One Piece : Brotherhood

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******

Flevance, North Blue

"Is your family sending more aid, Issho-san?" Lance's voice trembled with hope, desperation flickering in his eyes. Despite their repeated failures, despite every attempt to warn the people of Flevance about the looming disaster, they had been forced to abandon their grand ambition of saving everyone. But hope, however fragile, was still there, etched in every line of his face as he looked to Issho.

Issho sat unmoving, his expression calm, though behind that serenity was the weight of a world in turmoil. The time was running out. Robin had already reached out to him, making it clear: he had one month to resolve the catastrophe in Flevance.

It was a mercy, Issho knew, extended only out of Ross's consideration for him. The sightless swordsman turned his head slightly, his other senses sharp as ever, tuning into the soft humming of Christina, who sat a little distance away.

She was relaxed, nonchalant, but she had her orders too. Orders that would strip the royal treasury bare and rip away the wealth of the Flevance Kingdom like a vulture descending upon a carcass. Christina smirked, her eyes glinting with amusement.

"What's next? Are we going to tie every citizen up and drag them out of the country one by one?" Her tone was mocking, but the cynicism in her voice had a bitter truth behind it. She knew as well as Issho that one could not save those who did not want saving. It was a losing battle, and time was running out.

Issho remained silent, absorbing her words. He knew what had to be done. Once Christina struck the royal family and took their wealth, the world would know. The Flevance Kingdom would be exposed—condemned.

And Christina was right: once the truth about Amber Lead poisoning was revealed, the panic would consume the kingdom from within.

"Once I take action and strip them of their accumulated wealth, the royals will retaliate in anger; they will have no choice but to expose the effects of Amber Lead," Christina continued, her smirk widening.

"That scandal will spread like wildfire. The World Government won't be able to cover it up forever. But soon everyone will turn against Flevance." Her words dripped with cold calculation.

Everyone in the room understood the deeper implications. The World Government had too much at stake. Flevance was a ticking time bomb, but the powers that be weren't about to admit fault.

Even though the North Blue was largely under the influence of the Donquixote Pirates, no one believed that the kingdoms here would openly pledge allegiance to pirates. The monarchy was still tied to the World Government, and Doflamingo was not the kind of man who performed acts of charity.

The tense silence was suddenly broken by the sound of commotion outside. A boy, no older than ten, darted through the bustling streets, his voice ringing out above the crowd.

"Extra! Extra! Special edition of the World Times! The truth about Flevance!" The boy's high-pitched cry echoed through the square as he waved the newspapers in his hand.

Heads turned, and a murmur rippled through the crowd. People began to gather, their curiosity piqued, though unease was already settling over the square like a dark cloud. Those close enough to snatch a paper from the boy's hand fell silent as they scanned the bold headlines. Whispers quickly turned into worried voices.

"The truth...?"

"Amber Lead poisoning...?"

"Is this real? They're saying the whole kingdom's affected!"

Fear spread like wildfire. The square, once filled with the usual market chatter, was now alive with panic. Some read the paper aloud, their voices trembling. Others stood frozen, disbelief and horror washing over their faces as they processed the catastrophic revelation.

Issho could hear it, the shift in the air, the rising tension. This was his final gambit. He had personally requested this favor from Ross, knowing full well the chaos it would unleash.

But the World Times held immense credibility. The truth, once published there, would be accepted by the masses. And now, that truth was spreading faster than any sword could strike.

"They're saying the World Government covered it up! All this time—"

"We've been living in poison!"

"How long do we have? What's going to happen to us?!" Panic-stricken voices clashed with each other as the weight of the truth settled in.

Issho's heart was heavy, but he remained resolute. This was necessary. This was the only way to shake the people of Flevance out of their complacency, to make them see the danger they faced before it was too late. He had gambled everything on this, believing in the greater good, even if it meant sacrificing peace for chaos.

Christina, however, merely chuckled at the unfolding chaos. "Look at them. Like moths to a flame. You knew this would happen, didn't you, Issho?" she asked, her tone light, but her eyes cold. She glanced at him, knowing full well the consequences of what he had done.

Issho's face was as calm as ever, but inside, he was already preparing himself for the aftermath.

"The truth needed to come out," he said quietly. "Even if it brings panic... it will bring change."

