Edward Newgate's Decision!

Moger had already made plans for the Sphinx over a decade ago.

Establish an underground black market, develop the service and entertainment industries, and use the money earned from pirates to develop its pillar industries before finally going ashore.

In a country with scarce resources, low technological levels, and poor production capacity, and without foreign capital injection, the only thing that could be done was to rely on the mountains and eat from the mountains, and rely on pirates to eat pirates.

This was not a short-term project, so Moger only offered advice at the time and left after the Sphinx raised his Pirate Flag.

But after so many years, the Sphinx's development has always been stuck at the second step.

Because the money from pirates was too easy to earn, pirates who lived with their lives hanging by a thread were often willing to spend lavishly on delicacies, fine wine, and women. Casinos were also the places pirates frequented the most.

Therefore, even though Moger repeatedly emphasized that these gray industries were not to be seen in daylight and that if the Sphinx wanted to truly develop, it needed to strengthen itself.

The powers that be in the Sphinx did not pay attention.

Thus, when they borrowed Moger's flag to extort a large amount of money from pirates, and finally, when Moger's Pirate Flag could no longer be effective, they were unable to produce the strength to protect themselves.

The Sphinx, as a country, had existed in name only since that time.

And this time.

After defeating the alliance formed by the three Great Pirate Crews, Moger had no intention of returning power to the authorities of the Sphinx.

He hadn't cared before because he was too busy.

Now that Moger intended to use the Sphinx as a springboard to develop his own influence, he naturally could not let these incompetent nobles hinder him any longer.

"Moger, you want to turn the Sphinx into your territory. The Marines won't turn a blind eye to that."

After visiting the Black Pearl again to help Rocks and the others change their bandages, the Goat Doctor warned him.

Moger needed the strength to defend this territory!

"Haha, you don't need to tell me about this. I won't involve ordinary people."

Hearing the Goat Doctor's words, a strange smile appeared on Moger's face.

"Why do you think I chose the Sphinx?"

If nothing else, just the pirates under the three Great Pirate Crews numbered over ten thousand. Although they were all weaklings who couldn't even withstand Haki, they could still play a significant role in times of war.

Not to mention, besides the pirates of the three Great Pirate Crews, the Sphinx also had dozens of large and small pirate crews temporarily docked there.

If the Marines were to go to war, they would have to consider these pirates as well.

"What if the Marines send an Admiral?"

"I'll handle it!"

Moger said decisively.

If you want to build your own influence but are unwilling to face risks, where in this world can you find such a cheap deal?

Even if he wanted to rally all the pirates of the Sphinx to fight against the Marines, it was more likely that these pirates would all run away as soon as they saw the Marines.

Unless, he showed the strength to directly confront a Marine Admiral.

"In the end, they're just a mob!"

So Moger had another option, which was to run away.

It was normal for a pirate like him to run away when encountering the Marines, right?

"It hurts!"

While Moger was chatting with the Goat Doctor, a young girl dressed as a nurse was changing the bandages for Edward Newgate and the others.

Her slender figure and proud curves made many of the more mature children unable to help but swallow their saliva and reach out their hands.

As soon as they reached out, their hands were grabbed, and they were met with the girl's cold sneer.

"A bunch of brats think they can take advantage of me? Try again in your next life!"

The girl was none other than Stussy.

After witnessing Moger's might in defeating the three Great Pirates, Stussy became even more determined to latch onto White Wolf Moger and make a fortune.

For this, she didn't hesitate to throw a tantrum to get the Goat Doctor to bring her to the Black Pearl.

Upon approaching Moger and getting a clear look at him, Stussy became even more smitten.

Although she wanted to make money, she also had her standards!

If White Wolf Moger had been a creepy old man, no matter how rich he was, she wouldn't have wanted to compromise herself.

But at first glance, he was nothing like a creepy old man.

He was clearly a handsome uncle!

Especially when Stussy saw Moger having the Black Merchant Duke Men transport box after box of gold and silver treasures out of the ship's hold.

Her eyes completely turned into Moger shapes.

Old, handsome, and rich!

An old man like this was hard to find even with a lantern.

However, every time Stussy wanted to get close to Mongge, she encountered an obstacle.

Lipri!

A girl dressed wildly, with a seemingly cheerful personality.

She was already a crew member of the White Wolf Pirates.

Stussy originally thought that given their similar ages, Lipri should have gotten along better with that arrogant guy Rocks.

But that wasn't the case at all.

Lipri was always by Mongge's side, asking him questions, leaving Stussy no chance to get close to him.

"Bitch, get lost!"

Stussy bit her nails and thought resentfully.

Meanwhile, Lipri didn't recognize Stussy, only seeing her as a pretty nurse at Dr. Goat's clinic.

But perhaps because she had been fighting constantly lately and her Observation Haki was on the verge of awakening, Lipri felt that Stussy's gaze towards Mongge was strange.

"Captain, am I close to awakening Observation Haki? I feel like I can sense other people's emotions!"

"Really?"

Mongge frowned and glanced at Lipri. As far as he knew, Observation Haki that could sense emotions was usually innate.

"Then can you sense my emotions?"

"Uh."

Lipri glanced at Mongge and said cautiously.

"You think I'm exceptionally talented, a genius?"

"Nonsense!"

Mongge kicked Lipri impatiently.

"Right now, I think you're an idiot!"

"That's so mean~"

Lipri stuck out her tongue at Mongge with a grin. Seeing Mongge raise his leg, she quickly ran away.

In the corner.

Seeing the interaction between Mongge and Lipri, and then seeing Mongge occasionally guiding Rocks in his training, helping him master Haki further.

Edward Newgate's eyes held some envy.

He was an orphan, and precisely because he was an orphan, he yearned for a family even more.

In his eyes, the way Mongge and Lipri interacted was like a real family.

He had already heard from others that Mongge would take over the Sphinx again, and the Home of Lambs, which had closed due to financial issues, would be rebuilt, giving the displaced children a place to belong again.

What about him?

He was no longer young and couldn't stay at the Home of Lambs forever.

Go out and work?

But the Sphinx didn't have that much work.

After much thought, Edward Newgate realized he only had one thought in his heart.

Noticing Edward Newgate's gaze.

Mongge smiled.

He knew that after he regained control of the Sphinx and resolved to make changes, Edward Newgate would no longer have to worry about his little friends, finally free from his concerns.

He extended his hand and asked again.

"How about it, Newgate, are you willing to become my family?"

This time, the boy did not hesitate.

"Yes!"