Queen Titi's words were very straightforward, all phrases meant to stir up emotions.
These had been prepared in advance by Sora. The wording was not ornate, even overly simple. Queen Titi merely memorized them and spoke them aloud with heartfelt emotion.
But precisely because the words were direct and concise, they could better stir people's emotions.
At this moment, the emotions of the hundred thousand or so Arabastan people below were all aroused.
"Cobra's death, Arabasta will not let go."
"Arabasta will stand against all pirates until every pirate disappears."
"Lastly, I once again express my apologies to you all."
Queen Titi slightly bowed. Under the surprised gazes of the civilians below, she gave them a bow, "I do not have the ability to govern Arabasta. The heir to Arabasta has not yet been born, so I earnestly request Saint Rosse and the Marine to temporarily manage Arabasta. I ask for everyone's understanding!"
Once these words were spoken, silence fell below.
Soon after, there were noises and murmuring voices.
But in the end, under Queen Titi's sincere gaze, those voices slowly returned to quiet.
Everyone knew this was Arabasta's helpless move.
Now that Cobra had died, and Queen Titi was only just pregnant, she truly had no strength to manage the kingdom. Having the Marine and Saint Rosse temporarily take over was a normal arrangement.
They were not unfamiliar with Rosse; in fact, many had received favors from Rosse.
In these past ten days, Rosse had basically gone wherever he went and given money wherever he went, quickly gaining Arabastan goodwill.
Add in Rosse's identity as a Celestial Dragon, having him take over the management meant there was no need to worry about a dynastic change in Arabasta.
After all, people had only ever heard of someone abandoning their kingdom to become a world noble in the Holy Land, never of a Celestial Dragon descending to a kingdom to be a king.
If there were any complaints, it would still be about Cobra's death.
When Cobra died, Rosse was present. That was an undeniable fact.
But just now, when they received Cobra's funeral carriage, many people were there and saw that Rosse might have avenged Cobra. So everyone suppressed their inner thoughts, waiting for Rosse's speech.
Arabasta needed revenge.
Cobra's death required someone to pay the price.
Even the legendary pirate Red Count could not walk free after killing their king.
They were waiting, waiting for Rosse to give them a clear answer.
Queen Titi also understood this.
In her view, Cobra's death was just an accident. At most, Rosse could be said to have failed to protect Cobra.
But on the other hand, Rosse had no obligation to protect Cobra. It could only be said that Cobra was unlucky and lacked strength.
Meeting Queen Titi's gaze, Rosse lightly nodded, took two steps forward, and stood shoulder to shoulder with her.
Throwing money in Arabasta these days was all for this moment.
Usurping a country couldn't rely on brute force, or else in the future, greater costs would be paid in management.
What he wanted had always been just one thing.
Justification and legitimacy.
Looking down at the crowd below, Rosse spoke calmly, "You all should know who I am, so I won't say more to introduce myself."
"When Cobra died, it was right in front of me. I was very angry about his death. This was not just a provocation against Arabasta, but also a provocation against me, against the World Government, and against the Celestial Dragons."
"No matter what you think, the BLOOD Cobra shed must be repaid with BLOOD."
"The unfortunate part is that my strength was not enough to take down the Red Count. In that situation, unsurprisingly, he was able to kill and escape."
Upon hearing these words from Rosse, countless people below revealed disappointed expressions.
They had thought Rosse had already avenged them.
A powerful figure like the Red Count, they could only curse him in their hearts. As for taking actual revenge, probably no one dared.
Now that even Rosse couldn't handle the Red Count, what could they do?
"But…", Rosse suddenly changed the tone of his speech and pointed to Sakazuki, who was standing upright beside him, "I couldn't take down the Red Count, but that doesn't mean Admiral Sakazuki was powerless. Sakazuki is the strongest among the Marine. In a brutal fight where injury was exchanged for injury, the Red Count was ultimately defeated and died with hatred in his heart."
Snap!
As Rosse spoke, he lightly snapped his fingers.
Using his real ability to control seawater, he moved the ice coffin containing the Red Count's corpse slowly downwards.
"A blood debt must be repaid with blood."
"The corpse of the Red Count is here. I will hang it before the palace wall, for everyone to view for seven days."
The corpse of the Red Count was very valuable.
Right now, it could be used to win the hearts of the Arabastans. After the display, it could still be handed to Sora for research.
"BLOOD FOR BLOOD!"
"SAINT ROSSE! SAINT ROSSE!"
"SAKAZUKI! SAKAZUKI!"
"..."
After Rosse finished speaking, the crowd below immediately became emotionally stirred.
People continuously shouted the names of Sakazuki and Rosse, praising their achievements.
Facing this scene, Rosse merely smiled faintly, took two steps back with Queen Titi, and left the stage to Sakazuki.
He had never cared much for fame.
Everything was for greater interests.
Compared to him, Sakazuki needed this more.
Not only was it credit that could lead straight to the position of Fleet Admiral, but also the sense of recognition from the civilians.
To receive their cheers and continue walking the correct path.
Together with him, to create a new world.
This was Rosse's answer to Sakazuki.
At this moment, Sakazuki stood before the palace wall, listening to the cheers of the civilians. Even someone like him couldn't help but feel a little moved.
He wanted to eliminate all pirates, perhaps partly for justice, but more so due to extreme thoughts born from past experiences.
Sakazuki knew this very well, but had never considered changing.
PIRATES MUST DIE!
Even if innocents were harmed, pirates must still be erased.
That was Sakazuki's only goal for living in this world.
For this, he was willing to abandon everything and pay any price.
But Sakazuki also understood that to achieve this, he needed more companions.
He needed people who shared his ideals, and also people like Rosse, those who walked a different path but supported him.
He didn't care what kind of world Rosse wanted to create.
But as long as that world had no pirates, then it was a world he wished to see.
For that, he was willing to give his strength.
Rosse also responded to his request. This was already enough to satisfy Sakazuki.
In his eyes, the crowd below shouting for the elimination of pirates could all become part of the Marine's power in the future.
Their ranks would grow stronger.
The Red Count would not be the end, but only the beginning.
One day, the evil brought by pirates would be completely eliminated from this world.
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