Upon hearing that flattering, obsequious tone of greeting, Orin's mood was also quite good.
"Calling you out of the blue—did I interrupt anything?"
"How could that be!?!? For someone as important as you to call me, it's an absolute honor~"
On the Den Den Mushi's face, Spandine's sycophantic smile was portrayed with uncanny realism.
This guy really did have the chops to climb the ranks—it's no wonder the Elders liked using him.
But Orin didn't call him just to hear flattery. He'd already heard more than enough of that kind of talk from the girls in the red-light district.
"This time I have two matters. The first is that I'm going to replace the king and nobles of the Duramos Kingdom, and while I'm at it, bring them into the World Government alliance."
"Oh, and—The kind that doesn't pay the Heavenly Tribute."
When Spandine heard this, his brow lifted slightly and he relaxed.
He thought it was something serious—but it's just replacing a king…
"???"
Wait a minute...
Spandine suddenly seemed to realize what was going on. His eyes widened dramatically, like they were about to fly out of the Den Den Mushi, his mouth gaping.
It took a while for him to gather himself, before speaking with both reverence and tension:
"Th-this, Orin-sama, this isn't something within my authority. It definitely needs to be reported to the top powers of the World Government..."
Spandine kept up his smile, but inwardly, he was completely shaken!
Everything else was secondary, but...
The legendary Black Gun Orin… is about to become a king of a World Government member nation?!?!
"No, no, no..."
Orin waved his hand, then turned the Den Den Mushi toward the old man beside him—Old Keek.
The old man was a bit confused by this and didn't understand what Orin was up to.
"The one who's actually going to be king is this man right here."
"Huh!?!?"
Before Spandine could react, Keek was already startled, stumbling backward in shock and mumbling,
"You can't give this position to me… I'm just an old man..."
Orin chuckled at his reaction but didn't try to persuade him. Instead, he turned back to the Den Den Mushi and said:
"The one who will become the new king of Duramos is my most respected Keek-san, the great pirate, and former member of the Rocks Pirates— Dotor Keek!!"
Orin proudly introduced the old man's titles, stunning Spandine into silence.
Although not as jaw-dropping as Orin himself, the three titles this new king held—each was heavier than the last!
Especially the final one…
That's from the previous era—the uncrowned king who once fought against the World Government, the Marines, and the Pirate King, taking on all three iron fists at once!
"If that's the case, I can take the liberty of drafting a proposal, but the final decision will have to come from the Elders..."
Spandine's voice trailed off.
Orin knew what he meant—essentially, the next steps were beyond the control of a mere lapdog like Spandine.
If the proposal was rejected due to Keek's identity, or because no Heavenly Tribute would be paid, or just out of fear of Orin, then Spandine hoped Orin wouldn't take it out on him.
Spandine was basically saying he was caught between Orin and the Elders and had no easy way out.
But Orin was clearly confident. He smiled and said:
"No need to worry about that. Just deliver one message when you submit the proposal."
"Go ahead, sir."
Spandine gulped.
"Just tell them: that one favor the World Government owes me—use it now."
He believed the Elders wouldn't dare refuse.
Duramos was located in the New World anyway. In the era of the Great Pirates, the World Government couldn't even get a foothold there, let alone offer any real protection.
No Heavenly Tribute, no protection. So all they'd really get was a nominal alliance with the World Government.
The real protection came from Orin's fearsome reputation that echoed across the seas!
As for his motivation?
Orin figured—it was mostly for fun.
In the future, not only could he attend the Levely openly, but he and the old man—two remnants from the Pirate King and Rocks Pirates—could be protected by the Marines while attending the World Conference together.
Just thinking about that scene made Orin chuckle.
As for the other reason...
It was to give the old man and the townsfolk a solid foundation for peace and stability. For the next twenty years at least, this generation that had cared for Orin would be totally safe.
A fitting reward for generations of loyal watchkeeping.
What's this called?
This is called—
When one man ascends to power, his family and friends ascend with him.
...
Duramos, struck by political upheaval, miraculously stabilized in record time.
All thanks to Orin's overwhelming presence and that terrifying list of bounty amounts.
Even the World Government envoys left!
"Oh come on, it's just a coronation—old man, how long are you going to keep stalling!"
In the royal palace, Old Keek kept dodging the matter of becoming king, saying he was unfit, too old, and so on.
No matter how much the townspeople begged, he wouldn't budge, driving them half mad with worry.
"If you don't become king, how are we supposed to become nobles?"
"You all… I really think this position should go to Orin. I'm too old for this."
"Old man, I don't have time to be king—I've got a sea to conquer~" Orin lied through his teeth while trying to persuade Old Keek.
"You just hold the seat for me for now. I'll take over when I've got time. Besides, you can pick a wife from across the whole kingdom. No more sneaking around."
Truly the one who understood Keek best—his words visibly made the old man waver.
If it's about building a future for Orin… maybe I can give it a shot…
Definitely not because of the whole wife thing.
That was the thought in his heart—and yes, he was tempted.
But he still tried to decline, awkwardly saying:
"Such a hassle."
In the end, Orin lost patience. He snapped his fingers, and Keek's clothes instantly transformed into royal regalia. In a flash, he was seated on the throne.
Orin and Mihawk stood by the throne, exchanging amused glances as they watched the villagers awkwardly bow.
"You guys… I'm already so old… You're really putting me through it!"
Old Keek tried to suppress the grin that just wouldn't stay down. Looking at Orin standing by his side, escorting him through the ceremony, his heart was filled with warmth.
At last—
He'd been carried all the way to the top!
----------------
Pls Drop some Power Stones
+100 chapters and support me on Patreon(.)com/Jixo