The weather was cold, snowflakes falling from distant clouds, swept in by the harsh wind, landing on the sea and quickly melting.
Not far away, beneath the low-hanging clouds, lay an island.
The island was covered in white snow, with towering peaks, the highest reaching five thousand meters.
"Is that Drum Island?"
Alken stood by the ship's railing, dressed in a cotton coat, looking into the distance.
"Didn't you say you weren't afraid of the cold? Why did you put on your coat as soon as you turned around?" Mr. Christmas, a long spear at his waist, said with a smile.
"None of your business."
Alken replied irritably, then asked, "You're not part of this mission, are you? Why did you follow?"
"Heckle is going, so how could I not?"
Mr. Christmas glanced at Heckle not far away, who was standing with Zala, gazing at the distant island.
"I never thought we'd be establishing a country on Drum Island," Alken said. "But it's too cold. This isn't a good place at all."
"Tell me about it. I can't hold my gun without gloves, and with them on, it's difficult to operate," Mr. Christmas said, waving his right hand.
"But only the four of us came."
Alken looked around. "The President originally planned for three people. It seems he doesn't really care about this."
Mr. Christmas shivered. "I regret sneaking along. I should have stayed at the casino."
"Everyone, pay attention, we're almost there."
At this moment, a voice called out from a distance. The four warships had approached the coast of Drum Island.
"Who are you?"
As they got closer, figures suddenly appeared on the coast, holding spears and aiming them at the four warships.
"Is there a guard force?"
Zala stood there, looking somewhat surprised, then waved her hand. "Stop the ships, dock. Agents, operate the cannons."
The four warships docked at the coast, and Zala, Alken, Mr. Christmas, and Heckle boarded directly.
"Who exactly are you?"
A burly figure emerged from behind the crowd. He was tall and carried a peculiar blade on his back.
"Are you Wapol's subordinates?" Zala asked him coldly.
"Wapol? No."
The man stared at Zala. "Wapol abandoned his citizens and fled to sea."
"He fled?"
Zala asked, surprised. "Then who is ruling the country now?"
"No one."
The man shook his head. "After Wapol left, the country lost its identity."
"But Captain Dalton is currently leading us to rebuild the Drum Kingdom," one of the militiamen shouted.
"Dalton?" Zala looked at the man furthest away, surprised. She hadn't expected him to be out now.
Mr. 0 had told her that Dalton should be imprisoned in the castle and was very important.
Dalton said coldly, "I'm only leading everyone temporarily. We plan to elect a suitable person to be king next. Tell me who you are and why you've come to this country."
Zala smiled. "My name is Zala. I am the Queen of the Calm Belt's Volcano Kingdom. After my country was destroyed, I came to the Grand Line. I heard there was a country called the Drum Kingdom where the people were oppressed, so I came to save you and restore the glory of the Volcano Kingdom here."
"What?"
The people around were astonished to hear this. Dalton frowned and asked, "Volcano Kingdom? Do you mean you want to occupy our country and establish a new nation on this land?"
"That's right."
Zala nodded. "I've been searching for a suitable country and finally learned that this country was ruled by Wapol, so I came."
Dalton said softly, "But Wapol has already left."
"But you don't have a king yet," Zala said with a smile. "And I happen to be able to lead you to strength."
"Are you kidding? How could we let you become king?"
"Wapol was just driven away, how could we sell the country to you?" the surrounding militiamen shouted.
"And what if we refuse?" Dalton narrowed his eyes, looking at Zala.
Zala shrugged. "Then we'll have to fight. We've been drifting at sea for too long and can't hold on any longer. We must find a country to restore our homeland, and we are willing to pay any price to achieve this goal."
"Fight?"
The surrounding militiamen gripped their spears. "We won't let anyone take this country away again. Give up."
"Get out of this country immediately," one militiaman cursed loudly, raising his gun and aiming it at Zala.
"Bang."
The next moment, a gunshot rang out. The militiaman's hand was hit, and in pain, he dropped the gun he was holding.
"Don't point your gun at our Queen," Christmas said, blowing on the muzzle of his gun, his voice cold.
"Didn't I tell you not to hurt them?" Zala said softly when she saw this.
Christmas whispered, "It was so cold, I meant to shoot his gun, but my hand slipped and I missed."
Hearing this, Zala looked a little helpless, but Christmas's shot enraged the militiamen.
"How dare you open fire?"
"And you injured our people."
The surrounding militiamen were furious, all raising their firearms. The burly man also gripped his weapon and said, "Do you really want to fight?"
