Sorbeth Kingdom

Sorbeth Kingdom, South Blue.

On the East Sea Emperor, the red-sailed ship with a dragon's head, the Morning Star Pirates were holding an internal meeting. Robin, the rookie intern, was taking notes.

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

"Captain, the East Blue Emperor is too conspicuous. If we enter the Sorbeth Kingdom without warning, we could easily attract the attention of the Marines and the World Government."

Fujitora continued, "To avoid unnecessary complications for our later plans, I recommend that you and Mr. Mihawk travel light."

Seven withdrew the arcs of electricity dancing at his fingertips and, unusually, rejected Fujitora Issho's suggestion.

"No need."

"We'll sail in openly. Without the World Government's permission, the Marines won't be quick to fight us—especially not the Marines of the Four Seas."

"Don't underestimate our influence."

After the Yonko era took shape on the seas, why were the Yonko able to coexist with the Marines for so many years?

The World Government wanted stability and order. Starting a war against a Yonko crew on a whim would only cause unrest, which ran counter to its interests.

The Morning Star Pirates were few in number, but every one of them was a walking natural disaster—

A captain who could summon thunderstorms, a vice captain who could casually cleave mountains and split the seas, and a fighter who could summon meteorites. The Marines would need to send at least three Admiral-level fighters to have a chance of taking them down.

The cost would far outweigh the benefits. The World Government wouldn't make a losing deal like that.

Seven pointed to the map hanging behind him.

"The current king of the Sorbeth Kingdom, Bekri, has split the country in two. The northern cities remain World Government Member States and continue paying Celestial Gold, while the rural south has fallen into a Lawless Zone."

"He's got brains, but not many."

Celestial Gold was collected according to population.

It was the system of tribute that the 170 Affiliated Nations of the World Government paid to the Celestial Dragons each year. Marine warships transported the treasure to Mary Geoise, maintaining the nations' ties to the World Government.

King Bekri intended to divide the kingdom in two, thereby reducing the population and the amount of Celestial Gold paid to the Celestial Dragons.

This sort of thing was commonplace on the seas.

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

The Celestial Dragons weren't the only rotten ones in this world. Kings, nobles, pirates, and some Marines were no better.

Seven pointed to an area on the map.

"After the Battle of God Valley, Kuma and Ginny returned to South Blue. They're currently serving as pastors at the Southern Countryside Church in the Sorbeth Kingdom, treating the people for free."

"If we want to put Kuma's mind at ease, we have to overthrow King Bekri and find the Sorbeth Kingdom a decent king.

"During former King Bulldog's reign, the people may have been poor, but their spirits were rich..."

Mihawk remarked out of the blue, "The hard part is the poverty..."

Seven spread his hands.

"Whether they're poor or not has nothing to do with us. The Celestial Dragons are the ones taking their wealth."

"We're not saviors. Giving them a relatively free and democratic environment is good enough. If they want to improve their lives, they'll have to do it themselves."

"Mihawk, let's go into town to buy supplies. Mr. Fujitora, stay behind and guard the ship."

Mihawk gave a slight nod. "All right."

They'd repeatedly stressed that they needed to keep a low profile and develop in secret, yet the moment they arrived in the Sorbeth Kingdom, they were already planning to overthrow the king.

That's so like you, Beelzebul!

Before long, the East Blue Emperor docked safely at the Southern Town harbor.

The crew was short-handed, so buying supplies fell to Seven, the captain and cook, and Mihawk, the vice captain and helmsman.

Robin and the Ohara Scholar were walking explosives; they couldn't afford to show their faces in public.

That made Seven realize he had to recruit some loyal, socially adept crewmates as soon as possible to handle these minor errands. The time that would save could go toward developing the Rumble-Rumble Fruit's abilities.

As for developing the Rumble-Rumble Fruit—

After developing powerful moves like the Super Electromagnetic Cannon, Seven was now focusing on bioelectricity—or, more precisely, brain waves, similar to telepathy.

It was a higher realm of Observation Haki.

Beyond telepathy, Observation Haki could also grant Future Sight and the ability to read memories... Even Listen to the Voices of All Things might be the ultimate expression of Observation Haki.

When they stepped onto the Commercial Street, Seven and Mihawk split up to buy supplies.

Most of the shops in the winding lanes were still open, but the streets were deserted. Only the occasional sign creaked softly as the wind stirred it.

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

Various cuts of meat were laid out on the counter. Behind it, the shopkeeper watched him warily, slowly wiping a heavy-backed cleaver.

As a god of Skypiea, Seven had immeasurable riches from Shandora. But he believed haggling was the fun of shopping, no matter how full your wallet was.

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

The shopkeeper paused.

"Sir, this meat was freshly slaughtered this morning. Just look at the marbling. There's nothing better in town."

Seven pointed at the empty street.

"Someone still has to buy it, though. Besides me, who else is out there?"

The shopkeeper fell silent for a moment, then set down his cleaver.

"All right. I'll take your price."

"Want me to deliver it?"

A businessman knew how to read people. Seven's outfit clearly marked him as an outsider, probably a merchant who'd docked to resupply.

Why not a pirate?

In all his years running the Butcher Shop, the owner had never seen a pirate so easy to deal with. If Seven were a pirate, he'd already have a knife at the shopkeeper's throat.

"Take it to the dock."

As they waited for the meat to be packed, Seven asked casually, "Boss, this town looks pretty big. How come there isn't a soul on the street?"

The shopkeeper explained, "The king had the villagers arrested."

"Arrested?"

As if he'd finally found someone to confide in, the shopkeeper opened up. "To be honest, the king has abandoned us country folk."

"Our pastor led the villagers to ask the king to rescind his order. They all ended up locked in Kingdom Prison."

"Pastor Kuma's a good man. He's been treating us for free all these years. Whenever someone's in trouble, he helps them out."

"I just can't understand why someone that good isn't the king."

Seven shrugged. Because he's the crewmate I want. If Kuma became your king, what would happen to me, the captain?

I came all the way from West Blue to the Sorbeth Kingdom, killing my way here, because I was worried the Cold Sweat King would get to him first.

Looks like the timing's just right.

"Boss, take the goods to the biggest ship at the dock. I'm going to buy a few other things."

The shopkeeper pushed a handcart. "Sir, I'll come with you. I can help carry whatever else you buy."

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

Humanity was a funny thing. At its best, it was truly wonderful—so much so that even the legendary Lover King was doted on.

At its worst...

Well, best not say anything that might stir up trouble.

After nearly clearing out all the supplies the town had for sale, Seven led the merchants who'd helped with delivery back to the dock.

Once all the supplies had been loaded, the East Blue Emperor left the harbor as the merchants stared in astonishment.