"Damn bastard!"
Oguro suddenly realized that his Hundred-Step Fence had been destroyed at some point.
That was how the eldest prince had suddenly erupted in a murderous frenzy.
He turned his gaze.
As expected, Freud's "body" was gone.
No need to think twice—definitely that space-type Devil Fruit user had rescued him!
Even with a blade in his stomach, it wasn't fatal.
Based on Oguro's observations, Freud was extremely skilled in Rokushiki. Otherwise, there was no way he could control ordinary civilians to use those techniques.
So with Life Return, that stab wound was nothing to worry about.
It might even heal in a single day.
"So this guy's goal wasn't to usurp the throne… he just wanted to throw Furant Kingdom into total chaos?"
Oguro finally understood Freud's intent.
"How much hatred do you have to carry to destroy your own homeland like this?"
Though he didn't know the reason, Oguro was certain this was a meticulously planned act of revenge—targeting Freud's own country and royal family.
Right now, the capital was still under Freud's influence.
But he hadn't controlled everyone's minds. Instead, he had quietly pushed their potential to the extreme, making the riot far more dangerous.
All the chaos was driven by the people themselves.
That was Freud's ultimate goal: to make the citizens destroy their own country with their own hands.
"This mess… I'm not letting you succeed!"
White light flared in Oguro's eyes.
Since ordinary Conqueror's Haki couldn't knock out the civilians under Freud's influence, he would add his spiritual pressure into the mix.
"Conqueror's Haki… Soul Blade!"
Invisible waves rippled like a tide.
In that moment, the world seemed stripped to pure black and white. Every trace of color vanished.
Everyone in Furant Kingdom rolled their eyes back and collapsed to the ground.
Freud's Devil Fruit powers were torn apart by this storm of spiritual energy, leaving no trace behind.
"Lord Soul King… what do we do with these people now?" Yoruichi asked, concerned.
Though Oguro had forcibly ended the riot, the seeds had already been sown. Once the civilians recovered, it could erupt again.
"You stay here. Kalifa has been in the city for some time and has rallied a few reliable ministers. Let them calm the situation."
"If anyone resists, suppress them directly. As for these princes…"
Oguro glanced at them coldly.
"Their royal status has been stripped by the King. If they cause trouble again, execute them on the spot."
At this point, gentle methods were a joke. The fastest way to stabilize the country was the only way.
"I understand!" Yoruichi nodded. Then she asked, "And what about you?"
A cold smile crept across Oguro's face.
"Of course, I'm going after that scum!"
Causing such a commotion and then trying to run?
No way he'd get off that easily.
Hum…
With spiritual pressure augmenting his Observation Haki, Oguro's perception now covered the entire capital.
"Tch! Fast little bastard… almost slipped out of my Observation Haki!"
Oguro sneered, vanishing in an instant.
Out in the countryside, Freud clutched his stomach as he sped away.
As Oguro had suspected, Floyd was adept with Life Return.
Under his control, the stab wound had been crudely bandaged and had stopped bleeding.
Wiping the cold sweat from his brow, he muttered, "I didn't expect to run into such a monster… but at least the plan worked! After today, Furant Kingdom will be gone forever!"
A satisfied grin stretched across Floyd's face, full of the thrill of revenge.
"I don't know if Furant Kingdom will survive… but you sure won't!"
Suddenly, a voice rang out ahead.
Oguro's lone figure hovered in the air, coldly observing the three.
"Came this fast, huh? I have to say, impressive."
Freud's face twisted into a helpless smirk.
"A country in chaos and on the verge of collapse… isn't that ripe for you to take under your control? Why focus on me?"
Freud had a point.
Once Kalifa's forces settled the situation, Furant Kingdom would be absorbed into the Holy Spirit Empire. It was inevitable.
Who could oppose it?
The royal family was all dead. Any objections were meaningless.
Yet Oguro silently drew his zanpakuto, eyes sharp as ice.
"Because I don't like you!"
Attacking me, manipulating civilians, killing countless innocents, leaving so many with permanent injuries…
Oguro had never claimed to be a saint, but seeing such a bastard, he couldn't resist wanting to beat him up.
"You don't understand!"
Freud's eyes burned red as he roared in anger.
"I once loved this country! After gaining my Devil Fruit, I defended the kingdom against countless pirates! I contributed so much to the nation's development! I am the rightful heir to the throne!"
"And the result? Because the World Government decided I had potential, they sent me to CP0! Claiming the kingdom would benefit from this!"
"Hahaha! Benefit? It was just these bastards fearing my Devil Fruit, kicking me out!"
"They enjoyed all the riches and glory while I endured countless life-and-death crises in CP0!"
"I asked my father when I could return, and he told me the kingdom no longer needed me! Only in CP0 did I have value!"
"I am the heir! Everything I loved, everything I possessed, was reduced to ashes at that moment."
"Tell me… what would you do if betrayed like this?"
Freud's gaze burned into Oguro.
Oguro tilted his head for a moment, then said, "I would take revenge."
Freud froze, clearly not expecting Oguro to answer so calmly.
"Since we've chosen the same path, why are you hunting me down so relentlessly?" he asked.
Oguro grinned, a chilling light glinting in his eyes.
"Because… I hate cowards who drag the innocent into their revenge!"
You want revenge? Fine. Killing the royal family? Oguro wouldn't bat an eye.
But using innocent civilians as tools and claiming moral high ground? That made Oguro sick.
"Looks like we're just not the same kind of person!" Freud said coldly. "But killing me won't be so easy!"
No sooner had he spoken than he vanished from Oguro's sight.
Whoosh!
A blade of light slashed toward Oguro from behind.
***
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