They followed the passage underground and boarded a train.
The pirates looked around in wonder. Many of them had never seen a vehicle like this before.
The train carried them onward along the tracks.
Before long, the group arrived at a military base outside the royal capital.
The Kingdom's military bases were all connected. Its Marine Bases generally stood along the coast or on nearby islands, while the Army bases lay inland.
At a glance, the Army Soldiers were all dressed in smart black uniforms.
"Those uniforms look a lot better than the rags the Marines wear."
One pirate couldn't help saying it.
The other members agreed.
He wasn't talking about the Kronos Kingdom's Marines, of course.
A smile appeared on Hades's face. He sensed a familiar presence.
Footsteps sounded, and an elite unit approached.
The pirates' expressions turned grave. They sensed a powerful, deeply threatening presence.
At its head was a man as tall as an Admiral, dressed in a black Army uniform with gold trim and a courtly style. A long sword hung at his waist.
His ordinary-looking body held astonishing strength, and a faint air of sharpness radiated from him.
He was a formidable swordsman, a Top Combatant.
Top Combatants were exceedingly rare. Outside the Rocks Pirates, the Marines, and the World Government, they knew of only a handful across the seas.
Yet they had encountered one as soon as they arrived in the Kronos Kingdom.
Just what kind of country was this?
Some of the crew were baffled, and more than a little shaken.
"Your Highness, you've finally returned."
The man bowed his head respectfully before Hades.
"General Zoffy—no, I should call you Fleet Admiral of the Army now. It's been a long time."
Hades smiled at this pillar of the Kingdom.
Zoffy was a pillar