"That Empty Throne is empty anyway, why not let me sit on it!"
Roland spoke the most terrifying words in the world with the most casual tone.
Vice Admiral Tsuru was shocked!!!
She knew beforehand that Roland would not accept the Five Elders' Shichibukai invitation.
She stayed behind just to see how Roland would refuse the Five Elders.
But she never expected that Roland would drop a bombshell the moment he opened his mouth.
The Empty Throne!!!
That was the Empty Throne!!!
Navy beauty Colonel Tina was completely dumbfounded.
Even though she had never seen it with her own eyes, she had heard of the legend of the Empty Throne.
She knew it was an absolute taboo that no one could touch.
"Lord Robin…"
King Cobra opened his mouth, feeling a dry throat, unable to utter a single word.
As one of the World Government's allied nations, and as one of the Twenty Royal Families from eight hundred years ago.
Cobra naturally understood the legendary Empty Throne best.
It was the symbol of equality for the Twenty Kings Alliance who defeated their enemies eight hundred years ago.
The weapons of the Twenty Kings stood before the Empty Throne, representing their equality.
No one could usurp and sit on that position.
The Empty Throne belonged to the King of the World!!!
The King of the World who did not exist on this sea!!!
"Traitor! To utter such treasonous words, there will be no place for you on this sea!"
The black-suited CP7 officer roared in his heart, but dared not speak it aloud.
An unspeakable dead silence lasted for an unknown period.
"Do you know what you are saying? Even if it's a joke, this is absolutely not allowed!"
Saturn Gorosei Saturn's voice, cold as ten thousand years of ice, came from the other end of the Den Den Mushi, breaking the silence.
"Old Elder, I also said that I will not be subservient. If you sincerely invite me to be your superior, then I can reluctantly consider it!"
Roland's tone carried a hint of reluctance.
Huh?
Inviting him to be their superior, and he was still reluctant?
At this moment, the five highest authorities of the world in Holy Land Mary Geoise were all so angry they were muddled, furious to the point of overheating.
Steam, representing their rage, rose from the tops of their heads.
They never expected that they had only come to ask someone to be a Shichibukai.
But the other party wanted to be their father.
They had thought Roland might refuse the Shichibukai invitation.
But they never expected Roland to go against common sense, daring to directly ascend above them in one step.
How many years has it been?
They no longer knew how many years it had been since they encountered such an ignorant brat.
"Good, good, good."
The world's highest authorities laughed in extreme anger.
"You will pay the price for your presumptuous words!"
After uttering a final harsh remark, the Five Elders angrily hung up the Den Den Mushi.
"Get out!"
Roland waved his hand indifferently.
The black-suited CP7 members didn't even dare to fart and scurried away.
Vice Admiral Tsuru stared straight at Roland for a long time, finally just sighing.
He was, after all, too young and reckless!!!
Vice Admiral Tsuru could already imagine that Roland's group would face a desperate situation with a ninety percent chance of death.
"Lord Robin…"
It wasn't until everyone had left that Cobra recovered from his shock, taking a deep breath and preparing to properly discuss the taboo topic of the Empty Throne with Roland.
However...
Before he could speak.
He saw Roland make a shushing gesture first, a confident arc on his lips.
"You don't need to say anything, I know everything! Don't worry, nothing will happen!"
Seeing this, Cobra naturally had nothing more to say.
The matter Roland was involved in had already far exceeded his capabilities as a king.
The level was too high!!!
However...
Looking at the calm expression on Roland's face.
Much of the worry in Cobra's heart suddenly dissipated.
Perhaps Roland truly possessed the power to contend with the World Government.
What he had shown so far was merely the tip of the iceberg.
...
...
At this moment.
Holy Land Mary Geoise.
The Five Elders' New Council Chamber.
"Ah, ah, ah, I'm so angry! I'm absolutely furious!"
Mars Gorosei Marcus Mars was enraged, roaring incessantly.
"How dare he? How dare that kid? How dare he say that! Who gave him the courage?"
Mercury Gorosei Wochury was trembling with anger.
