Under the starry sky, the three stood side by side, some gazing at the stars, others looking out over the mountains and fields.
Riku Doldo III, his body covered in bandages, held a cup of black tea, his face showing a slight hint of drunkenness.
"You really are powerful. Only after fighting you with my full strength did I realize how small Dressrosa is."
"As expected of a pirate crew with such great renown in the current seas. But your style…"
He paused here, a strange look appearing within King Riku's smile.
"Are you really pirates? I feel like you're more like adventurers or travelers, or something like that?"
Kaido just kept drinking, so Bazel had to respond on their behalf.
"What are pirates? What are adventurers?"
"Aren't they all people who sail the seas? Why must we draw such clear distinctions?"
"If you're referring to our conduct…"
Bazel took a small sip of the orange juice he was holding.
"Who says pirates have to destroy towns? Our goals aren't such rotten things, right, Kaido?"
"Huh? Worororo~"
The thoroughly drunk Kaido stumbled backward a few steps, fell sitting onto the ground, and laughed foolishly.
"That's right! My goal isn't some measly kingdom."
"That holy land seated atop the clouds is my target!"
King Riku's expression changed slightly.
Bazel hurriedly laughed it off, 'Our plans to go tour and check-in at the Celestial Dragons' home turf couldn't be exposed just yet.'
"Kaido just simply wants to go sightseeing and visit Holy Land Mary Geoise."
King Riku is a smart man.
He naturally understood the meaning behind Bazel's words and immediately had no intention of probing further.
Pretending he hadn't heard, he very stiffly changed the subject.
"Speaking of which, you said earlier you needed something from me. Are you planning an alliance?"
Bazel shook his head, then nodded.
"Any alliance between us cannot rise to the level of nation and pirate crew. At most, it can only be considered a private relationship."
"You should understand that the World Government would never allow a member nation to fly a pirate flag."
"It's a matter of their reputation."
"If you did that, being kicked out of the member nation sequence would be the least of Dressrosa's worries. There's a very high chance you'd be visited by a Buster Call and destroyed."
"What I want to ask for your help with is another matter."
He took a blueprint out of his pocket and handed it over.
King Riku put down his teacup, took the blueprint, and walked under a nearby light to see it better.
"This is?"
"It's the new energy sea vehicle our Beasts Pirates are about to launch. I'd like to commission you to drive this vehicle onto Holy Land Mary Geoise during next year's Reverie."
'Drive a car onto Holy Land Mary Geoise?'
King Riku only thought for a moment before guessing Bazel's intention.
"I see. So the Beasts Pirates are planning to enter the business world?"
"Not exactly entering, we just want to earn some pocket money."
Putting away the blueprint, King Riku readily agreed.
"If it's just helping you promote it, that's no problem. You probably want me to show these two things to the Celestial Dragons, right?"
"As expected of the King of Dressrosa. Exactly."
Pointing at the black night sky, Bazel grinned and said, "You pay such high Heavenly Tribute every year. As a citizen of the seas, I should get some of it back."
"Trying to make money from the Celestial Dragons... I don't know if I should say you're too brave."
While expressing his feelings, King Riku did not forget to issue a warning.
"Those guys aren't reasonable people. Be careful of losing your entire investment."
With his eyes glinting, Bazel showed a strange smile.
"I have my own methods for that."
"Then I'll trouble you with this matter. We will try our best to deliver the item to you before the Reverie begins."
"As repayment, if the Dressrosa Kingdom ever encounters trouble it cannot solve in the future, please don't hesitate to contact me or Kaido directly."
Bazel handed over a card he had prepared early.
It contained the Den Den Mushi contact numbers for both him and Kaido.
King Riku accepted it with a smile.
"Then I wish our friendship will last forever in advance, hahaha~~"
…
The next morning, the sky was not yet fully bright.
Soldiers of Dressrosa carried crate after crate of supplies to the two ships of the Beasts Pirates.
"Captain Tank, thank you for making the trip yourself."
The task of interpersonal interaction naturally fell to Bazel.
