Trini: "Let me understand. The Pope is a power-hungry guy who does evil things in the name of God or something."
Dante: "Yeah, something like that."
It's been two days since I spoke with Johnny about power and journalists. The good thing is that the main mission has been resolved: finding out what happened to those people. But now we're embroiled in this situation, and I don't plan on leaving without doing anything about what's happening. My honor as a hero would be tarnished. I couldn't go on with my life knowing I didn't do anything.
Trini, Sulli, and Arthur delayed returning for two reasons. The first was that they had lost the keys to the seastone handcuffs they had. Eventually, with a lockpick and a former member of the Thieves' Guild, they were able to free him. The second was to recover the Durindana from the nobleman who still possessed it. All it took was the Trinity treatment for the nobleman to return it.
I was just now recounting the entire situation from beginning to end, mostly to Arthur.
Arthur: "So now we're embroiled in a possible civil war in the country?" he asked. Half of his body was bandaged. Half of the wounds were caused by the guards, the other half by Trini.
Dante: "Possibly, nothing like that will happen, but it's very likely that an incident will occur, especially with that madman in power."
Arthur: "The situation with the church is very complicated. While I was in prison, I was able to hear and learn a lot of things." It's worth noting that he was there for about a week. "Drugs, extortion, trafficking, everything. They used the thieves' guild as a cover for all the bad things they did. I also heard that they let pirates come in and destroy the city a bit and then arrest them, but those are rumors among prisoners, nothing proven."
Dante: "Maybe it's true. A rumor always comes from a real event, and knowing it, it could be true. They did this to enhance the image of the guards and charge more to the villagers for the damages and the situation."
Sulli: "Most likely, he got them into debt and then sold them as slaves to the nobles or slave traders who come here."
Trini: "The noble who owned the spear confirmed to us that the slaves he had were from the same country. We also asked the slaves themselves. But they all remained silent, as if they couldn't speak, perhaps out of fear? So we were never able to verify if they were captured by the guild."
Sulli: "But looking at it this way, maybe it wasn't them."
Dante: "It's worth mentioning that they didn't do good things, but they weren't that bad either."
At that moment, Hun arrived through the window. When the three of them arrived, I sent Hun with a note for Amon saying my teammates had arrived and that we were ready. Hun arrived with another note on his leg. It must be a message from Amon. I went over to take the message and read it.
Dante: "We must act tomorrow, no matter what."
Sulli: "Why?"
Trini: "What happened?"
Dante: "The world nobleman is arriving in Welliston in three days," I addressed my teammates.
We must do this before Mercedes gets here and can further ruin the situation. Knowing him, it won't be enough. I have a way to stop him, but I have to wait until tomorrow.
Dante: "You have the rest of the day to rest and prepare for the worst." I looked at Arthur. "How is your physical condition?"
Arthur: "A little sore, but nothing serious. With Sulli's medication and some rest, I'll be ready to fight tomorrow."
Dante: "Good," I addressed the others, "You have the rest of the day off." I headed to my room. He had something he wanted to check on my system that would be crucial to stopping all of this.
*The next day*
All ready, as if for an imminent battle, we went to the capital's plaza. The day I told him we were ready, Amon told everyone in the capital that he was going to give a very important speech today. Before all that, we were going to meet to go over what we were going to do.
We met at one end of the capital, where Amon, Isis, and three royal guards were accompanying us.
Amon: "Hey," he said with a nod of greeting. We all greeted each other, and there were also introductions. I greeted my teammates and friends, while he greeted the royal guards, who have been friends for a long time.
Amon: "We've known each other since we were kids. If I have to put my life on the line, it will be with them by my side."
Royal Guard 1: "It's an honor to be here with you, Your Majesty and dear friend."
Dante: "Yes, yes, there are a lot of macho tears and all, but I need something from you," I said to Amon.
Amon: "And that would be it?"
Dante: "Your den den mushi and the number of the world noble, I have a way to stop him in his tracks, or at least start conversations." He looked at me a little seriously but nodded.
Amon: "No problem, I trust you," he said as he handed me the magic snail and a piece of paper.
Dante: "Thank you," I said as I took it, "I won't be long. I'll finish here and we'll move to the plaza." Everyone nodded. They didn't ask me why I would talk to him in private, most likely they would ask me later.
Walking to a distance where no one could hear me, I picked up the den den mushi and dialed.
*purururu purururu purururu gacha*
???: "What do you need now, trash?" an arrogant voice was heard.
Dante: "It's me, idiot, Dante Manmayer." The den den mushi fell silent.
Mercedes: "Fuck it if it's you, you bore, for so long. You don't know what a small spectacle was created when you left, especially when you were one of the most sought-after representatives of these bitches, obviously with me having many more points than you."
Dante: "That doesn't matter now. I'll call you since you're coming to Welliston, right?"
Mercedes: "Yes, how do you know?"
Dante: "Because I'm here."
Mercedes: "Yes, and what are you up to, supposed hero? I imagine you want me not to go there."
Dante: "Exactly. Since I know you know me, I know you too. Let's make this quick. I know you gave a Devil Fruit to the country's Pope. I'm offering you another one in return, and a favor of mine that you can do in the future, as long as you don't come here and take the princess of this country."
Mercedes: "Hmmmm, what's the Devil Fruit?"
Dante: "The Permeability Fruit makes you permeable to everything, so it can pass through anything. It will make you untouchable. In a fight, no one will be able to touch you if you don't want to, what are you saying?"
