Chapter 169: 169: Tequila Wolf
Tequila Wolf, the Kingdom on the Bridge in the East Blue, is a bridge known as the Nation of Laborers that has existed for 700 years. The World Government transports slaves and prisoners there to form a workforce of over one hundred thousand bridge builders. In this nominal kingdom, there are no civilians, only slave laborers and overseers.
For centuries, the purpose of the Kingdom on the Bridge has remained unknown to everyone, with only the Gorosei and Imu knowing its true goal. However, those who have looked into it know that the day of the bridge's completion is still far off, requiring at least several hundred more years, if not longer.
The bridge deck, made of solid rock, is a full kilometer wide. Rows of crude wooden shacks are built across the entire span, resembling a massive concentration camp.
Once a section of the bridge is completed, the town of slaves moves along with it. Over the centuries, the entire bridge has accumulated hundreds of abandoned settlements.
Thousands of wooden shacks form a bleak town. No slave dares to wander outside it, as the guards mercilessly shoot anyone who attempts to do so.
Blizzard-laden gales buffet this bridge that consumes lives, covering the vast deck in a thick layer of snow. Despite the brutal weather, as the alarm sounds, slaves dressed in thick, filthy work uniforms emerge from their shelters.
Everyone lines up in an orderly fashion and heads toward their assigned workstations. Among the nearly one hundred thousand laborers are not only adult men, women, and the elderly, but even eight-year-old children are a common sight.
The slave population of the Kingdom on the Bridge consists of criminals, slaves, and kidnapped citizens from non-affiliated nations. From the moment they set foot on this bridge, their fate is sealed. They will never leave the Kingdom on the Bridge for the rest of their lives, until death claims them.
On average, hundreds of thousands of people are worked to death every ten years. This cycle has repeated for seven centuries, and the bridge, though not particularly long, has accumulated an immeasurable number of souls.
...
"Bang, bang, bang, bang, bang."
Several corpses of laborers worked to death are thrown directly off the bridge, and the carnivorous fish gathered below begin a brief feast.
Amid the dust that even the wind and snow cannot conceal, the overseers constantly swing their whips, lashing slaves they deem to be slacking off.
"Work faster! Don't even think about slacking off!"
A barbed whip tears into the skin of an old woman. The perpetrator, wearing a ferocious expression, has no intention of stopping. This cruel scene ignites anger in many hearts, but the recent increase in guards leaves them too afraid to speak out.
The vast bridge deck is constantly patrolled by armed guards, while CP agents remain hidden in various corners, observing everything. The World Government believes that certain individuals will not give up easily.
The changes in the Kingdom on the Bridge were primarily caused by the riot three months ago, forcing the World Government to deploy additional personnel to guard this world-renowned structure.
Under normal circumstances, the World Government would not place much importance on Tequila Wolf. Aside from its labor force and construction materials, there is little of value here, making it unworthy of excessive attention.
However, the failed uprising planned by the Revolutionary Army three months earlier completely drew the World Government's focus to this place.
With the situation in the New World growing increasingly unstable, the World Government absolutely could not allow large-scale unrest to erupt in the Four Seas. Over the past three months, its military efforts against the Revolutionary Army had increased significantly.
As the workers began their grueling labor, a black-haired woman wearing a worker's uniform quietly blended into the crowd. Her bright eyes constantly scanned her surroundings, searching for the figure who had once helped her.
Beneath the worker's cap was a head of beautiful jet-black hair. Her delicate face, partially hidden, carried an intellectual charm. Even beneath the thick work uniform, her graceful figure remained difficult to conceal.
This woman was none other than Nico Robin, who had left the Kingdom on the Bridge more than two months ago.
More than three months earlier, she had been sent flying to the Kingdom on the Bridge by Bartholomew Kuma's ability. Injured and lacking proper clothing, she had been saved by a little girl named Soran and brought back to her temporary home.
Unfortunately, after someone reported them, Robin had no choice but to surrender voluntarily in order to protect the people who had helped her. Following her capture, she was imprisoned in a special detention facility and interrogated. The authorities even intended to hand the Devil Child over to the World Government.
It was then that Robin seized an opportunity to steal the keys and escape. During her breakout, she encountered members of the Revolutionary Army who were preparing to launch a liberation movement. Since Robin and the Revolutionary Army shared the same objective, they quickly joined forces and attempted to overthrow the bridge's oppressive rule.
However, an unexpected development occurred.
A young man claiming to be a member of the God's Knights appeared. Arrogant and haughty, he crushed the Revolutionary Army's forces with overwhelming power. Had the Revolutionary Army's leader not desperately held him back, Robin and the others would never have escaped the Kingdom on the Bridge alive.
Afterward, Robin was taken to Baltigo, the headquarters of the Revolutionary Army.
There, she met Luffy's father, Monkey D. Dragon, Chief of Staff Sabo, and many other high-ranking members of the organization, including the commanders of the various armies.
The failure at the Kingdom on the Bridge did not weaken her resolve. Instead, it strengthened her determination to become more powerful and pursue the goals she had always sought.
After three months of training, the Revolutionary Army decided to reignite the liberation movement at the Kingdom on the Bridge.
Unlike the previous attempt, this operation involved high-ranking members of the Revolutionary Army. As a result, they no longer feared confronting that member of the God's Knights.
Leading the mission was the commander of the East Army, Belo Betty, the user of the Pump-Pump Fruit. Alongside her was the commander of the South Army, Morley, the user of the Push-Push Fruit and the creator of Level 5.5 within Impel Down.
The commanders of the Revolutionary Army were all top-tier powerhouses renowned throughout the world.
For this operation, besides Robin, numerous skilled Revolutionary Army members had infiltrated different parts of the Kingdom on the Bridge. The moment the signal was given, they would ignite a spark that would engulf this bridge of sin in flames.
...
A powerful icy wind swept across the bridge, causing Robin to hold down her hat as she exhaled a cloud of white breath into the freezing air.
"Soran, where are you? I hope you're alright."
If the riot from three months ago had been thoroughly investigated, the authorities might have uncovered her connection with Soran. A little girl who had aided an enemy of the World Government would undoubtedly face a tragic fate.
As Robin anxiously searched for Soran, a bare-chested man with a perfectly proportioned physique worked nearby with remarkable efficiency.
He lifted a massive hammer with ease. Every swing caused his muscles to ripple, revealing sharply defined lines across his body.
His handsome appearance and flawless physique, reminiscent of a demigod, possessed an undeniable charm that attracted the attention of many female slaves. Some even stared openly, unable to hide their fascination.
Several guards wearing red coats looked even more displeased by the sight. However, the man's displayed strength made them reluctant to provoke him despite their jealousy, leaving them with no choice but to grumble among themselves.
"Pah, what's with that damn slave acting so impressive? He's going to die on this bridge sooner or later anyway."
"That's right. There's nothing to envy about a lowly slave."
"Who said I was jealous? After he finishes his work today, I'm definitely going to teach him a lesson. Let's see if he still feels like walking around shirtless in this freezing weather after that."
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