Chapter 441: United Kingdom Matchmaking Festival

Before marriage, more than Yamato’s striking appearance and figure, Seven was drawn to her pure and unblemished character.

Beauty may win fleeting admiration, but only compatible temperaments sustain lasting harmony—people ultimately favor relationships that are relaxed, effortless, and free from inner conflict.

A beautiful face means nothing if one’s values are diametrically opposed; such a pairing can never endure a lifetime.

Moreover, Yamato is no fragile, weak woman—she is one of the rare women in the pirate world who has awakened all three forms of Haki.

She may even be ranked as the second strongest woman beneath Empress Charlotte Linlin.

The third, of course, is Hancock.

But after their wedding night, Seven gained a deeper understanding: physique and appearance matter too.

The joys of it—those who know, know.

After World King Seven’s grand marriage, a sweeping anti-corruption campaign erupted across the United Kingdom, and every budding corrupt element was instantly crushed.

Corrupt elements were unearthed across all departments, provinces, and the three branches of the military—land, sea, and air.

As the culture of corruption vanished, the campaign also significantly boosted the United Kingdom’s mining industry, leaving mines across the four seas overflowing with workers.

More importantly—

Through the anti-corruption campaign, not only did the people of the four seas grow more united, but World King Seven earned a reputation as a ruler who loved his subjects like his own children, while the United Kingdom seized the ill-gotten wealth of the corrupt.

Everyone had a bright future ahead.

Seven understood clearly: as long as there are people, there will be selfish desires—corruption can never be eradicated entirely.

But as long as he remained, and as long as the United Kingdom’s rule stood firm as a mountain, so-called corrupt elements were merely weeds—cut down, then regrowing in cycles.

When it was time to cut the weeds, one must cut them.

Unless one day, everyone becomes a dragon, and every person willingly abandons personal desire to strive wholeheartedly for a better world.

Then, corruption would no longer be a concern.

Will such a day ever come?!

And besides, Seven had already done everything he could.

The future belongs to those who come after—let them inherit the torch and write new chapters for this sea.

As the saying goes: if I cannot do it, others will.

Moreover, Seven had truly achieved it: liberating all slaves and building a world where everyone could eat their fill.

Seven’s post-wedding honeymoon had just begun when two events, neither major nor minor, left him utterly baffled.

On the day of Seven’s wedding, Buggy accidentally learned that Shanks had a new lover—and they were even at the stage of marriage discussions.

Buggy panicked. He truly panicked.

After waiting for his best friend to enjoy a few days of indulgence, Buggy finally approached Seven hesitantly, asking him to introduce someone… just to start dating.

The Sky City, seat of the Lord of the Holy Land.

Seven sat in the parlor, mentally reviewing the list of young women in the United Kingdom’s departments and the three military branches who might suit Buggy.

“Buggy, how about a naval officer?”

The Navy was vast, and its female officers were the most beautiful among all branches of the United Kingdom’s armed forces.

Like Momonga, Tina, Dore…

“Navy?” Buggy shook his head violently.

“Seven, you know I’ve never liked the Navy since childhood—if I married a Navy officer, I’d be terrified of nightmares every night.”

“What about the Army?”

Sensing Buggy wasn’t entirely resistant, Seven selected a suitable candidate from the Army’s list of unmarried female officers.

“Lieutenant General Belo Betty, twenty-six, from the East Blue, former commander of the East Revolutionary Army, and a Logia user of the Gura Gura no Mi.”

“She’s 1.96 meters tall—about your height.”

As one of the few female lieutenant generals in the Army, Belo Betty’s short purple hair exuded martial vigor; her personality was direct and decisive. Despite many suitors, she remained unmarried, wholly devoted to state affairs.

Her strong, independent, and composed nature perfectly complemented Buggy’s carefree, playful, and whimsical disposition.

One firm, one playful; one steady, one chaotic—they would never clash from being too alike.

