Changing In The Blink Of An Eye!

Rosa arrived, at the critical moment when Ron was about to be arrested.

No matter how many schemes she had, Rosa was the Queen. The nobles didn't want to bear the title of "lacking etiquette," which was the foundation of their "nobility," so they obediently bowed and paid their respects, a vast expanse of them.

Even Fred was no exception to this.

After the bows, Fred glanced at the fat man being carried and said to Rosa, "Your Majesty, this Marine grunt has injured His Highness Andrew and committed an unforgivable offense. I request Your Majesty to punish him severely!"

As Fred spoke, the surrounding nobles began to clamor.

"Yes, Your Majesty the Queen, he is too bold and must be severely punished!"

"For the glory of the nobles! This kind of lowlife deserves to be killed to appease our anger!"

That fat guy was actually a prince of a kingdom?

Surrounded by the crowd, Ron's eyes darted around, showing slight surprise. However, remembering the Queen's summons earlier, he felt emboldened.

He also gave Queen Rosa a wink, pointing to the maidservant who was struggling to support herself and kneeling to the side.

As the Queen of Hana, Rosa had seen all sorts of storms. With just a glance, she understood Ron's intentions. If Ron had acted as a Marine grunt, no one could protect him, not even Garp. There was a clear and distinct line between commoners and nobles, even above the law. A grunt was no different from a commoner.

But... what if he wasn't a grunt?

Therefore, Rosa ignored Fred and the others and turned directly towards the maidservant.

Fred suddenly had a bad premonition and reached out to stop her. But at this moment, Ron stepped forward, blocking him with his broad back. Fred's hand, reaching to stop the Queen, was on Ron's back, and he couldn't push Ron away at all.

"This brat..."

A hint of surprise flashed in his eyes. With more force, the erupting lightning directly forced Fred to retreat half a step.

Retracting his hand, Fred silently rubbed his fingers, his expression grim. "You are that Marine prodigy, the Rumble-Rumble Fruit user, Ron?"

He could investigate Garp's route, so how could he not find information about Ron? Not to mention that at the port, Garp had punched him and exposed his identity. However, no matter how strong Ron was, he was still a member of the Marines, and as long as he was a Marine, Fred had nothing to fear!

Therefore, Fred had never paid attention to Ron's appearance until he was struck by lightning and finally recalled this information.

In response to the question, Ron grinned. "General Fred truly has eyes everywhere and knows everything clearly. However, I am indeed a Rumble-Rumble Fruit user, but... I'm not some Marine prodigy!"

"Nani?"

Fred's pupils constricted. He looked back at Garp, whose mouth was smeared with donut crumbs, and understood.

So that's how it is!

To stop me, they're throwing all shame aside?

If the Marines themselves don't acknowledge Ron as a Marine, then who can prove he is?

If Ron isn't a Marine, then what other identity makes him so emboldened?

At this moment, Rosa walked up to the maidservant and, with a hint of the aloofness unique to a queen, asked condescendingly, "Tell me, who hit you?"

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

The maidservant was startled, her voice choked. She didn't answer directly, as so many nobles were casting hostile glances at her. However, she looked up at Ron, who was confronting Fred, and hesitated.

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

My death is insignificant, but I can't let him get hurt!

He was the only one who stood up to speak for a lowly commoner like her. Knowing her time was short, the maidservant had the spirit of someone willing to risk everything to overthrow the emperor.

With this thought, the maidservant gritted her teeth and, lowering her head, said, "It was His Highness Andrew!"

"How dare you!!"

The first to react was none other than Queen Rosa.

Under Fred's astonished gaze, Queen Rosa, with a grim expression, said indignantly, "Only I have the right to discipline my own maidservant! For an outsider to bully my maidservant in my palace, does the Reese Kingdom intend to go to war with my Hana?!"

Upon hearing this, the nobles, who had been united until now, were somewhat bewildered.

What in the world?

War?!

Coming from the Queen of Hana, this was no small matter!

As mentioned before, Hana's territory was no smaller than Alabasta's, and without Desert Crocodile causing trouble, its national strength was renowned throughout the Grand Line! Otherwise... so many World Government member nations wouldn't be so envious and come to support Fred.

Although the Reese Kingdom was also a member nation, its territory was small and its military was impoverished. Forget Hana; even the private armies of most nobles present could easily destroy it. This was also the root of why the fat man was looked down upon.

Therefore, going to war with Hana meant the certain defeat and demise of the Reese Kingdom!

Fred was also stunned at this moment, because if a war were to truly break out, it would be with just cause, and even he couldn't escape.

Regardless of the status of Hana and the Reese Kingdom at sea, Andrew, as a guest, bullied the host's maidservant in the host's palace. Even if they were weaker, Queen Rosa had ample reason to wage war against the Reese Kingdom. And Fred, as the General of the Army, would have to lead the charge once the Queen declared war on the Reese Kingdom.

This way, his ascension to the throne would be postponed indefinitely!

He immediately knelt on one knee and pleaded, "Your Majesty! War between two nations involves too much, causing countless innocent people to lose their homes and lives. I implore Your Majesty to reconsider!"

The surrounding nobles fell silent, fearing they might give Rosa an opportunity to vent her anger.

None of the countries present could challenge Hana. Even if the Queen were to abdicate in the end, once her war order was issued, Fred would have to obey the late King's instructions and first complete the war to destroy the Reese Kingdom before he could secure the throne.

At this moment, Fred hated Ron to the core, and at the same time, he hated Andrew.

If not for these two, the tea party today would have proceeded without a hitch, and my throne would have been secured!

Now, I can only hope the Queen, seeing the brutal realities of war, will retract her statement. After all, he is her own kin. Fred was well aware of Rosa's deep affection for her people, treating them as her own children.

"Hmm, what you say makes sense. It's not worth exhausting our resources and manpower for such a useless person..."

Under Fred's anxious gaze, Rosa uttered words that brought everyone a sigh of relief. Then, she raised her hand and pointed at Andrew. "Throw this fat pig out! If he dares to utter another word, tell Old Andrew to prepare for the annihilation of his kingdom!"

Her aged, cloudy eyes were now filled with majesty, and no noble dared to meet her gaze. Even Fred, faced with such authority, turned ashen and dared not retort.

This is the bearing a true monarch should possess!

Overbearing!

Compared to Cobra, that indecisive king who meant well but caused trouble, this was like comparing heaven and earth!

With such a loving and overbearing queen protecting them, Hana's prosperity was truly no accident!

Ron watched from behind, his eyes gleaming. He suddenly understood why the straightforward Garp had been smitten with Queen Rosa in the past. Although their relationship was a mystery due to the "might makes right" principle, anyone with a heart could see it!

Just then, he saw Rosa beckoning him, and he scurried over.

"Your Majesty!"

Noticing Ron, Fred had a flash of inspiration.

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

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

Immediately, he lowered his head and spoke with unwavering righteousness, "Your Majesty, while Prince Andrew was in the wrong first, this commoner laying hands on a noble is also a grave offense. I implore Your Majesty to punish him severely!"

These nobles were here to back him up, and he had to show sufficient resolve.

However, Rosa ignored him once again and spoke to Ron instead. "Captain Ron, you handled this matter excellently. If anyone else dares to offend my authority in my royal palace, I grant you permission to execute them first and report to me later! If anything happens, I will bear the responsibility!"

You'll bear it?

You're about to abdicate, what can you possibly bear?!

In the end, I'll be the one left to clean up the mess!!

And!

Ron... Captain?

Fred's steps faltered. He looked up at Garp in disbelief.

To stop me, you Marines have gone to such lengths!!