---

After saying that, the two began walking back directly, their footsteps echoing on the stone pathway that led through the heart of the castle.

The sky overhead was starting to dim, painted in the soft hues of dusk.

The once-vibrant sounds of the kingdom bustling with activity were slowly fading as the day drew to a close, but even in the quiet, the weight of Daiki's question lingered.

"Your Majesty, what are the New World and One Piece?" Daiki asked, his voice tentative yet laced with curiosity.

Anos, who was walking ahead, briefly paused. The question amused him, as a faint smile tugged at the corners of his lips. Without turning around, he began his explanation, his tone confident and steady, as though he were speaking of something he had known intimately for a long time.

"The New World," Anos began, his voice deepening with emphasis, "is the second half of the Grand Line. It's where the truly powerful individuals gather."

"The challenges there are unlike anything you've seen in the first half of the sea. The islands, the weather, the people everything is more extreme."

"Those who survive there are among the strongest in the world."

As he spoke, Anos's gaze grew distant, as if he could see beyond the walls of the kingdom and into that fabled sea.

It was clear that the New World held a special place in his mind, not just as a destination, but as a proving ground for those with true strength.

Daiki nodded thoughtfully, trying to absorb the weight of what the New World represented.

He had heard stories of tales of immense danger and unimaginable riches, of entire crews swallowed by the ferocious seas or torn apart by the creatures that lurked beneath the waves.

But hearing it from Anos, the king himself, made it all seem more real, more tangible.

"And One Piece?" Daiki pressed, the excitement bubbling in his voice. "What exactly is it?"

Anos chuckled softly, shaking his head. "As for One Piece... It's always been called the great treasure, but until now, no one knows what it is."

"Some think it's gold or jewels, others believe it holds unimaginable power. But the truth? Only Roger's crew knows for sure."

His tone turned more serious as he continued, "The Pirate King, Roger, left it on Raftel known as the Ultimate Island, a place no one has reached since his crew."

"Whatever One Piece is, it's hidden there, waiting for someone strong enough to claim it."

Daiki blinked, his mind racing with the possibilities. "A great treasure?" he muttered to himself. "Could it be that much wealth?"

Beside him, Haruya, who had been silently listening, suddenly burst out in excitement, his voices overlapping.

"Does that mean there's a lot of money involved?!" Haruya exclaimed, his eyes wide with excitement.

Anos glanced over his shoulder at the two, shaking his head with a sigh. "What are you thinking? No one knows what One Piece truly is."

"If it were just a pile of gold and silver, do you think the Pirate King's crew would have lived such hard lives after his death?"

The question hung in the air, sobering the excitement of the young men. Anos's words carried more weight than just his role as king they spoke of knowledge gained through experience and observation.

It wasn't the first time Daiki realized how much there was still to learn about the world.

"I'm sorry, Your Majesty," Daiki said sheepishly, his face flushed with embarrassment. "I don't know much about these things. I've only heard rumours."

Anos gave him a reassuring smile, the corners of his eyes crinkling slightly. "It's fine. Soon enough, you'll see for yourself."

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

As they walked through the corridors, the stone walls of the castle reflected the faint orange glow of the setting sun.

The grandeur of the Tru Kingdom's palace was something to behold, a symbol of the prosperity the kingdom had recently achieved under Anos's rule.

Yet, beneath the surface, there was still a tension that couldn't be ignored. The upcoming voyage would take them far from the safety of the kingdom.

"We'll set sail in three days," Anos announced, breaking the quiet as they exited the castle and stepped onto the wide balcony overlooking the city. "Then, I'll show you what the Grand Line looks like with your own eyes."

Daiki glanced out at the city below, the flickering lights of the evening torches being lit one by one, giving the kingdom a soft, warm glow.

Last time, Anos had intended to tour the Grand Line, but the sudden attack from the Roya Kingdom had delayed the journey.

Now, the opportunity had arisen once again, and Daiki could sense that this time, there would be no interruptions.

"This time, our destination is the Holy Land, Mariejois," Anos said, his voice firm. "It presents a rare chance for us to strengthen our position in the world."

"To get there, we'll have to cross the Grand Line and its dangers, but I believe this is the right moment."

The mention of Mariejois made Daiki pause. He had heard of the Holy Land the seat of power for the World Government, home to the Celestial Dragons.