"You were the ones who pointed your guns at me."
Zala said coldly, "Put down your guns, or I'll have to attack you."
"You can try."
Dalton suddenly grew enormous, transforming into a giant black ox wielding a huge circular blade, staring at them intently.
The surrounding militiamen aimed their guns at them, ready to fight at any moment.
"A Devil Fruit user?"
Seeing this transformation, Zala recalled Dalton's information and said, "If a fight breaks out, many people will die. For example, with the cannons behind us, once they fire, how many of you will survive?"
As Zala spoke, the cannons slowly turned their muzzles towards the shore.
Each of the four warships had four cannons aimed at the land. If they fired, these militiamen would be no match.
"You are invading our country," Dalton asked loudly.
"Don't put it so harshly. I have a proposal, I wonder if you're willing," Zala asked, looking at them.
Dalton asked, "What proposal?"
Zala smiled and said, "It's simple. You send out four people, and we send out four people. We'll fight two by two. As long as you win one match, we'll leave. But if you can't win a single match, then hand this country over to us, and you will assist us in governing it. How about that?"
"This..." Hearing this, everyone was tempted.
"What do you think?"
Dalton hesitated, looked behind him, and couldn't help but ask.
"This method is good. They have cannons, and our losses in battle would be too great."
"As long as they win one match, they win."
The surrounding militiamen were tempted, but Dalton said, "But if they lose, we'll have to let them into this country."
"Didn't they say Captain Dalton can also participate in governing the country?"
"Who knows if they'll honor the agreement," someone objected.
Dalton said, "But we have no other choice. However, perhaps only I have enough combat power."
"Well, have you decided?" Zala asked, yawning.
Dalton said, "I can agree, but is it okay if only I fight?"
"You're fighting alone?"
Zala was a little surprised, frowning. "You mean you'll fight all four of us alone? Is it all at once?"
"That's right."
Dalton said, "As long as I win one match, you have to leave here."
"That's not very fair to you."
Zala looked at him with surprise, her beautiful eyes sparkling.
Dalton said, "But only I have enough combat power."
"Then let's change the way we fight," Zala said with a smile.
"What are you going to do?" Dalton asked, confused.
Zala said, "It's too unfair for you to fight us consecutively. We don't need this kind of fighting style, so let's modify it. You fight us, and if you get injured after the fight, our doctor will treat you. After you recover, we'll proceed to the second match. Until all four matches are over."
"This..."
Dalton and the surrounding militiamen were somewhat surprised. This method was completely beneficial to them, allowing Dalton to fight four times.
Dalton looked at Zala and asked, "Do you have a doctor on your ship?"
"Of course."
Zala nodded. "Before we came, we heard Wapol took all the doctors, so we brought five doctors who can treat the residents here."
Hearing this, the militiamen's hostility eased slightly. The conditions they proposed were also completely beneficial to them.
Dalton looked at the people behind him and said, "This method is not beneficial to you; it's equivalent to giving us four chances. But this is our country, so I intend to agree."
"Alright."
Zala looked at Dalton and said, "Then you pick your opponent. You can pick me too."
"Let's start with the men first."
Dalton looked at Heckle and Alken and said, "I'll challenge one of them first."
"I'll do it,"
Alken jumped out and said, "Let me test your strength."
"Is this person okay as your opponent?" Zala asked Dalton.
"Yes."
Dalton gripped the blade in his hand, then asked, "Do you guys need any preparation?"
"No need."
Alken immediately replied. He threw his cotton coat aside, took off his shirt, revealing his bare chest, and then said, "Come on, let's start now."
"Be careful, I'll go all out."
Dalton remained in his beastman form, gripping the giant oval blade and lunging at Alken.
Boom.
The massive blade slashed down towards Alken. The blade roared as it descended in the cold wind.
Facing the enormous blade, Alken's body flickered, and he dodged to the right.
He had fought in boxing matches, so his body was very agile, and his physical condition was excellent. With a tap of his toes, his body moved rapidly to the right.
Bang.
Then Alken slammed heavily onto the ground.
He slipped.
Whoosh.
The giant blade plunged straight down, aiming for Alken's body.
Dalton didn't intend to kill him, but at least he wanted to leave him with some injuries.
However, as he got close to Alken, Alken, while lying down, threw a punch.
This punch wasn't aimed at Dalton, but at the long, giant oval blade in his hand. It directly hit the side of the blade.
Bang.
A huge explosion sounded. A tremendous force struck the side of the blade, sending it flying to the side.