"You're too kind. These supplies were sent by order of His Majesty the King. They should be enough for you to sail for a long time."
Tank looked at the two somewhat dilapidated ships.
"Due to the size of your ships, this is all we could bring. But even for a crew of two hundred, these supplies should last for half a year."
After exchanging a few more pleasantries with Tank, Bazel watched the soldiers depart.
"Babanuki, hoist the sails! We set sail for the Land of Dreams!"
"Understood!"
Babanuki blew his whistle.
The sails of the two ships filled with wind, curving like bows.
"Beasts Pirates, set sail!!!"
Half a month later, in the waters near Whole Cake Island.
The two ships of the Beasts were intercepted by the Big Mom Pirates, who had rushed over upon hearing the news.
"My apologies, apologies, Kaido-sama."
Perospero lolled his large tongue, his smile as sincere as could be.
"Mom was overjoyed to hear you had sailed into the waters of Whole Cake Island and sent me to escort you to the Tea Party."
"Here is the invitation to the Tea Party~"
'A Tea Party?'
Kaido stepped forward, frowned, and took the envelope filled with storybook colors.
"...It's Linlin's handwriting. Tch, what a hassle."
Seeing something within, Kaido nodded to Bazel.
"Bazel, change course. We're going to Whole Cake Island."
"But Kaido-san, it's already April. That matter regarding that place…"
He cut himself off abruptly, glancing at Perospero.
"Can't be helped. I owe Linlin a huge favor. The Tea Party is the day after tomorrow, it won't delay us for too long."
Hearing Kaido say this, Bazel knew this Tea Party was unavoidable.
After all, Kaido had indeed been looked after a great deal by Linlin during his apprentice days, not to mention the incredibly rare Mythical Zoan-type, Uo Uo no Mi, Model: Seiryu.
Combined, these two things amounted to more than a simple favor… it was a tremendous debt of gratitude.
Once this thought occurred to him, Bazel said no more and made a gesture to the pirate in the crow's nest.
"Kukukuku~"
Perospero slightly raised his candy cane, the large candy blob covering a small part of his face.
"You must be the famous Poison Calamity of the Beasts. Your presence is truly terrifying."
It's poor form to hit someone who offers a hand with a smile.
Bazel flashed a professional smile and shook the hand Perospero offered.
"Not famous at all. I've only defeated some small fry. It's all thanks to Captain Kaido's prestige."
"Ohohoho~ If tying with the Dark King, Silvers Rayleigh is considered a small matter, then Mom doesn't have any impressive achievements to her name either."
"Enough! Cut the useless chatter!"
Kaido turned and walked back towards the cabin.
"Perospero, tell Linlin I won't be staying long. There are more important things waiting for me to do!"
Perospero didn't return to the Queen Mama Chanter he came on. Instead, he familiarly followed Kaido onto the two ships belonging to the Beasts Pirates.
"I understand. But, Kaido-sama, shouldn't your ships be refurbished?"
"You're a famous pirate in the New World now. You should have your own dedicated flagship, right?"
Lying down on a custom-made lounger on the deck, Kaido stretched contentedly.
"That's not urgent. I'm still missing the materials to build a proper ship."
"When it comes to a flagship, it's better to have none than to make do with a subpar one." Bazel walked over with a cup of brewed black tea, "We have the patience for that."
"Bazel, this is… a cadre of the Big Mom Pirates."
Hanafuda, who had just walked over, initially wanted to ask who it was, but recognized the distinctive candy and tongue immediately.
"You know him?" Bazel asked curiously.
"Haven't had dealings with him, but this Candy Minister of Totto Land is the Big Mom Pirates' official external representative."
Nodding at Perospero as a greeting, Hanafuda then explained, "Big Mom rarely appears in public herself. Perospero is widely recognized as a man who can represent the Great Pirate, Charlotte Linlin. Didn't you know that?"
Bazel shook his head in denial.
"This man enjoys great fame in the underworld. Isn't that right, Perospero~ san?"
Perospero narrowed his eyes, looking at Hanafuda.
"Compared to the Lizard King, I'm just fooling around."
"Kukukuku~~~"