One Piece: Wielder of the Void

Chapter 216: 216. Navy Force



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Two months after the Navy force of the Tru Kingdom was officially established, the nation's citizens had largely settled into a newfound sense of pride and stability.

For the people of Tru, being part of such a powerful and prosperous nation had become a source of immense pride.

With the Empire thriving under this stability, a wave of enthusiasm had spread among the youth, many of whom eagerly enlisted during the Kingdom's latest recruitment drive.

For these young individuals, the highest aspiration was to join the ranks of the Navy and defend the ideals and safety of their homeland.

This fervour could be traced back to the words of Anos during the inauguration of the Navy Force.

In the grand hall of the Tru Kingdom's palace, Anos sat upon his throne, presiding over a council of officials.

Among those gathered were the kingdom's three generals, the Minister of Commerce, and the Minister of Consultation, along with various other dignitaries and officials.

The atmosphere was serious, and the topic of discussion was critical.

At the forefront of the discussion, General Fujitora addressed Anos with a tone of concern. "Your Majesty, do you realize that your previous declaration has caused civil unrest in neighbouring nations? By our estimates, at least five countries are now engulfed in turmoil."

Fujitora referred to a statement made by Anos a month prior, which extended an invitation for any nation to merge with the Tru Kingdom.

The proposal promised citizens of merging nations access to the Tru Kingdom's unparalleled benefits, including safety, stability, and economic prosperity.

This proclamation had sparked widespread unrest across neighboring territories, where citizens long suffering under oppressive regimes rose in rebellion against their governments.

Some nations even enacted draconian measures, threatening execution for anyone attempting to cross their borders into Tru.

Despite such threats, the allure of a better life in the Tru Kingdom proved irresistible to many.

Remarkably, three nations, the Kingdom of Nubia, the Kingdom of Kolha, and the Kingdom of Tumei, had already submitted formal requests to merge with the Tru Kingdom, doing so voluntarily and without any military intervention.

Through this strategy, the Tru Kingdom had effectively expanded its territory without shedding a single drop of blood.

Fujitora, a man of unwavering justice, struggled with the moral implications. "Your Majesty," he said gravely, "this outcome may benefit us, but these civil wars were indirectly incited by your words. Entire nations have been destabilized."

Anos met Fujitora's gaze, his demeanour calm yet resolute. "General Fujitora, do you remember our conversation when you joined the Tru Kingdom? We spoke of using our strength to help as many people as possible. The unrest in these nations is not the cause of my words but the result of years of suffering under corrupt leadership. These people yearn for freedom and a better life, and we have the means to offer it to them."

"The Kingdoms of Nubia, Kolha, and Tumei have chosen to join us willingly. Their people now see hope where there was none before. This strategy allows us to expand without provoking the World Government or the Marines. Any direct military action would have led to greater conflict and unnecessary loss of life."

As Anos spoke, Abona, a key military leader, nodded in agreement. "The Kingdom of Nubia, for example, experienced minimal casualties fewer than 500 lives lost, primarily among their royal families and oppressive nobility. The people themselves rebelled without our intervention. When the rebellion succeeded, they immediately petitioned to join the Tru Kingdom. Today, their citizens are celebrating in the streets."

The Minister of Commerce, Kaien, rose to add his perspective. "General Fujitora, it's important to note that during these events, the Tru Kingdom provided nearly 5 billion Beris worth of medical aid to neighbouring nations. We have already begun laying the groundwork for new factories and infrastructure in these territories to stabilize their economies and improve living conditions. Before these changes, many families in Nubia were surviving on one meal a day, and their population had dwindled from 11 million to less than 7 million due to famine and neglect."

Fujitora sighed deeply, his resolve conflicted but his understanding clear. He could not deny the truth of their words.

The strategy employed by King Anos was undeniably effective, though it left Fujitora grappling with its ethical implications.

Anos stood from his throne, addressing the assembly. "This is only the beginning. Our mission is to build a future where people can thrive without fear or oppression. We will face greater challenges and larger conflicts, but as long as we remain steadfast in our purpose, the Tru Kingdom will continue to grow stronger for the benefit of all its people."

The room fell silent as the weight of Anos' words settled over the council. The vision of the Tru Kingdom was clear, and its path forward, though fraught with challenges, promised prosperity and unity.

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