Ovadya paced back and forth. "Three of the Six Royal Guards have already moved to reinforce the treasury. Get in contact with the Niho Navy and the Happo Navy Commander, tell them to send reinforcements immediately and drive back the pirate invasion!"
Humphrey Vay spoke up. "We've already reached the Niho Navy. They're on their way. But the Happo Navy..."
"What's wrong with the Happo Navy? Where's Commander Chinjao?"
"A Vice Admiral from Marine Headquarters came to challenge Chinjao again. From what I hear, they've been fighting in the northern plains for almost two days!" Humphrey Vay said with a helpless sigh.
"What? At a time like this? Of all the, !" Council Chief Ovadya's eyes went wide, his mustache practically bristling with rage. "These pirates really picked the perfect moment! There's no choice, send for Huito and those old veterans to come assist!"
"You want to call in the ancient martial arts grandmasters?" Defense Minister Humphrey Vay said in surprise. "But they're all too far from the capital. There's no way they can make it in time..."
"Damn it! How did things get this bad? The capital's defenses clearly need to be strengthened!" Ovadya muttered, scolding himself in frustration.
Just then, a voice rang out. "His Majesty has arrived!"
A boy of roughly ten years old, Hanbu Diche, King of Kano, entered the throne hall surrounded by attendants. Every minister fell silent and turned to watch their young king.
"Who dares invade our Land?" Hanbu Diche demanded.
"Your Majesty, it is the Big Mom Pirates, a crew under the infamous Rocks Pirates! Their captain is Charlotte Linlin, a pirate with a bounty of 930 million Berries!" Defense Minister Humphrey answered.
"The Big Mom Pirates?" Hanbu considered this for a moment. "Hmm. Where is General Kaipert right now?"
"Your Majesty, General Kaipert is already on his way back from the western front!" Ovadya replied. "The Royal Guards and the Niho Navy have also been deployed to reinforce the treasury."
Hanbu suddenly stood and declared in a commanding voice, "Issue the order, all palace guards will march with me to the treasury to face the enemy!"
Ovadya was alarmed. "Your Majesty, you must not! These pirates are ruthless and savage. You cannot put yourself in danger!"
"The treasury is the lifeblood of my people. How can I ignore it?" Despite his small frame, Hanbu radiated an unmistakable authority. "Splitting our forces to defend two positions is foolish. I may be young, but I'm not afraid of a few thieves. My decision is final, enough talk!"
"But..." Ovadya stared at the young king in disbelief, then finally bowed his head. "As Your Majesty commands!"
Defense Minister Humphrey Vay trembled with emotion, as did the rest of the ministers. They all understood just how fearless this young king truly was.
With the remaining Three Guards, his ministers, and the soldiers at his side, Hanbu set out toward the treasury.
---
At the junction between the western and central regions of Kano, a sea of armored cavalry thundered in from the west. At the head of the formation rode the middle-aged commander, General Kaipert. He looked toward the distant capital and made a swift decision. "Order the light cavalry to ride ahead with me! The rest of you, follow and reinforce the capital!"
His lieutenant carried out the order at once. "Yes, sir! Go on ahead, General, we'll be right behind you!"
The cavalry split at a hilltop. The light cavalry abandoned their heavy supplies and raced toward the capital at full speed.
---
Meanwhile, at the treasury plaza of Kano, the three Royal Guards and Niho Navy Commander Harriman Horey were leading the defense against the Big Mom Pirates.
"Heavenly Fire!" Linlin swung Prometheus in her grip, blasting back the officers who had surrounded her.
"Aagh!!"
"That useless Chinjao! Dropping the ball when it matters most! And he still wants a marriage alliance with my family? Hmph!" Harriman glared at Big Mom as she unleashed her power, then turned to the Royal Guards. "Hey! You guys alright?"
The three guards signaled they were fine, but the truth was they'd exhausted themselves holding Linlin at bay. They had nothing left to stop the other pirates from cutting through their ranks.
"Mamamama!" Linlin held Napoleon in her hand and eyed the four commanders before her with a grin. "You're all pretty strong. Why not come aboard my ship?"
"You filthy pirate, you won't set foot in the treasury!" one of the royal guards roared.
"Oh yeah? Then try stopping this! Ikoku!" A terrifying wave of sword pressure erupted from Napoleon, instantly tearing through the commanders' defensive line and ripping a path straight toward the treasury gates!
In a single instant, BOOM, the treasury doors shattered. Soldiers along the path were thrown aside, casualties everywhere.
"Impossible... that kind of power!" The three guards stared at the destroyed gates in utter disbelief.
"Now's my chance!" Linlin's eyes lit up. While her opponents were still stunned, she swung Napoleon down at the Three Guards.
CLANG!
Niho commander Harriman intercepted Napoleon with a single punch, barely holding his ground. "You think I'd just let you have your way!"
"Mamamama!"
Linlin called out to Streusen, who was fighting nearby. "Hey, go loot the treasury! Now!"
"As you wish!" Streusen answered, then darted toward the treasury with his short, stout frame.
At that moment, King Hanbu and his army arrived at the scene. "Put out the fires! The treasury gates have been breached!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!" Soldiers immediately began clearing debris and dousing the flames.
"Hm? The King, wait, reinforcements?" Harriman noticed the commotion in the distance.
"Hey now, you really think you can look away from me?" Linlin slashed him aside with her blade. "Do you have any idea who I am?"
Harriman hit the ground and wiped the blood from his mouth. He stared in shock at the young king standing in the distance, he couldn't understand why His Majesty would come to a place this dangerous.
"Hurry! Drive the pirates out of Kano!" Hanbu commanded.
A portion of the palace guards charged at the pirate crew while the rest stayed to protect the king. When Hanbu saw this, he immediately ordered every last soldier to join the fight.
"Hmm?" Linlin noticed the movement in the distance. "Kano's reinforcements?"
"Not good! Xingyi Quan: Secret Technique!" Harriman leapt into the air, his right fist coated in Armament Haki as he launched himself at Linlin. "Bear's Heaven Strike!"
"Emperor Sword: Shatter Blade!"
Linlin spun around and met his attack head-on. After a fierce exchange, Harriman Horey was knocked back. The three guards seized the opening to attack as well, but Zeus's thunderbolt blasted them away.
Linlin gazed at the king in the distance. "So, someone important has arrived?"
Just then, Streusen came sprinting out of the treasury, practically bursting with excitement. "Linlin! Jackpot! It's the Fish-Fish Fruit: Mythical Zoan Azure Dragon!"