Response

"You will be the Vice President of Baroque Works from now on, and you will be responsible for contacting others on my behalf," Xia Qiu said, looking at Heckle.

"I will do my best to complete it."

Heckle quickly responded. After a brief moment of astonishment, once he confirmed that the Giant Beast in front of him was the company president, he accepted the result and found it quite reasonable.

No wonder the president never shows up, and no wonder Robin is often seen traveling with Giant Beast.

He had no objection; the other party's favor to him was genuine, helping him improve significantly, and becoming the Vice President represented an increase in power and status.

Like Zala, who has now traveled to the Drum Kingdom, where she could become the queen if she succeeds.

Xia Qiu was very satisfied with Heckle's attitude, so he said, "You will work for me first. After a while, I will teach you a special skill that can increase your combat power."

"Thank you, President."

Heckle immediately said that, and then asked, "President, I'm going to stay by your side from now on. What about the casino?"

"Cecilia will be in charge then; she will take over as MR3 from you," Xia Qiu replied.

Once Cecilia has learned how to shave, she will send her away to the Aru-Ma City.

Her strength was more than enough to guard that place.

Not only that, she can also train Vivi and help her improve her strength.

Furthermore, Heckle's promotion would elevate Cecilia's ranking, making her MR3.

"Contact Vivi for me and wait for her to report on the Blackbeard Pirates."

Xia Qiu looked at Heckle, who immediately picked up Den Den Mushi and dialed Vivi's number.

"Please take me to see Queen Zala ..."

Dalton looked at the guard in front of him and made his request with some hesitation.

"Come with me."

The guards led Dalton into the house and inside.

Zala lived in a village not far from the port, in the most luxurious house. Although it felt a bit like a forced sale, it was enough to satisfy the homeowner.

Dalton followed the guard into the living room. Firewood was burning in the fireplace, and a wave of heat washed over him. At the same time, he saw Zala.

Zala was lying on her side on the sofa, wearing a long red dress, her full breasts almost bursting out of the dress, and her two long legs extending from the hem and resting on the sofa.

She was lying there, picking up a cherry and putting it in her mouth.

"Queen Zala."

Upon seeing this, Dalton coughed, not daring to look at her, and called out with his head down.

"It's you."

Zala straightened up, placed her long legs on the ground, looked at Dalton, and asked curiously, "How does your arm feel?"

"The treatment and bandaging are complete, and a brace has been used for fixation. It will recover in a few days," Dalton replied honestly.

"Yeah?"

Zala yawned and asked lazily, "Dalton, what brings you here?"

Just as Dalton was about to speak, Zala twirled her finger and said, "Sit down, what are you standing for?"

"Good."

Upon hearing this, Dalton sat down on the sofa to the side. After sitting down, he wiped the sweat from his brow and was about to speak when Zala spoke again.

"Take off your cotton coat, it's warm here. Look how sweaty you are."

Zala pointed at Dalton's clothes and shook her head.

"No need for that, I just want to say a few words."

Dalton quickly replied that he dared not do anything too outrageous. Although he did not want her to become the queen of the country, given her status, it was best to maintain respect.

"All right."

Zala nodded, and just as Dalton was about to speak, Zala asked again, "Do you want some fruit? I brought some from somewhere else."

"I..."

Dalton was repeatedly interrupted, which left him somewhat exasperated; this queen was rather unreliable.

But she didn't make a fuss about it, since the other person had been kind in their words, asking her to sit down, worried that she was too hot, and offering her fruit.

"No need," Dalton quickly replied.

"I've already asked, Drum Kingdom doesn't have cherries."

Zala pushed the fruit bowl directly towards Dalton and said, "Have a taste, don't be shy."

"All right."

Dalton sighed, reached out and took a cherry, and put it in his mouth.

"How was it?" Zala asked with great interest.

Dalton's eyes lit up slightly, he coughed, and said, "Very good."

"Since you like to eat, you can take some fruit back with you later," Zala said, pointing to the fruit.

