one had to pay, renting them from the Deep Forest Kingdom. Yes, rent, not buy.

The Shallow Sand Kingdom's rent itself was a form of protection fee, paid by their families remaining in the kingdom. It was less than taxes, but still substantial.

Using anything else would make the cost exorbitant, which is why the people here built homes from sand, using the natural stones and shells as tools.

They barely maintained their lives without taking anything from the Deep Forest Kingdom.

But in this impoverished place, even eating was a problem. Not everyone could find ingredients, and not everyone possessed the skill to transform such meager ingredients into delicious meals.

Before Marika arrived, many people starved to death before reaching the Bridge Kingdom.

Even if they wanted to go, the Deep Forest Kingdom wouldn't allow it, because as long as the people were here, they could still collect rent. This money was collected even after death!

After Marika's arrival, the situation improved. At least, people could eat their fill.

"No matter how harsh the conditions, people have the right to eat well. I've always believed this. A world where taxes prevent people from eating is too tragic."

Looking at the people under the torrential rain, her words were calm, yet carried an unwavering resolve. "Everyone has the right to eat their fill. That's what I do, I ensure people eat their fill!"

She couldn't change the kingdom's decisions, but she could contribute her small part, ensuring the people here had a full meal before their ultimate fate arrived.

"So, thank you for the invitation, but—"

"Leave, Marika-sama!"

Before she could finish, others interrupted. A woman said, "Marika-sama, we have no choice, but you do. You can leave!"

"Marika-sama, we are destined for the Bridge Kingdom. You've stayed for two years, it's enough. If this continues, you'll end up there too. No one who goes to the Bridge Kingdom ever returns."

"Marika-sama, set sail! We're already like this, we can't burden you anymore. These two years, we barely survived thanks to you, we've tasted delicacies we could never have imagined, it's enough."

Many voices chimed in, women holding children, frail elders—their expressions showed reluctance, but even more, a firm determination.

An elder stepped forward, resolute. "It's enough, Marika-sama. We cannot escape our fate of going to the Bridge Kingdom. Therefore…"

"Therefore, let's rob the king."

A voice interrupted him. Everyone looked, seeing Sage stroking his chin, gazing at the jungle within the sandy beach. "Collecting so many taxes in so many ways, they must be incredibly wealthy… Worth robbing."

"Captain, that's impossible. The kingdom has a strong army, and we don't even have tools…"

The elder glanced at the fallen soldiers, then said, "Even if we succeed, we can't withstand the subsequent retaliation."

"Oh, that's none of my concern. I'm not doing this for you."

Sage turned to Marika. "Two choices: First, I kidnap you, then we rob the king. Second, as my subordinate, I help you kill the king, break the gates, and let these people return."

"Captain, you're quite domineering," Marika said, astonished.

Sage chuckled. "Of course, I'm a pirate. I take what I want."

Being a pirate, he was always precise in his self-definition.

He had robbed kingdoms before, and the king's wealth was even greater. Why not rob him? Celestials can rob? Why can't he? He's even better than the Celestials; at least he doesn't rob the poor! Marika stared at Sage, saying, "It seems I have no other choice."

She sensed that even if she refused, it would be useless. This man seemed to possess the means to prevent even her death.

"Not really. If you decide to fight me, and we have no grudges, I might throw you into the sea, or I might let you go. After all, I don't like disobedient people, but…"

Sage walked forward, stepping over the fallen soldiers, kicking a head on the sandy beach away. "Anyway, you have to live somewhere. Why not try my place? Instead of wasting time in one place, see more of the world. That way, you'll have more choices. After all, pirates are incredibly free."

Marika was startled, murmuring, "Free…"

She hadn't considered this. She only wanted people to eat their fill. The ships that came before only wanted to take the people here to the Bridge Kingdom. No one had ever said this.

"Lads, let's rob!"

Sage laughed loudly. "That country has a lot of treasure! Let's grab it!"

"Ooh!!"

A dozen pirates raised their weapons and cheered, following Sage towards the jungle outside the sandy beach.

Really going to rob? Marika stared blankly at the pirates. She didn't think this was a bluff. The man with a seventy-million bounty was absolutely capable.

So why not try?

Escape the kingdom, find a way to ensure everyone eats their fill without being limited by the environment! With everyone well-fed, they could research better cuisine, and cuisine… could soothe people's hearts! "If you can do it…"

Marika took a deep breath, her eyes firm, and followed. "Please take me with you. I know the way to the royal city!"

Following Marika's movement, the remaining people looked at each other, showing struggle.

They could bear the bitter fruit themselves, they could choose not to burden Marika-sama, but directly confronting the kingdom was outright rebellion. They couldn't bear the consequences.

But looking at the shallow sand land swallowed by the waves, and the tiny space they stood on… "People must rely on themselves."

Lily suddenly turned, her voice cold. "If you don't resist, you deserve to be oppressed. Your families, your descendants, will forever be trapped in this fate."

She turned and followed Sage.

"Let's do it!"

A fisherman forcefully threw his net, running towards Sage's group, shouting, "I don't want to be a slave in the Bridge Kingdom, I don't want to starve here! The outcome is the same anyway, let the king see our determination!"

His words ignited a fuse. The remaining people's eyes darkened, showing determination, and followed.

It's come to this, then… let's give it a shot! Failure is just becoming a slave earlier, no big deal!…

The Deep Forest Kingdom's royal city, nestled in a dense forest, was a lush large town.

"It's going to rain… such a huge rain cloud is coming."

A guard on the city wall looked at the approaching dark clouds, sighing. "Really, I haven't had time to repair my house, and it's raining now."

"I'm worse off. I don't know how to pay my child's taxes, even eating is a problem."

Another guard sighed. "I miss the time when Marika-sama was here. Everyone could eat their fill then. Even the scraps of ingredients, she could make into delicious dishes."

"Yes, Marika-sama… Marika-sama!"

The guard was about to continue when he froze, looking beyond the city wall. There, Marika suddenly appeared, with her familiar gentle smile.

Boom!!

Then, a cannonball fired from behind, directly hitting the city gate, blasting a hole in it.

"Yes!"

Renetia transformed the cannon barrel into a hammer, clenching her small fist. "Captain, it's open!"

"Good job."

Sage walked into the hole, looking at the wide streets, and the stone-built royal city at the end of the street, resembling ruins, he grinned. "Let's have a good old robbery!"