Lara's POV;

I kept my eye on the ships that drew closer by the second, their smaller ones had steered to the side for better aim. The large ones held direct course and stopped only a few dozen metres away from us.

They haven't attacked so far, which does not mean that they won't. If they fire now I might not be able to take out all of their cannonballs before they reach us. That is why Nojiko is keeping an eye out for the smaller ships.

Worst case I will have to cut the big ships in two and then take care of the smaller ones, hopefully, their first volley won't hit completely.

“You're in the sovereign territory of the Haribo Kingdom. State your business Kage pirates, but be warned, we are ready to fire,” announced a commanding voice from a speaker.

“As you have seen, we came from the sky, a sky island to be precise. So we are just passing through. We are not in need of restocking our supplies, so we would like to leave without a fight”, I replied and enhanced my voice with my Devil Fruit.

It took the speaker a moment, but he answered. “Our king wishes to speak with you. Please follow us back to the main harbour.” His voice held some resignation and didn't sound like he wanted to do what he was ordered to.

I looked at Nojiko, who looked back at me. “Well, could be interesting,” I said with a shrug.

“At least they haven't shot at us, yet,” agreed Nojiko before putting her gun away and manning the oar.

We reached their harbour half an hour later, there were another six ships inside. None of them held the same design and a good few of them even looked like they were of pirate origin.

The warships took position inside the harbour, while the other ships anchored directly at the pier. We did the same. Lia would sleep this one out and Mrs Chicken Wing will guard her and the ship. I offered her two whole pieces of corn for the job.

The bird saluted to me and sat down in the middle of the plank that leads down to the pier. The rest of us got ready to get on solid ground and prepared for a possible fight as well. The only change to their normal attire was the visible rifle on Nojiko's back.

Yosaku and Jonny always had their weapons on their body, Jo's were hidden, Fiara doesn't have one and Noa's can be mistaken for a pair of hammers.

Down on the wharf, we were greeted by a group of official-looking soldiers and a man in a better-looking suit. He was the one who stepped forward and started the introduction. “Welcome Kage pirates, my name is Johannes Beere, I'm on the council of king Haribo. His Majesty wishes to speak to you Miss Lara, concerning your claim to come from a sky island as well as an offer.”

“Sure, as long as we aren't forced into anything, or attacked.” He gave my answer an amused chuckle and denied any such plans.

Afterwards, we were led through the bustling streets of this island and could see that the people were holding a festival. “What kind of festival are you holding? It looks interesting,” asked Jo for all of us.

“It is not a festival for something specific, just the side characteristics of our fighting tournament. Every year King Haribo holds a tournament in search for the best fighters, and possible new recruits. The local merchants use the week long tournament for their benefit. There are a lot of tourists that want to see the tournament”, answered Beere smoothly.

The rest of the way was silent and I took note of a lot of people who looked like they were at least not unfamiliar with fighting. There were also some Marines, but none of them was doing any attempts on apprehending the visible pirates.

It took us a quarter of an hour to reach a richly decorated mansion. Not a castle, but still really expensive. I liked it more than the medieval version of a residence for a monarch.

The soldiers left us at the gate and were exchanged for a dozen new guards. These looked more individual and way stronger. I think a some of them could fight Noa or Nojiko. Not Jo, Jonny or Yosaku, but still pretty strong for no-name guards.

Johannes Beere kept leading us through the mansion and into a small waiting area. There he turned around and addressed us again. “Miss Lara, would you please keep following me? The rest of your crew may wait here, there will be a maid with refreshments.”

I nodded and gave Jo a look. He nodded in understanding and would test said refreshments for any poison.

Beere smiled again and I followed him through a corridor with a pair of large and highly decorated wooden doors at the end. Two more guards were guarding the door, they opened them for Beere and me and led into an office.

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Another four guards were present, as well as a man sitting behind an office table. He wasn't of the large of muscular type. A normal height and slightly overweight, but the grin on his face was large and charismatic.

“Miss Slicer Lara, nice to meet you, I have heard so much about you. My name is Haribo the III, king of the Haribo Kingdom, please sit down I have some questions for you.” Introduced the man with a grand gesture at the comfortable looking chair on the other side of his table.

I sat down and waited for him to continue, there is no need for me to start. He didn't disappoint, “My men said that they spotted your ship falling down from the sky. And you yourself have proclaimed that you recently came from a sky island, may I know how this has happened? I am a great fan of myths and the sky islands are mostly only a rumour in this seas.”

I gave him a friendly smile. So far they were rather friendly and it wouldn't be positive for our image to act aggressive, if not provoked. “We were near Mock Town when a knock-up stream hit our ship. It catapulted us right up into the sky sea, from where we sailed to a nearby sky island named Skyprie.”

The king was almost bouncing in his chair from excitement. “And then? What was it like, were the people pretty? What were their customs?”

“They had wing-like appendages on their back, naturally grown, but not for real flight. As for their looks, well they were pretty normal if you ignore their wings.

And their customs, well, there was a religious group that liked to execute us people from the Grand Line with electricity and also the pirate group led by Urouge the Mad Monk. Still, not all of them were out for our blood, some were friendly and helped us. They have some great fruits up there.”

His smile faltered a little when I mentioned the fanatics but was in full bloom once I came to the citizen of the normal town we visited. I told him some more about what I have seen and their way of travel on wavers.

In the end, he was still grinning and had taken a piece of paper to write notes on.

“That is pretty much everything I can tell you. We left after taking Urouge into custody.” I ended and paused for him to react.

