With Fukurou and the soldiers’ swift actions, the order was temporarily restored in the four towns of Ando. Although most residents still favored Whitebeard and harbored hostility towards the suddenly arriving troops, at least for now, Nagato’s subordinate Fukurou and the Dressrosa army had gained control of the cities.
As Fukurou said, the situation would become clear in a day.
Meanwhile…
In Ando’s northwestern interior, amidst lush mountains, there was a conspicuous barren patch. The forest had been entirely cleared, and the mountains and land had been excavated, leaving a huge crater, as if a giant hand had scooped out a chunk of the earth.
This was the mine that produced 20% of the New World’s gold.
At this moment, a group of people who had rushed back from the shore arrived, breathless, at the outskirts of the mine. After relaying their message and waiting, the person they were urgently seeking finally appeared.
Emerging from the heavily guarded mine entrance was a man over two meters tall. He had a broad, muscular frame and a bald head.
Despite his rugged appearance, there was nothing intimidating about him because of his tightly pressed lips and his gentle, non-threatening eyes. This face gave the impression of a simple, honest man rather than an aggressive villain.
This was “Big Gunpowder” Carden, the overseer of the Ando gold mine!
Entrusted with such an important responsibility, one might expect him to be deeply trusted by Whitebeard. However, his absence from the Marineford war revealed a surprising truth—Carden was not a member of the Whitebeard Pirates!
With his strong arms hanging at his sides, Carden spoke in a deep, rumbling voice, “What’s the matter?”
A tall, thin man from the group that had rushed back from the shore stepped forward, panting, “Lord Carden… Warlord of the Sea, Nagato, is here!”
“Taking advantage of Whitebeard’s absence, huh?” Carden seemed unaware of the urgency, muttering to himself before simply saying, “Understood.”
He then turned to leave.
“Lord Carden!” the tall, thin man couldn’t help but shout again, “He’s a Warlord of the Sea, a government man! And he’s the monster who killed Doflamingo!”
Carden paused and replied, “I know. I will have the guards prepare for battle.”
Carden’s brevity seemed to be his nature, and the brief explanation was merely to reassure the messengers.
As he walked away, the anxious group could only believe that this was Carden’s usual stoic demeanor and trust that this sturdy, steady man could fend off the fearsome Warlord of the Sea.
Unbeknownst to Carden and the group, their exchange and reactions had been observed by Nagato on Ando’s coast, thanks to Viola’s Glare-Glare Fruit ability, which allowed her to monitor a 4,000-mile radius.
“Your Majesty,” Viola reported, her keen eyes focused on a distant point far beyond ordinary sight, “a group of people ran from the coast to the mine and met with a bald man who seems to be named Carden.”
Viola could see but not hear the distant conversation, so she could only guess the name.
Viola addressed Nagato, who didn’t respond. As previously stated, the command of the operation was in Kyros’s hands.
Kyros quickly reacted, taking out a Den Den Mushi to ask, “Kalifa, Viola observed a bald man at the gold mine who might be the overseer named Carden. Do you have any information on him?”
As per Nagato’s instructions, the Den Den Mushi of all captains were connected. Kyros was using Nagato’s Den Den Mushi to inquire.
“Carden? Viola wasn’t mistaken. CP’s intel mentions someone by that name due to his Logia abilities,” Kalifa replied after a brief thought. “Carden, with the Coal-Coal Fruit ability, can create explosions and transform into coal dust, making him a logical overseer of the gold mine.”
Kalifa’s previous affiliation with CP9 proved useful, one reason Nagato valued and recruited them. Despite their relatively weaker combat abilities, their accumulated intelligence and skills were invaluable.
“Understood,” Kyros acknowledged. “Pause the advance. I’m heading there to assist!”
Logia users were beyond the current capabilities of Kalifa and the 500 soldiers. With Lucci, Kaku, and Jabra absent, only Kyros could handle the threat with his Armament Haki.
However, as Kyros prepared to move, Nagato stopped him.
“Your Majesty…” Kyros knew Nagato, who defeated Doflamingo, was present but didn’t wish to trouble him, feeling it was his duty to solve the problem for the king.
Nagato stood up, saying, “Your task is to command.”
Nagato reiterated the plan.
Indeed, the plan confirmed during the Dressrosa meeting was that the army would handle territorial control and residents while powerful enemies were dealt with by the ship captains and Nagato. Kyros was the overall commander to ensure leadership continuity.
According to the plan, Nagato was supposed to deal with the Four Emperors’ forces, not people left behind in Whitebeard’s empty territory. However, the unexpected presence of a Logia user like Carden on Ando was unforeseeable.
After reaffirming Kyros’s role, Nagato turned to Viola, “Keep monitoring this sea area and assist Kyros. Moasi and Ordo must not be compromised.”
Under Viola’s sparkling gaze, Nagato continued, “Watch the surrounding sea and the Black Blade Fleet’s status. Our actions have signaled Kaido and Charlotte; I need immediate updates if they come within 4,000 miles.”
“Yes, Your Majesty!” Kyros and Viola responded.
Nagato nodded, then soared into the sky, disappearing from Kyros’s sight in moments.
Since mastering Bloodline Selection, Nagato’s Chakra energy had surged, enabling him to fly at 300 kilometers per hour with the Deva Path’s power, explaining his overnight return from Marineford. At full speed, his travel time could be halved!
In minutes, Nagato reached Kalifa’s unit near the mine.
“Your Majesty!” Kalifa and the soldiers, seeing Nagato descend from the sky, bowed and greeted him.
Given the mine’s importance and possible defenses, this unit was the largest, with 500 soldiers, making their collective greeting quite impressive.
“Mm.” Nagato nodded and instructed Kalifa, “Seal the passage.”
Kalifa hesitated briefly, then turned and shouted, “Everyone, follow me.”
Nagato didn’t need to specify the passage, as both he and Viola knew Ando’s terrain and roads, including the mine area.
Kalifa understood the order immediately, knowing the mine had only one external passage.
The gold mine’s strict and meticulous management included multiple checkpoints and measures to prevent unauthorized transport, with a single passage being one of the methods.
Kalifa quickly grasped Nagato’s intent and moved to execute the order.
As expected.
Nagato, using Viola’s long-range vision and X-ray sight, already had a clear view of the mine’s layout but didn’t care about the details.
Summoning his flames, a giant Tengu appeared in the mountains, its steps shaking the ground and nearly causing the 500 soldiers who had just moved away to stumble!
Boom! Boom! Boom!
In the roaring purple flames, the Tengu’s steps crushed branches and shook the earth, and after three steps, it stood at the mine’s edge.
From the gem embedded in the Tengu’s forehead, Nagato spoke toward the Ando gold mine, “Come out, Carden.”
Nagato would not accept any loss of manpower or damage to the gold mine. Thus, he chose to directly eliminate any obstacles!
Become a Patron read up to 40 chapter ahead public release ^_^
Please join Discord Server so we can talk ^_^
