Chapter 185: 185. Nothing
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Since Fujitora had come to the Tru Kingdom, Anos naturally had no intention of letting him leave.
For such a powerful individual with a strong sense of justice, Anos was determined to find a way to ensure Fujitora remained in his kingdom.
Of course, when making a first impression, it was essential to leave a positive mark on the other party.
The two conversed casually, avoiding the topic of whether Fujitora would stay or not, instead focusing on lighthearted, everyday matters.
Before they realized it, they had arrived at the gates of the royal palace. The atmosphere here was serene yet brimming with life.
As they approached the gates, Fujitora suddenly paused mid-step, his keen senses seemingly taking in everything within the palace grounds.
After a moment, he resumed walking alongside Anos.
For the common folk on the streets, many had never seen the king in person, or they might not have recognized him at a glance. However, at the palace gates, it was a different matter. Everyone knew their ruler.
As soon as Anos appeared, the massive doors swung open, and the guards saluted him respectfully.
"Mr. Fujitora, this is our palace. It may not be as grand as one might imagine, but I hope you can provide me with your esteemed advice," Anos said with a warm smile.
"It makes no difference to me," Fujitora replied calmly. "I cannot see with my eyes, so its appearance holds no significance."
Anos chuckled. "The Tru Kingdom has stood for nearly 400 years, and this palace has been here just as long. While it carries a sense of history, it may feel like an antique compared to modern buildings."
"Your Majesty has a way with humour," Fujitora remarked. "Even though I cannot see, I can sense the unique aura of this palace. May I ask, what are your plans for the future of your kingdom?"
Fujitora's sudden shift in topic caught Anos slightly off guard. Neither of them had directly acknowledged how they knew of each other's identity as if it were an unspoken understanding.
Instead, they had focused on casual conversation, carefully skirting deeper subjects.
After a brief hesitation, Anos responded calmly, "Perhaps... my goal is to change the world."
A simple statement, yet it made Fujitora burst into hearty laughter, his voice echoing through the courtyard.
Anos was momentarily perplexed, unsure what about his words had struck Fujitora as amusing.
After composing himself, Fujitora raised his head slightly, his expression serious. "After our meal, would it be possible to visit the mountain behind the palace? I sense something unusual there."
Anos raised an eyebrow. The mountain behind the palace housed a space portal one of the kingdom's most closely guarded secrets.
For ordinary people, it would be invisible, but for someone like Fujitora, whose Observation Haki was immensely refined, it posed no barrier.
Anos wasn't surprised by the request. Fujitora had likely sensed the portal when he first arrived in the Tru Kingdom, but this was the first opportunity to broach the subject.
"Of course, Mr. Fujitora. You are welcome to explore any part of the Tru Kingdom at any time," Anos replied smoothly.
His composure did not waver as he spoke. In truth, Anos had anticipated this moment.
No matter how carefully he tried to keep the Tru Kingdom's secrets, word would inevitably spread.
His priority was to manage these revelations wisely, ensuring his secrets remained undisclosed to the wider world for as long as possible.
The space portal in the mountain was indeed the kingdom's most closely guarded secret.
However, now that it had been discovered, Anos saw an opportunity. Showing it to Fujitora could become a bargaining chip to convince him to stay.
Fujitora smiled faintly. "I didn't expect Your Majesty to agree so readily. That place must be the most confidential site in your kingdom, isn't it?"
"You are correct, Mr. Fujitora," Anos replied with a grin. "It is one of our most well-kept secrets, but there's no harm in showing it to someone as esteemed as yourself. Since you've expressed interest, it would be my honour to give you a tour."
"I'm flattered," Fujitora said, a hint of excitement in his voice.
Currently unaffiliated with any faction, Fujitora was a wanderer travelling across the world. With his strength, there were few places he couldn't access.
Yet the Tru Kingdom had piqued his curiosity like no other.
When Fujitora first arrived, he had sensed layers of mysteries shrouding this country. How could a young king, barely past his teenage years, transform a struggling, impoverished nation into one of prosperity and development within just a few years?
What kind of ruler could inspire such unwavering loyalty and reverence from his people?
The more time Fujitora spent in the royal capital, the more intrigued he became.
Unlike other nations, the Tru Kingdom's leadership seemed genuinely committed to the welfare of its citizens.
Initially, Fujitora had been sceptical. He'd heard rumours that much of the country's land was dedicated to cultivating flowers and plants, which struck him as frivolous.
Yet, after observing the kingdom closely, he realized this strategy had been born of necessity.
In its early years, the Tru Kingdom had faced relentless attacks from pirates. By focusing on agriculture, particularly flowers and plants, they not only generated trade income but also deterred outside threats, as such goods were less likely to provoke envy or aggression.
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