At the G-10 branch's naval base, Vice Admiral Garp and Rear Admiral Loca chatted in the reception room.
Yoriichi and Aokiji, however, weren't with Garp. After so many days in the New World, the marine officers, though they didn't complain, were undeniably fatigued.
Garp assigned Aokiji to oversee the officers' resupply and also gave all the officers and soldiers a day off. After completing the resupply mission, they were free to move around.
Yoriichi also paused his training for the day; his accumulated fatigue definitely needed some rest—he wasn't a masochist.
Taking advantage of the rare opportunity, he followed Aokiji onto the streets of the Kingdom of Nier.
Although it was a mixed bag of people, the market was bustling due to the kingdom's large population.
"Wow! It's really lively!"
"It's a bit different from the New World I imagined."
Yoriichi and Aokiji walked together on the streets, experiencing the country's prosperity, and couldn't help but remark.
He had assumed that every country in the New World would be rife with pirates and chaos. After all, Luffy's journey had been filled with injustice, and pirates had become the most powerful force on the high seas. Surprisingly, the Kingdom of Nier was remarkably safe.
Even its towns were quite prosperous.
"Well, I don't know what your imagined New World is like," he said.
"But there are quite a few prosperous places like the Kingdom of Nier in the New World."
"However... what lies hidden behind this prosperity is probably difficult to explain in a few words."
Aokiji knew the Kingdom of Nier's background and didn't have much affection for a country that straddled both the legitimate and criminal worlds. The Kingdom of Nier didn't align with his values.
"Who cares how much he's hiding? To me, the king of this country is quite capable."
"At least, he can maintain apparent stability. In a world teeming with pirates, that's quite impressive."
Yoriichi didn't know the true nature of the Kingdom of Nier. He thought the king was doing a good job; managing the country like this in such a world was truly remarkable.
"Who knows?" Aokiji remained noncommittal, seemingly unwilling to discuss the topic further. Seeing a stall selling flatbread nearby, he excitedly asked Yoriichi, "Yoriichi, these flatbreads are pretty good! The filling is made with local fruits. Want to try some?"
"Fruit filling?"
"Try it!"
"Oh, right, I don't have any money. You pay."
Yoriichi's interest was piqued. He never refused unique food, even if it tasted strange.
Just as Yoriichi and Aokiji were experiencing the local customs and culture of the Kingdom of Nier...
In the royal palace at the center of the island, King Nikola McCartney was hosting a grand banquet to welcome a group of special guests.
"Hahahaha!"
"Gentlemen, no need for formalities."
"Captain Nyx, welcome to the Kingdom of Nieer! Here, this toast is for you!"
The table was covered with luxurious silk tablecloths, and rows of silver cutlery gleamed under the lamplight. Slender and beautiful maids poured wine for the guests.
Dressed in an elegant gown, Nikola McCartney raised his glass, stood up, and addressed the guests.
Nyx, captain of the Nyx Pirates, was a rugged, burly middle-aged man with a bounty of 200 million.
Although Nyx had only recently arrived in the New World, he had already accomplished many great feats, defeating two pirate crews with bounties of 150 million and 110 million respectively, making him a renowned figure in the underworld.
Before entering the New World, Nyx had repeatedly attacked merchant ships of World Government member states in the North Blue, thus earning a warrant for his arrest by the Navy.
"Hehehe!"
"Our King Nikola McCartney is truly hospitable!"
"I'm almost embarrassed by this hospitality."
"Let's not drink yet. To be honest, I've come uninvited this time because I have a favor to ask of His Majesty, and I hope to obtain His Majesty's permission."
Nyx picked up his wine glass, stood up, glanced at the maid beside him out of the corner of his eye, licked his lips, and then spoke with a smile.
Nikola McCartney noticed Nyx's gaze and saw Nyx putting on airs despite being toasted. His heart sank, but he put on a bright smile and asked,
"What can I do for you, Captain Nyx? If I can help, I certainly will!"
"Even if what you're asking is difficult, I have a good reputation and know a few people in the Whitebeard Pirates. Asking them should be able to offer Captain Nyx some assistance." "If all else fails, I know a few admirals at Marine Headquarters. Maybe they can put in a good word for you."
"Captain Nyx, is there anything you need my help with?"
Nyx didn't answer, but suddenly grinned lewdly and grabbed the maid beside him, pulling her into his arms. Ignoring the maid's struggles and screams, Nyx's hand gripped the maid's collar.
Just as they were about to make their next move, Nikola McCartney on the platform suddenly roared,
"Stop!"
"Captain Nyx, I'm treating you with goodwill, what are you planning to do!"
Nyx stopped, looked up, and coldly stared at McCartney. A smirk played on his lips as he said,
"Your Highness, I've sailed all the way from the North Sea to the New World, and I'm getting a little tired of seafaring."
"My crew is tired of it too."
"We want to find a place to settle down and settle down."
"I think the Kingdom of Nier is quite nice, very prosperous. Of course, more importantly, the women here are of good quality, I'm very satisfied! Hahahaha!"
"My request is that simple, I hope Your Highness will give me this face and not be ungrateful!"
Nyx finished speaking, looked down at the woman in his arms, and chuckled. At the same time, dozens of members of the Nyx Pirates in the hall also stood up from their seats, drew their long swords, and looked at McCartney in the main seat.
Looking for trouble.
McCartney was never one to be oblivious. From the moment the Nyx Pirates inexplicably stormed the palace, he knew they were up to no good.
He had thought that mentioning Whitebeard and the Marines would make them wary, but so far, it seemed to have little effect.
The Nyx Pirates had only recently entered the New World, and their numerous repellings of pursuing Marines had made them arrogant. The vast ocean constantly fueled their ambitions.
They no longer considered the Marines a threat, and as for the Whitebeard Pirates? Sorry, they didn't know them!
Although McCartney was filled with rage, his experience leading the Kingdom of Nier, navigating both the legal and illegal worlds, allowed him to control his emotions effectively.
Seeing the Nyx Pirates' true intentions revealed, McCartney, beaming, said, "Oh! Such a small request!"
"Easy!"
"In my personal capacity, I'll gift you all a manor, giving you a place to stay in the Kingdom of Nier."
"Alright, since I've agreed to Captain Nyx's request, you brothers can put away your weapons."
"Come, let's drink! Hahaha!"
Faced with McCartney's concession, Nyx's smile widened. He shook his head and said,
"No need for Your Highness, I have no interest in a manor."
"I think Your Highness's palace is quite nice; I like it very much."
"Give us this palace, Your Highness!"
As he spoke, a puddle of mud suddenly appeared beneath Nyx's feet, rapidly expanding outwards until it covered the entire palace.
Mud also spread to the platform where McCartney was standing, and by the time he noticed, his feet were already covered in mud.
The power of a Devil Fruit!
Seeing this, McCartney's eyes finally flashed with panic. He immediately cried out,
"Captain Nyx, I grant your request!"
"I will leave the palace with my family immediately!"
However, the mud beneath McCartney's feet surged rapidly, engulfing him and forming a mud pillar. McCartney struggled violently within the mud pillar, but could not break free no matter what he did.
Gradually, McCartney's movements stiffened, and within a few seconds, he was completely still.
The mud pillar collapsed, and McCartney's body slammed onto the table with a thud, the ornate tablecloth stained with foul-smelling mud.
Nyx watched this scene silently, his smile growing increasingly radiant and unrestrained.
"Hehehe!"
"Hahahaha!"
"I'll be very troubled if you leave!"
"I've heard that your wife and daughters are all beauties."