Luffy remained in Water 7 for a full five days, using this time to finalize preparations for his first diplomatic destination—a small nation called Zeboria Kingdom. The Stormbreaker was fully stocked and ready for the journey ahead.
The preparations weren't just logistical. As an Admiral representing the Marines, Luffy had studied reports about each country they would visit. Though he wasn't known for his scholarly approach, this mission required at least some diplomatic knowledge. Ain had been particularly helpful, compiling digestible briefings that even Luffy could understand at a glance.
After bidding farewell to Iceberg and confirming arrangements to meet Franky in Wano, Luffy also took time to host a modest gathering with his local fan. Some had traveled from neighboring islands just for a chance to see the man who had helped topple emperors and reshape the New World.
"Remember, you're representing not just the Marines but also our G66 reputation," Ain had reminded him, straightening his admiral's coat before they departed. "Try not to cause any international incidents."
Luffy had just grinned in response. "When have I ever caused trouble?"
The collective groan from his squad had been answer enough.
Finally, Luffy and his crew departed from the shipbuilding holy land, setting course for their first official stop.
As expected, the admiral's arrival in Zeboria Kingdom was met with enthusiastic welcome from all levels of society. The royal family organized an elaborate reception ceremony, with banners bearing the Marine insignia and Luffy's personal emblem fluttering throughout the capital. Meanwhile, citizens spontaneously flooded the streets, eager to catch a glimpse of the man known as one of the world's strongest fighters.
Many held up handmade signs celebrating his victories against the Four Emperors, while children perched on their parents' shoulders tried to imitate his fighting poses.
Unlike many nations under World Government protection, the Zeboria Kingdom, despite its modest size, enjoyed considerable prosperity. Even with their annual contributions to the Heavenly Tribute, the common people maintained comfortable lives.
Their relative comfort in this chaotic age stemmed from two main factors. For one, Zeboria was blessed with abundant natural resources—its farms, fisheries, and hunting grounds yielded plentiful harvests. The royal family maintained relatively reasonable taxation policies and didn't exploit their subjects with excessive demands.
"The king here seems okay," Luffy had commented after their first official dinner at the palace. "He laughs a lot and shares food with everyone, not just the fancy people."
Ain had nodded thoughtfully. "Sometimes, the best rulers are those who understand their own limitations and govern with humility."
The second key to Zeboria's stability was the Marine presence—specifically, the G-32 branch situated within the kingdom's borders. The base commander, Vice Admiral Artisan, maintained order with firm but fair policies. In the Paradise half of the Grand Line, a Vice Admiral represented nearly insurmountable military might. Few pirates, no matter how reckless, would deliberately provoke such authority.
Artisan, a veteran Marine with a record of twenty-seven successful operations against notable pirate crews, had welcomed Luffy with proper military formality but genuine respect. "I've followed your career with great interest, Admiral Monkey D. Luffy," he'd said during their official meeting. "Your approach is... unconventional, but your results speak for themselves."
This Marine protection allowed Zeboria Kingdom to maintain peaceful prosperity despite the increasingly dangerous waters surrounding the Grand Line. Consequently, citizens from all walks of life held favorable opinions of both the Marines and the World Government, making them staunch supporters of the existing global order.
For these reasons, the entire kingdom embraced Luffy's visit with sincere enthusiasm. The experience in Zeboria proved genuinely pleasant for Luffy and his crew.
Ain had taken extensive notes throughout their visit. "The stability here could be a model for other nations," she'd observed as they prepared to depart. "Though I suspect few kingdoms are blessed with both good leadership and sufficient resources."
Luffy had simply nodded, his mind already drifting to their next destination.
Of course, nations like Zeboria remained the exception rather than the rule. After a three-day stay, Luffy and his crew resumed their journey.
Their next stop, however—the Kingdom of Bulchiva—left Luffy with a markedly different impression.
Like Zeboria, Bulchiva technically qualified as a World Government ally. The crucial difference lay in the living conditions of its ordinary citizens.
As they approached the kingdom's harbor, Nami had frowned at the stark contrast between the gleaming royal district atop the central hill and the dilapidated buildings spreading outward. "Something feels wrong here," she'd murmured. "The wealth disparity is visible even from the sea."
