NOVEL WEB Chapter 36: Bartolomeo
East Blue, Loguetown. A magnificent Imperial battleship sailed into Loguetown's harbor, causing quite a stir. Even Colonel Smoker, Loguetown's highest-ranking officer, was at the harbor to "greet" the arrival of this prominent figure.
"I hope Emperor Kael doesn't cause trouble in the Polestar Kingdom and Loguetown, otherwise, I'm not those two useless colonels, Morgan and Nezumi." Smoker, with his fiery temper, showed no fear of Emperor Kael, the King of Exile, even warning the Goa Empire's emperor. He was very confident in his Logia-type ability and strength.
"Don't worry, since the Goa Empire has publicly announced a halt to its expansion wars, I won't attack other nations again. Otherwise, only one warship wouldn't have come this time." Kael casually fanned away the smoke wafting from Smoker, revealing a faint smile. This time, he only brought a few cadres and the Imperial Guard who operated the ship to Loguetown. The Imperial Guard of the expedition fleet remained in the Sambas Kingdom and the Frauce Kingdom, coordinating with the large forces sent by the Goa Empire to fully occupy these new territories.
"Then what is your purpose for landing in Loguetown this time?" Smoker didn't entirely believe the nonsense spoken by Kael, this demonic emperor. After the Goa Empire conquered four nations before, it only stopped fighting for a few weeks before moving against the Sambas Kingdom again, and even captured the Frauce Kingdom in one fell swoop. Such behavior was truly egregious. However, the Marines had no authority to interfere in wars between Allied Nations. Smoker also found it difficult to further investigate such matters.
"Tourism! Shopping! And by the way, to see Pirate King Roger's execution platform." Kael, along with his subordinates Eric, Van Augur, Zoro, and Eldoraggo, as well as his female officials Nami, Nojiko, and Kaya, directly bypassed Smoker and the Marine soldiers and walked towards the center of Loguetown.
"Wait a moment! The pirate Eldoraggo is a wanted criminal!" "I can't control the affairs of the Goa Empire, but I can control a pirate!!" Smoker suddenly emitted white smoke all over his body, standing still without turning to look at Kael's group, speaking in a cold tone. In an instant, all the Marine soldiers became tense, and even Tashigi's forehead broke out in a cold sweat. How dared Colonel Smoker suddenly make trouble for Kael? Were they going to war with Kael, this demonic emperor? Marineford would surely scold Colonel Smoker!
"Yo-ho, I forgot to tell you, I've already informed Fleet Admiral Sengoku to revoke the bounties for Eldoraggo and these pirate slaves of mine." "You just wait for the notification from Marineford, or you can call a Den Den Mushi yourself to ask." Kael didn't turn back, continuing to lead his group forward.
"Ahahaha! I'm now the Sound Wave Baron of the Goa Empire, I ask you, aren't you mad, Smoker!!" Eldoraggo laughed arrogantly, looking like he was asking for a beating. Smoker's face darkened when he heard Kael and Eldoraggo's words, and the white smoke on his body became even more turbulent, but in the end, he still didn't make a move.
Damn the rights of Allied Nations! They could actually change bounties! Just like those Seven Warlords of the Sea, they were all a bunch of scoundrels and villains! They were all dirty places, dens of iniquity! Pirates were pirates; how could their bounties be revoked? Could the crimes committed by pirates disappear into thin air? Could those innocent civilians who were killed be resurrected?
"Colonel Smoker, Marineford's order is for us to "protect" and "monitor" Emperor Kael and his entourage well." Tashigi reminded the grim-faced Smoker with a hint of fear.
"I know!" Smoker responded grumpily. Kael's actions and attitude made him very uncomfortable. So today, he would keep a close eye on Kael, to make Kael uncomfortable as well. Smoker immediately led a group of Marine soldiers to follow Kael's group.
As they departed, Loguetown's harbor immediately became bustling. They never expected that even Colonel Smoker, who feared neither heaven nor earth, would be put in his place by Kael. This made the residents of Loguetown even more afraid to provoke the people of the Goa Empire.
In a bar near the harbor. "This is the East Blue Emperor's flagship? So cool!" Bartolomeo, 20 years old this year, was already the underworld boss of dozens to hundreds of streets and villages in the Polestar Kingdom, with his base of operations in his hometown of Loguetown.
He had a slight admiration for Kael, the King of Exile. Kael was actually able to conquer six kingdoms in such a short time, shaking the world. This was far more imposing than his conquest of dozens of bustling streets and ordinary villages.
And it was rumored that the Germa 66 army of the North Sea Overlord was coming to find trouble with Kael. As East Blue natives, they naturally supported Kael. They hoped Kael could defeat Germa 66 and bring fame to the East Blue, even helping the East Blue shed its title as the weakest sea.
Currently, the North Blue was known as the strongest of the Four Seas. If Kael could defeat the North Sea Overlord, wouldn't that mean their East Blue would become the new strongest sea? Trampling the North Blue, South Blue, and West Blue underfoot.
As soon as he thought of this, Bartolomeo even felt a sense of shared hatred with Kael, wishing he could also contribute and help Kael defeat Germa 66. If Kael helped the East Blue shed the title of the weakest sea, they, as East Blue natives, would also have much more prestige when traveling abroad, sharing in the glory.
Just like a saying that circulated in the Goa Empire: 'The Empire's glory, you also have a share.' If Kael became the pride of the East Blue and a world-renowned figure, they also had a share in the East Blue's glory. Future pirates heading to the Grand Line would also have more prestige. They wouldn't be despised by pirates from other seas for the East Blue being the weakest sea.
"Boss Barto, should we also go and meet the King of Exile in person?" The power-hungry gangster subordinates also wanted to meet Kael, this prominent figure who shook the East Blue. Never mind autographs, just seeing him would be enough.
"Good! We'll go and meet Kael, and see if he needs our help to fight the Germa Evil Army from the North Blue." Bartolomeo grinned, revealing his sharp teeth, and led his gang of subordinates towards the center of Loguetown.
Meanwhile, the subordinates of the Barto Club were all secretly complaining about their boss. What did their boss just say? He was going to ask Kael if he needed help? Please! They were just a bunch of gang thugs; they hadn't even unified the underworld of Loguetown and the Polestar Kingdom. What could they use to help Kael? They could only hope that Boss Barto wouldn't say anything reckless later and offend this demonic emperor known as the King of Exile.
At this moment, in the Ippon-Matsu weapon shop in Loguetown, the owner, Ippon-Matsu, had already obediently taken out the shop's treasure, the Ryō Wazamono, Shūsui. Zoro and Saga were both attracted by this Ryō Wazamono and were discussing the right to allocate this sword. Meanwhile, Kael found the cursed sword Sandai Kitetsu in the sword barrel.
Seeing Kael, the East Blue Emperor, pick up that ominous cursed sword, Ippon-Matsu didn't dare to speak up and warn him. He muttered to himself, this King of Exile should be worthy of picking up this cursed sword, right?
Smoker and Tashigi watched Kael and his entourage enter the weapon shop. They didn't expect Kael was truly here for shopping and tourism. Kael didn't even go to see Pirate King Roger's execution platform first; he was indeed a mysterious man with a clear purpose.