When Smoker and Tashigi arrived in Alubarna, they saw that it was bustling with activity as well. Carts loaded with stones were being brought into the city on newly laid train tracks, and tens of thousands of workers were engaged in renovations. The road within the Royal Capital had been expanded to incredible widths. At least now it can accommodate ten carts simultaneously.
Why design such a wide road?
Smoker didn't know, but he didn't have time to think about it. Soon he entered the inner hall of the palace. Ezekiel was eager to see him. After all, Smoker's potential also exceeds 200 GB, and his combat experience is relatively rich. A guy worthy of transformation.
Entering the palace, there's a sense of grandeur. The hall was not as poor as Smoker had imagined. It could even be described as luxurious. This is the King's palace. Even this King cannot help but enjoy life. He also noticed that people were entering the palace one after another with extremely exquisite antiques. They were bringing in vases, ornaments, paintings, and gemstones.
A fierce girl was shouting and directing:
"Hey! That's a vase with a two-thousand-year history!" "You idiot! Don't touch that! It's worth five million dollars!" The angry girl then seemed to notice them and approached with her hands on her hips. "Hey, why are you two just standing around? Go help move things!"
Before Tashigi and Smoker could say anything, they were pushed out the door by the furious woman. There were all sorts of rare treasures outside.
"Get moving! Can't you see it's about to rain?" the angry woman shouted menacingly.
"We came to see His Majesty," Smoker frowned.
"Who isn't here to meet His Majesty?" the angry woman raised her eyebrows fearlessly. "Hurry up and work!"
She was right. Many workers who came for jobs were not actually there for the money, but for the chance to see Ezekiel ...
Smoker and Tashigi stared at each other, utterly confused, somehow turned into porters by this fiery girl with orange hair.
It must be said, she was a powerful presence, certainly stronger than the average person carrying things.
Nami ordered the two of them to get to work while continuing to shout at the other workers, "You bastards!" "Move it! What am I paying you for?!"
The workers gave a bitter smile. They knew that their wages were paid by His Majesty, the King, but the angry woman was simply too emotional...
If it weren't for His Majesty's insistence, you wouldn't be paying them at all, you angry girl!
Why, God?!
Why must there be such a vicious woman near His Majesty!
Of course, they dared not say anything.
Ezekiel was waiting in the manager's office...
"Fujitora-san, what time is it?"
Fujitora slowly lifted his head and said, "Your Majesty, I think it's time for a meal."
Immediately after, Fujitora's stomach went:
Brrrrr...
Ezekiel looked at him, unsure of what to say.
Fujitora's old face turned red, and he coughed twice, "Getting old..."
Soon, the smell of food wafted through. After all, as King, Ezekiel has the privilege of eating whatever he wants, whenever he wants.
Though it seems Fujitora had gotten a bit heavier.
...
As long as it didn't get dark or start raining soon, as the angry woman Nami had said...
"Fortunately, you moved things before it started raining. After all, it will rain in less than ten hours," she said with a deep breath, eating her hot meal.
"Rain in less than ten hours??? You're a devil!" Smoker was ready to explode; they hadn't even eaten anything!
Then the workers heard Nami's much-anticipated voice:
"So, as a reward for helping this time, not only will you receive your salary, but you'll also have the chance to meet His Majesty, Ezekiel . More importantly, if you're willing to forgo the money, I can also get you His Majesty's autograph."
"How can someone not want money, you angry girl!" Smoker looked at her and thought viciously to himself.
Even Tashigi thought Nami was joking; after all, it was such exhausting work.
"Really?! I don't need any money!"
"I don't need any money!"
Voices rang out one after another.
Smoker and Tashigi looked at each other and saw the shock in each other's eyes. Were these people crazy?
Nami laughed at them and led everyone to the administration.
Fujitora and Will had been waiting all day. Unexpectedly, not only Smoker and Tashigi came to them, but a whole crowd of workers as well.
But when Ezekiel saw Smoker among the crowd of workers, his expression was very telling.
Especially when Nami patted Smoker and Tashigi on the shoulders and praised them:
"These two workers have worked the hardest today! Thank you! Why not stay as loaders in the future? I'll give you a salary of 100 Berries!"
100 Berries?
Everyone screamed internally.
Seeing the slightly bewildered look on Smoker and Tashigi's faces, Ezekiel finally couldn't hold back his laughter because the scene was truly absurd:
"Ha-ha-ha! Nami, you're a devil! Smoker and Tashigi worked for you all day!"
Only then did Nami realize that these two were not workers at all, but rather the two former naval officers Ezekiel wanted to meet today, the new Captain and Warrant Officer of the Royal Fleet of Alabasta.
"You could have mentioned that earlier," Nami brushed it off lightly...
"Didn't we say it? You angry girl!"
Smoker thought for a moment and then asked a serious question:
"Ezekiel , Your Majesty, does Alabasta really have so much money to buy these treasures for decorating the palace?"
Fujitora, standing to the side, felt the disdain in Smoker's tone, he frowned but said nothing. Honestly, he didn't understand himself why his King bought all these useless things. It was unclear.
Ezekiel smiled, stood up, and gestured around the palace.
"Smoker, do you know how old this palace is?"
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