He finished with his notes and then put them away, before speaking. “Thank you very much. This conversation was pretty interesting. Now that my curiosity is satisfied, may I ask you a few other questions?”

“Sure, you were a great host so far, I don't see why I shouldn't.”

“Yes, I think it is of high importance to confront people like you with respect. Your bounty isn't just for show and only a stupid man would act with disrespect to people with power.

But that aside, I wanted to ask you if you, and maybe your crew, are interested in participating in our tournament. Its main goal is to search for possible recruits in my army and personal security.

However, it became quite a spectacle in recent years and a lot of tourists come to see the fights. So we changed the final prizes into money, rather than a sure job offer.

Still, if you want to work for me afterwards, then I'm fine with that as well.” He chuckled at the end in good nature, but I couldn't stop the small frown.

“You would employ known pirates. And for protection of you and your citizen as well? What about a possible risk of assassination or the reaction from the World Government?” I had to ask, this sounded too stupid to work.

“Sure there are some who try that, but not many. We take much care in who we invite. Your crew isn't known for its brutality and even often helped save people from other pirates. The same is the case for the other participating pirates.

And it's not like the new recruits are instantly guarding me or other people. They are watched for quite some time and also underwent a long screening before they get the job.

Still, those we employ are quite skilled and never regret their employment. And even if, they are free to go.

As for the World Government, well, I am a high ranked person and have quite a few liberties in my rule. Giving my own personal absolution from pursuit isn't hard for me. So, what do you say?”

I didn't ask what happens to those who are no longer working for him. His words alone gave me enough hints. Still, having a small competition would be funny.

“Sure, I have to ask my crew who of them wants to participate, but you can at least count me and my sister in. None of us will work for you, but at least we can give you a good show and may bring more tourists for the next years.” I replied after a short pause.

“That is great, may I ask where True Shot Lia is? She did not come with you and your crew,” he asked after a short clap of his hands.

“She is on board of our ship. Anyway, is there some way for me to hand in a criminal? We took Urouge with us when we left the sky islands. And want to cash in his bounty”, I answered, yet also quickly changed the topic. I am not going to tell anyone that she is exhausted and not really able to defend herself.

“Please bring her my greeting. As for the pirate Urouge, he can be brought to the local Marine station. You can get his bounty there, the World Government handles bounties, not the islands.”

“Thank you for the information, is there anything else I can help you with?”, I asked and stood up.

He understood my desire to leave and shook his head. “No, please have a nice day. Tell Beere whom of your crew members wish to participate.”

With that said I left his office and was escorted back to the waiting area. There I found Jonny and Yosaku drinking sake, always getting directly refilled by a pretty maid. Noa and Fiara were eating from a plate of sweets and Jo were sitting with Nojiko drinking wine.

Beere, who stood at the side, noticed me first. “Miss Lara, were the talks with his Majesty fruitful?”

If not we would be fighting right now, but I didn't say that.

“They were indeed. I told him about our adventures in sky island and in return he invited me and my crew to the tournament. So whom of you wishes to fight?”, I replied and addressed the crew.

Nojiko waved me directly off, Jo followed shortly after. Fiara looked frightened and shook her head frantically. While Jonny and Yosaku did the same, just up and down and not from left to right. Lastly was Noa, who thought about it for a moment before also agreeing.

“Good, then Mr Beere, my sister, Mrs Chicken Wing, Noa Franklin, Jonny, Yosaku and I would like to participate. Where do we have to go and at what time?”

“Seeing so many of you eager to anticipate make me giddy to watch the fight. I will make sure to be there when you take part in the tournament.

About the time and place, it will start tomorrow and take place in the arena. If you wish to I can arrange an escort that will bring your from your ship to the arena.

But are you sure that your pet will take part in the fight as well? I heard that it is only a hen.”

My crew wasn't quite able to hide their snickers and Beere looked at them with confusion. “That is quite alright. She is able to defend herself”, I assured, not able to hold my own grin off.

“Then if you say so, I will add you all to the list then. A guide will be at your ship around eleven in the morning. Follow me please, I'm sure there are quite a lot of restaurants and other establishments that you very well might like.” It was a friendly wording for please go away, and none of us protested.

Jonny, Noa, Yosaku and Jo excused themselves from us women and vanished into the crowd shortly after leaving the mansion.

“Where are the guys going to with such large grins and the eager spring in their step,” asked Fiara while watching the street they vanished into.

“Well, you see..., Men have these urges...”, began Nojiko, but I interrupted her.

“They most likely seek out the nearest whore house and get laid. Mock Town had no great prostitutes.” Nojiko sputtered some inaudible parts but said nothing to contradict or agree with me.

Our Tontatta was quite innocent, this was shown when she asked her next question. “What is a whore? Do they nice things?”

“Yes, they help to relax men and some women. They get paid for reliving the stress through sex or massages.” I answered directly before Nojiko could throw in something else.

Of course, our Tontatta wouldn't have been a Tontatta without her next question. “Why aren't we going to a whore house then?”

I had to laugh out and could only answer after trying to calm down for a few moments. Nojiko was too embarrassed to answer. She was quite prudish if in public.

“Because I am using my sister for this sort of stress relieve and Nojiko sometimes uses Yosaku. We women aren't as often in need of such things. But you are free to ask Noa tomorrow if he can take you with him.” I will be sure to keep an eye on Noa tomorrow. His expression when Fiara asks him will be priceless.

“Will do, thanks for explaining”, thanked the small girl with a wide smile. Nojiko was facepalming next to me, but I only shrugged and smiled friendly back at Fiara.

Tomorrow might be interesting. And we weren't forced to kill anyone so far, strange things can also happen.