chsdbacks Chapter 68 The Warriors, Eager for Struggle, Attack
Chapter 68 The Warriors, Eager for Struggle, Attack
The Drum Kingdom, now known as "Spring Island" Drum, is the outer defense line of the old castle.
The once somber castle, a symbol of Vapol's tyranny, has now become a refuge and a beacon of hope amidst the chaos.
In five days, with the help of the Straw Hat crew, Sabo, Vivi, and three powerful Heroic Spirits, the base has taken shape.
Inside, the largest hall has been transformed into a temporary medical center, where Chopper and Kureha busily move about.
Their medical skills were used to treat various diseases and injuries caused by conflicts with ferocious animals.
Therefore, Chopper gained the full approval of the residents, even though he himself was reluctant to accept it.
Although Nami was still somewhat weak, she was able to help Chopper organize the medicinal herbs. Vivi, on the other hand, used her princess-like kindness to comfort the frightened children and the elderly.
Externally, Napoleon and Rabindranath II demonstrated their remarkable organizational skills.
By utilizing the enormous timber and vines that were induced to grow, combined with Dalton's earth and stone abilities, the material problem was solved.
Napoleon partly assisted and partly taught Saab, allowing him to command the still-mobile residents to construct defensive fortifications around the castle, complete with watchtowers and simple traps.
He also organized the limited number of able-bodied men into patrol teams, with Zoro and Sanji taking turns instructing them in basic fighting and guard skills.
"Even new recruits must understand discipline and formation!"
Napoleon's voice carried the sternness characteristic of an officer, but it was highly effective.
Napoleon and Ralph Lauren's voices seemed to possess a certain magic, and the residents felt excited whenever they heard them.
However, mere spiritual hope cannot mask the harsh reality.
The hot and humid environment is unbearable for residents who are used to the cold, with frequent cases of heatstroke and skin diseases.
From the depths of the rainforest, the occasional chilling roars of enormous creatures and the deafening crashes of falling trees serve as a constant reminder of the dangers of the outside world.
The sweet, cloying scent of pollen in the air seemed to grow stronger, and after a while, it made people feel dizzy.
Every morning, the residents kneel and pray towards the direction of the rising sun, entrusting the gods with the deepest hopes and dreams of humanity, along with their families and children.
His devout expression caused Ra's pupils to twitch slightly, even though he had only helped at Vivi's request.
He boarded the Dark Sun Ship, a treasure ship made of gold and sapphire that exuded a gentle glow under the intense light.
"The sun knows what you pray for; kneel and look up! I will grant you peace!"
As soon as the words were spoken, the blazing sun dimmed slightly, and the moisture in the air was dried, as if the prayer had come true.
Gazing at the golden armor gleaming in the sun, the residents were all in a daze, as if the sun god were right before their eyes.
"So these distinguished guests were gods descended to help us! That's wonderful, my family is saved..."
Vivi was also looking up at the figure in the sky from the crowd. The sunlight was too dazzling, making the figure even more radiant.
A relieved smile appeared on her lips: "Actually, Your Majesty is quite gentle with others."
With environmental issues resolved, the biggest and most critical problem now is food shortage.
The original grain reserves were limited, and the roots and stems in the frozen soil disappeared after the snow melted.
Sabo led Usopp, Chopper, and some of the residents on an adventure into the edge of the rainforest, where they solved the problem through gathering and hunting.
This attracted many wild beasts to the stronghold, but Roger used his powerful aura to drive away the dangerous predators that approached the stronghold.
Everything is proceeding smoothly and in an orderly manner.
With their help, the residents went from initial panic and despair to being filled with hope.
Residents have begun to adapt to this strange environment, and children have even started "surfing" using giant banana leaves.
Dalton organized an exploration team, which he personally led, to try to find out the conditions deeper into the rainforest and to find possible ways out or to make contact with the outside world.
However, beneath this hard-won peace, uneasy undercurrents have never ceased.
The perimeter patrol team reported several unusual incidents over the past day.
The makeshift trap was triggered silently, and the wary birds suddenly took flight.
One two-person patrol team even lost contact briefly for half an hour in the edge area. When they returned, they were in a daze and only vaguely mentioned seeing lava-like light and scorching shadows.
