As the World Government's negotiating delegation headed toward Chang'an City, filled with humiliation and unease, an assassination squad made up of Cipher Pol Aigis Zero's strongest killers quietly infiltrated the first half of the Grand Line.
Their target was Dalton, king of the Sakura Kingdom, which had just pledged allegiance to the Hua Empire.
The World Government dared not wage open war against the Hua Empire, so it sought to use this despicable method to make an example of him and warn the kingdoms considering joining the Hua Empire. Once Dalton died, the Sakura Kingdom would inevitably descend into chaos, and the other kingdoms watching from the sidelines would grow wary and no longer dare to turn toward the Hua Empire so readily.
The squad's leader was the strongest assassin in Cipher Pol Aigis Zero's history, code-named "Shiying." He possessed the awakened power of the Paramecia-type Shadow Control Fruit, an inferior version of Moria's fruit, and could manipulate shadows to kill without a trace. He had also honed his Armament Haki to its utmost limit, and his strength approached Admiral level. The five members under him were also among Cipher Pol Aigis Zero's finest elites, each possessing strength above Vice Admiral level.
Late at night, in the Sakura Kingdom's capital.
The entire city had fallen asleep, with only the Royal Palace patrols still making their orderly rounds. After Zhao Yun and Ma Chao had restored order and the Hua Empire's new policies had been implemented, the people of the Sakura Kingdom finally enjoyed peaceful lives, no longer having to fear pirate raids at night.
In the Royal Palace study—or rather, what should now be called the Governor's Office—Dalton was still reviewing documents by lamplight, his face full of gratified smiles. Since pledging allegiance to the Hua Empire, the people's lives