In a certain kingdom of the East Blue, Shion and Hakurou were walking through a so-called "prosperous" city.
"So this is what Lord Rimuru meant by 'nobles'?" Shion's face darkened. Not far ahead, a nobleman was whipping a commoner with a riding crop. The man had merely stepped in his path by accident, yet he was being beaten mercilessly while apologizing again and again, too afraid to fight back. Blood streamed down his face, and though the surrounding people looked outraged, none dared step forward—not with the noble's armed guards standing nearby.
"Scum like this doesn't deserve to exist in this world!" Shion said coldly. She took a deep breath and turned to her companion. "Hakurou, let's start liberating the world with this country."
"No objections." Hakurou replied calmly, but the fury deep in his eyes sent chills down one's spine.
"You damn lowlife!" the noble cursed as he raised his whip again. "A filthy peasant like you actually dared block my path? I'll teach you the difference between our statuses!"
Crack!
"Aah, that kick really hit the spot." Shion calmly withdrew her leg, while the noble—now embedded headfirst in the wall of a nearby house—hung there like a decoration.
"He—he hit a noble?"
"You've gotta be kidding…"
"Is she insane? Attacking a noble? That's a death sentence for sure!"
The people stared in stunned silence. Someone had actually dared to harm a noble?! That was a direct challenge to the nation itself!
"Seize her!" the guards finally recovered and rushed forward to surround Shion.
But even as a dozen men closed in, Shion didn't so much as blink. At that moment, Hakurou casually stepped forward from behind her. He slowly unsheathed his long blade and, with a flicker, appeared in front of Shion. A second later, every guard who'd been charging at her collapsed to the ground, unconscious or worse—Dead.
"Your sword's gotten even faster, Hakurou," Shion commented calmly, completely unfazed.
"Let's move. We've wasted enough time here. Straight to the palace—we'll take control of the king himself." Hakurou sheathed his sword, his gaze already locked on the royal palace in the distance.
"You're right, let's hurry! Maybe Lord Rimuru will praise us for this." Shion's eyes sparkled with excitement as she looked toward the palace.
Their plan for the "Operation Overthrow the World Government" was simple and direct: for nations ruled by tyrants and cruelty—use brute force and topple them outright. For countries that still had a chance, they would use diplomacy, draw them in, and form alliances. For those that could not be swayed, they'd maintain friendly ties at least. At the same time, a faction was assigned to monitor the movements of the World Government and Navy, cut off any aid they tried to send, and, if possible, recruit kind-hearted individuals within those ranks to weaken the enemy from the inside. Roger and Whitebeard were gathering the strength of pirates, preparing to support the liberation of each nation.
…
Meanwhile, similar operations were breaking out across the West Blue, North Blue, South Blue, the first half of the Grand Line, and even the New World.
"What… what kind of monster is that?" a blood-soaked soldier looked up at the sky, trembling.
In the air, Veldora had reverted to his true form. His massive, sky-darkening wings blotted out the sun, plunging the entire city beneath him into shadow. Without even a thought, he crushed the king he'd caught like an insect.
"I am the Storm Dragon—Veldora. From this moment on, this nation belongs to me. Understood?" he boomed.
Elsewhere—
"This is the king?" Milim held up the man who'd been lounging on the throne with utter disbelief. "He's fat, ugly, and smells weird. Disgusting! Hey, listen up, you gross lump. I am the great Demon Lord Milim. And from now on, this kingdom is mine. Got that?"
"W-what?! Impossible!" the bloated man shrieked. "Don't you know I'm part of a World Government member nation? You're picking a fight with the entire world! Let me down now, and you might survive this. Or better yet, become my concubine—I'll forgive you then. How's that sound?" By the end, his fear had turned into perverted arrogance, as if Milim should feel honored by his offer.
Milim stared at him, her brow twitching. Was this idiot for real?
BOOM!
One punch later, the fat king was blasted through dozens of palace walls, vanishing from sight. Whether he lived or not… who cared?
"Whatever. Wasn't expecting him to agree anyway." Milim stretched lazily and grinned. "Hehehe! If I can take the most countries, Rimuru will definitely praise me a lot! And I'll get tons and tons of candy! Yes, let's do this—go Milim! You're the best! Milim is invincible!"
The nearby soldiers, who had been pretending to be dead, peeked nervously at her. What was with this sudden mood swing? One second she looked like she'd murder them all, and now she was cheering herself on like a kid trying to pass an exam?
"Whatever. Just keep playing dead. That's the safest bet."
"You guys done playing dead yet?" Milim scowled at them. "If you're gonna fake it, at least act better. You seriously think you can fool me? I can hear everything—even your thoughts."
"Get up! Anyone who doesn't, I'll knock into orbit!"
"I-I'm up! I'm up right now!"
Milim's life motto:
Why waste brainpower when you can solve things with brute force?