Chapter 26: Aokiji Visits Drum Kingdom!
The world was a vast expanse of white, with snowflakes fluttering continuously in the cold wind. The entire Island, adorned with snow, looked like it was covered in a pristine white carpet.
The mountain range formed by the connected Snow Mountains highlighted the eight towering peaks that pierced the clouds, making them incredibly magnificent. This place was the Drum Kingdom, one of the Affiliated Countries under the World Government.
An extremely typical winter Island located in the First Half of the Grand Line.
Even though snowflakes were falling at this moment, this was already considered relatively rare good weather for this Nation. At least the Wind today was quite gentle.
On the Dock, the current King Arnold, with purple hair, wearing a white Fur hat and thick Winter Clothes, glanced at the armed Soldiers responsible for security around him and gave endless instructions to the Officials behind him.
"Is everything ready? The World Government's Visiting Ship will arrive in half an hour. There must be no mistakes!"
The Official bowed and scraped, quickly replying.
"Your Majesty, please rest assured. There will be absolutely no accidents on the way from here to the Main Peak. The Carnivorous Rabbit Lapahns have already been lured five kilometers away with Raw Meat and definitely won't be back within a few hours. The Cable Car is also ready; it has been checked many times and there are no problems."
"Hmm, what about those two boys? Why aren't they here yet?" King Arnold asked with some displeasure.
"Well... Prince Mushul and Prince Wapol felt it was too cold outside. After all, the two Princes are only five or six years old this year, they are indeed still young," the Official replied awkwardly.
"Cold?"
King Arnold scoffed, "Didn't they still have snowball fights outside the Castle when it was even colder than this? Who are you trying to fool? They just find waiting here too boring. Forget it, I won't bother with them!"
He had originally wanted to bring his two Sons to welcome them, hoping to make a good impression on Minister Malvani, who was visiting this time.
This was the Minister of the World Government's Administrative Department!
"Your Majesty, why would this Minister Lord suddenly want to visit our Nation?" The Official looked at the unobstructed Sea Surface, the Great Sea with flying snowflakes looked quite poetic, and asked in confusion.
"I don't know either. The notification didn't say. However, I guess it must be related to this year's Reverie. Besides that, I really can't think of anything else important enough to warrant the Great Minister coming in person."
King Arnold said this while patiently standing in place, waiting.
Indeed, the World Government's Visiting Ship was very punctual. Thirty minutes later, escorted on both sides by two Marine Warships, it slowly sailed into the Drum Kingdom's Port.
Soon, a white-haired middle-aged man in a Suit and tie, wearing a thick black leather overcoat, over two meters tall, and a Marine Officer estimated to be three meters tall, stepped off their respective Ships.
At the same time, numerous energetic and sturdy Marine Headquarters Soldiers dispersed, instantly taking over the security work of the entire Port.
"Hahaha, welcome, welcome! It is a great honor to host Minister Malvani's visit in our Nation. I must treat you well this time!"
King Arnold laughed heartily and walked over with great enthusiasm. Minister Malvani shook his Hand and smiled, "I am also here under the Order of the Lords. Because the Matter is somewhat complex and of high importance, I came in person."
"Oh? Can you reveal what the Matter is?"
King Arnold's Heart trembled slightly. Getting involved with the World Government, and it being complex and important, didn't sound like a good thing no matter how he heard it.
"Heh heh, it's a good thing. Your Drum Kingdom is quite lucky this time. It's mainly because the reputation of your Great Medical Nation is very well-known Overseas."
After speaking, Minister Malvani introduced the tall Marine Officer beside him.
"This is the newly promoted Marine Admiral Candidate, Vice Admiral Kuzan, also known as Aokiji. He also has a very important Mission this time and isn't just here to escort me. I'm not qualified to enjoy such high-level protection."
"Hello, King Arnold. Please take care of me," Kuzan said with a serious expression, lowering his Head slightly as he greeted him.
"Admiral Candidate? The one who is a top Logia System Ice-Ice Fruit Ability User!" King Arnold was stunned. This made him feel even more uneasy and worried.
Having been an Affiliated Country King for so many years and attending the Reverie for so long, he had some knowledge. With the Strength of Vice Admiral Aokiji, his own Guard Squad wouldn't be his opponent even if they all went at once, right?
"Ara la la~ That would be me. Speaking of which, this Nation is really nice, especially the Climate and Wind here, they are just comfortably perfect. I already like it here."
Enjoying the cold Wind and falling snow, Kuzan looked at the continuous Snow Mountain range and the exaggerated eight Drum-like peaks on the high ground within the Island. It was said that each of those eight peaks was five thousand meters high.
However, thinking about the Order he received this time, looking at these peaks made him feel somewhat weary and helpless.
"Heh heh heh, you will definitely like the Climate of our Drum Kingdom. If you don't mind, you are welcome to stay for a few more days!"
King Arnold still maintained his enthusiasm, thinking to himself that at least with this Lord present, he wouldn't have to worry about Pirates during this time.
For some reason, recently, there had been an increase in Pirates attempting to land on the Island and plunder, causing a sharp rise in casualties for the Guard Squad.
"Then I'll trouble you. I really do need to stay for some days this time," Kuzan nodded.
Hearing this, King Arnold had another Head full of questions, but he didn't ask further. He quickly led the two onto the Snow Hippo Carriage that had been prepared.
About an hour later, the entire group passed through the Town under the gaze of a large number of Citizens and arrived at a Snow Mountain Top. A magnificent large Cable Car was already parked here.
"Since the Royal Palace Castle is located at the top of the Main Peak, we need to take this Cable Car up. Please rest assured, the entire process is very safe and stable, and you can also enjoy the Scenery of the snow country along the way!"
King Arnold introduced as he led Minister Malvani and Vice Admiral Kuzan into the Cable Car. Five minutes later, the Cable Car started, sliding up the straight Cableway towards the high, snow-colored mountain peak.
"From the ground to the Mountain Top is a Height of five thousand meters. Although this Cable Car is decent, there should still be shortcomings in terms of Load Capacity and Efficiency, right?"
Minister Malvani said softly, looking at the view outside the window.
"Yes, there are two Aerial Cableways connecting the ground and the Main Peak, so only two Cable Cars can be used at a time. Each Cable Car can carry a maximum of twenty people. This means that when a large amount of Supplies needs to be transported, it takes too long. If a Blizzard Climate is encountered, it even has to be temporarily stopped."
King Arnold sighed.
"Heh heh, this time, Vice Admiral Aokiji is here to help you solve this problem. Your Drum Kingdom is really going to have to thank the World Government this time!"
After speaking, Minister Malvani looked at Kuzan beside him and asked with a smile, "How about it? Now that you've seen the Environment in person, can you solve it?"
"A Height of five thousand meters is a bit difficult. I can't do it in one go with my current Strength. It will probably take about ten days?" Kuzan only felt very weary.
King Arnold was completely confused by their conversation. At this moment, Minister Malvani pointed to the other Drum Mountain Peaks around the Main Peak.
"Your Majesty, how does your Nation utilize these mountain peaks? Are there any Buildings?"
"No, those are empty. Our Kingdom doesn't have that many Citizens either," King Arnold Shook his Head.
In fact, it was because the Royalty throughout the generations didn't want the Civilians to live at the same Height as them, somewhat imitating the World Nobles' Mary Geoise.
"Is that so? That's good, that's great!" Minister Malvani clapped his Hands happily.