"Next, you will be the Vice President of Baroque Works and will be responsible for liaising with others in my stead," Xia Qiu said to Heckle.
"I will complete the task diligently."
Heckle quickly responded. After a brief moment of shock, he confirmed that the Giant Beast before him was indeed the President and accepted the outcome, finding it rather logical.
No wonder the President has been keeping a low profile, and no wonder Robin often travels with the Giant Beast.
He had no objections. The President's past favors towards him were substantial, helping him improve greatly. Furthermore, becoming the Vice President represented an increase in power and status.
Just like Zala, she is currently heading to the Drum Kingdom, and if successful, she will become a Queen.
Xia Qiu was satisfied with Heckle's attitude and said, "You will work for me first. After some time, I will teach you a special technique that can increase your combat power."
"Thank you, President," Heckle said immediately. He then asked, "President, if I stay by your side from now on, what about the casino?"
"Cecilia will be in charge then; she will take over from you as Mr. 3," Xia Qiu replied.
Once Cecilia learned the Soru technique, he would send her to Aru-Ma City.
Her strength was already sufficient to hold that position.
Not only that, but she could also train Vivi and help her improve her strength.
Moreover, Heckle's promotion would allow Cecilia to move up in rank and become Mr. 3.
"Contact Vivi for me and have her report on the Blackbeard Pirates."
Xia Qiu looked at Heckle, who immediately picked up a Den Den Mushi and dialed Vivi's number.
...
"Please take me to see Zala... the Queen," Dalton requested hesitantly, looking at the guard in front of him.
"Follow me."
The guard led Dalton into the house and walked further inside.
Zala lived in a village not far from the port, residing in the most luxurious house. Although it felt a bit like a forceful acquisition, the compensation was more than enough to satisfy the original owner of the house.
Dalton followed the guard into the living room. Wood burned in the fireplace, sending a wave of warmth towards him. At the same time, he saw Zala.
Zala was reclining on the sofa, wearing a long red dress. Her full chest seemed on the verge of bursting out of the fabric, and her long legs extended from the hem, resting on the sofa.
She was lying there, picking up a cherry and popping it into her mouth.
"Q-Queen Zala," Dalton coughed, not daring to look at her, and called out with his head bowed.
"It's you."
Zala sat up, placing her long legs on the floor. She looked at Dalton and asked curiously, "How is your arm feeling?"
"It has been treated and bandaged, and it's immobilized with a splint. It will recover in a few days," Dalton replied honestly.
"Is that so?"
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, why are you standing?"
"Okay."
Dalton heard her and sat down on the sofa to the side. After sitting down, he wiped the sweat from his forehead. Just as he was about to speak, Zala spoke again.
"You should take off your cotton coat. It's very warm in here. Look at you, you're sweating profusely."
Zala pointed at Dalton's clothes and shook her head.
"That won't be necessary. I just have a few words to say," Dalton quickly replied. He didn't dare to do anything too presumptuous. Although he didn't want her to become the Queen of this country, given her current status, it was best for him to remain respectful.
"Alright."
Zala nodded. Just as Dalton was about to speak, Zala asked again, "Do you want some fruit? I brought it from somewhere else."
"I..."
Dalton felt a bit helpless being interrupted repeatedly. This Queen was a bit unreliable.
However, he didn't dwell on it. After all, her words were well-intentioned; she had asked him to sit down, worried he was too hot, and then offered him fruit.
"No, thank you," Dalton quickly said.
"I've asked; the Drum Kingdom doesn't have cherries," Zala said, directly pushing the fruit bowl towards Dalton. "Try one, don't be shy."
"Alright."
Dalton sighed, reached out, took a cherry, and put it in his mouth.
"How is it?" Zala asked enthusiastically.
Dalton's eyes lit up slightly. He cleared his throat and said, "Very good."
"Since you like it, you can take some fruit back with you later," Zala said, pointing to the fruit.
"Oh, that's not necessary..." Dalton quickly refused.
"Oh, it's just a small thing, not worth much," Zala said. "Or do you look down on it?"
"Not at all."
Dalton said, looking at Zala, "Then I accept. Thank you, Queen Zala."
"That's more like it."
Zala nodded, crossed one leg, and looked at Dalton. "By the way, what did you want to talk about?"
"It's like this."
Dalton wiped the sweat from his forehead, shifted his body, and said, "I came here to ask Queen Zala, are you determined to occupy this country?"
"Of course."
Zala smiled. "Didn't I tell you? I want to restore the homeland of the Volcano Kingdom."
"Then how do you plan to treat us?"
Dalton looked at Zala.
Hearing this, Zala's expression became serious. "If I become Queen, you will naturally be my subjects. My country has little left. To continue the glory of my ancestors, I came here to rebuild the country and make it stronger."
Dalton's expression was hesitant. "Then what method do you plan to use to govern this country? And what method do you plan to use to make this country prosperous?"
"It's very simple. Our method of governing is rule of law."
Zala carefully recalled the booklet the President had given her and replied, "Establish perfect laws. From top to bottom, everyone must abide by the laws of the country. Violators will be tried. This is our basic strategy. The constitution has the highest legal effect, followed by criminal law, property law, and administrative licensing law."
"Establishing a perfect legal system is indeed the foundation of governance, but..." Dalton pondered for a moment and looked at Zala. "But does this law also apply to you?"
"Of course."
Zala said, "Everyone living in this country is protected by the law."
This was something Xia Qiu had told her. She had initially felt constrained, but later she thought that this country was hers. If she didn't abide by the law, how could she expect others to?
Zala's thoughts were simple, but Dalton secretly nodded and asked again, "You said you hope the country will be strong, but our country is located on Winter Island, a remote place where people can barely make a living. What method do you have to make the country strong and the people prosperous?"
