Gift

The next day.

Since the matter was resolved, he wasn't in a hurry to return to the 16th Branch. He planned to wait until Smoker and his people had withdrawn before heading back—after all, Cocoyasi Village wasn't far from the 16th Branch anyway.

And Xia Che, who had unexpectedly solved a major headache, slept quite comfortably last night.

When he woke up, it was already nearly noon.

After a quick wash and coming out, Xia Che saw Miss Robin, already in the office reading a book.

He had to admit, she truly lived up to being a scholar who had passed her doctoral exams with full marks at the age of eight and become an archaeologist.

She just loved reading.

Ever since coming to the East Blue with him, whenever she had free time, Robin would brew herself a pot of tea and leisurely read a book.

Xia Che picked up the documents on his desk. Glancing at the name on top, it should be the file Mayor Nojiko had submitted this morning?

He skimmed it briefly, then set it back down.

It mainly recorded Cocoyasi Village's arrangements for the new refugees last night.

In just one night, Cocoyasi Village had already handled everything smoothly.

Of course~

Xia Che wasn't surprised by this.

After all, after so many years, everyone in Cocoyasi Village was already clear on how to manage such things.

Unfortunately, this batch still had no real talent, which left Xia Che a bit disappointed.

Though there was one guy named Pike who was good at handling hides and making leather armor, the architectural or shipbuilding talent he wanted was nowhere to be found.

There wasn't even anyone with decent combat ability, let alone the scarce tech-oriented talent.

Although strength was paramount on the seas—one strong person could destroy a nation—technology was also extremely important in this ocean.

Hadn't they seen that even the World Government, which controlled the entire sea with overwhelming power, placed great importance on technology?

It spoke for itself~

Unfortunately, the World Government's research into technology was mainly focused on weapons—studying what kind of weapons could destroy an island faster and more easily, wiping out the insects below.

For that reason, even the world's greatest scientist, Vegapunk, who wanted to use technology to change the world, had to research terrible killing weapons under the World Government's coercion and bribery.

And as for this world's greatest scientist, Xia Che was quite eager to get his hands on him, but trying to steal... recruit him was far too difficult.

On this sea, scientists were far too scarce. Those with ability either had their own factions or had been recruited by the World Government. Finding a powerful wild scientist was just too hard.

The more he thought about it, the more he craved it. Xia Che sighed, shook his head, and seemed to remember there was something more important today. He turned to look at Robin and said, "What about those three Marines? How were they arranged? I had Moke entertain them last night—nothing unexpected happened, right?"

Thinking back now... maybe he should have sent Udo instead. Compared to that big dumb Moke, Udo was sharper, and he was a Marine too, so he would've been more suitable.

But.

Just as he finished speaking.

"It... it was fine." Hearing Xia Che's words, Robin didn't look up from her book, but her expression was a bit odd as she said, "Nothing unexpected should have happened."

"Your face doesn't look like nothing happened." Seeing Robin's expression, Xia Che rubbed his forehead with a headache. "Did Moke cause some trouble again? Didn't I tell him to entertain them properly?"

"No~, Moke probably entertained them well." This time Robin looked up, her tone still strange. "According to the reports from over there, they seemed to enjoy it quite a bit. They should be fairly satisfied."

"Enjoy?" Sensing the oddness in Robin's tone, Xia Che frowned. "When they went back last night, it must have been late. Where did they rest?"

"Red Romance."

"..."

"How about it? Comfortable, right~" Moke sidled up to Smoker with a lecherous grin, his rugged face wearing a smile that every man understood, bumping his burly frame against him. "Whenever I'm too tired, just resting here a bit makes me feel completely relaxed."

As he finished.

"..."

Smoker looked at that lecherous grin and darkened his face. "I didn't do a damn thing. You're a pirate, so don't give me that sleazy look."

"What do you mean? Didn't we soak in the hot springs, get massages, and have our feet scrubbed last night?" Moke was confused by Smoker's sudden anger. He thought the guy had enjoyed it yesterday!

He thought they'd become friends, but now he was angry again as soon as they stepped out.

He scratched his head, puzzled. "What else did you want to do?"

Smoker: ...

Nothing at all!

He didn't even know how to answer.

But Moke turned his head in confusion to look at the blushing Tashigi. "Is this place no good? How did you feel last night? Comfortable?"

