The Reunion

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Bogart Whitestone stumbled along the main street of Raduno Town, his senses overwhelmed by the chaos that engulfed the town... The cries of the townspeople, the desperate pleas for safety, and the clamor of their hurried footsteps filled the air... In the midst of the pandemonium, the Lord struggled to digest the sudden catastrophe that had befallen his country...

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Memories of his past desolation resurfaced, reminding him of the torment of losing his majestic Flevence, and his lifelong prestigious status to seek impromptu refuge...

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The dream of rebuilding a glorious kingdom and reclaiming his position as its King had seemed within reach, only to be mercilessly crashed before his eyes... "Why are they attacking my country once again?" He wondered silently, his gaze vacant and lost...

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Then in the periphery of his vision, he noticed a familiar figure approaching... It was Fugar, his loyal advisor. The old man's face bore the weight of profound misery... His voice trembled as he questioned, "Why...My Lord?"

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Bogart sighed heavily... "Ah, Fugar... Things might get out of hands now, and I apologize for the hermit's death... It was never my intention. But then, my faithful advisor, what good would the commoners have done with the Guardian Seeds? We could have sold them for an immense fortune, further bringing prosperity to our country. You don't fully comprehend their powers, and in the hands of the Marines, they would have greatly augmented their military might! That's why they were willing to pay a billion beli!... Don't you see the opportunity?!"

Fugar's eyes widened, 'But Ashar dedicated his entire life to cultivate them for the benefits of common people!...And what about Ethan and Lucas?...where are they?!!' Yet, before he could voice his thoughts, a familiar voice pierced through the chaos. It was Farlan who was rushing towards him, his face etched with urgency and concern. He took hold of the advisor's hand and implored him to hasten their steps, "Father! What are you doing?! We must hurry to the port now! The refuge ship is filling up rapidly! We need to secure our places before it's too late!!"

With that, the elderly man was forcefully swept into the swiftly moving throng, burdened by a heavy heart brimming with unanswered questions directed towards the solitary-standing figure of the Lord...

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"Where's the Chief? We need to get back to the Red Force as soon as possible!" Benn Beckman's voice boomed through the hectic main street of Raduno Town as he frantically searched for the remaining crew members, all racing towards the Forbidden Forest.

"We were headed towards the forest! The Chief and the doctor might be in danger from that explosion!!!" Limejuice shouted in response, his voice strained with worries.

"There they are!!!!" Yasopp excitedly exclaimed with relief as he spotted the familiar figures emerging from the thick forest trail. "Thank goodness, they appear to be unharmed!!!"

"Benn, give me a status update!" ordered Red Hair Shanks as he speedily coming closer to his crew, his steady voice hinting at a foreboding disaster, with the accompanying brunet closing in several steps behind.

"The full-scale marine fleet has just arrived and scattered around the island. It seems they will stop at nothing to prevent us from obtaining the Guardian Seeds," Benn reported, tossing his cigar aside, "That cannon fire was likely just an initial attack to drive anyone out of the forest! They're preparing for more, and I believe it's the 'Buster Call' coming up next in any minute!"

"That's insane!!!" The other crew members couldn't take in the extreme measures the marines were willing to take, endangering an entire island and its guiltless inhabitants.

"I've already contacted Hongo to evacuate Roux and everyone to the Red Force! They should be on their way here soon!" Benn additionally supplied.

The scarred-faced captain fell silent, his gaze sweeping across the widespread sufferings that filled the once peaceful community. The transformation was staggering, leaving only a sense of helplessness and loss everywhere in an incredibly short period of time...

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A vile of darkness shrouded the captain's normally-casual expression, an intensity rarely seen even by his own crewmates. A chilling aura enveloped him, reflecting the smouldering fury building inside...

"Head to the main port now!!!"

Then, with lightning speed, the infamous redhead sprinted towards the direction of the far-off lurking Marine Fleet, with his crew following suit in no time...

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"BOOOOMMM...!!"

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Amidst the resounding explosions that started reverberating randomly across the island, the young doctor felt a wave of disorientation crashing down on him as the Red Hair crew swiftly vanished from his sight. It seemed that crisis after crisis had manifested right before his eyes, each more unexpected than the last...

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The initial combustion had forced him and Red Hair to quickly teleport back to the Forest entrance, narrowly escaping the danger. And now, he stood in the middle of the chaos once more... seeing people desperately scrambling to save themselves and their families from the marines; the very ones who were meant to provide protections, not mass destructions upon innocent lives...

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"It's like Flevance all over again..." a haunting whisper escaped his's lips as memories of the similar horrific scenes from his hometown flooded his mind... The flashbacks paralysed him to the spot. The anguish and disbelief echoing through his entire being...

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"Why must I witness this the second time...?"

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For a fleeting moment, the period suspended... as the surgeon's gaze landed on a distant towering figure hurriedly making way from the town, guarded by a few marine officers. He was automatically drawn toward the departing group...

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"This way, Lord Bogart!" a marine officer dutifully urged, "The CP5 marine ship at the southern port will be leaving shortly! We have already arranged for someone to bring your family from the castle! But time is running out, so please move fast!!"

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All of a sudden, the lean, dark-haired man appeared before them, preventing their advance with a pointed nodachi, accompanied by the smooth, icy voice...

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"And where do you think you're going, abandoning your people at the first chance you've got again...you scum Majesty?"

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