A Sudden Transformation!

Rosa had arrived at the critical moment, just as Ron was about to be arrested.

No matter how many ulterior motives she had, Rosa was still the Queen. The nobles did not want to be branded as people who "did not understand etiquette," since that was the foundation of their "nobility." Thus, they obediently bent at the waist and saluted, a vast swath of them moving in unison.

Even Fred was no exception.

After the salute, Fred glanced at the fat man being carried away, then said to Rosa, "Your Majesty, this naval errand boy injured Prince Andrew and committed an unforgivable offense. I beg Your Majesty to punish him severely!"

The moment Fred spoke, the surrounding nobles began clamoring.

"Yes, Your Majesty! He's far too audacious and must be severely punished!"

"For the honor of the nobility! Killing such a lowly commoner would barely be enough to quell our outrage!"

That dead fatso was actually a prince of a kingdom?

Surrounded by the crowd, Ron's eyes shifted as surprise flashed across his face. But when he recalled the Queen's summons earlier, he became fearless again.

He even shot Queen Rosa a meaningful look, pointing at the maid who was struggling to prop herself up as she knelt nearby.

As the Queen of the Flower Capital, Rosa had weathered every kind of storm. With a single glance, she saw through Ron's intentions. If Ron had acted as a naval errand boy, no one could protect him—not even Garp. There was a clear dividing line between commoners and nobles, one that even stood above the law. An errand boy was no different from a commoner.

But... what if he was not an errand boy?

So Rosa ignored Fred and the others, turning instead toward the maid.

Fred suddenly felt a sense of foreboding and reached out to stop her. But at that moment, Ron stepped forward and blocked him with his broad back. Fred's hand, which had been reaching to stop the Queen, pressed against Ron's back, yet he could not push him aside.

"This brat..."

A trace of surprise flashed through his eyes. When he exerted more force, the lightning that erupted from Ron sent Fred stumbling half a step back.

Fred withdrew his hand and silently rubbed his fingers, his expression dark. "You're that naval rookie, the Rumble-Rumble Fruit User, Ron?"

He had managed to investigate even Garp's route, so how could he have failed to uncover Ron's information? Not to mention that at the harbor, Garp had sent him flying with one punch, exposing his identity. But Ron was still a member of the Navy. As long as he was Navy, Fred had nothing to fear!

That was why Fred had never paid attention to Ron's appearance. Only after being struck by lightning did he finally recall that intelligence report.

Ron grinned at the question. "General Fred is truly well-informed. You know everything there is to know. It's true that I'm a Rumble-Rumble Fruit User, but... I'm no naval rookie!"

"What?!"

Fred's pupils contracted as he turned to look at Garp, who was stuffing his face with donuts, crumbs and grease smeared around his mouth. Understanding dawned on him.

So that's it!

To stop me, they've decided to throw away all shame?

If the Navy itself refused to acknowledge Ron as a member of the Navy, then who could prove that he was one?

If Ron was not Navy, what other identity could make him so fearless?

At that moment, Rosa walked over to the maid. With the aloofness unique to a Queen, she looked down at her and asked, "Tell me, who hit you?"

"Your Majesty, I... cough, cough..."

The maid was startled, her voice choked with emotion. She did not answer directly, since so many nobles around her were glaring at her maliciously. But when she looked up at Ron, who was confronting Fred head-on, she hesitated.

If I don't tell the truth, he'll definitely be in serious trouble, won't he?

My death is nothing, but I can't let him get hurt!

He was the only person who had stepped forward to speak for a lowly commoner like her. Knowing that her days were numbered, the maid found within herself the courage to risk everything and drag even an emperor from his throne.

Having made up her mind, the maid gritted her teeth, lowered her head to the ground, and said, "It was Prince Andrew!"

"How dare you!!"

The first person to explode in anger was none other than Queen Rosa.

Under Fred's astonished gaze, Queen Rosa darkened her face and said furiously, "Only I have the right to deal with my maid! An outsider dared to bully my maid in my own palace—does the Reese Kingdom intend to go to war with my Flower Capital?!!"

The nobles, who had been united moments ago, were utterly dumbfounded when they heard that.