Mercedes: "A pretty fancy fruit and a favor from the hero of Paradise. Just because we're acquaintances and you helped me with Martinez, I'll accept your deal. I can be a lot of things, but I'm not ungrateful. Where will you give me the fruit then?"
Dante: "We'll meet in Sabaody. I have some business to attend to here, and then I'll go there."
Mercedes: "Okay, I wasn't that interested in the princess anyway; I was just doing it to mess with the country's royalty. I'll see you there."
*Clang*
I ended the call. I went back to where the others were waiting and talking.
Dante: "I'm ready now. I managed to make a deal with the world nobleman, and he won't come here to take Princess Isis anymore."
The two brothers celebrated in their own way. They also went to give me a hug and thank me.
Amon: "Thank you very much, Dante."
Isis: "Yes, thank you very much, Dante. I don't know how to make it up to you."
Dante: "Oh, don't worry, I didn't really do much for you to thank me for," I said, trying to be as nonchalant as possible, looking away and brushing off the hate, trying not to show interest in the praise they were giving me. "Well, let's not waste time. Let's go to the plaza."
Everyone did that. We started walking toward the plaza since it wasn't far enough to walk there. I was at the back when Trini suddenly joined me.
Trini: "Who's Martínez?" I should have guessed.
Dante: "A piece of trash whose snout I kicked in the rear."
Trini: "Fine, you'll tell me what that was all about later," I sighed heavily.
Dante: "Okay, but don't let anyone know. I don't like to tell anyone about my past," I said reluctantly. She nodded, and we didn't say anything else until we got to the plaza.
Everything was ready. There were people already there, and some still arriving. There were still a few minutes left until the speech began.
As time passed, I felt a pressure in my chest as if something bad was going to happen. Suddenly, someone tugged at my wrist by the shirt. It was Trini. She also looked distressed. She must be feeling the same way I was.
Mire and Amón were already on the catwalk in front of the entire audience. It was too late for regrets. All we had to do was wait until it was over. Amón was alone in front of the audience, while we stood to the side, looking around.
Amon: "Dear citizens," he began, "today I come to tell you about some news, something that will change your perception of everything you've done. And this isn't my fault, and it's not the crown's fault, because of our incompetence." The audience began to murmur among themselves. Everyone was watching, including us. "But it's time to change things, to start telling the truth, even if it's little by little, so we can be free again."
The feeling of unease kept growing in my chest. Something bad was going to happen. I had my hand on the Sword Buster in case something happened, and I had to defend both Amon and Isis.
Amon: "We can't continue like this, and to start, I'll tell you this. Everything related to the church is a lie. They've been deceiving you all this time for their own convenience."
Words of denial and disbelief began to be heard. After so many years of being followers of the church, it's normal to deny Amon's words.
Suddenly, I felt a sensation coming from behind me. I turned around and opened my eyes. I hurried to Amon.
Amon: "You might not believe everything I'm saying, bu..." He couldn't finish what he was saying, as a spear pierced his chest, aimed straight at his heart.
His attacker was at my swords. There on the roof of a large house was Johnny, wearing a hood, his arm covered in haki. He had sent the spear to Amon.
Screams were heard, both from the crowd and from Isis, who was not far away.
Johnny: "Don't pay attention to this heretic," he said as he flew toward us. His appearance brought the agitated crowd to a screeching halt. "That man was someone against the church. He wanted them to fall into sin. He was possessed by a demon, and God asked me to save him. He was beyond saving."
Dante: "Shut up, you're crazy!!!" I yelled at the top of my lungs so everyone could hear me. "You're a manipulator! You and your men are the true sinners of this country. Everything bad the thieves' guild did, you did it all, you just used it as a cover!" The chatter of the people could be heard.
Villager 1: "It's true, my sister went to church once and never returned. Shortly after, her entire family disappeared," was heard in the village.
Villager 2: "Yes, my sister enrolled to become a nun and ended up as a slave to a nobleman who lives in the northern town."
Villager 3: "My neighbors, who couldn't afford to pay their church taxes, ended up being burned. It was probably them."
I could hear those who were against the church raising their voices, making the church look bad.
Johnny looked at me with a cold, angry expression. Hate.
Johnny: "That's what he wants, huh?" He raised his hand, and four swords emerged from where he was, resting on his back. Guards also emerged with rifles in their hands, pointing them at the people around him, trapping him in a circle.
Out of nowhere, an explosion was heard coming from the palace. They knew this was going to happen; the plan was leaked. Only one of the four could have done it.
Johnny: "I see you all want to be sinners, then you'll die by the hand of God, and I think it's time to change the royal family, the whole thing. Guaridas, whoever doesn't shoot, I'll not only kill you, but I'll torture and destroy your entire family," he threatened his guards.
I saw the situation: we were surrounded. Amun was dead, Isis crying by his side, the guards, like the boys, protecting her. I set my sights on them.
Dante: "Sulli, go to the Castle with Isis and the royal guards. Arthur and Trini, defend the people from the guards!!!" I told them.
Johnny: "Fire!" And the massacre began.
And without wasting any time, I threw myself at him.
The others left with Amun's corpse toward the palace.
Johnny simply placed two swords in front of him without moving a finger to defend himself. He threw me upward. Seizing the moment, with a geppo and an instant soru, he threw me at him.
This time, he defended himself with both his floating swords and his hands, holding a sword in each hand. And we crashed to the ground.
We landed in a place further away from the gunfire.
We stared at each other for a few seconds. He looked at me with a smile, reached out his hand, and I felt like I was being grabbed by a giant, invisible hand.
Johnny: "Tell me what you're going to do now, Dante?"