8

It can be said that due to the actions of the Six Paths of Pain, controlled by Ryō, the entire sea was set ablaze with turmoil.

His first bounty of 5 billion berry instantly elevated him to the level of the Four Emperors. After killing a Celestial Dragon, defeating an Admiral, and reducing the Sabaody Archipelago to ruins, it became impossible for Ryō to remain unknown.

Simultaneously, the name of the Akatsuki Organization spread like wildfire across the sea. Every major power in the world launched their intelligence networks to locate and gather information on this mysterious group.

Ryō himself casually glanced at his wanted poster.

"First bounty of 5 billion berry, huh?"

He smiled faintly, unfazed by the figure.

As the leader of the Akatsuki Organization, the Six Paths of Pain deserved such a high bounty. However, Ryō had more important tasks to accomplish. Through his battles—defeating Admiral Akainu and laying waste to Sabaody Archipelago—Ryō had advanced his progress in the game of domination.

[The Strongest Role-Playing System Across Worlds]

[Host: Ryō]

[Current Character: Six Paths of Pain]

[Progress: 75%]

To unlock the next character, he needed to increase his progress to 90%.

As Pain, the best way to increase his progress was by building the Akatsuki Organization into a true force in the world, just like in the Shinobi world, where Pain controlled the Land of Rain. In this world, Ryō needed to control a country. His target was clear: the Kingdom of Alabasta.

Alabasta, with its scorched earth, burning sun, and fierce desert winds, was a land suffering under political turmoil. The entire kingdom was under the covert control of the Baroque Works, an organization run by the former Warlord, Crocodile (also known as the Sand Crocodile). This turmoil made Alabasta the perfect place for Ryō to establish a foothold and develop the Akatsuki Organization.

On the vast, empty desert, a lone figure moved steadily through the sand. His pace was measured but relentless. Cloaked in the iconic black robe adorned with red clouds, this was none other than the Six Paths of Pain, controlled by Ryō.

As he journeyed deeper into the desert, he knew his destination: Alabasta. If he remembered correctly, this was the period of great unrest in the kingdom, and the perfect opportunity for him to seize control.

Suddenly, a series of loud explosions echoed in the distance. Two figures were flung into the air before crashing down, landing directly in front of Ryō.

"Hmm, is it really such a coincidence?" Ryō muttered, glancing at the two figures with mild surprise.

"Could it be... her?"

Before him stood Princess Vivi, with her bright blue hair tied back into a ponytail, her face full of concern. She was kneeling beside the injured figure of Igaram, her loyal protector.

"Igaram! Are you okay?" Princess Vivi asked anxiously, her voice as gentle as a songbird.

"Princess, forget about me. You need to leave now..." Igaram rasped, severely injured.

"No, Igaram! I can't leave you behind. You're hurt because of me!" Vivi's large, beautiful eyes filled with tears as she knelt beside him.

"Your Highness, you are the future of Alabasta. You have to get away from here, please!" Igaram gasped, grabbing her arm with his injured hand. However, before he could finish his plea, mocking voices interrupted them from behind.

"Where do you think you're going?" A man wearing a coat and sunglasses with a large afro stepped forward.

"Yes! No one escapes from the Baroque Works!" A mocking female voice followed, as a woman dressed fashionably descended from the sky. These two were agents of Baroque Works: Mr. 5 and Miss Valentine's Day.

"You two..." Vivi clenched her teeth, glaring at them with hatred. Years of effort, trying to save her country, seemed to be falling apart. Were they really going to fail here? Was Alabasta doomed?

"Princess Vivi, go now! I'll hold them off!" Despite his injuries, Igaram struggled to stand, placing himself between Vivi and the approaching agents. As captain of the Royal Guard, his duty was to protect the princess at all costs.

"Hahaha, how touching!" Miss Valentine's Day sneered.

"Too bad your loyalty isn't to the Baroque Works!" she added.

"Enough talk. Traitors die!" Mr. 5 scowled, disapproving of the delay, and prepared to launch his attack.

Both Vivi and Igaram stood frozen in fear. They had already experienced the strength of these agents and knew they were no match, especially with Igaram so badly wounded.

Suddenly, heavy footsteps echoed through the air. The tension was broken as six figures emerged from the swirling yellow sand, their black robes with red clouds immediately catching the eye.

"What the... who are you?" Mr. 5 and Miss Valentine's Day tensed, becoming wary of the unexpected newcomers.

"You two work for the Baroque Works, right? Tell me everything you know about the organization," Ryō demanded, his eyes cold and unwavering. His purpose was clear—he intended to defeat the Baroque Works and seize control of Alabasta.

"Hah! You dare talk to us like that?!" Mr. 5 scowled, his temper flaring. As a senior agent of Baroque Works, he wasn't used to being spoken to with such disdain. These newcomers were getting on his nerves.

"Since you've seen what you shouldn't have, you might as well die!" Mr. 5 sneered, flicking his nose, preparing to attack the Six Paths of Pain without hesitation.