The common people struggled daily under crushing aristocratic oppression. Beyond their domestic hardships, they also bore the burden of the kingdom's exorbitant Heavenly Tribute payments to maintain World Government membership—costs that the royal family passed directly to their already-suffering subjects.
Luffy's ship docked directly at the capital city, where surface-level prosperity created an illusion of national well-being. The welcoming ceremonies matched those in Zeboria for pageantry, with cheering crowds and elaborate decorations.
But Luffy's observation Haki detected what polished facades couldn't hide. Beyond the capital's walls, he sensed only numbness and despair. His heightened perception picked up the citizens' muffled resentment toward the government, the Marines, and especially the royal nobility.
"Their hearts are heavy," Luffy had said quietly as they rode in an ornate carriage toward the palace. "They're hungry and afraid."
Ain had nodded grimly. "The walls here serve two purposes—to keep dangers out and to keep the suffering hidden from view."
Though separated from the capital's residents by mere stone barriers, these people lived worlds apart—one in luxury, the other in misery. The contrast couldn't have been more stark or disturbing.
Luffy had little sympathy for such governance. After fulfilling his obligatory three-day diplomatic stay—and firmly rejecting King Bulchiva's awkward attempts to arrange a marriage with his daughter—he departed with his crew.
The princess herself had seemed equally relieved when Luffy declined the arrangement. "Please don't take offense, Lord Admiral," she'd whispered when they briefly found themselves alone. "I would rather choose my own fate, if possible."
Luffy had simply grinned. "No problem. I already have plenty of complicated relationships anyway."
Immediately upon leaving Bulchiva's waters, Luffy compiled a detailed report on the kingdom's conditions and inform Koala with a secure Den Den Mushi. She, in turn, transmitted this intelligence to Revolutionary Army channels, where it eventually reached Dragon himself.
"Take care with these reports," Luffy had cautioned her. "The timing needs to be right."
Koala had nodded seriously. "Dragon-san understands the delicate balance. We won't endanger your position or the mission."
Barring unexpected complications, the Revolutionary Army would soon dispatch agents to verify Luffy's findings through first-hand investigation.
Not long afterward, another revolution would likely erupt—one more government-toppling uprising to trouble the World Government and its member states.
This pattern continued throughout Luffy's tour. In every nation they visited, he assessed the true living conditions of all citizens—not just those presented during official functions.
For countries where citizens suffered under oppression, Luffy forwarded comprehensive intelligence to the Revolutionary Army on the day of his departure. Based on these reports, Dragon's forces would infiltrate these nations, establish resistance networks, and eventually support uprisings against corrupt regimes.
Yet the Revolutionary Army operated with strategic patience. They wouldn't launch operations immediately following Luffy's visits—such timing would too obviously implicate him as their informant and jeopardize his position.
Dragon implemented a more sophisticated approach. He first orchestrated a revolution in a predetermined nation within the Four Blues that had no connection to Luffy's tour. The Revolutionary Army then issued public statements encouraging oppressed peoples worldwide to join their cause.
This calculated move shocked the global community and diverted the World Government's attention. Against this backdrop, when revolutionary movements subsequently emerged in places like Bulchiva Kingdom, they appeared to be spontaneous responses to this wider call to action rather than coordinated operations.
"Your father remains as cunning as ever," Ain had commented when news reached them of the first 'unrelated' revolution. "He understands the power of perception in global politics."
Luffy had just shrugged. "He does his thing, I do mine. As long as people get to eat and laugh, that's what matters."
After visiting seven World Government member nations, Luffy's Stormbreaker approached the final destination of his diplomatic tour.
This last stop represented the true highlight of his journey—Alabasta, a globally renowned superpower boasting a population exceeding ten million and a standing army six hundred thousand strong. A desert kingdom with ancient history, powerful allies, and a royal family that Luffy knew quite personally.
As the arid coastline appeared on the horizon, Luffy stood at the bow of the Stormbreaker, a rare thoughtful expression on his face. The wind ruffled his hair as memories of their previous adventure in this kingdom flooded back—a time when he still sailed under a pirate flag, fighting for friends rather than representing global institutions.
"It's been a long time," he murmured, more to himself than anyone else. "I wonder how much she's changed."