Chapter 288: Combat Training
As Esdeath stepped forward, Caesar and the others followed suit.
Tesla drew a short blade from his waist, his eyes cold and sharp.
Robert, Shiva, and Deidara also stepped up, grinning confidently at the soldiers surrounding them.
"Kill!"
Esdeath gave the command and immediately rushed forward.
Caesar transformed into his half-beast form, dragon claws gleaming menacingly under the sunlight.
Robert and Deidara eagerly followed.
"Oh ho! Come taste the power of your master Robert!"
"Art is an explosion!"
The two raced into the fray alongside Esdeath and Caesar. As the children of Charlotte, death was something they had been exposed to since a young age.
Charlotte never shielded his children from death. He made sure they knew that the world was a brutal place where only strength could secure their survival.
Robert took the lead, his Gas Fruit powers activating, his body transforming into a poisonous gas cloud. The deadly fumes spread rapidly, causing nearby soldiers to choke and collapse, writhing in pain before succumbing to death.
"Art is an explosion!"
With a flick of his small hand, Deidara detonated everything he touched. The soldiers' weapons and even their own bodies exploded into fragments, scattering around like broken puppets.
The street battle erupted suddenly, sending civilians fleeing in panic. The hundred-strong garrison that had arrived was almost entirely wiped out within moments by Esdeath and Caesar.
"Hey! Big sis and big bro took most of the fun! They didn't leave enough for us to play with!"
Robert pouted, crossing his arms as he reverted to his human form.
Esdeath glanced at Robert, a rare smile crossing her usually cold face.
"Don't worry, Robert. There will be plenty more to fight. You're still young, and handling too many at once would be difficult."
She gently ruffled his hair, showing a softer side that she rarely displayed to anyone but her siblings.
Clap! Clap! Clap!
A round of applause broke out as Charlotte stepped forward, clapping his hands.
"Nicely done!"
Charlotte praised Robert and Deidara, pleased by how they handled their first real combat experience. They displayed sharp instincts and utilized their abilities effectively, minimizing risks and avoiding injury.
Puffed with pride, Robert and Deidara strutted around like roosters, each trying to show off more than the other.
However, Shiva's face fell. She had hesitated earlier when she saw the gleaming spears and ended up not joining the fight.
Charlotte didn't notice his second daughter's frustration, instead giving a brief pat to the two proud boys.
"Come on, let's keep exploring."
He led the group onward, leaving behind the blood-soaked street.
To them, the carnage was almost routine. They were raised to believe that only by becoming stronger could they survive in this harsh world.
Soon, another garrison unit arrived to investigate, only to find piles of corpses littering the street. Despite the gruesome sight, they gritted their teeth and followed the trail left behind by Charlotte and his group.
But it was the same story every time—each pursuing group met the same fate. Charlotte purposefully allowed his children to take on wave after wave, honing their combat skills and mental resilience.
After several hours of continuous combat, the children were starting to wear down. Esdeath had already killed over a thousand soldiers and was visibly exhausted.
Robert and Deidara were practically out of stamina, panting heavily from the relentless fighting.
Only Caesar remained energetic, his formidable physique allowing him to keep going. Even after battling all day, he didn't show a single sign of fatigue, happily snacking on street food whenever he got the chance.
Charlotte couldn't help but feel a mix of envy and amusement at his son's endless vitality.
As the sun dipped toward the horizon, the city was filled with fear and chaos. The army commanders in the palace finally grasped the severity of the situation.
"What did you say? Over three thousand soldiers dead? And you haven't captured the culprits yet?"
The prime minister slammed his fist on the table, his face flushed with anger.
"Yes, Your Excellency. We still don't know the identities of the attackers."
The general reported grimly.
"Useless! Absolutely useless!"
The prime minister roared, his hands shaking with frustration. Just then, his secretary rushed in, holding a sealed report.
"Sir! Urgent news!"
The prime minister ripped open the envelope and scanned the contents. His face went pale, eyes widening in horror.
"What? The Rockefeller Pirates are near the Luvas Kingdom? They might land at any moment?"
His voice trembled. Even though he wasn't familiar with every pirate crew, he had heard plenty about the terrifying reputation of the Rockefeller Pirates—especially their captain, Charlotte.
"General! Bring me the latest bounty poster!"
The prime minister demanded. The general quickly retrieved it and compared it to the report.
His hands shook as he spoke, his voice filled with dread.
"Prime Minister... it's them. The man leading the massacre matches the description of Rockefeller Charlotte."
The prime minister's legs gave out, and he collapsed into his chair, his mind reeling from the gravity of the situation.
"How did the legendary pirate end up here? Call the royal guards! Sound the alarm! Inform the king immediately!"
Meanwhile, in the bustling streets, Charlotte was blissfully unaware of the chaos his actions had sparked in the palace. He strolled casually, enjoying the peaceful moment with his family while the entire city fell into turmoil behind him.
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