"Change, huh?" Christina murmured, eyeing the swirling panic in the streets. "Let's hope it's the right kind. Or you might have a kingdom of corpses before long."

Issho didn't respond. He knew the cost. But as the chaos continued to spread across Flevance, the world's eyes were now on this kingdom of white soil. The lies of the royals and the World Government had been exposed, and with that exposure came the storm.

Soon, other forces would move. The government, the pirates, and the revolutionaries—all would be drawn to the crisis, like sharks to blood.

But as Issho sat there, unmoving, he could only hope that, in the end, his gamble would pay off. The people of Flevance were in danger, and now, the world knew it. All that remained was to see who would rise to the occasion—and who would burn.

The clock was ticking. And in the end, it was only a matter of time before the world's power players made their move.

****

Within the royal palace of Flevance, chaos reigned as the grim news of Amber Lead poisoning spread like wildfire. Though many citizens remained skeptical of the World Times article, more and more began to question the legitimacy of their king's assurances.

The pressure was mounting, and King Asbestos could feel the kingdom slipping through his fingers. The palace itself was no longer a sanctuary but a crumbling facade—its halls filled with frantic advisers, panicking nobles, and soldiers struggling to maintain order.

"Sir! What should we do? If this keeps up, the entire country will erupt into rebellion!" one of the king's ministers blurted, his voice trembling with fear. The king stood near the window, pale and trembling, clutching the transponder snail in his shaking hands.

On the other end of the line was not just any official, but one of the Five Elders—the highest authority of the World Government. Even as king, Asbestos did not dare sit while speaking to them. His life, his family's fortune, and their future depended on this conversation.

"Have the symptoms of the poisoning begun to show en masse?" The elder's cold voice echoed from the transponder, detached and calculating.

"No, Elder-sama. Not yet," King Asbestos stammered, sweat beading on his forehead. "Based on our last estimates, we still have a few more years before the Amber Lead poisoning fully takes effect. The symptoms are still minimal, we… we can manage it for now."

But his voice wavered, betraying his panic. He had pushed too far, for too long, driven by greed. The amber lead had brought unimaginable wealth to his family over the past century.

They had amassed enough to live like kings for countless generations—despite paying their cut to the World Government, despite the Heavenly Tribute. But now, that wealth was a noose tightening around his neck.

"Then why should we help you?" the elder's voice was emotionless, almost amused. "It seems to me that this is your kingdom's internal problem."

"But, Elder-sama!" Asbestos blurted, desperation leaking into his tone. "It was the World Government's—"

"Are you blaming us, King Asbestos?" The elder cut him off with a cold chuckle that sent a chill down the king's spine. Asbestos bit his tongue, trembling with frustration. It was true that his family had been greedy.

They had accelerated the mining of Amber Lead, despite knowing the risks. But they had not acted alone. Without the support of the World Government, they would never have dared to embark on such a grand, destructive venture.

Still, he wasn't in a position to argue. His life, his family, his wealth—now accumulated over generations—depended entirely on the government's assistance. Without it, they would be torn apart by the people they had ruled over and exploited for so long.

"Half," the elder's voice said suddenly, sharp as a blade. "You will pay half of what your family has hoarded as tribute to the World Government."

Asbestos felt his heart skip a beat. Half? The elders knew exactly how much wealth his family had amassed, and they were demanding half of it? The amount was staggering, astronomical even.

"But, but…" King Asbestos stammered, his mind racing. Half? He had expected to pay a price, but this…! "Elder-sama, we did all this because of the World Gov—"

"Shut up," the elder snapped, cutting him off once more. "If you want to survive this, if you want your family to escape safely, then remember this: the World Government had no involvement in the Amber Lead mining. Is that understood?"

Asbestos swallowed hard, his throat dry. The elder's voice left no room for argument.

"Is that understood?" The elder repeated, the words icy and final.

"Y-yes, Elder-sama. I understand. I… I agree to the deal," Asbestos said, his voice barely above a whisper. He had no choice. His hands were tied. "Please, just take my family out of the kingdom safely. I'll need an escort… to transfer the wealth we've accumulated."

The elder's tone softened, but only slightly. "How many ships do you think you'll need for all this wealth of yours?" he asked, the slightest hint of curiosity creeping into his voice.

