After hanging up the phone, Ross didn't rush to find Kaido in person.
Kaido was not at his peak yet. It was fine for his subordinates to play around with each other, but if he personally intervened, the situation would change.
As far as Ross knew, Kaido had recently reached a cooperation agreement with the World Government, selling Seastone to the World Government in exchange for Berries, supplies, Zoan-type Devil Fruits, and so on.
However, pirates were ultimately different from the Marines, and necessary discipline was still required.
"Zane."
"Your Highness!"
Zane bowed slightly; she had also heard the conversation on the Den Den Mushi.
"Go ask Kaido for his Den Den Mushi, and tell him I have two Ancient Zoan-type Devil Fruits and want to trade two people with him," Ross said calmly.
"Don't you need specific details?" Zane asked.
If there were specific details, it meant Ross really intended to make a replacement.
If not, then it was just a stopgap measure, and they would definitely have to be prepared to antagonize them later.
"One Cat-Cat Fruit, Model: Saber-Toothed Tiger, one Dragon-Dragon Fruit, Model: Spinosaurus. Ask Kaido for two people, one named King, and the other named Kozuki Toki," Ross said.
"Understood!"
Zane nodded, without asking who Kozuki Toki was.
Since Ross asked her to do it, she should just do it and deal with it if she didn't get what she wanted.
"You can finish this in the next couple of days. Now, come with me off the ship."
Ross gazed at the approaching port in the distance, his eyes narrowing slightly.
At this point in time, Kozuki Oden was still alive, so he could go to Wano Country to make some plans.
What Kaido could do, he could certainly do too.
However, the most urgent task was to take over the first base.
The port had clearly been cleared out long ago, leaving a large area empty for the ships that Ross was traveling on to dock.
The shore was crowded with people, all seemingly eagerly awaiting the arrival of the Celestial Dragons.
"The welcoming ceremony was quite grand," Ross joked.
Jaygarcia Island was their family's ancestral home, and his visit had been announced in advance.
He had no interest in the undercover operation; it was pointless to pretend in front of fools. He preferred to go straight to those in power.
"I've experienced such welcoming ceremonies several times. Those standing over there are more actors hired by the kingdom than commoners."
Zephyr stood beside Ross, gazing indifferently at the distant port.
As a Marine Admiral, he visited many member states and received similar welcoming treatment as he was receiving today.
Over the years, the member states had developed a fairly standardized reception process.
"After all, we're only staying temporarily, so it's good enough if they just go through the motions. But we can use this as an excuse to make a fuss."
Ross chuckled. The Lanka family had to be destroyed, but it depended on what excuse to use.
If the pretext was beneficial to subsequent rule, then that was of course the best.
If there's really no benefit to it, using the excuse that the king kneels with his left foot first to annoy him wouldn't be a big problem.
They're all Celestial Dragons; it would be a problem if they didn't kill them.
As the ship approached the port, pleasant welcoming music suddenly began to play.
"Lanca Humphrey, along with all the nobles of the Kingdom of Lanka, warmly welcomes the esteemed Celestial Dragon!"
As the resounding announcement echoed through the harbor, the once bustling dock instantly fell into a deathly silence. The sea breeze seemed to stop blowing, and even the sound of waves lapping against the shore became barely audible.
Led by Humphrey, hundreds of people knelt down in unison like harvested wheat, their foreheads pressed to the ground, not daring to look directly at the giant ship that was slowly entering the harbor.
"Humphrey, that's the right name, isn't it?"
Ross's voice suddenly rang out beside Humphrey, and he and Zane appeared in front of Humphrey.
Humphrey was a 2.5-meter-tall, somewhat overweight man who appeared unusually bulky, completely enveloped in the luxurious royal attire.
"You may call me whatever you wish, Your Highness!"
Humphrey quickly crawled over to Ross and kissed his toes.
Ross had recently done a live global broadcast, and that incredibly handsome face was already deeply etched into his mind.
The island beneath their feet was named Jaygarcia.
The Celestial Dragon who had just been remembered by the world was named Jaygarcia.
This was practically a golden opportunity handed right to his doorstep.
"Let them get up. I don't like too many people. You'll be the only one who comes with them."
After Humphrey had licked his shoes until they shone brightly, Ross continued walking forward.
"Yes, Your Highness!"
Humphrey quickly got up, dismissed the nobles on his left and right, leaving only a few servants to clear the way.
He warned the entire capital city today that they should behave themselves when the Celestial Dragons arrive, otherwise they would be wiped out and their families exterminated on the same day the Celestial Dragons leave.
Ross walked through the path cleared by the crowd, his gaze lingering only briefly on the civilians around him before quickly looking away.
The common people around them were all dressed in brightly colored new clothes, and they all looked shiny and healthy. No wonder Zephyr said that these people were actors.
Given the current environment of the One Piece world, ordinary people simply could not reach such a standard of living.
Tales of ordinary people coming to the port to greet someone were just that—tales to ponder, not to believe; only a fool would take them seriously.
Even if a Marine Admiral were to arrive, the common people might not necessarily come to greet him. He was not the savior of this place, so who would care about an unrelated big shot?
Besides, even ordinary people knew what kind of people the Celestial Dragons were; they'd rather avoid them than risk getting close. Why would anyone bother with them?
After waving the crowd away, Humphrey, like a follower, trotted up behind Ross and introduced him respectfully:
"Your Highness, this way please. Your palace has been prepared for you, and 20 of the kingdom's most beautiful maidens have been provided for your enjoyment."
With that, he led Ross to the luxurious carriage that had been prepared beforehand.
"Let's go for a walk around the city first."
Ross glanced at the luxurious carriage. The steps weren't very high; he could easily jump up, but he still didn't make a move.
Humphrey was a smart man with his own little schemes, which he could easily see through.
Petty schemes were fine, even greed was acceptable; the key was to have the ability.
He wouldn't entrust the management of this vast Jaygarcia Island to a bunch of fools; it was his future rear base.
"Your opinion is final!"
Seeing that Ross didn't move, Humphrey immediately stood in front of Ross and prostrated himself on the ground.
The commoners around him were all children of nobles, and they all knew what the Celestial Dragons were like. No matter how humble he was, it wouldn't affect the rule of the Kingdom of Lanka.
As long as he didn't make a fool of himself in front of those lowly people, Ross could do whatever he wanted.
"Zane, you get in the car first."
Ross smiled, but when Zane stepped on Humphrey to get into the car, he noticed that Humphrey's expression darkened slightly.
Although emotions were fleeting, his abilities were more than enough to capture them easily.
"Humphrey, you're very good."
Ross casually offered a compliment before stepping onto Humphrey's back and getting into the carriage.
As the carriage began to move forward, it also marked the start of Ross's journey through Jaygarcia.
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