M.F.S [Deleted]

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Sandy Island.

The Alabasta Kingdom stood as a unique anomaly in the world.

Long ago, twenty nations came together to establish the World Government, with the royal families of nineteen of those nations ascending to the status of Celestial Dragons.

However, the royal family of the Alabasta Kingdom, the Nefertari lineage, chose a different path. Instead of moving to the Red Line to join the Celestial Dragons, they remained in their homeland.

This decision earned the kingdom a unique status. As a result, the World Government had always extended exceptional support to Alabasta, leading to its immense wealth and influence.

By now, the nations surrounding Alabasta, were obeying the Nefertari lineage. These nations had grown in number to fifteen states, a staggering figure that posed a threat to the World Government itself because of their domination on this part of sea.

World Government wanted to take actions. Otherwise, how could someone like Crocodile, a Warlord of the Sea, trying to take control of Alabasta without the Five Elders knowing?

Not even a joke.

The Five Elders were undoubtedly aware but turned a blind eye.

It was for this very reason that Joey knew a straightforward transaction with Alabasta would be impossible.

The kingdom lacked neither wealth nor manpower, and its privileged position under the World Government's protection made it untouchable.

Any overt actions against Alabasta would attract immediate retaliation from the Marines.

Thus, Alabasta had little reason to fear him—or anyone else.

But...

A smirk spread across Joey's face. "Power is a deadly poison. Under its influence, some will lose their minds. Can they withstand such madness?"

His expression grew more amused, the flicker of a dangerous plan glinting in his eyes.

---

Surrounding Sandy Island, ten smaller nations—all the loyal allied nations of Alabasta—stood as potential pawns. Each of these nations was rich in mineral resources and paid annual tributes to Alabasta.

But what if these nations, emboldened and secretly strengthened by a benefactor, decided they no longer wanted to live under Alabasta's shadow?

The answer was obvious.

The door to the room creaked open, and ten figures entered, each vastly different in appearance—tall and short, lean and stout, old and young, men and women alike.

Yet they all shared one commonality: they were kings of the nations subservient to Alabasta.

"The old king is nearing his end, and his successor is just a boy—a disgraceful one at that!"

"I've heard the brat disbanded the kingdom's elite 300,000-strong army, sending them to assist civilians across the land."

"Such a fool has no right to govern Alabasta! It's time to act."

"Agreed!"

Thus, war was ignited.

With someone pulling the strings behind the scenes, the ten kings' ambitions burst into flames.

Following the old king's death, the once-mighty Alabasta military had been reduced. The elite 300,000 soldiers were disbanded, leaving only 600,000 regular troops.

Meanwhile, the ten allied nations assembled an army of one million and launched a full-scale invasion.

"Charge!"

"For wealth! For glory! For future!"

The sounds of war erupted as the invaders descended upon Alabasta. In just three days, the kingdom found itself losing ground at an alarming pace.

Not only was the numerical difference overwhelming, but the sheer audacity of ten nations launching simultaneous attacks had caught Alabasta entirely unprepared.

---

Alabasta's Royal Palace – Alubarna.

In the grand throne room, King Nefertari Cobra sat in silence, his young face marred with frustration and uncertainty.

Around him, dozens of ministers anxiously deliberated.

"Your Majesty!" one of them pleaded, "You must issue a royal decree to recall the 300,000 elite troops! Without them, we stand no chance!"

Another minister laughed bitterly. "It's already too late. The invaders have specifically targeted the five cities where those troops were stationed. Positioned near the borders, those cities have already fallen."

A heavy silence filled the room.

If what he said was true, summoning the elite troops back was no longer an option. Without them, Alabasta's remaining forces—merely 600,000 strong—could not hold back the invaders.

Massaging his temples, Cobra asked, "Have we managed to send word for help?"

Captain Igaram of the Royal Guard shook his head. "Your Majesty, all routes to the sea have been blocked. The enemy's million-strong army has cut off every possible escape path."

And there was one more thing Cobra hadn't said aloud. Even the help requests from Den Den Mushi lines weren't getting any response.

The World Government had no intention of intervening in a situation like this. As long as the conflict didn't develop openly, they'd look the other way, unwilling to help.

After all, the Five Elders wouldn't allow Alabasta to be completely destroyed... but they also wouldn't let it remain this strong.

"Damn it!"

The ministers erupted into furious curses. They were elite players in the dirty game of politics and could easily see through the situation.

The World Government had effectively abandoned them.

"Haah..." Cobra sighed heavily. He had never imagined that his policies of compassion and reform, aimed at fostering peace, would result in this betrayal from their loyal allied nations.

"Your Majesty," another minister interjected, "even if we can't send for help, the allied nations who remain loyal to us might hesitate to come to our aid. Without action from the World Government, they'll have their own positions to consider."

Power, as always, was an ever-shifting force.

Under its influence, alliances and loyalties held no permanence.

When Alabasta was at its peak, its allies sang its praises.

But now, as it faltered, those same allies hesitated, calculating their own interests.

This was the true face of power—a force as terrifying as it was merciless.

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