"Drum Kingdom?" Tesoro froze. "The medical holy land? But it's not what it used to be. Oh, why didn't I think of that? Captain, you're still as steady as always."
"That's right." Reed rose to his feet. "Since I'm about to become a father, I need the best doctor to check on everything. Otherwise the two of you are going to worry yourselves to death. If you don't lose your minds first, I definitely will."
Stella's cheeks flushed. "Lord Reed, we're not that exaggerated…"
Tesoro's eyes suddenly lit up. "Captain, do you mean… Kureha?"
"Of course." Reed snapped his fingers. "She's a legendary doctor who's lived for more than a century. I'm pretty sure she's delivered more babies than you've eaten meals."
Perona floated into the air. "Let's just go to a hospital and have her checked."
Moria's shadow rose from the floor, twisting into a giant question mark. "Heh heh heh… Little Perona, aren't you the one who hates hospitals most? Last time in Chaos Town, you wouldn't even go near the clinic door."
Perona puffed her cheeks. "Idiot Moria, he tried to trick me into getting a shot!"
The whole crew burst out laughing.
Perona drifted over hugging her beloved Bearsey plush. "So what do we need to prepare? Baby supplies? Pregnancy meals?"
"No need," Reed waved dismissively. "Drum Kingdom has everything. We'll just take over the whole place."
Enel snorted. "Mortals, shall this god clear the path with thunderclouds?"
"Then you'll be our vanguard." Reed let out a surge of regal, ocean-deep dominance. "It's a small island. Just secure it."
Tesoro's eyes reddened with emotion. "Captain…"
"Enough!" Reed pressed a hand to his face. "Don't get sentimental. Pack your things. We're leaving first thing tomorrow."
The Next Morning
After nearly a year of silence, the Blumarine Jackson unfurled its sails once more.
Stella stood on deck, gazing across the sea of clouds as she gently rested a hand on her stomach. Tesoro stood next to her, nervous like a rookie on his first voyage.
Reed leaned against the rail. Blood-mist curled around his fingers and floated a cup of warm milk to Stella. "Drink a bit. It'll help you relax."
"Thank you, Lord Reed," she said with a soft smile.
Reed waved her off. "Why thank me? Once we get to Drum Kingdom, we'll have Kureha give you a full exam. That way that brat Tesoro won't spend every second imagining disaster."
Tesoro scratched his head. "Captain, I'm only worried because…"
"Worried about what?" Reed rolled his eyes. "You were bleeding like a fountain when you got hurt in Chaos Town and you were still dancing around."
Stella: "…"
Tesoro: "…"
Reed: "Ahem… wrong example. That one was a bit inappropriate."
Arrival at Drum Island
The Blumarine Jackson sailed toward Drum Island's waters, but before they could dock, several Marine battleships cut them off.
"All ships ahead, halt immediately!" A Marine commander shouted through a loudspeaker. "This region is under G-3 jurisdiction. Identify yourselves!"
Reed lounged lazily at the bow, blood-mist curling around his fingertips. "Tsk. Tesoro, isn't our ship famous? We disappear for one year and everyone forgets us?"
Enel lifted his staff angrily. "Captain, shall this god annihilate them?"
"Hold on." Reed narrowed his crimson eyes slightly.
The moment the blood-mist gathered in his palm, the Marines' reaction stunned him.
"Salute!"
Every Marine on the battleships snapped to attention and saluted the Blumarine Jackson.
The commander wiped sweat from his forehead and shouted, "Lord Mistlord! Please forgive our offense! The G-3 division will escort you all the way to Drum Kingdom!"
Reed: "…"
Enel nearly dropped his golden staff into the ocean. "Huh?"
Tesoro's mouth twitched. "Captain, did you forget you're a vassal king now? And if I remember right… you're the largest vassal kingdom too? What vassal nation goes wandering around all over the sea?"
"Oh, right." Reed tapped his forehead as the blood-mist dissolved. "I guess I'm a king too now."
The Marine fleet reorganized immediately: two ships led the way, three formed guard positions, and the rest trailed behind at a safe distance. The commander even contacted Drum Kingdom through Den-Den Mushi.
"Prepare top-level reception! The World Government vassal king, Lord Mistlord Reed, is arriving!"
Perona hugged Bearsey and muttered, "This is way too over the top."
Moria's shadow twisted again. "Heh heh heh… since when did the Marines become so reasonable?"
Reed grinned. "Looks like the Five Elders spread the word thoroughly."
Under Marine escort, the Blumarine Jackson glided into Drum Kingdom's port.
Drum Kingdom's Reception
On shore, King Wapol stood with his ministers and doctors waiting anxiously. The king wore a lavish robe and a wide smile, though unease flickered behind his eyes. Cruel he might be, but he wasn't stupid.
"Welcome, Lord Mistlord, to Drum Kingdom!" Wapol shouted as all the ministers bowed. "Your arrival is an honor to us!"
Reed stood at the bow, blood-mist swirling dramatically behind him. His crimson eyes swept across the officials before he flashed a sharp smile. "You're too polite. I'm only a guest."
"It is our greatest honor for Lord Reed to visit this humble kingdom. I've prepared a welcome banquet. Please follow me."
Boom.
Reed sat lazily on the throne in the main hall. Yes, he had the blood-mist move the throne directly under him. He crossed one leg over the other. "Old Wapol, I heard your doctors are excellent?"
Wapol wiped his sweat. "Yes, yes! Our kingdom has one of the world's best medical teams, especially Doctor…"
"Good." Reed cut him off. A scroll materialized from blood-mist in his palm. "Sign this."
The hall fell silent.
Wapol trembled as he took the contract. One glance drained the color from his face. "This… this…"
"A surrender agreement." Reed smiled, revealing perfectly white teeth. "From today on, Drum Kingdom will be protected by the Mistlord. You can remain king. Fair enough, isn't it?"
The ministers flinched. An elderly medical officer stepped forward. "Lord Reed, our kingdom is a vassal state of the World Government. This might be…"
Smack.
A massive blood-mist hand slammed him into the wall. Reed tilted his head. "Old man, are you trying to use the World Government to threaten me?"
Wapol collapsed to his knees. "We'll sign! We'll sign immediately!"
This was the helplessness of the weak. And it was also why Reed clawed his way to the top of this brutal pirate world.
Some people might say, "Why not rewrite the original story and film Drum Kingdom too?" But don't be fooled by its reputation as a medical holy land. If Reed wanted to, he could manufacture dozens of "holy lands." He came here for convenience. Nothing more.