Chapter 122: Drum Island

After selecting his demon form, Luo Lan turned his head and found that Penggeles was still arguing with Wapol about something. He found it baffling; Wapol’s words were nothing more than a one-sided story, while his entire ship of marines had personally witnessed his pirate ship and pirate flag. As long as this guy was dead and buried, would the higher-ups in the Navy really care whether he was a king or not? At the very least, Luo Lan didn’t think so. Was it necessary to punish a gifted naval officer for the sake of an incompetent king?

However, Luo Lan didn’t intend to say anything about Penggeles’s persistence. Perhaps this was the unique charm of those in the Navy. It was like Smoker apologizing to a little girl because of an ice cream, Kuzan risking his life to save civilians from under the lava, or that skeleton-like colonel at Water 7 tearing up his own uniform to bandage his men. Penggeles was the same; he had his own principles. Refusing to frame others was a good thing. Not everyone could be like him—able to maintain their true self even after framing others.

Luo Lan decided to deal with the Wapol situation later. After capturing the doctors from Wapol’s ship, he had temporarily shelved his plan to visit Drum Island. Since the goal of going to Drum Island was to find those doctors, and Wapol had conveniently delivered the elite squad—the "Doctor 20," excluding Kureha—right to him, why bother traveling thousands of miles? He didn’t believe for a second that there was anything the Doctor 20 couldn’t do that Kureha could.

Outside the infirmary, Luo Lan immediately spotted the ship’s doctor waiting. "How is it? Do you think these doctors from the Drum Kingdom can fully restore Johnny?" Luo Lan asked.

"I’m not sure, but they seem incredibly skilled—better than any doctors I’ve seen at Marine Headquarters," the ship’s doctor praised sincerely. But his expression quickly turned to one of righteous indignation: "But such brilliant doctors were treated like that by that... no, he doesn’t even deserve to be called a king. He’s a complete and utter pirate. He hoarded the best doctors for himself, drove all the other physicians out of the kingdom, and left his own people to suffer from disease. When his people needed treatment, he actually made them kneel and beg him. If he wasn't satisfied, he would just watch as his own people were tortured to death by their illnesses. A guy like that should be hanged from the port’s flagpole, just as you suggested, Colonel Luo Lan."

Luo Lan understood the doctor’s anger; he was a medical professional himself, someone dedicated to healing the sick. Hearing about such scum who allowed patients to suffer naturally incited rage. After patting the doctor on the shoulder to comfort him, Luo Lan turned and headed to the deck. He had previously thought about just killing Wapol with a single slash, but now it seemed that wasn’t enough. For the people of the Drum Kingdom, Wapol could die, but he couldn’t die so easily. He needed to go to the Drum Kingdom and let Wapol’s own people reject him and deny his existence. To kill the man and destroy his spirit—only then would Wapol truly feel the pain.

"That’s enough, Penggeles. There’s no benefit in continuing to talk to him," Luo Lan said, patting Penggeles on the shoulder as he reached the deck. "He claims to be the King of the Drum Kingdom, right? Then we’ll take him back and see if his citizens acknowledge him. In this world, there shouldn't be a king who isn't recognized by his own people, right, Wapol?" Luo Lan looked at Wapol with a faint smile.

This seemingly ordinary remark made Wapol’s blood run cold. What did he mean by "there shouldn't be a king who isn't recognized by his people"? Though arrogant, self-indulgent, and debauched, he wasn't a complete fool. Given his past actions, would his people really acknowledge him? Certainly not. Moreover, having overheard the marines' conversation, he now knew who this colonel was: the legendary "Demon Colonel" Luo Lan, a man even tougher than the hawkish faction of the Navy, and someone who didn’t give a damn about the higher-ups. Rumor had it that this Luo Lan had once dared to stand up to Admiral Sakazuki. When he first heard that news, he had laughed, saying that Luo Lan was doomed—that you couldn't survive offending the leadership. But now, it seemed it was he who wouldn't survive.

"You are right, Colonel Luo Lan." After persistent persuasion, Penggeles realized that this man was truly absolute scum. Letting him live was only a torment to the citizens of that country. If he didn’t need to do anything other than insist this man was a pirate to help the country be reborn, why shouldn't he? A selfish king was, in some sense, far more detestable than a pirate. The devastation of a pirate was temporary—things like the massacre of an island, like on Ohara, were rare. But a cruel, selfish king meant decades of suffering.

"I’m glad you understand, Penggeles, but this isn't for you. Leave this kind of thing to me in the future; you just focus on the ship’s affairs. Also, remember to give the order: our goal remains unchanged, continue to Drum Island. I’m going to hang this guy from the docks of Drum Island," Luo Lan said with a smile.

"Yes, Colonel Luo Lan." Penggeles gave a military salute and returned to his duties. Managing the ship’s personnel was what he was truly good at.

"You... are you really not afraid of being found out and having the World Government dispose of you?" Wapol asked suddenly.

"Believe me, not a single person on this ship will betray me, including your own cooks, doctors, and sailors," Luo Lan replied with a calm smile.

Having said that, he couldn't be bothered to pay Wapol any more attention. After having the marines take him to the temporary brig, Luo Lan returned to his lounge chair, calculating how to get Dalton to cooperate. If it were just driving Wapol away, Dalton would certainly cooperate. But if it meant killing Wapol, well, that guy was a stubborn soul; he probably wouldn't want to do that. Therefore, he would have to find a way.

Three days passed in the blink of an eye. Everyone on the warship had changed into thick cotton coats. The Drum Kingdom was a land under ice and snow all year round; except for white, there was nothing to see throughout the four seasons. As he looked out from the warship at the snow-covered island, Luo Lan deliberated and decided to let Penggeles go ashore to handle Dalton. Compared to the others, Penggeles’s personality made it easier for people to believe he was a true marine. Plus, now that Penggeles had come to terms with the situation, having him in charge wouldn't lead to any mishaps. Compared to him, Zoro was a bit too rough, and Nami—being a third-class private—wouldn't carry the same weight of authority as Penggeles.