Dawn Island, Goa Town,

Two people were sitting face to face in a very spacious room. This was a two-story mansion built at the town center. The majestic gates barring entry could be seen from the windows, and passersby could not help but take a quick peek as they walked by the place. It was a magnificent house, fitting of Dawn Island's aristocratic circle.

The World Nobles (Tenryubito) were the true ruling class on this planet. On the four seas, their influence was not to be overlooked. However, as rulers, they did not go and crusade themselves, they used different means of power to demonstrate their authority. One of them was the world government, which was directly in contact with them via the Gorosei (Council of Elders), the other was the marine.

If the world government was composed of politicians and spy networks, then the marine was essentially the army, or the running dogs, depending on which point of view you examined the situation. Marines fought mostly against Pirates and any other force going against the interests and supremacy of the Tenryubito.

People of common birth were told from the cradle not to provoke the nobles, so it was common knowledge to fear and grovel at their feet when they appeared outside. Nobles were an unreasonable bunch, and being spoiled by the Marines and the government, they had long since started to mistreat and enslave their subjects. It would normally be inconceivable to picture why people had never revolted against such tyranny and madness, but this world was not as simple as it seemed.

While Corruption was rampant inside the so-called force of justices, the police and gendarmerie work the Marine did, vastly outweighed the excessiveness of their boss. The number one reason for this was "pirates".

Pirates were the scrouge of the sea. Their reputation had never been good but after the Golden age of Piracy was caused by Gol.D Roger, officially known as Gold Roger, those greedy and bloodthirsty mercenaries had caused waves after waves of death, robbery, misery, and chaos on the four seas and the Grand Line.

Most pirates were not "goody-goodies", and even if some of them were uncommon and the total opposite of their contemporaries, their deeds were hidden from the public eye by the World Government. It would definitely not do if the public learned that pirates were not all evil like the word was being spread.

So, in a way that was preordained ever since centuries ago, World Nobles were the masters and puppeteers, but their number was very small compared to the rest of the world. Some of them had to marry with the middle class and this caused a rift between the nobles that were living in their holy land (Mariejois), and those that had to leave and live in lesser places. Those type of nobles were essentially aristocrats and courtiers; they were rich but did not benefit from all the rights of their ancestors.

The nobles living in the Goa Kingdom were essentially this type of upper crust; they had some degree of privilege, but they did not really mean anything to the Tenryubito since their blood was diluted. While they could get one or two buster calls in case they were attacked, it was only more for the symbolism than their real value. In fact, top marine officials would not need to show them any courtesy when they met them. When someone such as Garp came on Dawn Island, he would only need to be somewhat polite to the King of the country; the rest were flies.

For this reason, most bluebloods that had left Mariejois had learned to live like the bourgeoisie. They were very shrewd and dishonest merchants, that only thought about ways to make money and establish relationships with politicians, royals, and the underworld.

"So, what did you want to see me for, Outlook III? Kaba*..." A man with a with a hippo on his head asked. He had a very grotesque and almost repulsive poise. He was the perfect blend between a thug and wealthy-looking middle-aged man. However, despite his ridiculous appearance, he seemed very dangerous somehow. His eyes and head were very disproportionate compared to the rest of his body which was incomprehensively fat and round. It was necessary to figure out how the small chair he was seated on right now could support his weight. He was picking his nose and asked the slender and tall man with a mustache at the opposite side of the table.

"...Haha, Wapol-Sama, It was such a nice surprise to meet you at this edition of the Miss East Blue contest. I was not willing to let you leave in such a hurry. How often are we graced with a presence as great as yours in our small country...?" The man replied with flattery.

"Mahahaha...Indeed I am a great person." The man was laughing in a gross manner. After a while, he stopped and said with a serious tone. "You can choose your words, but I hope you did not call me in vain today. I need to get back to Drum Kindom so I don't have much time...My father is ill and I need to go back in case something untimely happens during my absence."

"Ah! yes, of course..." Outlook III took out a box from one of his drawers and opened it.

"Creak...!"

"This is..." Wapol was stunned when he saw the unexpected object.

"Um...Wapol-Sama this is the Baku-Baku no Mi (Chew-Chew Fruit). This a Paramecia Devil Fruit I obtained recently thanks to a Pirate that just came on the Island...I want to gift it to you, but this modest person only has a small request if it's not too much."

".....Bwahaha!!..." Wapol laughed very heartily and replied. "Outlook, I underestimated you it seems. You were always an ambitious person, but it seems you've stepped up your game a bit. Pirates, huh? Well, the end justifies the means I guess. If those guys at Mariejois got any wind of this..."

"Don't worry Wapol-Sama. I know what you want to say..." He had taken a real bet this time. Wapol could snatch the fruit from him without a need for guilt. He was also at risk if he just left and notified those people who would come and snatch his business away from him. In the worst case scenario, he would also lose his title or even his life.

"Hmph! Kabame* (You hippo)...you really did it this time. Fine, tell me your price." Wapol waited for him to negotiate.

"I only have a small request..." The man was overjoyed and did not dwell on the matter anymore. He quickly and meticulously let out the words as the overweight man listened with attention. Wapol's features changed several times as he took in the information Outlook III had kept secret. When the man finished he had baleful grin and hurried to accept the transaction.