A Little Greasy

The pirate attack didn't cause much of a stir on the Konomi Islands. Although many people on the island had advance knowledge of it, thanks to Xia Che's authority, since Colonel Xia Che hadn't issued any warnings, everyone continued with their daily lives as usual, and no chaos ensued.

It was only last night, during a celebratory banquet, that people truly learned about it.

Therefore, although everyone was a bit surprised afterward, peace was restored after just one night.

The people of the Konomi Islands trusted Xia Che very much.

Not to mention...

Let alone the civilians on the island, even the pirates who had come to plunder didn't know what had happened.

They were supposed to be plundering, but as soon as they saw the outline of the island, before they could even get excited, they had passed out.

They woke up captured.

They didn't even know what had happened.

So, while the bloody cleansing of Marine Branch 16 caused quite a stir, it ended unusually peacefully.

It wasn't even as lively as last night's banquet!

Today was a day off.

Thanks to the pirates' arrival last night, and the need to arrange work for them, the higher-ups would be extremely busy today.

Therefore, many factories had specifically given their workers the day off.

And Pike... the leather factory where he worked was one of them.

Even if he worked continuously, from morning till night every day, as long as he could eat his fill and his daughter wasn't bullied, and they didn't go hungry, he would be very satisfied.

Moreover, working on the Konomi Islands, he received a salary.

How unimaginable was that!

In other places, they, as refugees, only had the right to scavenge. Even when they worked for others, those slave owners wouldn't let them eat their fill, let alone pay them wages. But here...

He, a father who should have been scavenging in the junkyard with his daughter, now had a job that allowed him to eat his fill, sleep soundly until morning, and earn wages to buy new clothes for his daughter.

That's right, everything the old woman who served them food had said had come true.

It was like a dream.

But...

Pike lowered his head and looked at his daughter, whom he was holding by the hand. She was no longer wearing the tattered, gray, ill-fitting, and ugly clothes he had found in the trash heap. Instead, she was wearing a pink dress he had specifically bought for her with his wages. A smile involuntarily spread across his face.

If this is truly a dream, please let Kati grow up happily like this before waking me up.

At this moment.

"Daddy~" Seeing her father suddenly lower his head and stare at her as they walked, Kati, dressed in her pretty pink dress, tilted her head in confusion, her crystal-clear eyes blinking as she asked curiously, "What's wrong?"

"Nothing, I just think Kati is very cute today!" Hearing his daughter's words, Pike, with a smile on his face, also laughed heartily and picked up Kati. "This little dress really suits my cute daughter!"

Not having to scavenge, not having to fight for spoiled garbage like wild dogs, not having to sleep in a smelly junkyard...

It's so good!

It's really good!

"Of course, this is the first gift Daddy bought for me, I'll cherish it well," Kati said, hugging her father with a giggle. Then, she added with a hint of sadness, "I wish... Mommy could see this too."

With that said.

"..."

Seeing Kati's dejected expression and hearing her words, Pike fell silent. A flicker of sadness crossed his eyes.

Kati's mother had starved to death.

Even the spoiled, smelly garbage that others didn't want was precious food for them to survive.

Alas~

Kati's mother couldn't hold on until now.

But looking at the slightly dispirited Kati, Pike, as a father, took a deep breath, put on a comforting smile, and said softly, "Mommy would be very happy if she saw how happy Kati is now."

"Can... can Mommy see?"

"She definitely can! So, Kati, you must be happy too, don't let Mommy worry!"

"Mhm, Kati will always be happy!" Hearing her father's words, the little girl Kati nodded heavily and said seriously, "I won't let Mommy worry."

"What a good girl. Since it's a rare day off for Daddy too, let Daddy reward such a good girl like Kati!" Pike said, holding Kati and smiling. "Does Kati want anything? A doll? A dress, or some snacks?"

Seeing Kati's eyes light up, but then quickly lower again, looking conflicted, Pike knew exactly what this well-behaved child was thinking. He quickly added, "Don't worry, Daddy still has money."

Although he had only been here for a few days, his kind superior had advanced him some wages. With no need to spend money on food or housing, after buying a small dress, he still had quite a bit left.

"Today is only because Kati was so good, okay~"

"Kati has always been good."

"Is that so? Then when Daddy was working, did Kati stay good the whole time? Did you cry?"

"Yes, Kati didn't cry. She stayed obediently at home, waiting for Daddy to come back."

