To the United Army, they only saw a dark figure descending in the storm, quickly crashing into the majestic castle gate with a massive explosion.
The shockwave with debris forced them to involuntarily step back, each staring in astonishment at the place where black smoke was rising. Amidst the ascending black smoke, a huge gap was suddenly visible.
The castle gate... has been blown open!
Not a single residue was left behind; the entire gate, along with some of the walls next to it, was completely shattered with ruins piled on the ground.
Before the United Army could react, a large number of soldiers gathered within the castle gate. Leading them was a noble wrapped in a blanket, his face darkened, angrily cursing at those outside the gate:
"You damn commoners, how dare you blow up the gate, it's despicable, truly despicable! All of you, die!"
The blanket-wrapped noble was shaking with anger.
What's wrong with this group?
It's already merciful to let them dive for loot; he couldn't even imagine that these people would be so bold as to blow up the gate!
Neither Tihana nor William would dare to do this, why do these commoners who are only fit to consume and make money for them dare?!
This is outrageous!
"Kill them, kill them!"
In rainy weather, guns are not usable, but bows and blades are fine. The guards at Augustine Castle are elite, both in numbers and quality, dealing with a mere group of pirates is no problem.
Well-equipped guards strung their bows, the front line held their spears tightly, ready to charge forward.
Just a group of injured, battle-weary people, they wouldn't be a match.
Just as the guards with bows were about to release the strings, their bodies suddenly trembled, their eyes turned white, and they collapsed, the angle change causing the arrows to fly erratically, almost striking the blanket noble, several arrows barely scraping past his cheek, drawing blood.
The front line guards holding spears also collapsed to the ground.
The blanket noble wiped the blood flowing from the wound on his cheek with an incredulous look.
Nobles aren't all worthless, relying only on their lineage; in a privileged environment, they have more conditions and resources to become stronger. For instance, this noble himself is adept at Dual Haki and believes he would be at least a Navy Vice Admiral if he joined.
But precisely because of this, he could see the black-red flood rushing from the blasted open gate, like waves, washing over the people inside the gate.
If it weren't for his firm will, he might have collapsed too.
"What's going on, where did this Supreme King come from?!"
A person with such aptitude, how could they be serving here for money?
Huff!
Just as the blanket noble finished speaking, a figure rapidly flashed from the sky. As he instinctively raised his arms, manifesting Armament Haki, a foot pressed down on his arms, immense force breaking through his defenses, heavily stomping his face into the ground.
"Hahaha, hohohoho!"
The piercing laughter rang in the noble's ears. He wanted to turn his head, but his head was pinned down, unable to move, barely seeing near the foot, the black-base red-tip fur cloak fluttering.
"I am Norton Sage!"
However, he needn't look further.
Sage, who pinned him down, spread his arms wide, laughing grandly among the fainted crowd:
"They call me Disaster! But the name doesn't matter; what's important is, Augustine Castle's mine now! From now on, whether it's invited pirates, bounty hunters, merchants, or the town's guards and soldiers, as long as you take my side, I'll share my wealth and prosperity with you!"
Recruiting is most convenient this way.
With the boss personally interviewing, no need for middlemen, not even the trouble of interviewing with Sage, whoever comes becomes underlings!
"I'll take over the entire Gares Kingdom! The whole country, all of it, is mine!"
Bam!
He exerted force with his foot, exploding the guy wrapped in a blanket-like cloak like a noble with a stomp.
"Dis, Disaster?!"
The United Army outside the gate who weren't affected by the Supreme King's impact stared wide-eyed.
They certainly recognized Disaster; after all, he made a name for himself in the Summit War, and according to the pirates, this guy should've joined the Four Emperors struggle long ago, unexpected for him to appear here.
Also...
"Mas, Master Sage!"
A pirate shouted: "Is it true what you said, you're recruiting here to rule over Augustine Castle?"
"It's fucking ruling the Gares Kingdom!"
Sage laughed heartily, extending his hand toward those outside the gate, "So, will you come?!"
The crowd exchanged glances, then looked at the guy on the ground who was shot by a noble in the head, making up their minds.
The inviting noble wouldn't let them in.
But the pirates who broke through here are willing to accept them!
What's there to choose, they've endured enough grievances lately, teaming up with Disaster and causing havoc here isn't an issue. At least they get inside and treat their wounds first, anyway, nothing can be worse than now!
"We're willing to join the Disaster Pirates!" The crowd vocally announced.
"Over here! Destroy them!"
But besides the United Army, there were also troops belonging to the great noble Tihana, just arriving because of the storm, seeing the gate blown open, they all rushed closer, shouting.
At first glance, their numbers were no fewer than two thousand.
"Having just joined the Disaster Pirates, we mustn't show cowardice!"
The United Army turned and drew weapons, facing the approaching noble's forces for battle. But as they turned, they saw at the port, under the storm, the enormous Black Ship docking.
Boom boom boom!
The side of the Black Ship fired cannonballs simultaneously, unaffected by the storm, detonating among the soldiers, blossoms of explosions erupting in the center.
A gangway descended, and a group gradually came down, Lily at the front, drawing the thin sword from her waist, the gloomy storm couldn't hide the sword's gleam nor her radiant golden hair.
Behind her was Moriah, his huge body with arms stretched to the back of his head, his face full of playful smiles.
Behind them were numerous high-ranking officers, scattered behind the two, some strolling leisurely, some broadly smiling.
Next was Gin leading over a thousand underlings, each fierce-looking, advancing in the storm following the officers.
"Four in the afternoon."
Lily glanced at the time, pointed her thin sword forward, coldly saying: "Two to three hours, before Sage's dinner, control Augustine Castle!"