"In this world, only that esteemed individual is qualified to reign over the Empty Throne. For anyone else, even thinking about it is a capital offense!"
Mars God of Finance Gorosei Saint Nasujuro was brimming with killing intent.
"He's just a greenhorn kid. We must absolutely let him know whose sea this truly is! If he offends us, there will be no place for him on this sea!"
Jupiter Gorosei Pete declared decisively.
"Actions speak louder than words. Let's start acting now. First, the bounties…"
Saturn Gorosei Saturn said in a deep voice.
"That's right, put a high bounty on him. Not just him, but everyone on his ship, even a dog won't escape. He can protect himself, but can he constantly protect those around him?"
Mars God of Finance Gorosei Saint Nasujuro sneered, thinking of a good idea.
"Heh heh heh, just eliminating him like this is too easy. We must make that bastard kid feel the deepest despair, and absolutely torment him until he's mentally exhausted!"
...
...
Roland was naturally unaware of the Five Elders' schemes.
Even if he knew, he wouldn't be the slightest bit flustered, because he still held the trump card.
If the World Government behaved itself, Roland could continue to develop and slowly play with them.
But if they pushed him too hard, he would just flip the table, and no one would have a good time.
The next morning.
Reports about the Alabasta incident spread throughout the world.
The downfall and imprisonment of Shichibukai Crocodile greatly shook the sea.
"Hey, hey, hey, what exactly happened? How did that Crocodile suddenly get arrested?"
"Yeah, if I remember correctly, Crocodile was a Shichibukai, right!"
"That Sand Crocodile guy wasn't in cahoots with the Government? How could he suddenly…"
"The news didn't explain in detail, only saying that Crocodile violated the Shichibukai regulations!"
"Hahaha, serves him right, you stinky Crocodile! This is what you get for joining the Government!"
"Did he think he could show off just because he became a World Government lackey? It's truly gratifying!"
Under the World Government's deliberate concealment, the details of the Shichibukai's coup d'état in Alabasta were completely hidden.
However, the arrest of Shichibukai Crocodile alone was enough to cause a stir.
There were those who were shocked and in an uproar, but more were gloating.
But very quickly.
People's attention was drawn to another astonishing piece of news.
This morning, along with the news of the Alabasta incident, five new wanted posters were also released.
[Air Force Pirates]
[Captain Roland — Bounty: 1 billion Berries]
[Maid Thor — Bounty: 300 million Berries]
Nami, the Thief Cat — Bounty: 300,000,000 Berries
Kuina, the Swordswoman — Bounty: 300,000,000 Berries
Teapot Shukaku, the Pet — Bounty: 300,000,000 Berries
Holy crap!!!
Holy, holy, holy crap!!!
What the f*ck?
Across the world, exclamations of shock and uproar rose and fell, never ceasing.
"Hey, hey, hey, what's going on now? What in the world is the World Government thinking?!"
"Where did these Air Force Pirates come from? How can this man, Roland, possibly have a first bounty of a billion?!"
"This, this, this… a first bounty of a billion, just how incredibly heinous must he be?!"
"This must have broken the bounty record! A billion is already the level of a Four Emperors' high-ranking executive!"
"Hey, hey, hey, besides this man named Roland, the bounties of everyone else on his ship are also incredible!"
"A maid, a Little Cat Burglar, a child, and even a pet… these guys were all given bounties of 300 million!"
"Damn it, I risked my life doing so many bad things and only got twenty million, but these guys… I refuse to accept this!"
"Hahahaha, my lads, a chance to get rich has arrived! As long as we capture this group, it'll be two billion Berries!"
"But… with such high bounties, can we really handle them? Maybe we should just behave ourselves!"
"What are you afraid of?! If we can't catch the captain, can't we at least catch the women, children, and pets?!"
"Exactly, exactly! This is practically a pie falling from the sky! Just catching one of them would let us live lavishly for ten years!"
"I still feel like something's not right…"
Across the Grand Line, countless people were profoundly shocked by the bounties of Roland's group.