It was a place of opulence and control, a place where kings and nobles bowed to greater forces.

For a moment, Daiki wondered what kind of reception awaited them there.

"The Tru Kingdom has nothing to fear from joining the World Government," Anos continued as they walked down the steps of the castle. "We were once poor, unable to afford the Heavenly Tribute. But now things have changed. Our economy is strong, and we can stand on equal footing."

Daiki followed Anos down the long stone steps, their footfalls echoing through the courtyard.

The platform above them, where the battle against the Roya Kingdom's forces had taken place, was still in ruins.

The scars of that conflict were etched deeply into the stone, a grim reminder of the price of survival.

The CP division had been completely wiped out during the battle. To outsiders, the kingdom seemed untouched by strife, its peaceful exterior hiding the truth of the devastation that had occurred.

Yet, the Tru Kingdom had managed to hold its ground, emerging victorious against its enemies.

"The next step is negotiating with the World Government," Anos said quietly as they reached the bottom of the steps. "It won't be easy, but it's a necessary step."

Everything in the Tru Kingdom was developing steadily, but Anos knew that there was still much work to be done before they could achieve their ideal vision.

Despite the progress, the kingdom's growth had already caught the attention of neighbouring Kingdoms, and envy was beginning to fester.

Since the defeat of the Roya Kingdom, no surrounding Kingdom dared challenge the Tru Kingdom's authority. But that didn't mean they weren't watching closely, waiting for a chance to strike.

Rumours had begun to spread about the prosperity of the Tru Kingdom.

The living conditions of its people were the envy of many, and citizens of the nearby Kingdom had started migrating toward its borders, hoping to find better lives.

The influx of new residents had not gone unnoticed.

Anos welcomed these newcomers with open arms. "A growing population means a stronger economy," he had often said.

He knew that the strength of a kingdom wasn't determined solely by wealth, but by the people who lived within its borders.

Still, the stability of the kingdom rested on a delicate balance, and Anos was well aware of that.

But, too much population will also harm the kingdom in the long run...

---

After the Tru Kingdom's announcement that it would join the World Government, many of the kingdom's lower-class citizens were concerned.

To them, joining the World Government meant increased taxes and the loss of independence. They feared the worst.

But Anos had anticipated this reaction. The very next day, the kingdom began issuing public notices, explaining the benefits of joining the World Government.

Most importantly, the notices reassured the people that the costs associated with membership wouldn't fall on their shoulders.

The tension that had gripped the kingdom began to ease as the truth became clear.

Many had feared that their kingdom would face the same fate as the neighbouring Solbe Kingdom, which was known for its oppressive taxation and ruthless extortion of its people to pay the Heavenly Tribute.

But the Tru Kingdom was different, and Anos had made sure the people knew it.

---

Three days later, Anos stood at Nanniwa Port, gazing out at the horizon. The ship before him was smaller and sleeker than the grand vessels usually seen in the kingdom's fleet, but it was perfect for the journey ahead.

Unlike before, Anos was not setting out as a mere traveller.

This time, he was leaving as a king, heading for the Holy Land, Mariejois, to secure the future of his kingdom.

At his side, Suzu stood with a small notebook, listing off the supplies for the journey. "Your Majesty, everything is prepared. We have 50 bottles of rose perfume, 2,000 sets of fine clothing, a golden sceptre symbolizing your authority, and several other items. They're all loaded on board."

Anos nodded, satisfied with the preparations.

"Your Majesty, may I come with you this time?" Losta asked eagerly, her eyes filled with excitement. "I'd love to see the New World with my own eyes."

Anos smiled and placed a hand on her shoulder. "There will be plenty of opportunities for that in the future, but for now, the kingdom needs you here. Once we've stabilized, you can travel wherever you wish."

"Don't worry, Losta. This time, we're going with His Majesty for a bit of fun. If there's a chance next time, I'll speak to His Majesty and personally take you along!" Daiki added with a smile.

"I understand..." Losta replied, looking disappointed.

"Now that everyone's ready, let's head out quickly! I'm eager to see what Mariejois looks like now!" Anos said.

This was the second time Anos left the kingdom, but unlike before, this time he had a clear objective. All that remained was to move toward the destination.

----