What the hell?

War?!

Those words were no trivial matter coming from the Queen of the Flower Capital!!

As had been mentioned before, the Flower Capital possessed no less territory than Alabasta. Without the Desert Crocodile causing trouble from within, its national strength was renowned throughout the entire Grand Line! Otherwise... it would not have made so many Affiliated Nations of the World Government jealous enough to come and support Fred.

Though the Reese Kingdom was also an Affiliated Nation, its territory was small and its forces weak. Forget the Flower Capital—most of the nobles present could wipe it out effortlessly with their private armies. That was also the root of why the fat man was looked down upon.

Therefore, if it went to war with the Flower Capital, the Reese Kingdom was doomed to fall!

Fred was stunned as well, because if war truly broke out, it would be entirely justified, and even he would not be able to escape it.

Setting aside the respective standing of the Flower Capital and the Reese Kingdom on the seas, Andrew, as a guest, had bullied his host's maid in the host's own palace. Even if she were weaker than the other side, Queen Rosa had ample reason to declare war on the Reese Kingdom. And as the commander-in-chief, Fred would have to lead from the front once the Queen declared war.

If that happened, no one knew how much longer his ascension to the throne would be delayed!

He immediately dropped to one knee and urged, "Your Majesty! A war between nations affects far too much. Countless commoners would lose their homes and families. Please reconsider!"

The surrounding nobles all fell silent, afraid of giving Rosa an excuse to erupt.

None of the nations present could stand against the Flower Capital alone. Even if the Queen abdicated in the end, once she gave the order for war, Fred would have to obey the former Queen's command and first finish the war by destroying the Reese Kingdom before he could secure the throne.

At this moment, Fred hated Ron to the core, and he hated Andrew just as much.

If not for those two, nothing would have gone wrong at today's Tea Party, and his throne would have been guaranteed!

Now, he could only pray that the Queen would consider the cruelty of war and take back her words. After all, they were family. Fred knew very well that Rosa loved her people as though they were her own children.

"Mm, that does make sense. It's not worth wasting the people's money and effort over trash like this..."

Under Fred's tense gaze, Rosa said something that made everyone breathe a sigh of relief. Then she raised a hand and pointed at Andrew. "Throw that fat pig out! If he dares utter one more word of nonsense, tell Old Andrew to prepare for the destruction of his kingdom!"

Her aged, clouded eyes were filled with authority at that moment. Not a single noble dared meet her gaze. Even Fred, facing that imposing presence, had a face as dark as ink and did not dare argue back.

This was the bearing a ruler of a great nation should possess!

Domineering!

Compared to Cobra, that indecisive king whose good intentions always led to disaster, she was simply heaven and earth apart!

With such a people-loving yet domineering ruler protecting it, the Flower Capital's prosperity truly was no accident!

Watching from behind, Ron's eyes shone brightly. He suddenly understood why the carefree Garp had once fallen for Queen Rosa. Though he could not ask about their relationship because of the principle that "fists are justice," anyone with eyes could see it clearly!

Just then, he saw Rosa beckon to him and hurried over in a flash.

"Your Majesty!"

When Fred noticed Ron, inspiration suddenly struck him.

Wait, wasn't I here to cause trouble for him?

Although Andrew had been thrown out, laying hands on a noble was still an act of grave insubordination!

He immediately lowered his head and said with righteous indignation, "Your Majesty, although Prince Andrew was at fault first, this man is merely a commoner. Attacking a noble is equally a grave offense. I beg Your Majesty to punish him severely!"

These nobles had come to support him, so he had to show sufficient resolve.

Yet Rosa ignored him once again and instead said to Ron, "Captain Ron, you handled this matter very well. If anyone else dares offend my authority in my royal palace, I grant you permission to act first and report afterward! If anything happens, I will bear the responsibility!"

You'll bear it?

You're about to abdicate—what responsibility can you bear?!

In the end, won't I be the one taking the blame?!

And besides!

Ron... Captain?

Fred halted in his tracks and raised his head in disbelief, looking at Garp.

To stop me, your Navy has truly gone all out!!