The bounty hunter community was polarized.
One side believed that with such high bounties, Roland's group must be extremely dangerous.
The other side felt they could target the women and children.
This was precisely the goal the World Government wanted to achieve.
Under a heavy reward, there will surely be brave men!!!
Once or twice, Roland might be able to defend himself.
But what about ten, twenty… a hundred times?
Constant harassment would eventually wear Roland down, causing him to become exhausted and fall into despair.
… …
East Blue.
Goa Kingdom, Windmill Village.
Makino's pub.
"Ahhh~"
Makino, the pub's signboard girl with a green bandana tied around her head, couldn't help but gasp in surprise.
"Luo Luo Luo… Mr. Roland and Miss Tohru… how could this be…?"
"Oh, oh, oh, oh!"
The excited shouts of a young boy came from outside the pub.
"Makino! Makino! Look, that guy Roland actually has a bounty of 100 million Berries! I can't believe he became a big shot so quickly… If it were me, my first bounty wouldn't be much worse than his!"
Luffy said to himself.
"Luffy, count again, Mr. Roland's bounty isn't 100 million, it's a billion!"
Makino slapped her forehead with her delicate hand.
"Eh? Eh, eh, eh! A… a billion! Isn't that even higher than Ace?!"
Luffy's eyes nearly popped out of his sockets in shock, almost activating his Nika mode prematurely.
… …
Cocoyasi Village.
"Eh?"
"Eh, eh, eh!"
"This, this, this… something must be wrong here!"
"Mr. Roland and them, and Nami… Nami actually…"
"That Nami actually became a great pirate with a bounty of 300 million!"
"Our Cocoyasi Village finally has an incredible big shot, hahaha!"
The villagers discussed, some in shock, some in astonishment, and some in pleasant surprise.
"Is this a time to be laughing? Nami has a bounty on her! She'll be targeted by many dangerous people from now on!"
Genzo anxiously scolded them.
"Oh, oh, don't worry, Mr. Roland, everything will be fine with Mr. Roland around, Nami will definitely be okay!"
Nojiko smiled, reassuring him, not flustered in the slightest.
… …
Shimotsuki Village.
Isshin Dojo.
At this moment.
Looking at the high bounty for Kuina in his hand, Koushirou was completely dumbfounded.
Just what earth-shattering thing did his daughter do to get a first bounty of 300 million?
Before Koushirou could think deeply, a continuous stream of visitors arrived.
They were his former disciples.
"Master! Master!"
"Master Koushirou!"
"What's going on with this bounty poster?!"
"Kuina! Is it really Kuina?!"
"Kuina isn't already…?"
"Although I don't know what's going on, this face is definitely Kuina, no doubt about it!"
"Hahahaha, if Zoro saw Kuina, I wonder what he'd…?"
A group of villagers and swordsmen chattered away.
… …
At this moment.
A certain sea area in the East Blue.
A small boat drifted with the waves.
Three men were either sitting or standing on the deck.
"Boss! Boss! Look, something incredible has happened in the Grand Line! That Baroque Works, which once invited you, Boss, has been destroyed!"
Johnny, the Sword God, wearing a blue plaid shirt, handed a newspaper to the Green Algae Head man.
"Compared to that trivial matter, this is the big news, Boss! Look, a big business opportunity has arrived! If we can pull this off, we'll be rich!"
Joseph, the Sword Saint, wearing a headband, waved five bounty posters in front of the Green Algae Head.
"I don't plan to go to the Grand Line yet, for now…"
Zoro's words abruptly stopped before he finished.
He caught a glimpse of one of the bounty posters out of the corner of his eye.
The photo on the bounty poster was of a smiling blue-haired girl.
Her appearance and smile perfectly matched the image of the girl in his mind.
"Kuina… Is this Kuina?!"
Zoro snatched the bounty poster from Joseph's hand, holding Kuina's poster tightly, staring intently.
Looking at the photo on the bounty poster, looking at the spelling of Kuina's name, at this moment, Zoro's eyes turned red.
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