Pirates: Usurping a Kingdom Is Surprisingly Easy

Jesus Burgess clumsily wiped the blood from his nose and mouth, then stumbled out of the ruins in a fit of rage. Just as he was about to curse, he felt countless eyes staring at him.

This time, however, the attention didn't make him feel powerful; instead, a chill ran down his spine. A tingling sensation arose spontaneously on his scalp, and a cold sweat broke out on his forehead.

The atmosphere was terrifying. It was as if he was being eyed by a pack of ferocious beasts, and the blood in his veins seemed to congeal. He saw Ryokugyu, the notorious man in sunglasses from recent newspapers, and Fujitora, the blind man, as well as the young, fair-faced Emperor Kael.

Burgess nervously swallowed, and the mouth that was about to utter profanities obediently shut. "I was just passing by, I'm leaving right away..." he said, chuckling dryly.

He thought he had offended so many ruthless individuals and slowly retreated, preparing to sneak away. Since he couldn't make a name for himself here, he would go to the next island and challenge other strong individuals.

He was a bit reckless, but he wasn't stupid. After feeling the dangerous aura and oppressive presence from Ryokugyu and Fujitora, he knew the newspapers hadn't exaggerated. These were people he couldn't afford to provoke.

"Whoosh!"

A Wind Blade whistled past, creating a deep gully in the direction Burgess was trying to sneak off to.

"Sir, would you like to join the Goa Empire? Your bravery has already gained the Emperor's appreciation." Imperial Baron Eric, with a flick of his index finger, stopped the reckless man with the Wind Blade.

"Hiss~"

Among the surrounding Bounty Hunters and wandering powerhouses, there were gasps of cold air. How could this seemingly unremarkable Baron casually unleash such a slash? Are all the Barons of the Goa Empire that strong?

A mere flick of a finger could produce a flying slash comparable to a swordsman. This made those who were full of confidence, and felt they could definitely become Barons of the Goa Empire, suddenly feel a jolt of anxiety. They realized that gaining Kael's approval seemed extremely difficult.

"Join you all? Little... the wise and mighty Emperor appreciates me?"

Burgess looked at the gully from the slash in front of him, swallowed, and looked at Kael, almost blurting out what was on his mind.

"You damn fool! Don't take advantage and then act coy!"

The surrounding Bounty Hunters and wandering powerhouses all cursed loudly. They also wanted to gain Kael's appreciation and directly join the Goa Empire. Now that Kael had defeated a Warlord of the Sea, the prestige of the Goa Empire was soaring. A Baron of the Goa Empire would probably have more face than the Dukes and Marquises of those affiliated kingdoms.

"Don't waste our time! Answer quickly," Capone Bege said, biting his cigar. "Otherwise, Marquis Spartan's fist won't hold back." He had clearly felt the violent aura erupting from Spartan just now. He estimated that even if he entered his Castle Big Boss form, he wouldn't be able to withstand a single punch from this new Marquis. He didn't think this unknown fellow, Burgess, could be tougher than his castle.

"If I join you, can my name quickly spread throughout the world?" Burgess clenched his fists and asked earnestly. He didn't want to become an unremarkable soldier in the Goa Empire.

"Maybe you can borrow the reputation of the Piercing Marquis. You might make big news tomorrow," Laffitte said with a relaxed, professional smile.

"Sturdy fellow, if you don't give the Emperor face, you'll turn into jerky," Ryokugyu's index finger transformed into a sharp vine, swinging back and forth in front of him, revealing an unrestrained smile. Even a powerhouse like Spartan had directly submitted to the Emperor's feet. This reckless man was actually hesitating here; this was a sign of disrespect.

"I'll join, can't I just join?!" Burgess immediately raised his hands and, with a face full of cold sweat, walked toward Kael. He knelt on one knee before him.

"From now on, you are a member of the Imperial Guard, but to become an Imperial Baron, you are still a bit short," Kael said calmly, drawing his Seven Star Dragon Sword and resting it on Burgess's shoulder. "However, as long as you guard this recruitment ring today and defeat all challengers, this Baron Hereditary Title will be yours."

Kael took out a shimmering metallic Hereditary Title and smiled at Burgess. "Aramaki, set up a combat ring. Kaya, give him a potion."

Kael sheathed his sword and gave instructions. "Understood," Ryokugyu replied.

Green grass and flowers began to grow from the ground beneath Ryokugyu's feet, and soon they surged wildly toward a nearby beach. Countless vines intertwined to form a combat ring. Meanwhile, Kaya quickly checked Burgess's body and gave him a healing potion developed by her and Doctor 10.

"As long as he can be thoroughly defeated, this Baron Hereditary Title will belong to the victor!" Kael's lips curled into a slight smile as he spoke loudly to all the Bounty Hunters and wandering powerhouses in the entire port.

A magnificent warship floated over, with various shapes of Seastone embedded in its bottom. With Wapol, the Munch-Munch Fruit user, and Ryokugyu, the Woods-Woods Fruit user, these Seastone pieces were almost perfectly embedded in the bottom of the Exile Emperor. From now on, Kael could sail freely in the Grand Line and East Blue, without needing to pass through the safe passage at the Red Line.

Even the large submarine sailboat, the White Iron King, had already completed its embedding modification, becoming a Seastone warship. The Seastone embedding technology had been easily obtained from Stussy. Kael had successfully connected with Dr. Vegapunk.

"Please begin to display your strength."

Kael and his group jumped onto the Exile Emperor, which floated beside the vine ring, acting as spectators.

"Defeat that reckless man and become an Imperial Baron?!"

The entire port erupted, and countless eyes lit up. They had no confidence in fighting Spartan, the new Marquis, but they felt they could handle Burgess, this unknown reckless man.

"My body doesn't hurt at all!"

After Burgess drank the potion, all the pain from Spartan's attack disappeared. Combined with his inherent toughness and strong recovery ability, he felt even more perfect now than before; some hidden injuries had vanished.

"Perform well. This is not only the Goa Empire's recruitment ring but also your battle to make a name for yourself," Laffitte said with a smile, then spread his white wings and flew back to the Exile Emperor.

"Wehahaha, I'm claiming this Imperial Hereditary Title for myself! My name will spread throughout the world!" Burgess suddenly felt that the small Baron Hereditary Title was even more dazzling than the championship belt on his waist. He had to obtain this Hereditary Title!

"The Goa Empire's recruitment ring selection begins!"

"Do you want to become a Hereditary Title of the Goa Empire?!"

"Show your strength and claim your Imperial glory!"