allendalepharm Chapter 194 Negotiations, "Sakazuki" Chapter Returns
Chapter 194 Negotiations, "Sakazuki" Chapter Returns
Chapter 194 Negotiations, "Sakazuki" Returns
On the southeastern border of Alabasta, where the former desert meets the newly formed rainforest, the atmosphere is now tense.
On one side was the new Pharaoh's guard of Alabasta, led by Ramses II. The Pharaoh's radiance enveloped the army as if it were a tangible force, and their morale was high.
On the other side was the naval force led by Smoker. Although they had a numerical advantage, every naval soldier broke out in a cold sweat when faced with the pharaoh sitting in the phantom of the Temple of Radiance, and Sakazuki, who was being held tightly by four giant sphinx statues behind him and was still struggling and growling.
The legendary naval admiral has fallen into such a wretched state, and the power of the heroic spirits once again puts them under suffocating pressure.
Beside Smoker, the space rippled slightly, and Quetzalcoatl, the feathered serpent goddess, quietly appeared. She looked at Ramses II opposite her with a scrutinizing gaze and a hint of barely perceptible sense of duty.
"Report! General Borsalino has not yet arrived!" The messenger's voice trembled.
Smoker, cigar in mouth, his face grave. He was about to speak when Ramses II's voice, as authoritative as the law, resounded across the battlefield.
"How dare you, your navy, station your troops on my borders, defying the Pharaoh's majesty! Are you unaware that the Holy Grail War has temporarily ended?"
"Are you all trying to provoke my glory and perish in this sea of sand?!"
The sound was like thunder, causing the naval formation to tremble slightly.
Ramses II's gaze was mainly fixed on Quetzalcoatl. He could sense that the power of this alien god was not to be underestimated, and that he seemed to have a peculiar connection with this land.
Smoker forced himself to remain calm and stepped forward.
"Your Majesty, we have not come here to provoke you! We only wish to retrieve our former Admiral Sakazuki! He is a vital asset to the World Government; we beg you to show mercy and release him!"
"Release them?" Ramses seemed to hear a joke from the heavens.
"This fiend has awakened in my temple, wreaking havoc and disturbing my peace! It is a former enemy of the Holy Grail War! Do you think you can simply release it as you please?!"
He abruptly changed the subject, adopting a monarchical negotiating style: "Want the people? Fine! Show your sincerity!"
"Claim this territory, spanning five hundred li, to me, and offer me enough treasures and resources to rebuild my temple!"
Otherwise, there's no point in discussing it!
This is outrageous!
Smoker's face was grim. Although this area was originally Alabasta's territory, it was now under the actual control of both sides. To cede a large area of land would be tantamount to acknowledging the status quo of division.
However, to everyone's surprise, Quetzalcoatl spoke, his voice ethereal and divine.
"Ramses II, I cannot agree to your demands."
Everyone looked at her. Ramses II also narrowed his eyes.
Quetzalcoatl continued, "Tescatlipoca left me here as an anchor for maintaining the ecological balance and the memory of this land. The integrity of this land is about a deeper level of stability. I cannot stand by and watch it be further divided."
She was not biased towards the navy, but rather acted out of a sense of duty and a special connection to the land.
The navy personnel breathed a slight sigh of relief upon seeing that this powerful heroic spirit seemed to be on their side. Smoker seized the opportunity to apply pressure.
"Your Majesty, did you hear that? Seizing another country's territory is inherently unjust!"
"If you insist on refusing to hand over the person, once my Admiral Borsalino arrives and joins forces with Lord Quetzalcoatl, even with your formidable strength, you will likely be unable to withstand the combined attack of two top-tier powerhouses!"
"When that time comes, we'll take it back, and you probably won't be able to save face either!"
Ramses II's outward anger intensified, but his mind raced with calculations.
He knew Kizaru's speed and Quetzalcoatl's strength well; a direct confrontation was not a sure thing and could even damage the newly stabilized Red Team's power. He turned his head slightly to look at Princess Vivi beside him.
Vivi, as the Master and representative of the Kingdom, nodded slightly, indicating that she was willing to make appropriate concessions in exchange for tangible benefits and to avoid conflict.
Ramses II snorted coldly, then feigned reluctance and changed his tune: "Hmph! How dare this ignorant brat speak so arrogantly to the Pharaoh—"
"Fine!"