"Com... comfortable!" Tashigi lowered her head, blushing, seeming a bit embarrassed. "I also soaked in the hot springs, got a massage, and had my feet scrubbed."

The men and women were separated. But even though it was just a bath, a massage, and a foot scrub, for some reason it felt a little strange.

This place clearly wasn't that kind of establishment.

Thinking back to last night—those women in sexy dresses, every smile and glance dripping with allure, plus the lighting inside...

She was a Marine sergeant!

So embarrassing~

Tashigi's face flushed even redder.

"Still, it was pretty comfortable and relaxing."

"And Vice Admiral Garp?"

"Hahaha, quite interesting. I never expected the East Blue to have a place like this." Unlike the dark-faced, embarrassed Tashigi, Garp let out a hearty laugh. "I should get that Sengoku guy to come unwind too. That man's always too tense, that's why he walks around with a sour face all day."

But.

Faced with his vice-captain and the Marine Hero's glowing reviews, Smoker's face darkened even further—flashing between black and green by turns.

They were righteous Marines!

And they came to get foot massages alongside pirates?

What kind of nonsense was this?

"Shut up!" Smoker pulled the cigar from his mouth and said coldly, "Since this matter's settled, we're pulling out."

With that, he shot a glance at Moke.

"If I ever catch you doing anything wrong, I'll arrest both you and your captain."

Finished.

He turned without hesitation and strode downstairs. But just as he was about to walk out the door—

Suddenly.

"Bang~ Bang~"

A burst of noise rang out.

Just as Smoker thought it was gunfire, that they were under attack—

"Congratulations to our three honored guests." A potbellied man who seemed to be the boss stepped through the confetti, beaming as he approached. "You were our 88th customers last night. Congratulations—you've earned Red Romance VIP Cards. Any purchase at Red Romance gets you a 20% discount, plus a complimentary deluxe fruit platter. And if it's your birthday, come to Red Romance, and we'll throw a party just for you~"

Before Smoker could react, a card was slipped into his hand, along with Tashigi's and Garp's.

"???"

Red Romance VIP Card?

What the hell?

He was a Marine Headquarters colonel—there was no way he'd ever come back to a place like this!

He was about to refuse, but it was too late. The boss had already handed out the cards, and with a few clicks, someone seemed to snap photos of them with a Den Den Mushi camera. In the blink of an eye, the people around them vanished.

All that remained were the three cards in their hands and the scattered confetti on the floor.

"Dander Xieche..." Smoker's face darkened as a thought struck him.

Was that bastard trying to drag him down too?

He clenched the card in his hand, ready to slap it back and make these people understand that he, Smoker, was a righteous Marine—when he suddenly noticed...

"Vice Admiral Garp, what are you doing?" Smoker looked utterly defeated as he watched the chuckling Garp casually stuff the card into his pocket, and Tashigi, hesitant and furtive, slip hers into her own coat. "We're Marines."

"Oh, come on—it's a gift from that kid Xieche, isn't it?"

"Sorry, I almost forgot, Colonel Smoker. I was actually going to hand it over to you."

"..."

Smoker stared speechlessly at Tashigi, who now held the card out to him, then at Garp, who was picking his nose with utter indifference. His face cycled through green and black again. Finally, he crushed the card in his hand, nearly bending it in half, and snapped, "Let's go!"

With that, he turned and strode outside without another word.

Soon.

Under Smoker's urging, Moke—who had wanted to stay a few more days—could only reluctantly set sail on his pirate ship and leave.

"Welcome back anytime!"

Xieche had come to the dock specially, watching the Moke Pirates' ship grow distant, waving warmly and with a hint of reluctance.

But...

"Did they not have fun last night?" Xieche frowned, rubbing his chin as he looked at Smoker on the deck, glaring darkly at him. He muttered to himself, "Why does Colonel Smoker look so sour?"

Was it because the hospitality was lacking?

Didn't Miss Robin say they had a good time?

Just then.

"Hehehe, welcome back anytime!"

Nami, who had been missing all night, finally reappeared, waving just as cheerfully.

"Forget it, since we've already left anyway." Xia Che turned his head to look at Nami beside him. "What were you up to last night? Moke said he didn't see you."

A pause.

"Hee hee hee~" A sly grin crept onto Nami's face as she winked playfully. "Nothing much, just sent them a little gift."

"A gift? What gift?"

"A Red Romance VIP Card."

"???"

Well, it's the new book period—how about some monthly votes and follows?