---
Anos glanced at the group. Even though the man with the red tie was the one speaking, it was Anos who should be angry now.
"Tell me, how did you learn about the Five Elders of the World Government?"
The tall man, with an expression as cold as his voice, stepped forward. His eyes locked on Anos, analyzing him as if trying to gauge his next move.
Anos leaned back slightly, his posture relaxed, but his eyes betrayed a glint of something sharp and dangerous beneath the surface.
"First, tell me the purpose of your visit. Did the Five Elders send you here? Are you here to invite me to join the World Government?" Anos asked with a smile still on his face, a mix of amusement and challenge in his voice.
"That's right..." The tall man's tone was measured, but it carried the weight of authority.
Anos's smile widened slightly. "That's enough," he said, his voice a shade lower, more menacing. "Now that the message has been delivered, shouldn't it be up to me, King of Tru, to make things a little more interesting?"
The tension in the air thickened. The tall man's expression didn't falter, but a subtle gleam of excitement lit his eyes. "Huhuhu... this is getting interesting..."
The tall man smiled a sinister, calculated smile.
"Seal the palace and ensure no interruptions while I speak with the CP agents," Anos commanded. His voice carried an authority that didn't need to be questioned. Yet, strangely, no one moved or responded to the command.
Anos didn't acknowledge the silence. Instead, he turned his gaze back to the tall man.
"Behind the palace lies the treasure of the Tru Kingdom. Perhaps you'd like to see it? After all, this palace is my residence. Any damage to it wouldn't be good, would it?" Anos's provocations were obvious, his tone teasing as if daring the tall man to act.
One of the subordinates behind the tall man glanced at him, worry creeping into his eyes. He stepped forward and whispered, "Boss, if things get out of hand, it could cause problems for us..."
The tall man didn't even turn to look at him. "Hmph, no one cares about this remote place in the South Blue!" he replied dismissively, his voice dripping with disdain.
"Since there's no issue," Anos said, gesturing casually with his hand, "follow me..."
The smile Anos wore was polite, almost gracious, but the tension in his jaw gave away the effort it took to maintain it.
They moved as a group, walking through the grand halls of the palace. The mountain behind the palace could only be reached by passing through it. There were no exceptions.
After all, Anos frequently trained there, and he wasn't shy about showing off the path to his would-be opponents.
These guys would make for good sparring partners, though he didn't know their full strength. But he was curious.
As they approached the palace doors, a familiar figure appeared in the distance. "Guren, you're just in time," Anos called out. "Inform Daiki to prepare some fruit for our guests from CP and have him deliver it to the back mountain as soon as possible."
If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.
Guren, catching up to the group, blinked in confusion. "Huh?" She hadn't quite caught on to the situation yet.
But seeing Anos lead the group in a new direction, she whispered under her breath, "What's going on?"
However, she wasn't foolish. She quickly realized what was happening and, without missing a beat, discreetly used the Den Den Mushi to contact Daiki.
She relayed Anos's instructions, knowing better than to ask any more questions at this point.
As the group passed through the archway, the surroundings changed. Towering trees lined a narrow path, and a long staircase stretched upwards, leading to a vast platform at the top.
It was a place where Anos often trained, and its eerie quiet added to the atmosphere of brewing conflict.
The platform was expansive, covering over 20,000 square meters. It was more than enough for a full-scale battle and far enough from the palace to avoid collateral damage. The air was still, heavy with anticipation.
Of the six CP agents trailing Anos, all but one, who was still recovering from a previous encounter, seemed confident. They exchanged glances, their expressions calm but focused.
The tall man stepped forward, breaking the silence. "Where's the treasure?" he asked, his voice impatient after the long walk.
"We're not there yet," Anos replied casually. "What's the rush? Haven't the World Government trained you to endure a bit of waiting?" His words were laced with sarcasm, though his tone remained light.
The group didn't react to the provocation. They were too focused on the task at hand to let small jabs faze them.
Besides, they had come here prepared, their confidence in their abilities unshaken.
As they continued down the path, the forest thickened around them. Anos led the way, the CP agents following close behind.
Despite the tension, there was a strange calm to the situation, as if everyone knew what was coming but none were eager to be the first to strike.
"By the way," Anos asked, breaking the silence, "how should I address you?"
The tall man glanced at him. "CP2 Division Chief, Olvia Omoro," he replied, his voice clipped.
Anos nodded thoughtfully. "I see. And the rest of your team?"
Before Olvia could respond, the man with the red tie interrupted. "You talk too much, King. Where's the treasure?" His impatience was palpable, his voice laced with frustration.
"Patience," Anos said, his tone still calm. "Have some fruit first." He gestured toward the square where Daiki and a few attendants had just arrived, carrying trays of fresh fruit.
"Your Majesty, as you requested..." Daiki said, bowing respectfully as he placed the fruit before the group.
Anos barely glanced at the offering. "Take it away, and don't return until ordered," he commanded, his tone suddenly cold.
Daiki hesitated. "But Your Majesty..."
"Just follow orders!" Anos snapped, his expression darkening.
"Yes, Your Majesty..." Daiki bowed deeply before turning to leave with the attendants.
The man with the red tie smirked, his eyes glinting with amusement. "I didn't expect the little Tru Kingdom to have so many capable people. Perhaps we should bring more CP agents to take a look?"
Anos's smile faded, his tone growing dangerous. "Maybe we can discuss that once we're done here."
As he finished speaking, Anos stomped his foot on the ground. In an instant, a sky-blue barrier rose across the square, shimmering with a strange light.
"A Devil Fruit power?" Olvia Omoro asked curiously. His tone wasn't worried, merely intrigued.
One of the agents immediately moved to the edge of the barrier, striking it with his fist. The moment his hand made contact, his attack turned to stone, crumbling into dust without leaving a trace.
"Boss, this barrier is strange..." the agent muttered, pulling back with a frown.
Olvia grinned, clearly unbothered by the development. "King of Tru, what are you planning? Do you intend to go to war with the CP?"
The man with the red tie stepped forward, his expression hardening. "Enough games. If you think you can defy the World Government, then show us what you're capable of."
Anos slowly turned to face the group, a half-smile on his lips. His voice was dangerously soft, almost flirtatious, as he said, "Funny how you put it. You came to my palace, killed my soldiers, and now ask if I plan to oppose the World Government? Do you truly believe the entire world is under your control?"
"In that case," the man with the red tie said coldly, "why waste more words?"
His face twisted into a sneer, and without warning, countless bubbles began to form around him, floating toward Anos.
The others stood back, watching the unfolding scene with bated breath.
Anos remained unfazed, his smile never wavering. He stood tall, radiating confidence as if the red-tie man and his attacks were little more than an amusing distraction.
----