"This question..."
Zala stretched, leaning back on the sofa. Her clothes shifted slightly, revealing a large expanse of fair skin.
Dalton immediately lowered his head, not daring to look. Zala continued, "I have many ideas, but how to implement them requires further practice for now. For example, trade. To our east, there is a powerful country called Alabasta. We can trade with them. We..."
"Alabasta?" Dalton was a little surprised.
Zala said, "That's right. We are Winter Island, and they are Summer Island. We both have unique economic crops that can be traded."
"But Queen Zala, you might not know."
Dalton sighed and said, "Our Drum Kingdom and the Alabasta Kingdom are hostile nations. We have basically no contact, and there have been some misunderstandings."
Dalton recalled the scene from a few years ago when he accompanied Walpol to a World Government conference. Walpol and Cobra, the King of Alabasta, were at odds and argued incessantly at the meeting.
During a break in the meeting, Walpol, holding a grudge, deliberately knocked over Princess Vivi of Alabasta and mocked her. However, the young Vivi did not cry. Instead, she proactively apologized and backed down.
At that time, he saw the difference between the two countries, and it was indeed so.
Now, that young girl named Vivi has led Alabasta to grow into a powerful nation. Vivi inherited the Devil Fruit ability of a former Shichibukai and became the hero who protects Alabasta. She even led the revival of a city.
Thinking of Vivi and then of Walpol, Dalton couldn't help but sigh.
Zala smiled. "But the King has changed. As long as we go and cooperate with them, they might not refuse us, right? Even if they do, we have to try. If possible, I will personally talk to their King."
If they refused, she would personally go find Cobra. If Vivi disagreed, she would go find the President. There was no way they would refuse.
"Personally?"
Dalton misunderstood. If the other party refused, she was willing to go in person, which meant she would have to compromise on certain things.
As a Queen, willing to do these things for her subjects greatly improved Dalton's opinion of her.
Zala said, "As for other matters, I still need to think about them. Of course, if you have any ideas, you can tell me."
"I understand."
Dalton nodded, then stood up and said, "Thank you for your answer today, Queen Zala. I've taken up your time."
"It's nothing."
Zala smiled. "If you have any questions, you can come and ask me again."
"Then I'll take my leave."
Dalton got what he wanted and stood up, preparing to leave.
"Don't forget the fruit."
Zala called out from behind him. Dalton stopped. Zala had someone pack some fruit for him. After thanking her, Dalton left with the fruit.
"How was it?"
Dalton had just returned to his room when more than a dozen militiamen surrounded him.
"She's a capable person, but whether she's merciful, that remains to be seen. A good person, that remains to be seen."
Dalton said, picking up the bag and adding, "Oh right, she also gave me some fruit. Everyone can have a taste."
...
"Damn it, damn it."
Marcel's body was bound, and he struggled constantly but couldn't break free from the ropes. His arms were already swollen from the friction.
"These bastards, I'm going to kill them."
Marcel glared angrily at Clown Buggy and his crew, who were celebrating in the distance. Everyone on the freighter except him had been killed by Clown Buggy.
Uncle Joezer, his comrades, and the crew members who trusted him.
Some of them had followed him on long voyages because they believed in him. Others he had invited to work on the ship.
But they were all dead.
And he alone survived. How would he face their families and friends?
Two days ago, upon arriving on the island, he had contacted the merchant association. The association decided to pay the ransom and had already sent people.
And during these past few days of contact, one of the pirates had told him that they had no intention of letting him go. Once the ransom arrived, they planned to kill him.
He had to get out of here.
Marcel was bound by ropes wrapped around him several times. His hands were also tied, leaving him no room to exert force and making it impossible to break free.
What should he do?
Marcel looked around and spotted a large chest nearby.
Seeing the corner of the chest, Marcel shuffled his rear towards it, bringing the ropes near his hands to the chest's edge and then slowly began to rub.
One, two, three.
The corner of the chest occasionally scraped against Marcel's arm, leaving a bloody mark, but Marcel didn't stop.
Fifteen minutes later.
Snap.
The rope broke, and Marcel's hands were freed. He then grabbed the rope and pulled with all his might.
Crack.
The ropes on both sides snapped, and the single rope fell off his body.
Marcel regained his freedom and went to the door, looking outside. In the distance, on a high platform, the Buggy Pirates were celebrating.
The door was locked.
It was difficult for him to escape the confinement of the ropes.
What should he do?
Marcel found the hemp rope again, wrapped it around once, and hopped to the door, shouting, "Help! Help!"
"What is it?"
The pirate on guard came over, glaring unhappily at Marcel. Everyone else was celebrating, yet he was still on duty.
"I have something to tell Captain Buggy."
Marcel said, "I need to tell Captain Buggy something. The Shining Gold Merchant Association might bring the Marines."
"What?"
The pirate's eyes widened, and he said, "Wait a moment, I'll go find the captain."
The pirate immediately found Buggy and whispered a few words in his ear. Buggy beckoned and said, "Bring him here."
"Follow me."
The pirate returned to the door, took out a key, and opened it.
But as soon as the door opened, bang, Marcel punched him in the face, knocking him out.
He then grabbed the long sword at the pirate's waist and charged into the distance.
"He's running, he's running!"
Seeing this, a pirate shouted loudly. Two pirates on the other side moved to intercept Marcel.
Slash, slash.
Marcel's blade flashed, and blood spurted from the two as they fell to the ground.
Marcel ran to the edge of the building, leaped forward, and jumped onto another building, then ran to the other end and jumped down.
"Run? As if I'd let you get away."
Buggy snorted coldly and looked into the distance, saying, "Kajiba, chase him down and finish him."
"Yes."
Kajiba, riding his unicycle, immediately pedaled, chasing after Marcel at extreme speed.
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