"And what does Kati want?"

"Hmm, can Kati see first?" Hearing her father's words, Kati furrowed her cute little brows and tilted her adorable little head, seemingly troubled about what to ask for. "Can Kati let Daddy buy it later?"

"Then today, let Daddy take Kati for a good stroll!" Facing his daughter's request, Pike smiled and agreed.

His eyes held a trace of emotion and gratitude.

He knew...

It was all thanks to Colonel Xia Che that he could now agree to his adorable daughter's request like a father.

He.

Would definitely work hard!

Then, with Kati in tow, the father and daughter happily began to wander through the bustling streets of Cocoyasi Village.

Meanwhile.

"Pike, a leather factory master, was recognized by the factory for his excellent leatherworking skills and secured a good job. He's also very diligent and serious at work, and perhaps he'll receive praise from the factory soon," Robin said casually, observing Xia Che, who was curiously watching the father and daughter.

As a competent secretary, she remembered some trivial matters, such as this talented individual among the last batch of refugees.

Continuing to watch Xia Che, who was eating Colonel's Fried Chicken, a specialty of Cocoyasi Village, Robin couldn't help but reveal a hint of emotion in her bright eyes.

Having followed this BOSS for so long, she was very clear about the situation in Cocoyasi Village back then.

To think that in just a few years, it had developed into its current state. Even now...

She still found it somewhat unbelievable~

Recalling how he, lost and at sea in a small boat, had excitedly invited her when he saw her, Robin's lips curved into a smile.

At the time, she had only planned to stay with this demoted, impoverished colonel for a while before leaving, but before she knew it... so much time had passed.

Was this BOSS a good person?

A Marine who, upon arriving in the East Blue, took the Marines from his base and civilians to become pirates, and who harbored her, the child of the devil, secretly against Marine Headquarters – could he be a good person?

Yet, this very Marine colonel, who fawned over superiors and bullied inferiors, had saved so many people.

As Robin seemed to be recalling something, her smiling eyes made Xia Che feel a bit uneasy.

Why was she staring at him like that after introducing the father and daughter? Was there something they couldn't discuss later tonight?

Or did she want...

Xia Che looked at the secret recipe Colonel's Fried Chicken in his hand, directly speared a piece, and offered it to her, asking doubtfully, "Want some?"

"???"

Pulled back to her thoughts, Robin looked at the chicken piece offered to her mouth with equal confusion. But after a moment of stunned silence, she still smiled, lightly brushed a strand of hair from her forehead, leaned forward, opened her alluringly soft red lips, and took a bite.

Then, under Xia Che's surprised gaze, after taking two bites, she frowned, elegantly wiped her mouth, and said, "A bit greasy~, but not bad."

With that.

"..."

Xia Che blinked in surprise, watching Miss Robin actually eat it today. Just as he was about to say something.

At that moment.

"Okay!"

A familiar voice came from behind.

Even without turning his head, Xia Che knew it was Nami's voice.

They both turned around and indeed saw Nami, who had appeared at some point. Before Xia Che could say anything.

Nami directly crossed her arms, revealing a chest that was full and carried the characteristics of the sea, disproportionate to her age. Her cheeks puffed out as she glared at Xia Che, her voice filled with a hint of resentment, "I was busy by myself, and you two were here hanging out behind my back..."

However.

Before she could finish speaking.

"Chomp~"

Xia Che speared another piece and directly stuffed it into Nami's mouth.

Before long.

After chewing and swallowing, Nami frowned, "Hmm, it's a bit greasy!"

"Is that so~? I also think today's chicken is a bit greasy. I'll have to talk to them properly later, don't tarnish my colonel's reputation." Xia Che nodded, looking at the now empty chicken bag with satisfaction. "I can't eat anymore. It's perfect that you two finished one piece each."

"???"

Robin and Nami, who had been given the food because he didn't want it, were stunned.

Then, Miss Robin smiled helplessly and shook her head, while Nami glared at Xia Che again, her cheeks puffed out. But before Nami could voice her indignation.

Xia Che spoke again, directly changing the subject, "Right, how was the profit this time?"

With that.

As expected~

Upon hearing the word "profit," the previously angry Nami jolted. Her eyes seemed to emit a peculiar light, and she excitedly hugged Xia Che's arm, saying, "We made a huge profit! We really made a huge profit this time!"