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When you're out in the world, your identity is what you make it. This story was Jin's way of ensuring the legitimacy of his claim to the throne.
First, as an illegitimate son, he had a blood connection and thus a right to inherit.
Second, he had been chosen by the people and recognized as their ruler.
As far as the World Government was concerned, it was a plausible story. And it was one they could sell to the other member nations.
If the governments of member nations could be overthrown at will, if kings could be replaced on a whim, and the World Government did nothing... then why would any of them pay the Heavenly Tribute?
The implicit deal was that in exchange for the tribute, the World Government would ensure the safety of their kings.
Once that deal was broken, the authority and credibility of the World Government would be called into question.
Doflamingo had been able to usurp a kingdom, but he was a former Celestial Dragon, and his family had once ruled that very nation. It was a special case.
For anyone else, the World Government and the Marines would have certainly intervened.
Jin knew that he would inevitably have to deal with the Marines and the World Government in the future. He needed a reasonable, legitimate identity.
"If you're the king of Drum Island, what are you doing here?" Hina asked.
"Drum Island is a winter island. I came to Asuka Island to purchase supplies and do a bit of sightseeing. Is there a problem?"
"So that ship is yours?"
"That's right. And the moment I arrive, this happens... Hey! I expect an explanation from you Marines! If I don't get one, I'm taking this to the World Government!"
Hina listened. It all seemed to check out. She didn't have the authority to make a decision, so she reported to Vice Admiral Comil.
"Is that so?"
Involving a member nation was above Comil's pay grade. He had no choice but to file a report and send it to Fleet Admiral Sengoku.
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"I see," Sengoku said after hearing the report. "I'll inform the Five Elders. Until then, try not to antagonize him."
After hanging up, the Fleet Admiral picked up another Den Den Mushi and called the direct line to Mary Geoise.
"Wapol?" one of the Elders said. "That idiot is dead? And a new king has been chosen? Have the Marines investigate. Make sure it's not the work of the Revolutionary Army. Also, it's time to collect this year's Heavenly Tribute. See if this new king is cooperative. As long as he pays, we don't need to concern ourselves with him. A tiny nation like that is more symbolic than anything else."
The Five Elders conferred. In a few short sentences, the matter was settled.
Drum Island, Wapol... in their eyes, it was all utterly insignificant, not even worth a second thought.
The Will of the Five Elders was passed down through the ranks.
A few words from the top, and the people at the bottom were run off their feet.
Vice Admiral Comil had to stay on Asuka Island to capture the pirates from The Dead End Race. He couldn't leave.
And so, the thankless task fell to Lieutenant Commander Hina.
Comil's orders were clear.
First, do not anger Jin.
Second, under the pretext of making amends, escort Jin back to Drum Island and investigate to make sure the Revolutionary Army wasn't involved.
Jin agreed. He'd anticipated the Marines' objective. An investigation like this was standard procedure.
Until he had the power to overthrow the world, he had to bide his time. He didn't have a hero for a grandfather, a revolutionary for a father, or a Yonko for a backer.
"Lieutenant Commander, are you sure you need to follow me around like this?" Jin asked, shooting a glance at Hina and the soldiers behind her.
"Of course," she replied, her expression serious. "Asuka Island is crawling with pirates. To ensure your safety, Your Majesty, Vice Admiral Comil has ordered me to protect you until you have safely returned to Drum Island."
"Alright then," Jin said with a smile. "In that case, I need to purchase some supplies. You can all help."
"I'll just go back to the ship to get some money. Perhaps you should wait here, Lieutenant Commander. I wouldn't want my money to go missing..."
"..." Hina's eye twitched.
A Lieutenant Commander in the Marines steal his money? But she couldn't make a scene. She stood at the bottom of the gangplank and watched him go.
"Ai, disguise mode," Jin ordered. "Standard sloop."
The demonic carrier could partition its internal space. All Hina and her men needed to see was the interior of a normal ship.
He then gathered the rest of his crew and gave them their instructions, choosing a few of the more clever ones to act as the visible crew.
With everything arranged, Jin disembarked with a chest of money.
And so, a squad of Marine soldiers became a free labor force, hauling massive quantities of food and other supplies to the docks.
"Hey, this guy... is he serious? Is he really using us as free labor?"
"And he even had Lieutenant Commander Hina give him a shoulder massage! The nerve! I'm so jealous..."
"Look at him, enjoying himself. I kind of want to kill him."
The exhausted soldiers, seeing their king relaxing under a beach umbrella and being waited on by their beautiful Lieutenant Commander, were seething with rage.
"Hey! Don't slack off!"
"WHO'S SLACKING OFF??"
After a long afternoon of hard labor, a dozen tons of supplies were loaded into the ship's hold. Hina then accompanied Jin on an inspection of the ship.
She found it strange that such a large ship had such a small crew, but she couldn't find anything else out of the ordinary.
"Lieutenant Commander, it's getting dark. Are you planning on staying on board? We don't have any ladies' quarters," Jin said.
Hina's eyes darted around. Everything seemed normal, but she had a gut feeling that something was very wrong. A sense of unease settled in her heart. It was as if a giant beast, a demon, was lurking in the shadows of the ship, watching her, ready to swallow her whole.
That feeling was oppressive, frightening.
Was it just her imagination?
It wasn't. It was the invisible "Domain" of the awakened Munch-Munch Fruit, suppressing her own Bind-Bind Fruit.
She didn't understand it. But her professional instincts, her sense of duty as a Marine, told her she needed to investigate further. She was a confident woman. She wouldn't run away.
"King Jin's ship is so large," she said. "Surely you have a spare room? And what if pirates attack? It would be easier to protect you if we were on the same ship."
"In that case, Lieutenant Commander," Jin said with a grin, "why don't you stay with me in the captain's quarters? A personal bodyguard would be the safest, wouldn't it?"
Hina's beautiful eyes narrowed. "Alright. If the King doesn't mind."
"LIEUTENANT COMMANDER!" her men exclaimed.
"THAT GUY IS NO GOOD!"
"HE'S TOTALLY INTO YOU...!"
"DON'T FALL FOR IT!"
"..."
Jin shot them a sidelong glance. "Hey, you pack of simps. Get back to your own ship. We're about to set sail, and there's no room for you here. Not unless you want to be thrown overboard to feed the fishes. Now, get lost."
The soldiers glared at him, fuming. They'd worked like dogs all day, and now he was calling them simps?
"Don't get too cocky, you bastard king!"
"Watch it, or I'll knock you out!"
But despite their grumbling, a single look from Hina was enough to send them scurrying back to their own ship.
A group of grown men, tamer than a pack of dogs.
"Pathetic," Jin sighed.
...
As he watched the Empress and the Marine warship leave the port, Vice Admiral Comil felt a sense of unease. They should have been here by now.
"Did something go wrong?" he wondered. "Was the destination not Asuka Island? Gasparde... did that shameless bastard betray the Marines again?"
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