Chapter 1117: Sacred and Luminous Great Mission!
Chapter 1117: Sacred and Luminous Great Mission!
Dominica’s capital city naturally lay on the main island. Under the guidance of the Haste Giant Eagle’s flight, ten Warships navigated toward their destination. Half a day later, they arrived at a bustling Porttown on the main island.
As Harvey transformed from the giant eagle into human form, he landed gracefully and bowed to the group disembarking below. “Admiral, esteemed Vice Admirals, please follow me—I’ll lead you to the capital.”
“Walking there?” Sazil stepped forward, skepticism dripping from his tone. “No way, right? You’re hosting guests but didn’t even prepare transportation? Come on!”
He knew full well his earlier antics had only been possible due to the lingering effects of that mysterious ability. Even Kuroadmiral had been powerless to counter it, forced to eliminate over a hundred thousand lives to finally dispel its influence. With that weight lifted, he now felt invincible.
“Of course there’s transportation. Please, follow me,” Harvey replied evenly, unfazed by Sazil’s sarcastic jab.
“Fine, fine. Let’s go. Kuro, deploy a thousand Navy forces ahead—keep the others on standby. Don’t let the ships dock at the port; seal the area from outside.” Kuroadmiral waved dismissively.
“At once!”
The Vice Admirals sprang into action, swiftly organizing troops while the remaining Navy forces withdrew aboard the Warships. Leading the advance were Kuroadmiral himself and six Vice Admirals—Lida, Klah, Kas, Wilbur, Sazil, Fen Ni, Ju Geng, and Moer. Except for Ai En, nearly all his trusted subordinates were present. Donald had remained behind in Dressrosa, but the rest marched forward in a grand procession.
However, as they advanced, Kuroadmiral’s brow furrowed. “Interesting.”
Doflamingo beside him merely narrowed his eyes, unsurprised. Borsalino, however, looked visibly uneasy. Kas and Wilbur tightened their fists, their expressions tightening. Klah adjusted his glasses in silence, while Lida tugged Kuro’s sleeve, whispering, “Kuro…”
The contrast became stark as they moved deeper. Unlike the bright, well-maintained port area, the scene ahead grew grim. Instead of the two- or three-story buildings of the harbor, they now faced rows of low, crumbling shacks. Uneven, muddy paths squelched beneath their boots. Gaunt figures in tattered rags huddled in doorways or slumped in corners, their eyes—like those of cornered rats—fixed on the Navy’s advance.
Though sharing the same world and sunlight, towering structures blocked the sun’s rays, casting these slums into perpetual shadow. The most egregious offender stood at the city’s edge: a colossal skyscraper, its shadow swallowing entire blocks.
It was a dividing line—two worlds in one city.
One half basked in artificial harmony, a facade of peace.
The other wallowed in filth and darkness, a haven for crime.
“We’ve arrived,” Harvey announced, halting before the looming skyscraper.
“Welcome!!”
A booming voice erupted from the building’s entrance. A bespectacled, rotund man emerged, arms outstretched. “Friends, welcome to Dominica’s brightest gem—the underground train tower! I am your humble guide and future friend, York!”
He strode forward, hands extended toward Kuroadmiral.
“Who do you think you are?!” Sazil blocked his path, his tone sharp. “What are you doing?”
“Meeting such renowned Navy officers deserves a handshake! Who wouldn’t want to become friends with me? I thrive on connections!” York beamed, stepping closer.
Sazil, caught off guard, nodded reflexively. “Makes sense. More friends mean more opportunities.”
“Exactly! A handshake, and we’re allies!”
Their hands clasped. Sazil’s eyes lit up as he gripped York’s shoulder. “You’re my friend now! Don’t worry—I’m a Commander. I’ve got your back!”
“Sazil!” Klah barked.
Sazil flinched, yanking his hand back. “Bro, let me focus on this mission first!” He returned to his place, shoulders squared.
York smiled again, turning to Klah. “Might this be Black Wolf Klah, Vice Admiral? Honored to meet you, Daimyo! I—”
“Stay there!” Klah snapped. “You were told to introduce yourself, not to approach!”
Undeterred, York bowed. “What a shame—I can’t admire your glory up close. But please, follow me and let me showcase Dominica’s pride: the underground train!” He led the way inside, the bespectacled grin never fading.
Harvey gestured politely. “This corridor leads directly to the capital. Please, admire Dominica’s subterranean beauty.”
“Let’s go! My new friend’s place must be amazing!” Sazil chirped, nearly dancing with glee.
Kuroadmiral’s eyes narrowed as he glanced at Sazil’s uncharacteristic excitement, then at the skyscraper’s shadowed depths. Clutching his cigar, he muttered, “Alright, let’s see what the old man’s hiding here.”
As they entered, Kuroadmiral cast one last glance at the slums across the street—faces hollowed by despair. His brow furrowed. He exhaled sharply, then fell silent.
Nation’s internal affairs weren’t his to meddle in.
Yet Kas and Wilbur exchanged knowing nods. They’d seen the same injustice.
Perhaps it was time to act in the Grand Line’s first half—their sacred and luminous mission demanded a proxy. David operated in the New World, Luo Wei in the West Blue. The North Blue Four Nations were obedient but useless.
They needed a nation to champion—a nation to join their radiant cause!
(End of Chapter)
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