The kingdom's palace was magnificent, with carved stone pillars supporting the ceiling, huge tapestries emblazoned with the kingdom's flame emblem, and dark military banners fluttering in the night wind.
Commander Grei entered with his guards, where over a dozen people stood: the King, the Prince, the Princess, the General, and the Knight Commander.
The King, though white-haired, was still robust and spirited, with a pair of sharp eyes like a hawk's.
He sat on a sword-shaped stone throne at the end of the steps, exuding the oppressive aura of a monarch.
Knight Commander Michael wore golden armor, held a long spear, and had gold earrings.
The dark carvings on his armor flowed like molten lava, giving the armor a explosive beauty.
General Sander, with graying temples, leaned on his greatsword, his eyes closed in meditation.
"Your Majesty!"
Grei's expression became solemn, and he knelt on one knee, his right fist placed over his heart.
"Rise, Grei."
The King's voice was calm, his face showing no emotion.
Everyone was well aware of the news that the pirate Kaido had destroyed several nearby towns.
Just as the King was about to speak, he suddenly heard a loud noise from outside the palace. A crimson lightning bolt tore through the sky, terrifying the earth!
Everyone's expressions changed slightly; General Sander, who had been composed, opened his eyes and looked out of the palace with a grave expression.
They quickly walked out, only to see a thundercloud rapidly expanding, covering the city in an instant, with no Moonlight visible through the gaps in the clouds.
A huge shadow engulfed them, plunging the urban area into endless darkness.
Rumble!
Terrifying lightning erupted, striking down with immense power.
The earth trembled, and buildings collapsed.
Smoke and flames poured wildly into the streets and alleys!
People fled in panic!
Suddenly, two blood-red torches lit up in the thundercloud, flickering and swaying like giant lanterns in the sky.
Suddenly, two dragon claws reached out from the thundercloud.
Then came the head, the body… people widened their eyes, unable to believe what they were seeing.
Oh my God, what kind of monster was this?!
Its body, hundreds of meters long, was like a mountain, covered in dense, azure scales that seemed like indestructible armor.
Its mouth was like a cave, its fangs like interlocking dog-stones.
Its sharp claws glinted coldly, as if a gentle squeeze could crush a building.
Its blood-red eyes were filled with endless indifference and mockery, looking down at the trembling ants on the ground.
"Bring out your King!!"
As Kaido roared, a gust of wind swept across the land, and the flames on the streets intensified!
The King's fingers trembled slightly, and he forced himself to remain calm, saying, "I am he. You… who are you?"
Even though he vaguely guessed the other party's identity, the King still dared not utter that name rashly.
"Is that you?"
Kaido's blood-red eyes glowed, and he hovered above the royal city, sneering, "How dare you ruin my business!"
His voice was like a booming bell, splitting stones and piercing the sky, and the terrifying sound waves spread like a tangible force. The flames on the buildings in the street seemed to twist in the sound waves.
The leaves in the palace gardens rustled, and the huge broad leaves shook violently.
The Knight Commander and the General's faces changed drastically, and they quickly shielded the King.
Behind them, the royal family members looked panicked and trembled.
The King's Adam's apple bobbed, and his dry throat struggled to speak: "Mr. Kaido, I think there's some misunderstanding between us…"
"Misunderstanding?"
Kaido snorted coldly, then violently swung his dragon tail, sweeping up the debris of several buildings from the street and throwing them into the garden pond in front of the palace, splashing water and causing the pavilions to collapse with a roar.
Thousands of soldiers poured out from all directions, surrounding the royal family in the palace, holding firearms, swords, and sabers, looking nervously and fearfully at the giant dragon above their heads.
"Stand down!!"
The King shouted.
The soldiers did not move. The King turned and glared angrily at Michael, his eyes unfriendly: "Michael, tell your men to stand down!"
"But Your Majesty…"
"Don't make me repeat myself!!"
Michael's face was grim. He waved his hand, and only then did the soldiers retreat.
The King shot Michael an indignant look, then looked up at Kaido in the sky, his tone conciliatory and yielding.
"Mr. Kaido, we have no intention of making an enemy of you… I've heard about your business matter, and it is indeed related to our kingdom, but please believe me, there truly is a misunderstanding."
The King was utterly sincere.
In mid-air, Kaido's eyes narrowed slightly, then he swooped down with Wald and Binjack.
Nearing the ground, Kaido transformed into human form.
With a thud, Kaido and Wald landed on the ground, the stones beneath their feet rising, Kaido carrying Binjack.
Binjack gave Kaido a resentful look, and Wald took his brother and placed him on his shoulder.
"King of Jaltsburg, I didn't come here to listen to your nonsense. You ruined my business, and you think a simple 'misunderstanding' will let you off the hook? Isn't that a bit too casual?"
Kaido scanned everyone's faces, a chilling smile on his lips: "Of course, if you want to try resisting, I'd be happy to oblige."
"You!!"
Knight Commander Michael glared, utterly indignant: "Kaido, do you intend to make an enemy of our kingdom?!"
"An enemy?"
Kaido sneered dismissively: "Do you even qualify to be my enemy?"
The King glanced at General Sander, who was holding a longsword.
Sander had been famous for many years, his reputation widespread. Though he was aging, he was still the sharpest sword in the kingdom.
However, Sander was now terrified, trembling all over, as if he had seen something extremely horrifying. Cold sweat streamed down his forehead.
"Sander!!"
The King couldn't help but exclaim.
Clang!
The longsword in his hand dropped to the ground, and Sander slumped to the ground.
He had awakened his Observation Haki when he was young, and could always hear people's inner thoughts.
The moment Kaido landed, Sander was astonished to discover that the pirate's heart was dark and violent, his aura strange and terrifying, like an abyss!!
This was a terrifying monster he had never seen in his entire life!
He would die, he would die, he would die!!!
Sander knew that if they attempted to attack the other party, most of everyone present would die instantly!
This was not some prediction of the future.
It was an instinct, a life-or-death instinct!
Seeing Sander's appearance, the King knew almost certainly that the other party was not someone they could provoke.
Sighing, the King looked at Kaido with a complex expression: "Mr. Kaido, tell me what you need. As long as I can do it, I will fulfill it unconditionally."
"Is that so?"
Kaido smiled playfully: "I want half of your kingdom's treasure!"
At these words, Knight Commander Michael exploded in rage: "Damn it, this bastard pirate is toying with us, isn't he?!"
"Your Majesty, no one stop me. Let me drive this pirate out of the kingdom!!"
Michael roared, flipping his long spear, holding it horizontally across his waist, and shaking it.
The spearhead instantly sparked with a trace of electricity, like a silver serpent weaving through the air, piercing it. He moved with the spear, thrusting it fiercely towards Kaido.
With this move, he could even bore a large hole straight through a city wall!
For a moment.
Some were surprised.
Some were terrified.
Some were amused.
The uneasy Sander watched Michael, who was charging forward, in shock.
Only one thought was in his mind.
How dare he?