One Piece: Lost in the Tutorial #76

After the intense battle, the ruins of the hospital stood as a silent testament to the fierce clash between Law's crew and their formidable opponents. The courtyard was littered with debris, and the air was thick with the scent of blood and dust. Law, still nursing his injuries, gathered with his crew around the toppled hospital, where Drake and Kiera lay cuffed in seastone shackles.

"Well, that was something," Penguin said, wincing as Bepo tended to his wounds. "I've had enough of getting tossed around for one day."

Shachi, still holding his side, nodded in agreement. "I'll second that. These two were no joke."

Double Six limped over, his thigh bandaged but still aching from the bullet wound. "So, what do we do with them now? Keep them here as trophies?" he asked, glancing at Drake and Kiera, who glared back at him with defiant eyes.

Law shook his head. "No. We're sending their hearts to Blake in Lvneel."

Bepo, frowning, looked skeptical. "Are you sure that's a good idea? They're super tough, and I wouldn't want to fight that mean lady again..."

Law dismissed the concern with a wave of his hand. "The seastone cuffs will be enough to keep them in check. They can't use their Devil Fruit powers while wearing those."

Penguin leaned against a piece of rubble, catching his breath. "But why send their hearts to Blake? What good will that do considering the risks?"

Law's expression turned serious. "Kiera and Drake were likely sent by the nobles. If we send their hearts to Blake, it might be of some help to him. It sends a message to the nobles, and Blake might find a use for them."

Double Six scratched his head. "So, just write Blake's name on the hearts and toss them, right? Easy enough."

Law nodded. "Exactly. Do it."

Double Six picked up the two hearts, both encased in the same gelatinous transparent substance. He pulled out his marker and carefully wrote 'Blake Thorne' on each heart. He paused, ensuring the letters were clear and legible, then tossed them into the air.

The hearts immediately soared away, disappearing into the horizon.

"Now," Law said, turning back to Bepo and the others, "thoroughly search Kiera and Drake. Take away any items that might help them pick the locks on their shackles."

Bepo and Penguin moved swiftly, patting down Kiera and Drake, retrieving various tools and weapons hidden on their persons. Drake scowled but remained silent, while Kiera glared defiantly at Shachi.

Shachi smirked smugly. "Seems like you're fresh out of tricks, lady."

With the items secured, Law felt a sense of relief wash over him. The battle had been won, but the war was far from over. He knew that the message they sent to Blake would reverberate through their enemies, and the days ahead would be crucial.

"Alright, let's move out," Law commanded. "We've got more work to do."

As they prepared to leave, the rising sun cast its glow over the ravaged hospital. The crew's spirits were battered but unbroken, and their resolve was stronger than ever.

...

The grand hall of the royal palace was filled with an air of tension as Blake sat on his throne, surveying the assembled nobles. The golden light from the chandeliers glinted off the polished marble floors, and the rich tapestries depicting the kingdom’s history seemed to watch over the proceedings. Aldric and Sif stood by Blake’s sides, their presence a silent testament to the new king’s authority and fearsome nature.

Blake leaned forward, his gaze sharp as he addressed the gathered nobles. "I propose we remove the land tax policy that has been in place for generations. It’s clear that it disproportionately benefits the nobility at the expense of the common people. This change will promote fairer wealth distribution and encourage agricultural growth."

A murmur of shock rippled through the room. Count Armand, the leader of the dissident nobles, stepped forward, his face a mask of barely contained anger. "This policy has been a cornerstone of our kingdom for centuries. To abolish it now would break a long-standing tradition."

Blake's eyes narrowed, a sly grin tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Not all traditions should be preserved, Count Armand. Traditions can be an excuse for stagnation and greed. Tell me, is your protectiveness over this policy truly about honoring tradition, or is it about maintaining your own wealth and power?"

Armand's face flushed with anger. "Traditions are the backbone of our society. They provide stability and continuity. You, a newly crowned king not yet acknowledged by the world government, have no right to dismiss them so easily."

Blake’s grin widened. "The world government's acknowledgment is only a matter of time. My crew is already at sea, gathering pirate hearts as we speak."

At this, the room erupted in whispers. The nobles muttered about the mysterious hearts that had been appearing in Lvneel for days. Some spoke of sorcery, while others called Blake a devil. Blake watched in amusement, letting the murmuring continue for a moment before clearing his throat to silence them.

"Unless, Count Armand..." Blake said, his voice cutting through the room like a blade, "Do you have any reason to believe that my crew might fail in their task?"

Armand hesitated, his eyes darting around the room as he struggled to find a response. "Your crew... They are formidable, no doubt. But relying on such barbaric methods to gain recognition is risky. The major powers in North Blue do not kindly to those who disrupt the balance of power."

Blake leaned back in his throne, his confidence unwavering. "The balance of power needs disruption. The people of this kingdom deserve better than to be crushed under the weight of outdated traditions. If my methods seem unorthodox, it's because they must be. We are no longer living in the past, Count Armand. It's time for change."

The nobles began to murmur again, their whispers growing louder with each passing second. Count Armand prepared to object once more, his face a mask of defiance. But before he could speak, the sound of something whistling through the air caught everyone's attention. Two hearts soared into the grand hall, one after the other, and hovered around Blake before he reached up and took them into his hand.

Seeing his name on the hearts, Blake smiled. He turned them over, and his smile widened as he read the two names on the other sides. "The latest pirates to fall to my crew... X Drake and Kieran Flint...

Feigning ignorance, he raised an eyebrow in mock surprise. "To think that a turncoat marine officer and a notorious bounty hunter would go after my crew of all people," he chuckled. "If I didn't know any better, I might think someone sent these to sabotage me."

After scanning the faces of the nobles and taking in satisfaction in their reaction as they turned away from him, Blake turned his gaze to Aldric and gave him a meaningful look.

Aldric, understanding the unspoken command, stepped forward. "Does anyone have further objections to the king's decision?" he asked, his voice carrying an edge of authority.

Count Armand, unresigned, stepped forward, his mouth opening to object. But the words died in his throat as Sif, standing by Blake's side, took a menacing step toward him. Her low growl echoed through the hall, and she bared her teeth, her eyes locked onto Armand.

Armand, having learned his lesson from the last time, swallowed hard and stepped back, his face pale. The other nobles glanced nervously at Sif and then at each other, the tension in the room palpable.

Aldric nodded, satisfied. "Very well. Seeing as no one has any objections, I shall now declare the result of today's meeting," he said. "By the king's decree, the land tax policy shall be removed from henceforth."

Blake watched as the nobles reluctantly accepted the decision, their resistance broken. He felt a surge of triumph. The kingdom was on the brink of transformation, and he would ensure it was for the better, no matter the cost.

As the nobles filed out of the grand hall, Blake leaned back in his throne, the two hearts still in his hand. "Let's see how they react to this," he murmured to himself, his mind already racing with the possibilities.

The game had only just begun, and Blake was determined to emerge victorious.