"What is this?"
The sudden burst of power caught Dalton completely off guard. The long sword almost slipped from his grasp. He channeled power into his arms, held onto the sword, spun around, and attacked Alken again.
Bang.
At this moment, Alken's right hand exploded again. The immense explosive force propelled Alken upwards.
He stood upright. Facing the spinning long sword, two explosions erupted from his feet.
Bang.
Alken leaped directly into the air as the blade sliced past his feet.
Dalton missed his strike and immediately swung the blade back to attack again.
But in that instant, Alken suddenly exhaled.
Boom.
A massive explosion erupted, and the shockwave rushed towards Dalton.
"Not good."
Dalton blocked with his left hand in front of him, deflecting the explosion. However, the sleeve of his arm was already tattered.
While in mid-air, Alken's feet exploded again, sending his body soaring upwards. He then twisted his body, his feet exploded again, and he charged at Dalton at high speed, throwing a punch at the same time.
Boom.
Dalton managed to raise his long sword in time. Alken's fist slammed into it, and an explosion occurred.
"Ugh."
Dalton was knocked back a step by the immense force. Just as he felt a slight reprieve, Alken landed and threw another punch.
Bang, bang, bang, bang.
Alken's fists turned into gusts of wind, relentlessly attacking Dalton. Every time his fist struck, a huge explosion occurred.
His punching speed was incredibly fast. As a boxer, he could throw more than ten punches per second, and each punch carried immense force, weighing thousands of pounds. Combined with the explosions, the power was unparalleled.
In just an instant, Alken threw over a dozen punches.
But the next moment, a smile appeared on his lips. Suddenly, a small explosion erupted from his elbow, accelerating his punching speed.
"Explosion Fist."
Boom, boom, boom, boom...
Faster and faster fists appeared, turning into countless afterimages, striking Dalton's blade.
Dalton gripped his long sword, holding on desperately, but with a crash, the blade shattered.
Boom.
Alken's fist landed on Dalton's forehead, but the explosion didn't occur.
"I lost."
Seeing this, Dalton stood still in defeat, his face looking rather grim.
Too strong.
The opponent wasn't skilled at fighting in the snow, yet still possessed such formidable combat power.
"Your strength is too weak. I haven't had my fill yet."
Alken shook his head, then hunched his body and ran towards his clothes, shouting, "I'm freezing, I'm freezing!"
"We won the first round, didn't we?" Zala asked with a smile.
"You won."
Dalton looked at them, a hint of surprise in his expression. Alken was very strong; his body could generate explosions, making him far superior to Dalton.
I wonder how strong the other three are. If they're all this strong, then I'm no match for them.
But if that's the case, then we have no ability to resist at all.
Dalton thought, then said, "Let's have a second round."
"Aren't you going to rest?" Zala asked curiously.
"I didn't expend too much energy."
Dalton waved his arm, saying, "I can still fight one more match."
Zala frowned, "But your weapon is broken. Without your weapon, your combat power will be significantly reduced."
"It doesn't matter. That person didn't bring any weapons either. We can still fight."
Dalton looked at Heckle.
Zala nodded and said, "Then Heckle, you go fight."
"Alright." Heckle walked towards Dalton and stood before him.
"Come on."
Heckle took off his outer layer, revealing his martial arts uniform, and stood in front of Dalton.
"Be careful."
Dalton bent his knees, his body springing forward, instantly appearing before Heckle and throwing a punch.
Facing his fist, Heckle raised his arm vertically, blocking Dalton's punch.
"His strength is immense."
Heckle felt a tremendous force transmitted through his arm, causing it to sink slightly. But as he exerted his own strength, he steadily blocked Dalton's arm.
The next moment, Heckle threw his right fist, aiming directly for Dalton's face.
Facing this strike, Dalton blocked it with his left fist held in front of him.
Bang, bang, bang.
The two exchanged blows, fists and feet flying, fighting with great gusto.
Dalton had superior physical condition, immense strength, and decent speed, but his fighting technique was slightly weaker.
Heckle excelled in fighting techniques, his skills were powerful, allowing him to block Dalton's attacks, but he was being pressured.
"Lord Dalton is about to win," the militiamen exclaimed excitedly, watching the scene.
But from a distance, Alken chuckled, "He hasn't used his ultimate technique, Steel Fist, nor his Devil Fruit ability. To be able to fight for this long against him, Heckle's strength has improved considerably."
Zala nodded, "But he needs to win quickly, because the opponent's stamina and durability far exceed his."
