"Drum Kingdom?" Tesoro was taken aback. "The medical center of the world? But it's not what it used to be. Wait, why didn't I think of that? The Captain is so level-headed."
"That's right!" Rhett stood up. "If you're going to be a father, you need to see the best doctor. It'll stop the two of you from being nervous wrecks. You two might not go crazy, but I will."
Stella's face turned red. "Lord Rhett, we're not that dramatic..."
But Tesoro's eyes lit up. "Captain, are you talking about... Dr. Kureha?"
"Of course!" Rhett snapped his fingers. "She's a legendary doctor who's lived over a hundred years. I bet she's delivered more babies than you've eaten meals!"
Perona floated in the air. "Going to the hospital for a checkup."
Moria's shadow emerged from the floor and twisted into a question mark. "Kishishishi... Little Perona, don't you hate going to the hospital? Last time in Sabaody, you wouldn't even step foot inside the clinic."
Perona pouted. "Stupid Moria. They just want to trick me into getting shots!"
Everyone burst out laughing.
Perona floated over, hugging her Kumashi plushie. "So what do we need to prepare? Baby supplies? Pregnancy meals?"
"No need," Rhett waved his hand. "Drum Kingdom has everything. We'll just take over the whole place."
Enel snorted coldly. "Mortals, does this god need to clear the way with my thunderclouds?"
"You can take the lead." Rhett's voice carried the authority of an Emperor of the Sea. "It's just a small island. Conquer it."
Tesoro's eyes reddened with emotion. "Captain..."
"Stop!" Rhett put his hand over Tesoro's face. "Less mushy stuff. Go pack your bags. We leave first thing tomorrow."
---
The next morning.
The Bruma Jackson, which had been docked for nearly a year, set sail once again.
Stella stood on the deck, looking out at the sea of clouds. Her hand rested gently on her belly. Tesoro stood beside her, nervous as a rookie sailor on his first voyage.
Rhett leaned against the railing. A cup of warm milk floated through the blood mist to Stella. "Drink this. It'll calm your nerves."
Stella took the cup and smiled softly. "Thank you, Lord Rhett."
Rhett waved his hand. "Don't mention it. When we get to Drum Kingdom, we'll have Dr. Kureha give you a thorough checkup. Then this nervous wreck of a boyfriend can stop being so paranoid."
Tesoro scratched his head. "Captain, I'm just worried..."
"Worried about what?" Rhett rolled his eyes. "Back in Sabaody, when you got hurt and bled all over the place, you were still jumping around just fine."
Stella: "..."
Tesoro: "..."
Rhett: "...Ahem. Bad example. Let's move on."
---
The Bruma Jackson sailed for some time. They were approaching the waters near Drum Island. But before they could dock, several Navy warships blocked their path.
"Vessel ahead, heave to immediately!" The Marine branch commander stood at the bow, megaphone in hand. "These waters are under the jurisdiction of Marine G-3 Branch. Identify yourself!"
Rhett lounged lazily at the bow, blood mist curling around his fingertips. "Tch, old Tesoro, is our ship really that unknown? Did they forget about us after one year?"
Enel snorted coldly. "Captain, does this god need to strike them down?"
"Easy," Rhett waved his hand. His crimson eyes narrowed slightly.
The blood mist had just begun to gather in Rhett's palm when the Marines' reaction made him freeze.
"Salute!"
All the Marines on every warship snapped to attention. They gave the Bruma Jackson a crisp, formal salute.
The commander wiped the cold sweat from his forehead. His voice boomed. "Lord Mist Lord! Please forgive our rudeness! G-3 Branch will provide a full escort to Drum Kingdom!"
Rhett: "..."
Enel's golden trident nearly fell into the sea. "Hah?"
Tesoro's mouth twitched. "Captain, did you forget? You're a 'member nation king' now. And unless I'm mistaken, you're probably the biggest member nation there is. What kind of member nation has its territory scattered all over the place?"
"Oh, right," Rhett slapped his forehead. The blood mist dispersed. "I guess I am a king now."
The Navy warships immediately reorganized their formation. Two took the lead. Three flanked them on either side. The rest followed at a distance, keeping watch. The commander even helpfully contacted Drum Kingdom by Den Den Mushi. "Prepare the highest level of hospitality! Lord Mist Lord Rhett of the World Government member nations will be arriving shortly!"
Perona floated in the air, hugging her Kumashi plushie. "Isn't this a bit much?"
Moria's shadow twisted into a question mark on the deck. "Kishishishi... Since when did the Marines become so well-behaved?"
Rhett grinned. "Looks like the Five Elders really spread the word."
---
The Bruma Jackson, escorted by the Navy warships, slowly sailed into the harbor of Drum Kingdom.
On the shore, King Wapol of Drum Kingdom stood with a line of ministers and doctors. The king wore ornate robes. His face was plastered with a smile, but there was a hint of unease hidden in his eyes. He was a tyrant, but he wasn't stupid.
"Welcome, Lord Mist Lord, to Drum Kingdom!" King Wapol announced loudly. The ministers behind him all bowed in unison. "Your visit brings great honor to our nation!"
Rhett stood at the bow, blood mist billowing behind him. His crimson eyes scanned the crowd. He answered with a grin. "Oh, you're too kind, too kind. I'm just a guest, really."
"For Lord Rhett to grace our small nation is truly an honor. I have prepared a welcoming banquet. Please, follow me."
Whoosh!! Splash!!
Rhett lounged lazily on a throne — yes, the blood mist had moved the king's own throne right under him — his legs crossed. "Old Wappy, I hear you have some good doctors here."
Wapol wiped his cold sweat. "Y-Yes! Our country has the most advanced medical team in the world. Especially Dr. Kureha..."
"Good." Rhett cut him off. The blood mist in his palm condensed into a contract. "Sign it."
The hall fell silent instantly.
Wapol took the contract with trembling hands. He glanced at it and turned pale. "Th-This is..."
"A subjugation agreement." Rhett grinned, showing his white teeth. "From today onward, Drum Kingdom is under the protection of the Mist Lord. You stay king. Fair, isn't it?"
The ministers stirred. An elderly medical officer stepped forward. "Lord Rhett, our country is a member nation of the World Government. I'm afraid this..."
"THUD!"
The blood mist formed a giant hand and smashed the medical officer into the wall. Rhett tilted his head. "Old man, are you trying to use the World Government against me?"
Wapol dropped to his knees. "We'll sign! We'll sign!"
This was the helplessness of the weak. This was why Rhett had clawed his way to the top. It was a world of the strong eating the weak.
Some people might ask, why don't you change the original story and develop Drum Kingdom? Don't be fooled by its reputation as a medical center. If Rhett wanted to, he could create dozens of medical centers overnight. He came here because it was convenient.