Sorbeth Kingdom

Sorbeth Kingdom, Southern Sea.

On the East Blue Emperor, with its dragon-headed red sails, the Morning Star Pirates were holding an internal meeting, with the intern Little Black Girl Robin taking notes.

"Captain, the East Blue Emperor is too conspicuous. Sailing straight into the Sorbeth Kingdom will likely draw the attention of the Navy and the World Government."

Fujitora continued, "To avoid unnecessary trouble for subsequent operations, I suggest you and Mr. Mihawk go in light."

Seven dismissed the crackling arcs at his fingertips and, for once, vetoed Fujitora Issho's proposal.

"Not necessary."

"We'll sail the ship in openly. Without World Government authorization, the Navy won't easily engage us, especially the Navy of the Four Seas."

"Don't underestimate our influence."

After the Yonko system took shape on the seas in later years, why did they coexist peacefully with the Navy for so long?

The World Government wanted stability and order. Starting a war with a Yonko crew would only cause chaos, which didn't align with their interests.

Though the Morning Star Pirates were few in number, each member was a walking natural disaster—

A captain who summoned thunderstorms, a Vice Captain who could split mountains and seas with a casual swing, and a combatant who called down meteors. The Navy would need to deploy at least three Admiral-level fighters for a chance to take them down.

The cost outweighed the gain. The World Government wouldn't make such a losing deal.

Seven pointed at the map hanging behind him.

"The Sorbeth Kingdom has been split in two by the current King, Bekri. The northern cities remain an Affiliated Nation of the World Government and continue to pay Celestial Gold, while the southern countryside has become a lawless zone."

"This guy's got brains, but not many."

Celestial Gold was collected based on population.

It was a tribute system where the World Government's 170 Affiliated Nations paid annual offerings to the Celestial Dragons, transported by Navy warships to the Holy Land of Mary Geoise to maintain their vassal status.

King Bekri's plan was to split the kingdom in half, reducing the population and thus lowering the amount of Celestial Gold owed to the Celestial Dragons.

Such tactics were common on the seas.

Compared to the massive sums of Celestial Gold, the kings couldn't care less whether half their people lived or died.

After all, the filth and corruption on these seas weren't limited to the Celestial Dragons. Kings, nobles, pirates, and even some Navy officers were no better.

Seven pointed to a specific area on the map.

"After the God Valley battle, Kuma and Ginny returned to the South Blue. They're currently serving as priests at the Southern Countryside Church, treating civilians for free."

"If we want to ease Kuma's concerns, we have to overthrow King Bekri's rule and find a proper King for the Sorbeth Kingdom."

"Back in the era of the former King, Bulldog, the kingdom was poor, but the people were rich at heart..."

Mihawk cut in flatly, "The problem is the poverty..."

Seven spread his hands.

"Poverty has nothing to do with us. The Celestial Dragons are the ones who plundered their wealth."

"We're not saviors. Giving them a relatively free and democratic environment is already plenty. Changing their impoverished lives is up to them."

"Mi-san, let's head into town to buy supplies. Mr. Fujitora, stay and guard the ship."

Mihawk nodded slightly. "Fine."

He kept insisting on developing in the shadows, and now, the moment we reach the Sorbeth Kingdom, he wants to overthrow the current king's rule.

Only you, Beelzebul!

Before long, the East Blue Emperor docked steadily at the Southern Town port.

With the crew short-handed, restocking supplies fell to Seven, the captain and cook, and Mihawk, the Vice Captain and helmsman.

Robin and the Ohara Scholar were ticking time bombs, unfit for public appearances.

This also made Seven realize he needed to recruit loyal, tactful crew members quickly to handle such chores, freeing up time to develop his Rumble-Rumble Fruit abilities.

As for developing the Rumble-Rumble Fruit—

After mastering big moves like the Super Electromagnetic Cannon, Seven was now focusing on bioelectricity, specifically brainwaves akin to telepathy.

It was a higher level of Observation Haki.

Observation Haki wasn't just telepathy; it could foresee the future, read memories... and even Listen to the Voices of All Things might be its ultimate form.

Stepping into the town's Commercial Street, Seven and Mihawk split up to gather supplies.

In the scattered alleys, most shops were still open, but the streets were empty, with only the occasional creak of signs swaying in the wind.

As a hardcore meat lover, Seven headed straight for the Butcher Shop.

On the counter, various cuts of meat were laid out. Behind it, the owner's eyes were wary as he slowly wiped a thick-backed knife.

As the god of Skypiea, the wealth of Shandora was immeasurable, but Seven believed haggling was the real joy of shopping, regardless of wallet size.

"Twenty percent off, and I'll take it all."

The butcher's hands paused mid-motion.

"Sir, these were slaughtered fresh this morning—just look at the grain of the meat. There's no better shop in town."

Seven pointed at the empty street.

"Got to have buyers for that, right? Besides me, who else is on the street right now?"

The butcher was silent for a moment, then set down his knife.

"Forget it, I'll take your price."

"Need delivery?"

A businessman knows how to read people. Seven's outfit clearly marked him as an outsider, likely a merchant docking for supplies.

Why not a pirate?

In all his years running the Butcher Shop, the butcher had never met a pirate this easy to deal with. If the other party were a pirate, the knife would already be at his throat.

"Deliver it to the dock."

While waiting for the package, Seven asked casually.

"Boss, this town looks pretty big, but there's not a soul on the street."

The butcher explained, "The villagers have all been arrested by the King."

"Arrested?"

As if finally finding someone to vent to, the butcher opened up: "To be honest with you, sir, the King has abandoned us country folk."

"Our pastor led the villagers to ask the King to revoke the order, and they all got thrown into the Kingdom Prison."

"Pastor Kuma is a good man. He's been treating us for free all these years, and he helps anyone in trouble."

"I just don't get it—why isn't someone that good the King?"

Seven shrugged. Because that's the crewmate this old man has his eye on. If Kuma became your King, what would this Captain do?

This Captain fought all the way from the West Blue to the Sorbeth Kingdom, worried that the Cold Sweat King might get there first.

Looks like the timing is just right.

"Boss, deliver the goods to the biggest ship at the dock. I've got other things to buy."

The butcher pushed his cart: "Sir, I'll tag along with you. I can help load up your other stuff too."

"That'd be great." Seven didn't refuse the kindness.

Humans—these little things—when they're good, they're really good, even earning the legendary Lover King's doting.

When they're bad...

Forget it, no need to say anything that hurts unity.

After nearly clearing out the town's supplies, Seven led the delivery merchants back to the dock.

Once all the goods were loaded, the East Blue Emperor left the harbor under the stunned gazes of the merchants.