Chapter 56: Please keep reading! The Slave King's preparations for war!

The Kingdom of Thutmose.

As previously mentioned, this is a desert nation.

However, unlike Alabasta, it is located in the South Blue and experiences normal seasonal changes.

Its most beautiful season is winter.

During winter, snowflakes drift across the entire island, covering the golden sea of sand with a layer of ice and snow.

The interplay of white and gold creates a stunning visual aesthetic.

Although the entire kingdom is a medium-sized island, it contains only one city, called Sabark, or simply Sand City.

With vast lands, a sparse population, a desert environment, and a single city, the kingdom gives off an impression of weakness and poverty.

Even passing pirate ships are reluctant to waste their time docking there.

But what the world does not know is that beneath the surface of the capital, Sabark, lies an incredibly vast underground space.

Layer upon layer of building complexes shimmer with bright yellow lights.

Amidst the constant flow of people, shouts, screams, wails, and cries intertwine.

It seems as though every breath of air here is permeated with despair and pain.

Soldiers wearing green collars and white robes, armed with whips, battle axes, spears, or muskets, can be seen patrolling and guarding various locations.

Every one of them is expressionless, looking extremely terrifying.

Looking into the distance, one can see a massive, eye-catching pyramid structure.

That is the true royal palace of the Kingdom of Thutmose.

Just moments ago, King Taklamakan, the renowned "Slave King" of the underworld, received news that a fleet from Marine Headquarters was approaching to arrest him.

However, sitting upon his golden throne, he showed no reaction.

His high-ranking subordinates could not discern the king's expression either, for King Taklamakan wore a golden mask.

His attire was quintessentially Pharaonic: a white robe, a wide collar, and a golden scepter held in his hand.

Within the great hall, constructed from massive stones, four high-ranking officials in white robes stood, flanked by strong, sturdy royal guards.

"Your Majesty, do we need to prepare for evacuation?" one of them asked hesitantly, breaking the silence.

Sitting on the throne, King Taklamakan countered with a question.

"In about two hours, how many people, how much treasure, and how many ships can we evacuate?"

"That..." The official hesitated before asking, "Should we notify the slave traders outside to return and provide support?"

"No."

King Taklamakan seemed to have his own plan and rejected him immediately.

"The total number of slave traders is only ten thousand, with fewer than two thousand here in the South Blue. Even fewer can return in a short amount of time. Such a small number is meaningless whether they come or not. Even if ten thousand could return, what use would they be? They were never meant for combat."

"Then, what do you mean?" the official asked in confusion.

"I mean, evacuation is a certainty. Since we have been dragged into the light, we must find a way to retreat back into the shadows!"

The gold-adorned King Taklamakan rose from his throne, clearly revealing his robust, two-meter-tall physique. His cold mask looked down upon the four men below.

"But the first wave of the Navy's fleet has already arrived at our doorstep. To preserve most of our strength, we must first defeat them, and then vanish into the darkness before the second, stronger fleet arrives!"

Upon hearing this, the four officials realized the King's intent.

"Two hours is enough for us to prepare for war. At the same time, prepare the ships. Once the Marine fleet is defeated, immediately transfer the main force along with all essential supplies and treasures!"

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"But should we take the slaves with us?" another official inquired, as slaves were the primary source of income for the Kingdom of Thutmose.

"Take fifty thousand of the highest quality slaves. Let the rest sleep beneath this desert; it will serve as a decent burial ground," King Taklamakan decided ruthlessly.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

The officials responded in unison once more. No one dared to say a word for the abandoned slaves, for if they did, they would immediately become one of them.

"Have you found the files on Rear Admiral Dragon and Rear Admiral Alvin?" King Taklamakan asked.

"Your Majesty, regarding Rear Admiral Alvin, according to intelligence from the slave traders in the Grand Line, he is an exceptionally skilled swordsman, but there is nothing else noteworthy. On the contrary, Rear Admiral Dragon requires your utmost attention."

"Oh? Is he a Devil Fruit user?"

"No, the intelligence gathered by the traders says he is a non-user, but his identity is very special."

"Speak."

"Yes. Rear Admiral Dragon—his full name is Monkey D. Dragon. He is the son of the Marine Hero, Vice Admiral Monkey D. Garp. It is said this is his first time leading a large-scale military mission as the commanding officer."

Hearing Garp's name, the gaze behind King Taklamakan's golden mask grew solemn. As the saying goes, "ignorance is bliss," but as the Slave King of the underworld, he knew many things that ordinary people could not access.

Most commoners believed Garp was called the Marine Hero because he had long pursued the Roger Pirates, driving them to the brink several times before finally personally arresting him and sending him to the execution platform.

But the King knew very well that this was not the main reason. According to his speculation, Vice Admiral Garp's strength might even surpass that of the Marine Admiral known as "Buddha" Sengoku.

"Have you found where Vice Admiral Garp is now?"

The minister in charge of intelligence answered respectfully, "The traders could not find his specific location. It is said that Vice Admiral Garp has always been a loner, a man in the Marines who goes wherever he pleases. However, there are rumors that Vice Admiral Garp has recently returned to his hometown, the East Blue."

"Is that so..."

King Taklamakan breathed a sigh of relief, thinking to himself that he should try to spare Dragon's life during the upcoming battle. There was no need to push Garp to the absolute limit.

If Garp could spend over a decade chasing Roger, he could certainly spend over a decade hunting him down for revenge.

He had no desire to provoke a mad dog possessing the highest combat power in the world!

"Enough. All of you, go and prepare!"

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Soon, a massive commotion began within the underground city of the Kingdom of Thutmose. Over thirty thousand slave-guarding troops began moving large quantities of firearms, ammunition, and even artillery through underground passages to the coastal areas to establish defensive lines and traps.

The foundations laid by the Slave King over decades were fully activated at this moment.

Simultaneously, batches of young men were dragged out of the cells. Under the guard of soldiers on both sides, they marched in lines toward the great pyramid. No one knew exactly what King Taklamakan intended to do...

In short, everyone knew this was a war—a war involving tens of thousands of combatants on both sides!

Out at sea, Dragon's forces had converged with the fleets of the South Blue's 194th, 242nd, and 289th branches. The scale of the Marine fleet was exceptionally massive.

Five large Headquarters-class warships, each carrying a thousand Marines, featured two decks of cannons and three triple-barrel anti-aircraft turrets, totaling thirty-three large-caliber cannons.

Eight small Branch-class warships, each with a single deck of cannons and twelve medium-caliber cannons, included eight ships from the 194th branch carrying five hundred men each, while the remaining ten carried a standard crew of three hundred.

The total strength of the fleet was twelve thousand men!

Although it seemed smaller than the thirty thousand troops of the Kingdom of Thutmose, in Dragon's eyes, their combat effectiveness and firepower were superior.

A Rear Admiral and fifty Headquarters-class officers—some proficient in the Six Powers and even some possessing Devil Fruits—would be more than enough to suppress the soldiers who spent their days merely guarding slaves.

As for King Taklamakan, he would deal with him personally.

Although intelligence suggested the Slave King's overall strength was superior to his own, Dragon felt no fear.

The thought of saving hundreds of thousands of civilians by winning this battle made the blood in his veins boil. This was the battle of justice he had always dreamed of!

"Target: The Kingdom of Thutmose!!"

Accompanied by a green whirlwind, Dragon flew through the air, issuing his command to the massive naval fleet of twenty-three ships below.

"Advance!"