"No need for that..." Dalton quickly refused.

"Oh, it's just a little thing, not worth much," Zala said. "Or do you look down on these?"

No, that's not it.

Dalton said, looking into Zala's eyes, "Then I accept, Zala Queen Paula."

"That's more like it."

Zala nodded, crossed one leg, and looked at Dalton, saying, "By the way, what's up?"

"That's right."

Dalton wiped the sweat from his brow, shifted his body slightly, and said, "I've come here to ask Queen Zala, are you determined to conquer this country?"

"Certainly."

Zala said with a smile, "Didn't I tell you? I want to restore the homeland of the Volcano Kingdom."

"So, how do you intend to treat us?"

Dalton looked at Zala and said.

Upon hearing this, Zala's expression turned serious, and she said, "Now that I have become king, you are naturally my people. My country is almost gone, and I have come here to rebuild the country and make it even stronger in order to continue the glory of my ancestors."

Dalton hesitated upon hearing this, and asked, "Then what methods do you intend to use to govern this country? And what means do you intend to use to make this country strong?"

"It's very simple. The way we govern our country is by the rule of law."

Zala carefully recalled the pamphlet the president had mentioned and replied, "Our basic strategy is to establish comprehensive laws, ensuring that everyone, from top to bottom, abides by the national laws and that those who violate them are subject to trial. The Constitution has the highest legal force, followed by criminal law, property law, and administrative licensing law."

"Establishing a sound legal system is indeed fundamental to governing a country, but..." Dalton pondered for a moment, then looked at Zala and said, "But does this law also have binding force on you?"

"Certainly."

Zala said, "Everyone living in this country is protected by the law."

Xia Qiu told her this, and she initially felt constrained, but then she thought that this country belonged to her, and if she didn't abide by the law herself, how could she expect others to do so?

Zala's thinking was simple, but Dalton nodded to himself and asked, "You just said that you hope the country will be strong, but our country is located on Winter Island, in a remote location, and the people can barely make a living. What methods do you have to make the country strong and the people prosperous?"

"This problem..."

Zala stretched and leaned back against the sofa, her clothes slightly pulled open to reveal a large expanse of fair skin.

Dalton immediately lowered his head, not daring to look around. Zala said, "I have many ideas, but how to implement them for now requires further practice. For example, trade. To our east, there is a powerful country called Alabasta; we can trade with them. We..."

"Alabasta?" Dalton, somewhat surprised.

Zala said, "That's right, we are the Winter Island, and they are the Summer Island. We each have our own unique economic crops that we can trade with."

"But you may not know about Queen Zala."

Dalton sighed and said, "Our Drum Kingdom and the Alabasta Kingdom are hostile countries with virtually no contact and have even had some disagreements."

Dalton recalled a few years earlier when he accompanied Walpol to the World Government Conference, where Wapol and King Cobra of Alabasta were locked in a fierce argument.

During a break in the meeting, Wapol, harboring resentment, deliberately bumped into Vivi, the Princess of Alabasta, and mocked her. However, the young Vivi did not cry; instead, Wapol apologized and backed down.

At that time, he saw the differences between the two countries, and that was indeed the case.

The little girl named Vivi has now helped Alabasta grow into a powerful nation. Vivi inherited the Devil Fruit ability of the former Shichibukai and became a hero who protects Alabasta. She has even spearheaded the revival of a city.

Thinking of Vivi, and then of Wapol, Dalton couldn't help but sigh.

Zala smiled and said, "But the king has changed. If we cooperate with them, they might not refuse us, right? Even if it doesn't work out, we have to try. If possible, I will personally talk to their king."

If they don't agree, I'll go to Cobra myself. If Vivi doesn't agree, I'll go to the president. How could they possibly disagree?

"In person?"

Dalton was mistaken. If the other party refused, she would have to compromise on certain things if she was willing to go in person.

As a king, her willingness to do these things for her people greatly improved Dalton's opinion of her.

