Chapter 50: The Kingdom of Solbe

The Kingdom of Solbe, southern seas.

On the Dragon-Headed Red-Sailed Eastern Emperor, the Morning Star Pirates held an internal meeting, with intern Little Black Girl Robin taking notes.

“Captain, the Eastern Emperor is too conspicuous; rashly entering the Kingdom of Solbe will almost certainly draw the attention of the Marines and the World Government.”

Tenghu continued: “To avoid unnecessary complications for our subsequent operations, I suggest you and Mr. Mihawk travel light.”

Seven lowered the electric arcs dancing at his fingertips and uncommonly rejected Tobu’s lifelong proposal.

“Unnecessary.”

“We sail openly into Solbe. Without World Government approval, the Marines won’t dare engage us—especially not the Marines of the Four Seas.”

“Don’t underestimate our influence.”

After the Four Emperors’ power structure was established in later generations, why did they coexist peacefully with the Marines for years?

The World Government desires stability and order; launching a war against the Four Emperor pirate crews would only cause chaos, which contradicts the World Government’s interests.

Though the Morning Star Pirates are few, each one is a living natural disaster—

the captain who summons thunderstorms, the vice-captain who casually slices mountains and splits seas, the fighter who calls down meteorites—only three or more Marine Admirals combined stand a chance of capturing them.

The cost outweighs the gain; such a losing business, the World Government will never undertake.

Seven pointed to the map hanging behind him.

“The Kingdom of Solbe has been split in two by its current king, Bekoli. The northern urban cluster remains a World Government allied nation, continuing to pay Sky Gold, while the southern rural regions have become lawless zones.”

“This guy has wisdom, but not much.”

Sky Gold is collected according to population.

It is the World Government’s annual tribute system from its 170 allied nations to the Celestial Dragons, transported by Marine warships to Mary Geoise to maintain allegiance.

King Bekoli aims to divide the kingdom to reduce population and thus lower the amount of Sky Gold paid to the Celestial Dragons.

Such maneuvers are common across the Grand Line.

Compared to the enormous sum of Sky Gold, whether half the population lives or dies means nothing to kings.

Know this: the Grand Line is filthy and rotten not just with Celestial Dragons—kings, nobles, pirates, and even some Marines are no better.

Seven pointed to a region on the map.

“After the Battle of the Valley of the Gods, Bear and Jin Ni returned to the South Blue and now serve as pastors in a rural church in southern Solbe, healing commoners for free.”

“To dispel Bear’s concerns, we must overthrow King Bekoli’s rule and install a worthy king for the Kingdom of Solbe.”

“During the reign of the former king, Burdogg, though poor, the people’s hearts were still rich…”

Mihawk suddenly said: “The problem is poverty…”

Seven spread his hands.

“Poverty or not is none of our concern—the Celestial Dragons are the ones stealing their wealth.”

“We’re not saviors. Giving them a relatively relaxed, democratic environment is enough. Changing their impoverished lives must be done by themselves.”

“Mihawk, let’s head into town to buy supplies. Professor Tobu stays behind to guard the ship.”

Mihawk gave a slight nod: “Alright.”

We repeatedly emphasized stealthy development, yet barely arrived in Solbe and we’re already planning to overthrow the king.

Only you, Barzab Seven.

Not long after, the Eastern Emperor docked steadily at the southern town’s harbor.

Due to insufficient crew, the task of restocking supplies fell to Seven, who was both captain and chef, and Mihawk, who was vice-captain and helmsman.

Robin and the Ohara scholars were mobile bombs—unsuitable for public exposure.

This made Seven realize he must quickly recruit loyal, adaptable crew members to handle such chores, freeing up time to develop his Gura Gura no Mi abilities.

Regarding the development of the Gura Gura no Mi—

After the Super Electromagnetic Cannon, Seven now focused on bioelectricity—more precisely, brainwaves similar to telepathy.

It was a higher realm of Observation Haki.

Observation Haki, beyond telepathy, includes foreseeing the future, reading memories… even hearing the voices of all things—perhaps its ultimate expression.

…

Entering the town’s commercial street, Seven and Mihawk split up to gather supplies.

Between the scattered alleys, most shops remained open, yet the streets were empty, only signs creaking faintly in the wind.

As a devoted meat lover, Seven headed straight to the butcher’s stall.

The butcher’s counter displayed various meats; behind it, the owner watched warily, slowly wiping a thick-backed knife.

As the god of Skypiea, whose wealth was incalculable, Seven still believed: haggling was the true joy of shopping, unrelated to wallet thickness.

“Twenty percent off. I’ll take it all.”

The butcher’s hand paused.

“Sir, these are fresh cuts from this morning—look at the marbling. No one in town sells better meat than mine.”

Seven pointed to the empty street.

“But someone has to buy them, right? Who else is here besides me?”

The butcher fell silent, then set down the knife.

“Fine. I’ll take your price.”

“Need delivery?”

A merchant knows how to read people—Seven’s attire clearly marked him as a foreigner, likely a merchant docking for supplies.

Why not a pirate?

In years of business, the butcher had never seen a pirate so reasonable—if this man were a pirate, his knife would already be at the butcher’s throat.

“Deliver it to the pier. The biggest ship there.”

While waiting for packing, Seven asked casually:

“Boss, this town seems large—why is the street completely empty?”

The butcher explained: “The villagers were all arrested by the king.”

“Arrested?”

As if finally finding someone to unburden himself to, the butcher launched into speech: “Don’t hide it from you, sir—the king abandoned us rural folk.”

“Our pastor led the villagers to beg the king to reverse his order—and they were all thrown into the royal prison.”

“Bear the pastor is a good man—he’s healed us for free these past years, helped everyone in need.”

“I just don’t understand—why isn’t such a good man the king?”

Seven shrugged: Because he’s my crewman I’ve claimed—what would I do if Bear became your king?

I sailed from the West Blue all the way to Solbe, fearing Cold Sweat King would get to him first.

Now it seems the timing is perfect.

“Boss, deliver the goods to the biggest ship at the pier. I’ll go buy other things.”

The butcher pushed his cart: “Sir, let me accompany you—I can help load other items too.”

“That’s perfect.” Seven accepted the offer.

Humans, these little creatures—when good, they’re truly good, even earning the affection of the Legendary Lover King.

When bad…

Never mind. Words that harm unity aren’t worth saying.

After nearly emptying the town’s stock of goods, Seven led the delivery merchants back to the pier.

Once all supplies were loaded, the Eastern Emperor departed the harbor, leaving the merchants staring in stunned silence.