"The Pharaoh is magnanimous and will not concern himself with territorial matters with you! But Sakazuki's crime must be punished!"
Six billion Berries ransom! Not a single one less!
Six billion! That's still an astronomical figure!
The world government simply cannot come up with that much cash in the short term.
After a heated negotiation, mainly between Vivi and the other party's representative, an agreement was finally reached.
The World Government recognizes the Red Team's right to govern the existing controlled areas and lifts the economic and material blockade against the Red Team's Alabasta.
In exchange, Ramses II released Sakassky.
Quetzalcoatl also agreed to co-rule the land with Ramses II, with the pharaoh in charge of royal power and order, and her protecting nature and balance, forming a unique co-governance model.
For the people of Alabasta, who have suffered from war and yearn for peace and development, this may be an acceptable outcome.
An agreement was reached, and the atmosphere eased.
The four Sphinxes released Sakazuki, who ran and landed. Although his mind was confused, he instinctively walked towards the Navy.
Just then, a golden light flashed, and Kizaru Borsalino finally arrived.
He saw Sakazuki, who was weak but definitely alive, and a complex expression appeared on his usually cynical face. He even exaggeratedly wiped away non-existent tears with a handkerchief.
"Yo~ Sakazuki~ You're really alive~ That's great~"
Although it may seem a bit exaggerated, there is indeed a genuine sentiment deep in his eyes.
Sakazuki was quickly taken back to the naval base for initial treatment and stabilization.
He didn't say much, only giving Ramesses and Quetzalcoatl a deep look before being escorted onto the warship and back to the Navy Headquarters.
The escorting warships traversed the calm belts without stopping, and soon returned to the Naval Headquarters. A brief ceremony was held for Sakazuki's return, and Fleet Admiral Sengoku personally greeted him, his feelings complicated as he watched his former subordinate come back to life in such a bizarre way.
"Sakazuki, welcome back. Take good care of yourself and recover your physical and—consciousness." Sengoku patted him on the shoulder.
However, Sakazuki shook his head, his voice hoarse but firm: "My injury—is nothing. Sengoku-no-kami."
"I have heard that the World Government has imprisoned Arjuna—my—servant. I must see him."
Sengoku frowned slightly, but seeing Sakazuki's unwavering gaze, he finally agreed.
"Yes, he's at headquarters. We wouldn't dare put him anywhere we can't see him."
Deep within the Marine Headquarters, in a specially made cell, Arjuna sat alone in a corner, his body radiating a mournful cry of vengeance.
The former glory and integrity seem to have been tainted with deep shadows by repeated exploitation, betrayal, and imprisonment.
The cell door opened, and Sakazuki walked in.
Arjuna slowly raised his head, his once clear but now gloomy eyes looking at Sakazuki. A fleeting ripple flashed across his face before returning to silence, even tinged with a hint of mockery.
"Akainu, no, perhaps I should call you something else now. You're long dead, killed by Karna."
"The grudge between you and me—the living death—has ended with your last death. You who exist now are nothing more than a corpse forcibly given life, and have nothing to do with me anymore."
Sakazuki stood at the cell door, his expression obscured by shadows.
He remained silent for a moment, without anger or explanation, but simply stared intently at Arjuna with his lava-like eyes, as if trying to see through his soul.
"The score is settled—" Sakazuki repeated, his tone revealing neither joy nor anger.
"Perhaps. But I came to see you not to reminisce or settle scores."
He paused, his voice low and filled with an indescribable sense of oppression. His tone was different, and even his voice seemed to belong to a different person.
"I just want to see for myself—what would Indra, the high and mighty being, think now that his son, so cherished by that god-king, has fallen to this state?"
These words were like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, causing Arjuna's body to tremble almost imperceptibly.
He clenched his fists tightly, looked up sharply, and the aura of revenge emanating from him seemed to intensify.
He said no more and turned to leave the cell.
After walking a long way, Sakazuki shivered and looked around, his face full of confusion.
"What's going on? Why is my husband in the jail—what happened—"
Unbeknownst to him, a voice was chuckling softly.
His purpose had been achieved: to plant a thorn in Arjuna's heart, a thorn connecting the humiliation of imprisonment with the name of the Father.
This thorn may play an unexpected role in the future conflict between Indra and the world.