Zoan Devil Fruit users, after transforming into their half-beast form, experience an increase in vitality, endurance, and stamina, especially with the Ox-Ox Fruit, Bison form.
In terms of strength, Heckle could hold his own through training and technique.
But his endurance and stamina were far from sufficient.
Boom.
Heckle landed a punch on Dalton's head, causing the latter's head to sway slightly. The next moment, Dalton's fist struck Heckle's abdomen.
Bang.
Heckle staggered, but the next instant, Dalton's fist came again.
Boom, boom, boom, boom.
Heckle was completely at a disadvantage, only able to defend and unable to counterattack. Even so, he was hit several times.
"We're going to win," a militiaman shouted excitedly.
"This Heckle..."
Zala frowned and said coldly, "Stop playing around."
"Playing?"
Hearing that word, Dalton's expression sharpened, and then Heckle shook his head helplessly. His right arm bulged, and he threw a punch.
"Steel Fist."
Facing this punch, Dalton didn't dare to be careless and raised his arm to block in front of him. But as soon as they made contact, he felt a tremendous force coming his way.
Boom.
Dalton was sent flying backward, crashing heavily onto the ground. His arm felt as if it were broken.
"It's over."
Heckle shook his head.
Dalton gritted his teeth and said, "Are you a Devil Fruit user too?"
"I am indeed a Devil Fruit user,"
Heckle said. Dalton's expression eased, and Heckle continued, "But I wasn't using my Devil Fruit ability just now."
"What?"
Dalton looked astonished, staring at the other man in disbelief. The fact that he possessed such immense strength without using his Devil Fruit ability was simply inconceivable.
However, for Heckle, dealing with Dalton posed no challenge at all.
His punching power had increased considerably since two years ago. Shattering large rocks was now a relatively simple task for him.
In these past two years, everyone had been improving, but excluding Devil Fruit users, within Baroque Works, he was the strongest, not counting the President, Mr.1, and his partner. His speed might have been slightly inferior, but his strength far surpassed theirs.
And if Devil Fruit abilities were included, Heckle didn't believe he would lose to anyone.
Even in his half-beast form, Dalton's strength was very limited.
"Check him,"
Zala clapped her hands, and doctors immediately stepped forward to examine Dalton. Afterward, one said, "His arm bone is fractured and requires treatment."
"Is that so?"
Zala said with a troubled expression, "Bones take a long time to heal. This is troublesome."
Dalton straightened up, gritting his teeth, "You promised me."
"I never go back on my word,"
Zala waved her hand and said, "Treat him. And not just him, but also the person whose hand was injured earlier. Treat him as well."
"Yes."
After the doctors acknowledged her command, they looked at Dalton and the militiaman. "Please come with us into the ship's cabin. We have a dedicated operating room there with complete equipment."
"This..."
The injured militiaman hesitated, but Dalton, considering their combat strength, sighed and said, "Let's go."
The two followed the doctors towards the warship. Zala then turned to the remaining people and said, "And you all, find some rooms for us, no matter how you have to do it."
"What, what are you going to do?"
A militiaman asked fearfully.
Zala said impatiently, "Of course, we're staying here. Do you expect us to live on the ship?"
"Let them stay. We can't stop them anyway," an elder said, stepping forward. The others no longer objected.
"Heckle, you and Mr. Christmas stay here. I'll take people into the village with Alken."
Zala issued her orders and then, along with her guards and two doctors, followed the villagers into the village.
The militiamen stared intently at them, but one militiaman couldn't help but say, "You said you brought doctors. I wonder if they could see my daughter?"
"Hey, Old Jon, what are you doing?" another person couldn't help but scold him.
Jon said, "My daughter has had a fever for two days. Who knows how many days it will be until Kureha comes down to our village?"
"Of course,"
Zala nodded. "Just have the doctor go back with you later."
Jon breathed a sigh of relief and asked, "How much money will that cost?"
"It won't cost you anything,"
Zala waved her hand. Then, her eyes twinkled, and she said, "In my country, medical treatment is free. The nation covers it."
"Really?"
Someone among the militiamen asked with anticipation. But then, remembering Zala's purpose for coming, they immediately lowered their heads, though they still secretly looked at Zala.
"Of course it's true," Zala said with a smile. "Whether it's now or in the future, treating illnesses will never require a fee."
In the future, this will be my country. It's only natural that medical treatment will be free. It'll also help win over the people.
I'm so clever.
Zala thought proudly as she looked at the villagers around her, whose attitudes had changed.
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Translation by: randomtranslator.com
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