Hearing this, Buggy admitted he was intrigued, but couldn’t bring himself to say it outright, so he fidgeted and muttered:

“Seven, do you have a photo of her?”

Seven waved his hand, and a wisp of black magical energy pulled a group photo from the Army’s annual gathering out of the bookshelf.

He handed it to Buggy.

“There—the female lieutenant general with short purple hair and sunglasses is Belo Betty. If you think she’s suitable, I’ll consult with Tenghu, Zen’yo, Shi Ji, and Dragon, and arrange a matchmaking event soon.”

“What do you say?”

Seven had many unmarried senior youths around him—Mihawk, Tenghu, Yuzhi Xiliu, Barret, Rosinante, and others.

This was the perfect chance to organize an internal matchmaking event across the United Kingdom.

He couldn’t just marry a beautiful woman himself and ignore his single companions.

After all, the United Kingdom’s promise to “provide food, lodging, and marriage” wasn’t just empty words.

Hearing this, Buggy beamed with joy.

“Seven, this idea is brilliant.”

Only a true friend like Seven would think so thoroughly—using a matchmaking event as an excuse to meet, even if nothing came of it, they’d still be able to meet without awkwardness.

It covered both substance and face.

Unlike that bastard Shanks, who only mocked him for being single.

“Alright, I’ll call the meeting right away.”

As if remembering something, Seven added: “Buggy, go see Lujiu and get a new look.”

Speaking of Lujiu, it reminded him of the other event that left him baffled.

Seven’s father-in-law, Kaido, had somehow lost his mind and developed feelings for Lujiu—even taken action.

Fortunately, the mischievous Ace spotted it immediately and rushed to report it to Seven.

This forced Seven to accelerate Roger’s resurrection—once it’s done, let Roger deal with it.

Elders’ gossip? Just listen and laugh.

One was his father-in-law, the other his former captain—he wouldn’t meddle.

Seven would just bring two small stools, sit beside Yamato, and snack on sunflower seeds while watching the drama unfold.

Soon after, the Grand Council Chamber of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

World King Seven, Chief Administrative Officer Tenghu, Second Chief Administrative Officer Da Xiong, Air Force Marshal Jinshizi, Navy Marshal Zen’yo, and Army Marshal Long all sat in their seats, fully present.

“To be precise, today’s meeting is both official business and a family matter.”

“Only recently did I realize how many of our comrades remain single.

Serving the nation is vital, but life isn’t just about work—stable family life is the foundation that supports one’s progress.”

With that, Seven shifted tone.

“Given the large number of unmarried adults among us, future promotion evaluations within the United Kingdom may optionally include marital status as a criterion.”

“Of course, the first step is always the hardest.”

“To help our comrades find suitable partners,

a nationwide matchmaking event will be held in the Holy Land, open to all eligible unmarried youth across the United Kingdom and its three military branches.”

Zen’yo immediately smiled in support.

“Your Majesty’s words are profound—only with a stable family can one serve the nation better.”

Zen’yo nearly wanted to kowtow to Seven.

His beloved son had already achieved fame and glory, widely recognized by the Navy’s high command, and was all but guaranteed the next position of Chief of Staff—except for marriage, which Rosinante had continually delayed under the excuse of official duties.

Now that World King Seven had issued the order, Zen’yo wanted to see how his son would refuse!

Tenghu sighed wryly.

“Thank you for your concern, Captain.”

The six men in the room represented the pinnacle of power in the United Kingdom, yet only Tenghu and Jinshizi remained single.

Da Xiong and Jin Ni had one son and one daughter.

Long had a son, Luffy, many years ago—his wife was the former Empress of the Nine Snake Province, Tori Toma.

“Since everyone agrees,”

Seven smiled and made arrangements: “Prepare the matchmaking event quickly. And don’t use state funds—my personal treasury will cover all expenses.”

The five others nodded in agreement.

“Yes.” X5