บท 32: 32. King of Alabasta
This was a long ass chapter to work on but here it is.
Words – 2880
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The people in the room were fixated on every move displayed on the screen, analyzing every word and action with utmost attention.
The conference was unlike anything they had ever seen before. It wasn't just the content that intrigued them but the gravity of the situation that unfolded before their eyes.
At the centre of the screen, the King of Tru Kingdom, Anos, remained seated. Despite being only 16 years old, he exuded a maturity and stability that made him seem much older. His demeanour radiated authority and calm control, traits uncommon for someone his age.
Even among the other leaders in attendance, there was a sense of reverence whenever Anos took the floor, though today, he was content to observe.
"What's the population of our Kingdom?"
Cobra, the King of Alabasta, suddenly asked those seated behind him. This was not something he usually dwelled upon.
Alabasta had always been a powerful and respected kingdom in the Grand Line.
Yet, as he watched the developments in the Tru Kingdom, Cobra couldn't help but reflect on his Kingdom.
The ministers behind Cobra exchanged glances. The answer was obvious, but the question held a deeper meaning Cobra wasn't simply asking for numbers.
He was questioning the trajectory of his Kingdom's future. Could Alabasta, despite its ancient history, keep pace with the rapid rise of smaller, more strategically positioned kingdoms like Tru?
"Your Majesty, although our Kingdom covers a vast land area, most of it is desert. In terms of population, it may not rival the Kingdom of Tru." (over 10 million)
One of the ministers finally spoke up, his voice steady but respectful.
Cobra leaned back slightly, considering the implications. Alabasta was indeed vast, but much of its land was an arid, uninhabitable desert.
It wasn't a kingdom rich In resources or fertile land. The coastal cities and the capital of Alabasta were densely populated, but they could not compete with the potential Anos had harnessed in the South Blue.
"Think about it," Cobra said after a long pause, "a Kingdom run by a teenager has surpassed our kingdom, which has stood for thousands of years. The Tru National Conference is a revelation for us. We must take a moment to reflect on our position in the world."
He did not reprimand the minister for stating the truth. After all, the state of their Kingdom wasn't something that could be ignored.
As they watched the ongoing discussion in the Tru Kingdom, Cobra felt a strange sense of discomfort an awareness that his kingdom was, perhaps, not as stable as he had once thought.
Watching the people on the screen, speaking freely and confidently, Cobra felt a growing sense of shame. The ministers in Tru were young, full of vitality and vision.
The energy they exuded made Cobra wonder about the future of his own Kingdom, which was still held by tradition and bound by the weight of its past.
"Dad, what are you watching?"
Vivi, who was seated beside Cobra, finally asked the question that had been on her mind since they began watching the broadcast.
She was accustomed to meetings of state, but this was different. There was a sense of urgency, a directness in the conversation that she found unusual.
She couldn't quite grasp what was so important about a national meeting in a kingdom far away from the Grand Line.
After all, Tru Kingdom was located in the South Blue a place many considered distant and insignificant.
She also couldn't understand the language being spoken on the screen. The other leaders were speaking in terms she was unfamiliar with. Was their culture so different? Are their concerns so foreign?
How could a kingdom like Tru be on the verge of surpassing a legacy as long-standing as Alabasta's?
"Vivi, watch closely. That young king is destined to lead an era. Even I am deeply moved by what I'm witnessing," Cobra responded, his voice calm but tinged with emotion.
Vivi looked at her father in surprise. It wasn't often that Cobra expressed such admiration, let alone for someone younger than herself.
The idea of a boy not much older than her ruling a kingdom with such success was difficult to comprehend. Her gaze turned back to the screen.
The figure of Anos remained seated, his posture steady, his presence commanding despite his silence.
"Your Majesty, I believe that the conditions of the Tru Kingdom are vastly different from ours," one of the ministers behind Cobra added cautiously. "We should be careful in making comparisons. Many things cannot be covered in one discussion."
Cobra turned to face the speaker, his eyes narrowing. "Do you think I don't know that?" he asked, his tone sharp but not angry. "The key issue is not in the conditions but in the vision."
He paused and turned back to the screen, his gaze focused on the young king once more.
Anos hadn't spoken yet in the broadcast, but his presence was palpable.
"Anos, the King of the Tru Kingdom, is someone I have watched with great interest. I met his father twice during my travelling to the seas."
"This young man took the throne at the age of fourteen. Now, at sixteen, he has already cleaned up the mess his father left behind. He has stabilized the economy, strengthened the military, and revitalized his people's hope."
Cobra's voice softened as if speaking more to himself than to those in the room. "It can be said that under his leadership, the Tru Kingdom is on the path to becoming the most powerful Kingdom in the entire South Blue."
