"Tie me up if you want, I've never actually experienced what it's like to be kidnapped! If you're going to do it, you might as well extort a big sum. A few hundred billion Berries would be on the low side—at least a trillion! Then we could split it up a bit. I've been spending a lot lately, so it'd be nice to get some pocket change!" Zashika rolled his eyes as he spoke.
Rosinante was left utterly speechless by his words.
"I honestly didn't have that idea before, but now that you mention it… I'm kind of tempted!" Rosinante said.
A few hundred billion, or even a trillion Berries—Rosinante had to admit, it was a tempting thought.
"How about we work together and pull off a big score?" Zashika suggested.
"Get lost. I'm not ready to completely fall out with the World Government just yet," Rosinante replied.
"Someone, prepare a guest room for our esteemed Celestial Dragon," Rosinante said with an eye roll.
"Yes, Your Majesty!" A steward appeared immediately.
"But let me remind you of something—there are no slaves here. Every person here is my family. So for the next ten days, keep that Celestial Dragon nonsense tucked away. If you get beaten up, don't expect me to step in." Rosinante smiled as he spoke.
"You've really adapted to human life, haven't you? Fine, when in Rome, I'll try living like the common folk." Zashika curled his lip.
"Come on then, hurry up and show me to my room!" he said to the steward.
The steward looked to Rosinante, who nodded, and then led Zashika toward the guest area of the cruise ship.
"Your Majesty, is this really okay? Don't forget—he's a Celestial Dragon. If anything happens, it could cause serious trouble," Shaxia said with concern.
"It's fine. We played together as kids—it would be a bit cold to refuse him outright. Besides, if we plan to develop in the Blue Sea, Celestial Dragons are an obstacle we can't avoid. It's better to have someone to connect us." Rosinante expRyand.
The news Zashika had brought had made him take him more seriously—it concerned a major figure among the Celestial Dragons. While they no longer held as much political power as in the past, if they decided to mess with you, they could still cause enormous trouble.
"But you're right—if anything were to happen to a Celestial Dragon under my care, it would be a huge headache. Luckily, we're not far from the Sabaody Archipelago now. Pass the word—let's pick up the pace!" Rosinante decided.
Fortunately, nothing happened along the way. Perhaps because they were traveling near World Government ships, no pirates dared to attack. They arrived at the Sabaody Archipelago smoothly.
"So this is the Sabaody Archipelago? It's like a dream!" Robin exclaimed in wonder, pulling Raqqi along as she pointed excitedly at the floating bubbles.
"Rosinante, this cruise ship of yours is really something. How about it—any chance you can get me one? Name your price!" Zashika clearly wasn't impressed by Robin and Raqi's awe, but he hadn't stopped thinking about the ship since he came aboard.
Walking side by side down the gangway, Zashika had gotten a full taste of the ship's luxury during the voyage and had fallen in love with it.
It was no surprise—Rosinante's cruise ship was built with a fully modern design and powered by various Sky Island shells, matching or even surpassing the comfort of high-end luxury liners. It was love at first sight for Zashika.
"If you really want one, I can get one made for you—but it won't be cheap. Just the materials for mine cost over 10 billion. And if you want one of equal quality, forget it—this one was built by the twenty-four islands of Skypiea under my rule, using shells that are nearly extinct. For example, the engines—there are numerous giant wind shells constantly running, plus many rare spray-wind shells. If you want, I can get you a slightly lesser model for around seven to eight billion," Rosinante said.
"A lesser one? Well… I suppose I can settle for that. Money's no issue. Just get me the ship—I'll give you nine billion, so you won't lose out!" Zashika agreed.
Hearing this, Kaden—who was walking behind Zashika—gaped in shock, his jaw nearly hitting the ground.
Nine billion Berries. Do you know how many Navy warships you could build with that?
A small Navy warship cost a few million Berries. Medium ones cost tens of millions. Large warships might reach a hundred million.
And it was said that the Admirals' warships were even pricier, though no one knew the exact figure. Still, spending nine billion on a cruise ship was something only a spendthrift Celestial Dragon could do.
But to a Celestial Dragon, such a price was fitting for their status—anything cheaper would be beneath them. Money was never a concern; the annual tribute of "Heavenly Gold" from nations worldwide and the gifts from nobles ensured they could squander wealth without care.
"Come on, Rosinante, I'll take you to the auction house. I'm buying you some maids—yours are too few, you can't show our status that way!" Zashika said.
"I'll pass. Walking with you is like digging my own grave before I'm dead. But I do plan to stay here in Sabaody for a while. Once I've settled in, I might stop by the auction house tomorrow. I'm not interested in maids, but I've heard they auction Devil Fruits here—that, I'm curious about." Rosinante replied.
"So basically, you're saying I get a grave every day, huh? Fine, suit yourself. Tomorrow I'll wait for you at the auction house. And don't forget about my cruise ship." Zashika reminded him.
"Relax, I won't forget. Once it's built, I'll call you." Rosinante assured him.
"Alright, see you then!" Zashika waved and left with his entourage.
"Let's go. I heard Bins found us a place to stay here?" Rosinante asked.
"Yes, Your Majesty. We also have Bloodsworn Guards stationed here in Sabaody—I've already contacted them, and they should be on their way to meet us."
Knowing Rosinante planned to stay long-term, Bins had arranged in advance to purchase a residence for him, decorating it much like the Cloud Summit Villa on Skypiea.
"Did they find the place I told them to look for?" Rosinante asked.
"Your Majesty, our Bloodsworn Guards searched the entire Sabaody Archipelago, but they couldn't find any 'Shakky's Rip-off Bar,'" Ryan reported.
Rosinante froze in surprise.
Before coming here, he had instructed them to find Shakky's bar, but it seemed the place simply didn't exist in Sabaody right now. This was a problem.
He knew Rayleigh had gone into hiding in Sabaody after Roger's death, but he had no idea exactly when Rayleigh had started living here.
Could it be… Rayleigh hasn't even arrived at Sabaody yet?