Chapter 174: 174. Strongest

Words : 1266 Updated : Oct 4th, 2025

Check out advanced chapters on P@treon: [email protected]/CosmicKaminari ---------- After a restless night of tossing and turning, Alex finally stirred awake in the master bedroom of the palace just past noon. With the main conflicts in the New World mostly settled, Alex had eased into a more carefree and indulgent lifestyle, enjoying a sense of peace that seemed almost decadent. Yawning lazily, he noticed the maids outside the palace already waiting with toiletries in hand, bowing respectfully as they approached. Allowing Lilith and Natasha to take care of his washing and dressing, Alex basked in the luxury of it all. It was a life befitting an emperor, and he had grown accustomed to this treatment. "Alex-sama, Hancock and Yamato-sama..." Hearing the mention of their names, Alex glanced at the two women still soundly asleep under the quilt beside him. He smiled lightly. "Let them sleep in." Those two were constantly at odds, always finding something to compete over. Letting them rest was the least he could do. Once his attire was arranged to perfection and his hair neatly groomed, Alex stepped out of the master bedroom, leaving the peaceful atmosphere behind. Not long after, Hancock stirred, sensing the warmth beside her had disappeared. She instinctively glanced to her side. As expected, Alex was gone. Her gaze, however, fell not on Alex but on Yamato, who remained curled up and fast asleep. This realization soured Hancock's mood. "Where is Lord Alex?" she asked, her voice tinged with impatience. Natasha, who had been quietly tending to the room, stepped forward with a respectful bow. "Master Alex woke up a short while ago and has already gone to the dining hall." "Is that so?" Though Hancock intended to get up, her body felt weak and tired from the previous night. It would have been easy to will away the exhaustion using her Haki, but she chose to keep it as a memento of Alex's affection. Sighing softly, she lay back down. Her attention drifted to the pale white strands of hair beside her, and she couldn't help but grudgingly admit that Yamato, in her quiet slumber, was as striking as she was formidable. The moment of reluctant admiration was cut short when Yamato murmured dreamily, "Alex... I still..." Before Yamato could finish, Hancock's expression darkened. Turning sharply to Natasha, she ordered, "Wake her up immediately and send her back to her own room! Her presence is disturbing my rest!" Natasha hesitated, offering a nervous smile. "Master Alex instructed that you both remain here to rest." Hancock frowned, her irritation barely contained. This wasn't even her room. Unaware of the tense scene unfolding behind him, Alex was already on his way to the dining hall, a grand space reserved for the general's city—a lavish hall reconstructed after the city's recent renovations. The dining hall was more akin to a palace of gourmet delights, showcasing Wanokuni's unparalleled craftsmanship. Only the most skilled chefs were granted access to work there. It had also become one of Perona and the others' favorite spots. "Lord Alex!" As soon as Alex stepped into the hall, Nami spotted him. Her face lit up in excitement, and she rushed over to greet him with a cheerful trot. Behind Alex followed a group of lively individuals who would one day become the main pillars of his retainers. Among them were Carina, Zoro, Perona, Law, Kuina, Pudding, and others. The moment Alex entered, their faces lit up with surprise and respect as they greeted him. Those closest to him—Perona, who had been by his side the longest; Nami, whom he had raised from childhood; and Kuina, who had trained under his guidance—offered a warmth that felt almost familial. Carina, a relatively new retainer, showed her loyalty with unwavering determination, while Zoro and Law demonstrated their respect in their own ways—one through a sense of debt, the other out of admiration for Alex's strength and leadership. Among the more reserved individuals were Ulti and Pudding, spoils of war from the recent conflicts. Ulti had adjusted to her new role more quickly, understanding the value of strength in the Beast Pirates and adapting to life in the City. For her, serving Alex as a retainer was a far better fate than languishing as a prisoner. Even so, her thoughts often drifted to her younger brother, who remained in the archipelago. Determined to improve his standing, she had forced him to join Wanokuni's military base, hoping to elevate his strength to the level required to join the Imperial Court and secure a place of honor in the nation. As Alex led the group into the grand dining hall, the room was already abuzz with activity. Retainers from Royal Court guard and others loyal to Alex were seated at the long tables, enjoying the gourmet dishes that filled the air with tantalizing aromas. The moment Alex entered, all attention naturally turned to him, the indisputable core of their gathering. But today, there was an unusual energy in the air, as if something had shifted. "Why is everyone staring at me like that all of a sudden?" Alex asked, raising an eyebrow with an amused smile. Nami and the others took their seats as Alex strolled to the main chair. He began sampling the delicacies carefully prepared by Toki, savoring each bite. "It's not just your presence, Lord Alex," Toki said with a smile, standing nearby. "It's what you achieved yesterday. The news has already spread far and wide, and now the streets of Wanokuni are alive with celebration." "That fast?" Alex asked, genuinely surprised as he continued eating. He wasn't shocked that the news had spread—after all, he had seen how quickly information traveled among the Whitebeard Pirates—but he hadn't expected it to reach global ears within a single day. "Of course," Law interjected, his voice brimming with admiration. "After all, you defeated Whitebeard—the world's strongest man!" Lafitte nodded in agreement, a glint of respect in his eyes. "As Law said, the title of the world's strongest carries a far greater impact than any battle still raging on the seas." Reflecting on his journey, Lafitte couldn't help but feel grateful for his decision to join Alex's camp. He had never imagined Alex would rise to such heights, and now he was proud to have been part of this monumental journey. More than that, Lafitte sensed that Alex's ambitions extended far beyond conquering the New World. At Alex's side, Hiyori sat with a radiant smile, her voice full of excitement. "This calls for a new song, Lord Alex! I'll compose something that sings of your glory!" "I can do that too," Maria chimed in with a playful grin. Carina, trained as a world-class singer, joined in. "I'll use my voice to share Lord Alex's incredible achievements with the world." Though Alex often dismissed the title of "strongest" as a superficial accolade, the retainers couldn't contain their joy. They were eager to celebrate, their enthusiasm echoing the adoration of the citizens of Wanokuni, who revered their Shogun with unmatched respect. In their eyes, their devotion to Alex wasn't just about his strength—it was about ensuring his happiness. Each of them strove to make him proud in their own unique way. As the lively chatter filled the room, Alex leaned back in his chair with a warm smile. He reached out to Robin, who quickly handed him the morning paper that had already set the world abuzz.

Chapter 174: 174. Strongest

Comments (0)