Asbestos cleared his throat, feeling the weight of his greed pressing down on him. "Ahem… Elder-sama, I… I believe we will need close to four dozen large galleons to transport it all."

For a moment, there was silence on the other end of the line. Even the elder, with all his experience and knowledge of the world's wealth, seemed taken aback by the sheer scale of Asbestos's greed.

Four dozen ships of wealth? The implications were staggering. How much had the Flevance royal family hoarded, exploiting their own people and the cursed Amber Lead for over a century?

"You are shameless," the elder finally said, though there was a trace of amusement in his voice.

"But now that half of it belongs to the World Government, it's only fitting that we send someone to ensure it reaches us safely. You'll have your escort. We'll send enough Marines to guarantee that your family and wealth are transferred to the Holy Land without issue. Once you arrive, we can discuss your future. Perhaps a new kingdom will be made available for you at the next Reverie."

King Asbestos felt a momentary surge of relief, though it was quickly tempered by the elder's next words.

"As for Flevance…" The elder's voice turned cold again. "You needn't concern yourself with the rumors spreading among the populace. We've had contingencies in place for this for a long time. We always knew the situation in Flevance was a ticking time bomb, and we're prepared to handle it. The World Government's reputation will remain untarnished."

Asbestos gritted his teeth in fury. That cursed newspaper had ruined everything. If not for the World Times stirring up trouble, he could have continued milking Flevance for a few more years, quietly padding his coffers. But now, his only concern was escaping with his life and as much wealth as he could salvage.

"What will you do, Elder-sama? Will you suppress the news?" Asbestos asked, his tone bitter.

"There's no need to suppress anything," the elder replied, confident and calm. "The world will know only what we allow them to know. And if the truth of Flevance becomes too difficult to hide…" He paused, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper.

"Then Flevance will be buried. If necessary, we will erase the kingdom from the world entirely, and no one will ever speak of Amber Lead again."

Asbestos shuddered at the cold finality of the elder's words. The World Government had always been ruthless, but this was something else. They were willing to sacrifice an entire kingdom, to bury its people, its history, and its sins, all to keep their hands clean.

As the transponder snail clicked off, King Asbestos slumped into his chair, his mind swirling with fear and greed. Outside, the kingdom of Flevance continued to unravel, as protests grew louder and the truth spread further. The king knew it was only a matter of time before the streets erupted into chaos.

But he also knew one thing for certain—he would not be there to see it.

****

In the heart of Flevance, where the streets were alive with murmurs and whispers, a modest tavern stood as a refuge from the encroaching uncertainty. The dimly lit interior flickered with the warm glow of lanterns, casting shadows on the walls as the patrons, packed shoulder-to-shoulder, engaged in heated conversations.

The clink of tankards and the low hum of chatter filled the space, but no one seemed interested in the usual topics of gossip or politics. Tonight, there was only one thing on everyone's mind: the Amber Lead poisoning.

At a corner table, a group of locals sat hunched over their drinks, their faces drawn with unease.

"I tell you," said a gruff man with a scraggly beard, slamming his mug on the table. "It's no rumor! My neighbor's boy—he's been sick. Pale skin, bleedin' gums, just like the paper said. That Amber Lead poisoning is real. The World Times doesn't print lies."

"Nah, you're just lookin' for a reason to worry, Grimsby," scoffed another man, this one younger and wearing a thick woolen cap.

"You're always lookin' for trouble where there ain't none. That boy probably just caught the flu, or worse, it's all in your head! Flevance is rich because of Amber Lead. No way the royal family would poison us—they'd be shootin' themselves in the foot!"

"But it's the truth!" Grimsby insisted, his face flushed, half from drink and half from anger. "The symptoms, they're all startin' to line up. And it ain't just the boy—two others on my street are showin' signs too!"

"Bah!" said a wiry old man from the next table over, waving a dismissive hand. "A few sick folks don't mean we're all doomed! Look at this city—look at the wealth, the splendor! The royal family wouldn't let something like that happen. They've got doctors, science, and if there was a real threat, they'd shut down the mines."