Vivi's eyes widened in surprise. "Dad, are you serious?"
"Yes," Cobra responded, his lips curling into a faint smile. "It's only a matter of time."
"Don't worry, Dad. I will make sure that our kingdom becomes even stronger than theirs." Vivi's voice was filled with determination, her fists clenched at her sides.
Cobra smiled, proud of his daughter's resolve. He knew that Vivi would one day lead Alabasta, and he wanted her to see what true leadership looked like. "I know you will, Vivi. And when that time comes, I will be here to support you."
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Meanwhile, in a dimly lit room elsewhere in the world, several elderly men watched the developments in the Tru Kingdom with grim expressions.
They were members of the World Government, and their interest in the young king was not out of admiration, but out of concern.
A kingdom rising in power so quickly in the South Blue could pose a threat to the balance of power they had so carefully maintained for centuries.
An elder with a long goatee was the first to break the silence. "Send CP2 to inform the King of the Tru Kingdom that it's in his best interest to join the World Government."
"Are you sure that's wise?" asked another elder, a bald man in a white robe who held a long sword in his hands. "Shouldn't we investigate further before approaching him? It's hard to believe that a kingdom from such a weak region could rise to such prominence so quickly."
The goateed elder nodded. "It is suspicious, I agree. But CP0 has already conducted some preliminary investigations. It seems there is nothing out of the ordinary....yet"
The elder with the sword frowned. "Weren't the wife and child of Pirate King Roger once in this kingdom?"
Another elder, this one with a moustache, leaned forward, eyes narrowed in thought. "Yes, I recall hearing about that. The wife of the Pirate King was indeed in the Tru Kingdom."
"Then we must tread carefully," the goateed elder warned. "If the legacy of the Pirate King lingers in this kingdom, it could cause complications. Still, it would be in our best interest to bring them into the fold. It's better to have them under our control than to let them operate independently."
The moustached elder nodded. "Very well. Let CP2 deliver the message. We will offer them membership in the World Government. If they decline, we'll proceed with more… decisive measures."
As the meeting concluded, the elders' decision was clear. The Tru Kingdom's rise had not gone unnoticed, and now, the World Government would take steps to ensure that Anos and his people would not disrupt the delicate balance of power in the seas.
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Back in Tru Kingdom, the meeting continued throughout the morning. Anos remained mostly silent, observing the discussions unfold around him.
The room was filled with ministers, advisors, and young leaders, all of them passionate and full of ideas. Anos had already set the agenda, and now it was up to his team to implement his vision.
Losta, his one of the most trusted advisor, was handling most of the proceedings. She was efficient, methodical, and could command the room just as effectively as Anos himself.
She had made all the necessary arrangements, ensuring that the kingdom's plans for economic growth and military expansion were well underway.
The purpose of the conference was clear to show the people of the Tru Kingdom the prosperous future that awaited them.
But Anos knew that the real challenge lay not in the promises made today but in the execution of those promises in the coming months and years.
Unbeknownst to Anos, many outside forces were watching his kingdom closely. The World Government had already begun deliberating their next move, and the attention of kings and rulers from across the seas was now firmly fixed on the Tru Kingdom.
But for Anos, this was just the beginning.
As the morning session came to an end, Losta approached Anos and spoke softly. "Your Majesty, should we take a break before resuming this afternoon?"
Anos nodded. "Yes, that will be all for this
Morning. Inform the relevant parties to begin preparations for the afternoon session. We have much to discuss regarding economic and commercial development."
"Make sure the ministers and advisors are ready to implement these plans swiftly. We cannot afford delays. This is the time to move forward decisively."
Losta bowed slightly, her expression calm but focused. "Understood, Your Majesty. I will ensure everything is in order. The issues discussed this morning will be prioritized, and I will handle any misunderstandings personally."
Anos stood up slowly, his youthful figure hiding the burden of leadership he had carried for the past two years.
As he scanned the room, he could feel the eyes of his ministers and advisors on him, waiting for his next move.
Despite his age, Anos had a natural ability to command respect. His sharp eyes, thoughtful demeanour, and ability to anticipate problems before they arose were qualities that set him apart from the other kings of the South Blue.
As the attendees began to file out of the room, murmuring among themselves, Anos remained still, thinking about the next steps for the Tru Kingdom.
His mind wandered briefly to his father, the previous king, who had left him with a kingdom in turmoil.
Anos had been just fourteen when his father passed away unexpectedly, leaving him to pick up the pieces of a faltering Kingdom.
The kingdom had been on the brink of economic collapse, its military forces weakened, and its influence in the South Blue dwindling.
Yet, Anos had managed to reverse the decline. Now, at sixteen, he was leading the kingdom into a new era of prosperity, but he knew the road ahead was still fraught with challenges.
