Chapter 19 Set In Motion

"HA!"

"HA!"

"HA!"

The soldiers breathed out as they continued their training. Some were running around the track, others were training their various weapon arts, while others were dueling the Kuja women trying to attain haki.

'I guess its true that Rome wasn't built in a day.' Arch pondered as he watched his soldiers fumble around. "Not bad but could be better." Arch mumbled with Apollo by his side. "I know what you mean, but they're still much better than they used to be, maybe in a few years they'll be of actual sizeable power." Apollo observed, but he couldn't hide the smile from his face.

Naturally at an outsiders perspective the soldiers didn't look too impressive, but looks were typically deceiving, sure individually they weren't much at the moment but as a unit Apollo was confident in their ability.

"What about you?" Arch asked. "I am making some progress, but I think I really need something to push me." Apollo replied looking into the distance. Before Arch could ask him what he was thinking about, Apollo opened his mouth "Have you heard of a Marine Hero Garp? Its said the man can sink entire ships by throwing a cannonball. I think that'd be pretty cool."

Seeing his brother's expression Arch merely smirked. 'I know you're a bit goofy and likewise a bit arrogant but really comparing yourself to Garp? It'd be like if I compared myself to Kaido just because we both have Mythical Zoans.' Arch chuckled as he made the comparison in his head.

Right now it was safe to say they were far from those at the top but Arch was confident that'd change one day. "If not next year, or the year after, then maybe 5 or 10 years later, one day I am sure you'll be able to do it." Arch assured him patting him on the shoulder.

"You're off?" Apollo asked looking at his younger brother. "Yes, its time to make some moves." He replied before leaving the Military Training Camp. Arch then headed to the palace to begin planning his next moves.

"I am glad you could all make it." Arch smiled as he looked at the 5 men in front of him, naturally this was the Expedition Team. "Anything for you boss." Bertram chuckled, before Cort slapped him on the back of his head. "We're in the palace he's your Majesty here." Curt muttered before kicking Bertram as well.

"Ai, ai, I got it." Bertram replied, Arch almost burst out laughing at this sight. "Don't worry about it guys, what I wanted to talk to you all about was something else." Arch voiced, sitting back on his chair, indicating for them to sit as well.

"What do you need?" William asked, as the leader it was his responsibility to take the lead. "Nothing much, but right now the Kingdom is in a period of how should I put this? Stabilization, so I won't be going on any Expeditions for the next few months." Arch explained, for a second Arch saw a flash of disappointment in all their eyes but only for a brief moment.

"On the other hand, I can't have you all sitting down doing nothing either so I've had an idea. I want you all to become Bounty Hunters, at least temporarily. Naturally the purpose is to mainly to collect funds but simultaneously I know I can't expect you to give the Kingdom all your hard work for nothing." Arch paused midway wanting to see their reactions.

"I refuse." William immediately spoke out. "I can accept being a bounty hunter but apart from our various expenses I don't we think we require any money?" William continued as he looked at his teammates. Apart from Bertram they all agreed with William, but even Bertram was half-joking when he looked disgruntled. It would be a lie to say people didn't want money but it was also true that Bertram at least knew that he really didn't need any money.

The Expedition Team's every expense was paid for when at home and when preparing for an expedition so naturally they were paid their fair share, but that was only for expeditions, on the other hand Arch didn't think that was enough if they were going to go bounty hunting but alas they had already decided on it.

"Then I won't try to change your mind, but if you find a devil fruit I'll let you handle how you use it, and if you decide to give it to the Kingdom I'll pay you a minimum of 100 million for it." Arch declared, hearing this the group simply agreed the most likely possibility was that they'd hand the fruit into the Kingdom after all if they happened to find one and if they did so they wouldn't take the 100 million.

"We should begin preparing." William said before getting up from his seat. "Oh and before I forget, do not, and I repeat, do not fight any pirates with a bounty of over 100 million especially if they're a rising star because their power would probably be much higher than what's indicated by their bounty. Simultaneously if you do fight devil fruit users be sure you know what their devil fruit can do or you might not even know how you died." Arch warned, it was better safe than sorry.

After this discussion Arch left the palace, and began walking around the island, naturally if he just walked he wouldn't go very far, so every now and then Arch broke into a light jog. Tigria at least in Arch's opinion was a truly beautiful Island.

"I don't think there's ever been a day where I didn't see this." Arch sighed picking up an orangey-brown leaf. 'It seems to be always autumn on this island.' Arch thought before imbuing haki into the leaf and slicing the tree trunk with it.

The leaf made a small incision on the trunk making Arch smile. 'If I can reach Tier 2, or Hardening in other words then at that point all I'll need is to increase my devil fruit prowess, and wait until I eventually awaken Observation Haki.' Arch pondered, looking at the sky once again.

"It seems pretty late, I should head back." Arch muttered making his way back to the palace. A few days later the Expedition Team headed out to journey the Grand Line, and Arch couldn't help but sigh. 'How easy would my life be if I just waited and followed that Straw Hat.' Arch sighed.

'But Kings don't follow they lead, and an Emperor leads Kings. I still have a long way to go.' Arch chuckled before looking towards the East Blue. "Now that I think about it, isn't it pretty weird how the Pirate King ranks higher than the 4 Emperors?" He mumbled before heading towards the border of the island.