The Den Den Mushi rang again less than three seconds after Tesoro put down the gold beetle-shaped receiver.
"Brubrubrubru—"
Rhett raised an eyebrow. "Answer it."
The Den Den Mushi changed. It was the same person as before. His voice was ten times more respectful. "Esteemed 'Mist Lord' Majesty, our etiquette was insufficient just now. Would you be willing to inform us of your upcoming schedule? I will definitely welcome you at your next island."
Rhett: Peace, peace. No one has it easy. This old guy thought Rhett hung up because he wasn't respectful enough. The truth was, Rhett just didn't want to listen to his pointless formal talk. Before he crossed over, his boss fed him lies. After crossing over, this guy's words still smelled strongly of lies.
"I am Rhett."
Rhett had only said that much when the Den Den Mushi's two eyes dropped down. Based on Rhett's understanding of Den Den Mushi, the person on the other end was probably kneeling.
Rhett: What? Am I really that unreasonable?
"Sir, please continue."
"As you know, the seas are very dangerous. I am just a weak, pitiful, powerless ordinary member nation king. Going to Mary Geoise is too dangerous. I need the Navy to send at least an Admiral to protect my safety."
The Den Den Mushi's head immediately lifted. "No problem, Your Majesty Rhett. Protecting the safety of member nations is exactly what the Navy should do. I will immediately inform the Five Elders and have them send the Navy to escort you."
Rhett glanced at Witte and made a funny face. Witte saw his funny face and made one too. "The Navy is very busy, isn't it? No need. I'll go to Marineford myself."
"Your Majesty Rhett is truly understanding of the people's situation. Your country is very fortunate to have a king like you. My admiration for you is like an endless river, unceasing, and like the bright moon in the sky... This continues for thirty minutes."
Evil Rhett didn't hang up. He enjoyed people speaking their minds like this. The Den Den Mushi on the other end was even sweating.
"Alright, alright. I've always been a modest person. That's enough. Go make the arrangements." Rhett saw the way his crew was looking at him.
What? The man admires me so much. What's wrong with him saying a few more words?
"Yes, great Your Majesty Rhett. Your light will surely shine over your country. I will make the arrangements. Mary Geoise looks forward to your arrival."
Enel's apple fell to the ground with a thud. "...Huh?"
Moria poked half his head out of the shadows. "Kishishishi~ Weak and pitiful? Powerless?"
......
The moment the Den Den Mushi hung up, the official called the Five Elders. Only an official inviting the Mist Lord would have the conditions to contact the Five Elders directly.
The moment the Den Den Mushi was answered, the official dropped to his knees, his forehead pressed to the ground. "L-Lords! His Majesty Rhett has agreed to attend the World Conference. But... he requested an Admiral escort. His reason was that he is 'weak, pitiful, and powerless'..."
The blond Five Elder pushed up his glasses. "...Does he think he's funny?"
The bald Five Elder rubbed his temples. "Fine... agree to it."
But the Five Elders basically didn't say much more.
"Approved. You have full authority."
The Den Den Mushi snapped its eyes shut. Not a single extra word.
"What?!" The official looked up in disbelief at the hung-up Den Den Mushi. The last people sent to escort Rhett hadn't survived. Was his mission really that simple? He wasn't Cipher Pol 9. But was he better than Cipher Pol 9?
......
Florge Tisan strutted into Marineford. His leather shoes clicked on the marble floor. Behind him followed a squad of Cipher Pol agents holding documents edged in gold.
Yes. With Rhett and the Five Elders, he had no name. But here in Marineford, he was Lord Florge Tisan. He had come with the "imperial decree" of Lord Rhett and the Five Elders. He felt like he was flying.
"Listen up!" He stood in the center of the Navy Headquarters hall. Perfect. None of the big shots were there. He could start. He pointed at the air. "His Majesty Rhett — no, Lord Rhett — will soon arrive at Mary Geoise! His esteemed person is delicate and cannot tolerate any bumps! You Marines must do the following—"
He unfurled a scroll of parchment and cleared his throat.
"One. An Admiral must accompany him at all times. The ship speed must not exceed 20 knots. No waves or wind!"
"Two. The route must avoid all Sea King nests. If the weather changes, activate the 'Bubble Shield' immediately!"
A passing officer carrying flowers looked confused. "...Bubble what?"
"Three!" Florge's voice rose sharply. "Lord Rhett likes quiet! So —" He pointed sharply at the harbor. "Send all those new recruits who keep shouting 'Justice! Justice!' to scrub the deck!"
The entire Navy Headquarters was silent. Of course it was silent. The big shots weren't there. No one was authorized to make decisions.
......
In Sengoku's office, smoke filled the air. Tsuru was slowly organizing documents. Garp was crunching on rice crackers. Sengoku was staring at the footage from the surveillance Den Den Mushi. Florge Tisan was giving orders in the hall.
"Pfft!" Garp bit down on his rice cracker. Cracker crumbs sprayed all over Sengoku's face. "When did Rhett get so much support from the World Government? Hahaha!"
Sengoku wiped his face. Veins bulged on his forehead. "That bastard Rhett... 'Powerless'? He's an Emperor of the Seas! The greatest evil known to man!"
Rhett looked at his chest. Don't say that. You're at the wrong place. You need to go to the Super God Academy to see the greatest evil.
Tsuru gently set down her teacup. "But he is a member nation king. And..." She gave the military budget report a meaningful look. "10% of the Navy's military funds comes from his 'donations.' And Tesoro just called me. He said an additional 5%. That is the limit the World Government can tolerate."
Sengoku's expression instantly twisted. Like he had eaten a fly. But he couldn't bear to spit it out. He took a deep breath. He looked around. The young three Admirals weren't there. Only his two old friends.
Good. Sengoku suddenly smiled a warm smile. "Someone, please invite Lord Florge in."
When Tisan strutted into the office, Sengoku had already set out tea and snacks. "Lord Florge, you've worked hard. Please sit."
Tisan was stunned for a moment. Then he became even more arrogant. "Hmph! At least you know what's good for you! Lord Rhett's schedule—"
"We completely understand." Sengoku cut him off with a smile. "Admiral Aokiji will personally escort him. I will order them to coat the ship immediately. Even if we don't go underwater, we need to be completely prepared."
Garp was in the corner, his face bright red from trying not to laugh.
"As for the new recruits..." Sengoku continued. "I have already ordered them all to scrub the deck."
Tisan nodded with satisfaction. "That's more like it. Remember, Lord Rhett likes—"
"Quiet. We know." Tsuru said gently. "We have also prepared special rice crackers. Lord Rhett should like them."
Tisan looked at them suspiciously. "Why... are you suddenly so cooperative?"
Sengoku's smile didn't change. "Pure respect. He is, after all, the king of the largest member nation."
Tisan: "..."