"Your Majesty," Losta interrupted his thoughts as she returned to his side. "There is one more matter we need to address before we take a break for lunch. The merchants' guild has sent a request for additional resources to expand trade routes into the Grand Line. They believe that now is the opportune moment to capitalize on the kingdom's growing reputation."
Anos turned to her, his expression contemplative. "The Grand Line… expanding trade routes into that region is a risk. But it's a risk worth taking. We need to diversify our trade partners, especially if we plan on sustaining the economic growth we've seen over the past year."
"Tell the guild they will have the resources they need, but they must be prepared to face the dangers of those waters."
Losta nodded, taking note of his decision. "I will relay your message, Your Majesty. The guild will be pleased to hear of your support."
As Losta stepped away to carry out her duties, Anos turned his gaze to the large map of the world that hung on the wall. His eyes traced the familiar routes of the South Blue, the kingdom's primary domain.
But beyond that, his gaze lingered on the Grand Line, the unpredictable and perilous sea that connected the world's most powerful Kingdoms.
The Tru Kingdom had managed to secure a strong position within the South Blue, but Anos knew that true power came from venturing beyond the safety of one's borders.
The Grand Line was where the real power struggles took place where the Marines, pirate crews, and other powerful kingdoms vied for dominance.
If the Tru Kingdom wanted to cement its place in the world, it would have to engage with those forces sooner or later.
Anos had no illusions about the difficulty of such an endeavour, but he also knew that remaining isolated would limit the kingdom's potential.
He was pulled from his thoughts by the sound of the doors opening behind him. Losta had returned, accompanied by a group of high-ranking ministers and military officers.
Among them was the newly promoted General Haruya, the head of the kingdom's armed forces, a man whose loyalty to Anos had been crucial in stabilizing the kingdom after his father's death.
"Your Majesty," Haruya greeted him with a respectful bow. "The military is ready for the next phase of our expansion. We've completed the training of our recruits, and our forces are now fully equipped. We await your orders."
Anos nodded, pleased with the report. "Good. We need to ensure that our military is prepared for any potential threats, especially now that we're expanding our trade routes. Pirates and hostile forces are likely to take notice of our increased activity in the Grand Line. We must be ready to defend our interests."
Haruya straightened, his expression resolute. "Understood, Your Majesty. I will see to it that our naval forces are prepared to escort the merchant fleets. We will not allow any harm to come to our people or our goods."
"That's exactly what I expected," Anos replied. "We cannot afford to show any weakness, especially now. The world is watching us."
As Haruya and the other ministers took their leave, Anos found himself alone once more, standing in front of the world map. His mind raced with plans for the future.
He had brought the kingdom back from the brink, but now came the real challenge of ensuring that the kingdom's newfound prosperity could be sustained and defended.
In the shadows of the room, a figure stepped forward. It was Barlow, the kingdom's intelligence officer, and one of Anos's most trusted advisors. His presence was always understated.
But his contributions to the kingdom's stability were undeniable. He had been responsible for keeping a close watch on the internal and external threats that loomed over the kingdom.
"Your Majesty," Barlow began, his voice low and measured. "I've received word from our contacts within the World Government. It seems they've taken a keen interest in the Tru Kingdom's recent developments. There have been murmurs that they may send envoys to invite us to join their ranks."
Anos raised an eyebrow, though he was not entirely surprised. The World Government had long sought to bring influential and growing kingdoms under their control, offering protection in exchange for loyalty and a hefty tribute known as the "Heavenly Gold."
"They must see our success as a potential threat to their control in the South Blue," Anos mused aloud. "It was only a matter of time before they tried to intervene."
Barlow nodded in agreement. "Indeed, Your Majesty. The World Government rarely leaves such matters. They would prefer to have you as an ally rather than a potential rival or enemy. The decision to join them could offer certain advantages, but it would also come with a price."
Anos knew that joining the World Government would provide certain protections most notably, the ability to call upon the Marines for assistance in defending the kingdom against pirates and other threats.
But it would also mean sacrificing some of the kingdom's autonomy and being subjected to the World Government's often rigid and corrupt bureaucracy.
"We'll consider their offer when it comes," Anos said after a moment of contemplation. "But I won't rush into an alliance that could compromise our Freedom. The Tru Kingdom must stand on its own two feet. We've come too far to become another pawn in the World Government's game."
Barlow smiled slightly, appreciating his king's resolve. "As you wish, Your Majesty. I will continue to monitor the situation closely and keep you informed of any further developments."
With that, Barlow slipped back into the shadows, leaving Anos to his thoughts.
The weight of leadership pressed down on his shoulders, but he welcomed the challenge. His vision for the Tru Kingdom was clear, and he would not allow external forces to dictate its future.
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