Another patron, a well-dressed merchant who had been listening intently, chimed in. "Shut down the mines? You're mad! Amber Lead has made this kingdom what it is. Without it, we'd be nothing. People from all over the world want what we've got. It's a precious resource—this is just some scare tactic to ruin us!"

The tavern erupted into a chorus of voices, some agreeing with Grimsby's warnings, others scoffing at the very idea that their kingdom's crown jewel could be the source of their doom. The conversation was a swirl of disbelief, anger, and denial, as the people of Flevance struggled to grasp the gravity of the news.

At the bar itself, a larger-than-life figure presided over the drinks. The bartender, a towering man easily over four meters tall, was built like a living mountain of muscle. His broad shoulders stretched the fabric of his shirt, and his massive arms, thick as tree trunks, seemed capable of crushing a barrel with ease.

But despite his intimidating frame, his face was surprisingly gentle, with kind eyes and a soft, welcoming smile. His name was Hugo, and for as long as anyone could remember, he had been the heart and soul of this tavern.

Hugo's bar had been a fixture in the town for years, and he knew nearly every face that walked through its doors. Tonight, however, the usual jovial mood was strained, with the patrons more divided than ever before.

"I'm telling you, lads," Hugo rumbled as he refilled a row of tankards with expert ease. His voice was deep and resonant, but his tone was one of calm certainty.

"The Amber Lead poisoning is real. I overheard a couple of government agents in here a while back, and they were talking' about it. Said it was only a matter of time before the symptoms started showing' up all over."

One of the regulars, a short, balding man with a quick wit and quicker tongue, grinned up at Hugo. "You? Eavesdroppin' on government agents? Hugo, mate, if that were true, they'd have hauled you off in irons by now!"

The table erupted into laughter, with even Hugo himself letting out a booming chuckle. He was well-liked by his patrons, and most of them trusted his judgment, even if they did mock him now and again.

"I ain't lyin', Randal," Hugo replied, still smiling. "You lot can joke all you want, but there's truth in what I'm saying." The signs are there, and it's starting' to spread. People just don't want to admit it because they're afraid."

A lanky man at the far end of the bar shook his head. "It's a hoax, Hugo. All of it. The World Times is just stirring' the pot. They've got an agenda—probably backed by some other kingdom jealous of what we've got. They want to bring Flevance down, plain and simple."

"Maybe," Hugo conceded, wiping down the bar with a rag. "But the truth has a way of coming' out, no matter how hard people try to bury it. You've seen the people on the streets—more and more are getting' sick. You can't deny that."

As the debate continued to swirl around the tavern, the door creaked open, letting in a draft of cool night air. A man stepped inside, his entrance barely noticed amidst the noise. He was ordinary in every way—average height, plain clothes, unremarkable features.

The kind of man who could disappear in a crowd, whose face you'd forget the moment you looked away. He moved with quiet purpose to the bar, taking a seat near the end where Hugo stood.

Hugo, ever the watchful barkeep, turned his attention to the newcomer. After running this tavern for years, he prided himself on knowing almost everyone in town, and this man was no one he recognized. Flevance might be a prosperous city, but it wasn't so large that strangers went unnoticed.

"You new in town, friend?" Hugo asked, his deep voice carrying above the din of the bar. "Don't reckon I've seen you around here before."

The man looked up, his expression calm and neutral, as if he wasn't the least bit bothered by the chaos around him. "Just passing through," he said, his voice as forgettable as his appearance.

Hugo raised an eyebrow, wiping his hands on his apron. "Well, welcome. What'll you have?"

The man ordered a simple ale, nothing fancy. As Hugo poured the drink, the debate in the tavern grew louder. One man was now practically shouting about the conspiracy behind the Amber Lead scandal, while another swore up and down that the symptoms were real and that the sickness had already begun spreading through the lower districts.

"See that?" the man closest to Hugo said, shaking his head in disbelief. "This is what happens when you let rumors spread. People panic over nothing!"

"Nothing, huh?" Hugo responded, sliding the ale across the bar to the newcomer. "We'll see if it's nothing when the truth finally hits. Mark my words, this Amber Lead business is real, and it's going to blow up sooner than any of us think."

The unassuming man at the bar took a sip of his drink, watching the scene unfold with an unsettling calm. He said nothing, only listening as the town's people argued, oblivious to the storm that was brewing all around them.