Zala said, "Besides that, we need to think about how to proceed further. Of course, you can also tell me if you have any ideas."

"I see."

Dalton nodded, then stood up and said, "Zala for your reply today, Queen Paula. I apologize for taking up your time."

"Fine."

Zala smiled and said, "If you have any questions, you can ask me again."

"Then I'll take my leave."

Dalton got what he wanted, stood up, and prepared to leave.

"Don't forget the fruit."

Zala called out from behind, Dalton stopped. Zala had some fruit packed for him, and after thanking her, Dalton left with the fruit.

"How about it?"

As soon as Dalton returned to his room, he was surrounded by more than a dozen militiamen.

"She is a capable person, but whether she is kind or not is unknown. Whether she is a good person is still unknown."

Dalton said, picking up the bag, "Oh, and she also gave me some fruit; everyone can try some."

"Damn it, damn it."

Marcel was bound, and he struggled constantly, but he couldn't break free of the ropes at all. His arms were already swollen from being rubbed by the ropes.

"These bastards, I'm going to kill them."

Marcel stared angrily at Clown Buggy and his gang celebrating in the distance. Everyone on the cargo ship except himself had been killed by Clown Buggy.

Uncle Joezer, his partner, and the crew who trusted him.

Some of them followed him on ocean voyages because they believed in him. Others were invited by him to work on the ship.

But they were all dead.

But I survived. How will I face their relatives and friends then?

Two days ago, I arrived on the island and immediately called the Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber of Commerce decided to pay the ransom and has already sent people over.

During these few days of contact, a pirate told him that they had no intention of letting him leave and that they planned to kill him once the ransom was delivered.

We must leave here.

Marcel was bound by ropes, his body wrapped several times, and his hands were also tied. He had no room to exert force and was unable to break free.

what to do?

Marcel looked around and noticed a huge box nearby.

Seeing one corner of the box, Marcel moved closer, gathered the ropes near his hands to the corner, and then slowly rubbed them together.

One, two, three.

The corner of the box occasionally brushed against Marcel's arm, leaving a bloody mark, but Marcel did not stop moving.

Fifteen minutes later.

Snap

The rope snapped, freeing Marcel's hands, and he grabbed the rope and pulled hard.

Click.

The ropes on both sides broke, and this rope fell off his body.

Marcel regained his freedom, went to the door, and looked outside. On a high platform in the distance, the members of the Buggy Pirates were celebrating.

The door was locked.

It would be difficult for him to escape the rope's restraints.

what to do?

Marcel retrieved the rope, wrapped it around his neck, and hopped to the door, calling out, "Someone come here! Someone come here!"

What are you doing?

The pirate on guard walked over, glaring at Marcel with displeasure. Everyone else was celebrating, but he was still on his duty of surveillance.

"I need to speak with Captain Buggy."

Marcel said, "I have something to tell Captain Buggy: the Shining Gold Merchant Association may bring a navy."

"What?"

The pirate's eyes widened, and then he said, "Wait a moment, I'll go find the captain."

The pirates immediately found Buggy and whispered a few words in Buggy ear. Buggy beckoned and said, "Bring him here."

"Come with me."

The pirate returned to the door, took out the key, and opened the door.

But as soon as the door opened, Marcel punched him in the face, knocking him unconscious.

Then he grabbed the long sword at the other man's waist and rushed away into the distance.

"They ran away, they ran away."

Upon seeing this, one of the pirates shouted loudly, and two other pirates blocked Marcel's path from the other side.

"Pfft, pfft."

Marcel swiftly brought down his knife, and both men collapsed to the ground, blood spurting from their wounds.

Marcel ran to the edge of the house, leaped forward, jumped onto another house, then ran to the other end and jumped down.

"Run? How could I let you get away?"

Buggy snorted and looked into the distance, saying, "Kajiba, catch up with him and take care of him."

"Yes."

Kajiba, riding his unicycle, immediately pedaled and chased after Marcel at an extremely fast speed.

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