Ramses II and Roger were the most perceptive.
The Pharaoh often stood atop the highest tower of the castle, his molten gold pupils scanning the distant rainforest where green waves surged.
He frowned slightly: "Deep within this forest... a corrupting force is growing, like maggots gnawing at the sun's radiance."
Roger crossed his arms, his eyes sharp beneath a hearty smile.
"That Crocodile guy... he definitely won't just stand by. I can smell the commotion those little rats are making too."
Napoleon, however, was more concerned with the missing persons reports and the unusual descriptions given by the patrolmen. He marked suspicious areas on the map and whispered to Saab.
"Master, the enemy has likely infiltrated, and... something seems to have changed that we don't know about. We need to strengthen security in the core area."
On the evening of the sixth day, the afterglow of the setting sun was cut into fragmented spots of light by the dense canopy of trees, casting a blood-red hue over this eerie greenery.
An exploration team that had ventured far into the rainforest hastily retreated to their base. Dalton, with several abrasions that looked like they had been branded with a hot iron, was ashen-faced.
"Mr. Dalton! What happened?" Vivi and Sabo immediately went to greet him.
Dalton gasped for breath, his eyes filled with horror: "We...we've been attacked! Not by wild animals! It's people!"
He described it: "Several figures, so fast, I couldn't even see them clearly!"
The terrifying memory flashed through his eyes.
Ghostly figures emerged from behind the giant ferns, their attacks extremely bizarre and powerful!
One of them can create walls of lava burning with dark red flames to block the way.
The other man's arm was made of obsidian blades that shimmered with the luster of lava, which easily sliced through two large trees before finally severing a life.
There was another one who looked like he was wearing a ballet outfit, and his speed was astonishing. His kicks carried scorching air currents. To be honest, he looked a bit like Sanji, but even more... insane!
Their eyes were strange, filled with fanaticism and a destructive urge!
"I'm afraid it's someone from Baroque Works, and..." Sanji's expression turned serious. "Incredibly fast, and kicks that send scorching shockwaves through the air?"
Zoro gripped the hilt of his sword tightly: "An obsidian blade on the arm? That does remind me a bit of someone I've heard of before, except his blade wasn't made of obsidian..."
Luffy adjusted his straw hat, his usual playful expression gone: "Anyone who injured Uncle Dalton and tried to harm the residents here... unforgivable!"
A golden glint flashed in Ramses II's eyes: "That defiled creation that blasphemes the sun's glory... will ultimately be reduced to ashes under my divine might!"
Roger grinned, a hint of Conqueror's Haki subtly rising within him: "The Crocodile has finally decided to let his pet out to bite people? I've been itching for this!"
Napoleon swiftly ordered: "In that case, all non-combat personnel retreat to the heart of the castle, and patrols tighten their defenses! Prepare to engage the enemy!"
The newly established peace within the base was shattered instantly, and the tense atmosphere was like a fully drawn bowstring.
Everyone knew that the peace had ended.
Crocodile's hounds have already caught up by the scent.
They lurked in the endless, dark, sweltering, and murderous green hell outside the door.
A battle, even a bloody one, is about to begin.
In the distance, in the jungle, it looked as if a burst of fire had fallen from the sky and crashed heavily into the rainforest.
The flames instantly ignited the damp wood, billowing black smoke.
Mr. 3 stood atop the canopy of a giant tree in the distance, a fanatical and twisted smile on his face, his hands constantly creating burning lava candles.
"Hey! Who do you think is stronger, us or the Heroic Spirits? Hehehehe!" His laughter was maniacal, completely different from before.
As soon as he finished speaking, Xiao Feng appeared beside Third Brother like a ghost, his ballet skirt edge burning with an inextinguishable dark red flame. His eyes were also filled with the same fervor for battle.
"After these few days of experiments, don't you understand yet? So-called heroic spirits are utterly powerless before us who have received blessings."
Mr. 1 was like a cold killing machine, his arms covered with obsidian blades that flowed with dark red light.
He effortlessly sliced through thick vines and several giant trees, leaving molten cut marks in his wake.
"Then what are we waiting for? Let's prepare for battle!"
The new Miss Doublefinger's arms transformed into lava spikes burning with dark red flames, piercing straight towards the mountaintop.