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Chapter 71 - Chapter 71: The Kingmaker

The ability controlled the Oro Jackson as it sailed steadily forward.

Orin sat on a chair on the deck, calmly watching the Navy warships encircling Ohara as the ship moved straight ahead without hesitation.

On one of the warships ahead stood Spandine, the commanding officer.

At that moment, he was standing at the bow, staring at the approaching Oro Jackson within the encirclement.

Orin made no effort to dodge or teleport outside the perimeter. He simply smiled and looked at Spandine.

With a wave of his hand, the rows of warships under his command parted neatly to the sides.

"Safe journey, Orin-san!"

Spandine bowed and nodded, as if Orin were his direct superior, completely ignoring the bewildered stares from his subordinates.

Seeing such tactful behavior, Orin's lips curled slightly. He pulled out a Den Den Mushi from his pocket.

In a flash, it appeared on the railing of the warship in front of Spandine.

"This is a Den Den Mushi you can use to contact me. I believe this won't be the last time we meet, Spandine."

Spandine quickly grabbed the Den Den Mushi and stuffed it into his coat, forcing a smile as he watched Orin's ship fade into the distance.

Then, his smile vanished, leaving only weariness on his face.

Whether it was the Elders or Orin, both were figures far beyond his power to offend.

Don't be fooled by Orin giving him a Den Den Mushi—it's not like he can just call whenever he wants.

In truth, it was no different from the Den Den Mushi bestowed by the Elders.

At least while Orin maintained peaceful relations with the World Government, this Den Den Mushi could be used to command him—and he couldn't even put up a sour face about it.

Use your ass to think about it—

If, because of him, a conflict erupted between Orin and the World Government, the Elders would be the first to use his head to settle the matter.

There was only one Orin.

But the number of people that could be ordered around? Endless.

...

During the Buster Call on Ohara—

In Orin's hometown—

The New World, Duramos Island.

The old town chief, Keek, puffed on his cigarette with a pat-pat, deep wrinkles carved into his weathered face.

His house was now filled with many nearby villagers, all looking anxious and whispering among themselves.

One burly middle-aged man couldn't contain himself any longer. He stepped up to Keek and asked:

"Keek-san, what do you think we should do?"

"Ah... there's nothing we can do."

Compared to the time when Orin left, Old Keek now looked even more aged. Wrinkles covered his face, and his hair had turned completely white.

Because of his advanced age, he couldn't even use basic Haki anymore—

Not that his Haki had ever been very strong to begin with.

"As I've grown older and my strength has declined, King Kurari won't keep exempting the town from taxes. Though we're not part of the World Government and don't have to pay the Heavenly Tribute, the greed of nobles and royals is never satisfied."

Back when Old Keek had just returned to his homeland, he was still in his forties or fifties—his peak years.

As a former combatant on the Rocks Pirates, his Armament and Observation Haki were just barely passable. At the time, the king respected him greatly.

To appease him, the king gave him a town to live in peacefully and hadn't taxed it for nearly twenty years.

That's how Keek managed to raise a glutton like Orin, despite being a humble old man.

But now, Keek was old.

The new king saw this and planned to collect double the unpaid taxes from the past two decades all at once, plus the usual national taxes—

Then use it all to pay the Heavenly Tribute and apply to become a member of the World Government.

That way, he'd no longer have to worry about pirates like Keek causing trouble.

But the problem was—

The townspeople simply couldn't come up with that kind of money.

And there was nothing they could do about it.

"If we really have no choice... then let this old man bet his last breath..."

Though old, Keek wasn't dead. The physical strength from his youth still lingered a bit, and his battle experience remained.

To take him down, they'd need to throw dozens or even hundreds of regular soldiers at him.

At that moment—

A young man from the town, Jesse, came running in excitedly from outside. He didn't even knock on the door, clutching a newspaper in his hand.

Panting heavily, he raised it and shouted:

"Big news, Dad! Grandpa Town Chief!!!"

"What is it, Jesse?"

Old Keek raised his eyes to look at the young man—also the son of the burly man, and one of Orin's childhood friends.

"It's... it's news about Orin!!!"

"NANI!?!!"

Before anyone in the room could react, Old Keek—his face lit with excitement—suddenly exploded with speed unfit for someone his age.

He snatched the newspaper and started reading intently.

The front-page photo alone made his heart tremble.

Yes... that's Orin, alright...

That little brat's still as handsome as ever!

Old Keek chuckled. The villagers, hearing the long-absent name, all gathered around curiously.

"Black Gun Orin"

"After two years of silence, he has once again set sail aboard the Oro Jackson, engaging in a fierce clash with the Navy.

Due to the danger he poses and his growing infamy, his bounty has been updated."

Black Gun Orin—

A combat power rivaling the highest force in the World Government—an Admiral.

The king of the younger generation,

A monster raised by the Pirate King Roger, destined to rule the next era!!

The "King" of the New Generation!!!

The newly crowned Overlord of the Seas!!!

...

After reading through the flood of earth-shaking titles, the villagers' eyes all locked onto one thing—his bounty.

But the moment they saw it—

Everyone was struck speechless. Mouths agape, pupils quivering violently.

Only Keek, who had seen grand events in his time, could barely keep his composure—though his face flushed deep red.

He opened his mouth several times but couldn't get a word out.

Until suddenly, he leapt three feet into the air.

"UWAH——!!!"

"Orin, he... he really did it!!!"

"HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!"

His lifelong dream had finally come true. Keek now felt his life had reached fulfillment.

Just like how legends like Golden Lion or the captains under Whitebeard became Overlords of the Seas—he, Old Keek, had successfully raised one of his own!

He always knew that a monster like Orin would take flight one day.

And now, Old Keek was finally going to be carried by him into the sky!!!

"Don't worry anymore, everyone!" Old Keek was all smiles now, as though he'd returned to the boldness of his youth.

"Orin!!! He's already become an Overlord of the Seas!!!"

"That's amazing!!!"

The villagers who had watched Orin grow up were just as excited, their eyes shining with admiration for Old Keek.

"Let's contact Orin right away, Town Chief!"

"Yeah!!!"

"Uh..."

But—

Hearing those words, Old Keek, who had just been brimming with energy, suddenly froze like a duck being strangled.

His expression went blank, stammering in confusion.

After a long pause, he slapped his thigh hard and shouted:

"That brat... I don't have his Den Den Mushi number!!!"

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