Chapter 3: The Aggression of the Kata Kingdom

Sea Yuan Calendar: Year 1507.

The ruler of the Kata Kingdom, "Caldo," along with the military leadership, crafted a detailed plan.

Their entire navy set forth with the intention of capturing all the pirate crews rampaging in the South Seas.

At the docks～

Banners fluttered in the wind.

On the warships stood formidable large-caliber cannons, displaying their terror to the world.

All the soldiers had boarded the ships, fully equipped and ready to depart!

The sun was still rising～

The scorching sunlight continued to shine upon everyone.

Much like the blood flowing through the veins of the Kata Kingdom's citizens.

Filled with aggression～

In this boundless ocean, the sky and earth were eternally azure～

Yet, in the vast sea, scenes of bloody slaughter played out from time to time.

In this world～

You could enjoy all the privileges you could imagine.

But you might also be forced to endure nightmares beyond your imagination!

Laws～

In the boundless sea, they were greatly weakened; strength remained an everlasting theme.

"Set sail, conquer the pirates."

"Let those shadowy scoundrels witness the might of our Kata Kingdom..."

Aix? Cage drew his battle sword and swung it forward fiercely.

The cold and weighty sound resounded through the sky, echoing incessantly in the ears of the soldiers.

"Ah～"

"...…"

The sound of a resounding ship's whistle instantly rang out on the crowded docks.

Full of weight and awe, it was like a war melody from ancient times.

All the warships continuously sped out of the docks, covering the sky.

A vast fleet, billowing like a tide, constantly sailed toward the distance.

In the nearby waters～

Resident and merchant inhabitants of neighboring island towns along the way, upon seeing the massive fleet bearing the Kata Kingdom's Phoenix banners, hurriedly spread the word, celebrating the triumph.

However, some prominent nobles and kings of various countries, upon witnessing such an immense fleet, were filled with worries～

Having such a formidable neighbor prowling around their kingdom, adjacent to them.

And still not having joined the World Government alliance like they had.

It left them no choice but to be concerned.

"Your Majesty Caldo～"

"General Aix? Cage and his fleet have set sail."

Outside the palace.

Ellie? Lina appeared quietly and was slowly walking in!

With a calm expression, she addressed "Caldo" on the throne.

Narrating the situation of the fleet at the docks.

Inside the grand hall～

The ministers below remained silent.

Listening attentively to Ellie? Lina's report before him, the ministers were well aware of her role as the head of their Kata Kingdom's intelligence department. She was like a colorful venomous snake, ready to strike at the slightest inattention. During the turmoil when Caldo first ascended to power, this woman's hands were stained with the blood of numerous nobles. Her brutality rivaled even that of the soldiers, leaving none unscarred!

On the throne, Caldo nodded indifferently, his gaze radiating a cold aura. A faint tinge of malevolence crept in.

This plan was crucial for the Kata Kingdom's future. There was no room for error.

Caldo's plan was exceedingly grand. His Devil Fruit ability, which came from the Paramecia-type "Brain-Brain Fruit," had an astonishing effect on him. He had erased the memories of everyone who had known about his consumption of this fruit. Not a single person knew the true extent of his abilities.

Clearing and altering memories, implanting new ones—his power was an enhanced version of Bartolomeo's Bari Bari no Mi, without cooldowns. Telekinesis, the ceaseless development of his mind without repercussions, inhuman learning and comprehension abilities!

With such potent abilities, if they were exposed, they would undoubtedly invoke fear and greed from everyone. Most importantly, Caldo's research achievement, the ability to extract "life essence," would undoubtedly trigger a universal onslaught if revealed.

While elixirs that enhanced physical attributes were scarce, the world did possess scientists capable of developing them. However, the ability to extract an individual's "life essence," an entity that could extend lifespan and enhance physical attributes, would even astound someone like the "Flower" from Mary Geoise.

This concept was too terrifying, akin to Pandora's box. Once opened, it could never be closed!

Even the Kata Royal Family and those legion commanders only underwent human biological modifications after he implanted modified memories into them.

The path Caldo would tread in the future!

It was undoubtedly a path opposed to all living beings, much like the antagonists in those fantasy novels that fed on all life forms.

He casually glanced at the ministers below and then slowly began to speak:

"Notify the military to operate the factories day and night."

"Produce armor, weapons, and various military supplies at full capacity, preparing for the upcoming war."

His voice, as weighty as a bell, reverberated swiftly within the opulent grand hall of the palace.

Unceasing～

"Understood, Your Majesty Caldo."

"Understood, Your Majesty Caldo."

"............"

A shiver ran through the hearts of the people, and they all knelt down on one knee.

They loudly responded to Caldo's commands.

Immediately～

With a nonchalant glance at the ministers and Ellie? Lina in the grand hall, Caldo and his attendants left the opulent palace, returning to his personal courtyard.

Inside the palace, ministers and Ellie began to leave one after another upon seeing Caldo depart.

They gave orders to their subordinates, instructing them to inform the workers in the military about Caldo's commands. Everyone meticulously carried out the orders; no one dared to act contrary to them.

Because those who had acted against his orders had long been buried, with grass growing taller than their shoulders on their graves.

Meanwhile, in a inconspicuous corner of the docks, a Cipher Pol agent of the World Government discreetly pulled out a Den Den Mushi (a type of snail used for communication) and contacted their superior, Spandam.

"Burururu~"

"Burururu~"

"............"

"I am Spandam."

"Do you have any information to report?"

A weighty voice resounded from within the Den Den Mushi, belonging to Spandam, the current head of CP9.

"Lord Spandam~"

"The Kata Kingdom's massive fleet has started to mobilize."

"They intend to completely eliminate the pirate crews in the South Sea."

"And!"

"After sacrificing a fair number of our own personnel, we discovered the Kata Kingdom's military forces."

"They've begun equipping themselves with a type of firearm and super-heavy artillery that has a much higher rate of fire compared to our World Government's current weaponry."

"Please make sure to inform the Five Elder Stars."

"The Kata Kingdom's military technology has already reached the forefront of the world at this moment."

After the CP agent finished reporting the intelligence, they hurriedly hung up the Den Den Mushi.

They nervously looked around to make sure no one had noticed before hastily leaving the corner.

Once they were sure they were in the clear, their expression returned to normal, and they walked into the town.

The intelligence department of the Kata Kingdom was truly terrifying!

Many of their agents had already been compromised. They couldn't afford for CP agents like them to be careless.

As the Den Den Mushi was a single-line communication device, when Spandam heard the CP agent hang up hastily, he didn't become angry. Instead, he paused his current activity, sat in his office chair, and contemplated the information the CP agent had reported from the Kata Kingdom.

As time passed～

After he had finished organizing his thoughts, he stepped out of his office and headed toward the Pangaea Castle in the center of Mary Geoise.

He needed to report to the Five Elder Stars about the information received from the Kata Kingdom.

".....................…"