The Slave King's War Preparations!

The Kingdom of Tutmosis, as previously mentioned, is a desert nation. Unlike Alabasta, it experiences normal seasonal changes due to its location in the South Sea, with winter being its most beautiful season.

During winter, the entire island is blanketed with snowflakes, covering the golden sea of sand with a layer of ice and snow. The interplay of white and gold creates a visually stunning scene.

Although the kingdom is a medium-sized island, it has only one city, called Sabac, often referred to as Sand City.

With its vast, sparsely populated desert environment and a single city, the kingdom gives off an impression of weakness and poverty. Even passing pirate ships can't be bothered to waste their time here.

However, what the world doesn't know is that beneath the surface of Sabac, the apparent capital, lies an extensive underground space. Layers of buildings flicker with yellow lights, and the air is filled with shouts, screams, wails, and cries, as if every corner is permeated with despair and suffering.

Everywhere, soldiers patrol and guard, wearing green collars, white robes, and armed with whips, battle axes, spears, or muskets. Their expressionless faces make them appear extremely terrifying.

In the distance, one can see the most prominent and towering pyramid structure, which is the true palace of the Kingdom of Tutmosis.

Just moments ago, the infamous 'Slave King' of the dark world, King Taklama, received news that the Marine Headquarters fleet was coming to capture him.

Yet, seated on his golden throne, he showed no reaction, and his high-ranking subordinates couldn't discern the king's emotions.

King Taklama wore a golden mask, and his attire was typical of a pharaoh—a white robe, a broad neckpiece, and a golden scepter in his hand.

In the grand hall built of massive stones, four high-ranking officials in white robes stood, flanked by strong and robust royal guards.

"Your Majesty, should we prepare to evacuate?" one of them hesitated before speaking up.

King Taklama, seated on the throne, countered with a question.

"How many people, how much treasure, and how many ships can we evacuate in about two hours?"

"This..." The official hesitated and then asked, "Should we notify the Slave Hunters outside to return for support?"

"No."

King Taklama seemed to have his own plans and immediately rejected the suggestion.

"The total number of Slave Hunters is no more than ten thousand, with less than two thousand in the South Sea. Even fewer can return in a short time. Their presence or absence is insignificant. Even if all ten thousand could return, what use would they be? They are not combat personnel."

"Then what do you mean, Your Majesty?" the official asked, puzzled.

"What I mean is that evacuation is inevitable. Since we have been brought into the open, we must find a way to return to the shadows!"

With that, King Taklama, adorned in gold, rose from his throne, revealing his two-meter-tall, robust figure. His cold mask gazed down at the four officials below.

"But now the first fleet of the Marines has arrived at our doorstep. If we want to preserve most of our strength, we must first defeat them and then vanish into the shadows before the second, stronger fleet arrives!"

Upon hearing this, the four officials suddenly understood the king's plan.

"Two hours is enough for us to prepare for war. At the same time, get the ships ready. After defeating the Marine fleet, we will immediately relocate the main force along with all necessary supplies and treasures!"

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"But what about the slaves? Should we take them with us?" another official inquired, as slaves were the primary source of income for their kingdom, Tutmosis.

"Take the fifty thousand highest-quality slaves. The rest shall sleep beneath this desert—it's not a bad place for a final resting place," King Taklama declared without hesitation.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

The officials responded in unison once more. No one dared to speak up for the abandoned slaves, for anyone who did would immediately join their ranks.

"Have you found any information on Rear Admiral Dragon and Rear Admiral Avène?" King Taklama asked.

"Your Majesty, according to intelligence from the Slave Hunters in the Grand Line, Rear Admiral Avène is a highly skilled swordsman, but there's nothing else noteworthy about him. On the other hand, Rear Admiral Dragon deserves your attention."

"Oh, is he a Devil Fruit user?"

"No, the Slave Hunters' intelligence indicates he is not a Devil Fruit user, but his identity is quite special."

"Explain."

"Yes, Rear Admiral Dragon's full name is Monkey D. Dragon. He is the son of the Marine hero, Vice Admiral Monkey D. Garp. It is said that this is his first time leading a major military operation as the commanding officer."

Upon hearing Garp's name, King Taklama's eyes beneath his golden mask grew serious. As the saying goes, ignorance is bliss, but as the Slave King of the underworld, he knew many things ordinary people could never access.

Most civilians believed Garp was called the Marine hero because he relentlessly pursued the Roger Pirates, cornering them multiple times and ultimately capturing Roger himself, sending him to the execution platform.

But the king knew better. That wasn't the main reason—or at least not the whole story. Based on his speculation, Vice Admiral Garp's strength might even surpass that of the Marine Admiral known as 'Sengoku the Buddha.'

"Have you found out where Vice Admiral Garp is currently located?"

The minister in charge of intelligence replied with reverence, "The Slave Hunters couldn't pinpoint his exact location. It's said that Vice Admiral Garp operates independently and can go wherever he pleases within Marine Headquarters. However, there are rumors that he recently returned to his hometown in the East Blue."

"Is that so..."

King Taklama breathed a sigh of relief in his heart, thinking that he should try to spare Dragon's life during the upcoming battle. There was no need to provoke Garp to the point of desperation.

If Garp could chase Roger for over a decade, he would likely do the same to avenge his son.

He had no desire to provoke a mad dog with the world's greatest combat power!

"Alright, everyone, go and prepare!"

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Soon, the underground city of the Tutmosis Kingdom saw significant movement from the over thirty thousand strong Slave Guard Legion. They began transporting firearms, ammunition, and even cannons in large quantities through underground passages to the coastal areas, where they started setting up layered defenses and traps.

The decades of accumulated strength of the Slave King was fully mobilized at this moment.

Simultaneously, batches of young men were pulled out from their cells. Under the watch of soldiers on both sides, they lined up and marched towards the great pyramid. No one knew exactly what King Taklama intended to do. However, everyone understood that this was a war, a conflict involving tens of thousands of participants on both sides! At sea, Dragon's forces had joined up with the fleets from the South Sea's 194th, 242nd, and 289th divisions. The naval fleet was now exceptionally large.

Five headquarters-class large warships, each fully loaded with a thousand headquarters marines, two decks of cannons, and three triple-mounted anti-aircraft gun turrets, totaling thirty-three large-caliber cannons.

Eighteen division-class small warships, each with a single deck of cannons, totaling twelve medium-caliber cannons. Among them, eight ships from the 194th division were fully loaded with five hundred men, while the remaining ten ships carried the standard three hundred.

The total naval force numbered twelve thousand! Although it seemed inferior to the Tutmosis Kingdom's thirty thousand strong legion, Dragon believed that their combat power and firepower were superior to the enemy's.

One rear admiral, fifty officers proficient in the Six Styles, and some who had even consumed Devil Fruits, were more than enough to suppress the soldiers who spent their days guarding slaves.

As for King Taklama, Dragon would handle him personally.

Although intelligence suggested that the Slave King's abilities surpassed his own in every aspect, Dragon felt no fear. The thought of defeating him and saving hundreds of thousands of civilians made his blood boil. This was the righteous battle he had always dreamed of!

"Target, the Tutmosis Kingdom!!"

Dragon, accompanied by a green whirlwind, flew in the air and issued the command to the massive naval fleet of twenty-three warships below.

"Set sail!"