Rebecca saw that Vic wanted to go and see, but she didn't say anything. She wanted to take the child's hand and lead him there, but the child resisted a lot. He leaned back and looked like he didn't want to go. Tears were already streaming down his face. He shook his little head back and forth at Vic and Rebecca, but he still gritted his teeth and didn't say a word.
"It's okay, just come with us and we'll explain everything. Don't be afraid, let me hold you!" Rebecca said softly, picking up the little one. Rebecca thought the child was frightened by the group of big men.
After Rebecca picked the child up, the child put his arms under Rebecca's armpits and hugged her tightly, burying his face in Rebecca's chest and sobbing softly.
Vic watched as the kid's lips twitched. He hadn't even had a chance to enjoy it yet, and this little brat had beaten him to it.
Rebecca has been developing steadily over the past six months. Her little canteen is already taking shape, with Sea Kings every day. She's getting all the nutrition she needs, so it would be strange if she didn't develop.
Vic then took a closer look at the child, who looked about five or six years old, with short, sea-blue hair. Although his face was dirty, he seemed to be a cute little boy. His small body was very thin and frail, clearly malnourished, and he had many scars on his body, especially a large X-shaped scar on his right leg. It looked like a fresh wound, but it had already scabbed over.
Vic stopped paying attention to Rebecca and stopped arguing with the child. The child was pitiful; she had even eaten all the unpalatable Devil Fruit, which showed how hungry she was.
When Vic passed by a snack shop, he bought two Streusen. It wasn't that he didn't want to buy meat for the child; the child clearly hadn't eaten anything for a long time, let alone meat. Eating meat suddenly would give him diarrhea. Although people in the pirate world were physically strong, Vic couldn't see any strength in this child.
"Are you hungry? Here, little one, have some bread!" Vic patted the child's head and said softly with a smile.
The child turned his head and looked up at Vic with a scrutinizing look in his eyes. However, when he saw Vic's face and smile, he lowered his guard, but was still hesitant about whether to take the item.
"Don't worry, we're all in this together, and we're all good people!" Rebecca encouraged the little guy when he hesitated.
The little guy seemed to have a special fondness for the pretty red-haired woman. Hearing her say that, he took a Streusen and took a big bite. Vic and Rebecca smiled when they saw the little guy start eating.
The burly man in front saw this and sneered, but did not stop Vic and his group.
The child ate the bread in big mouthfuls, almost choking. One Devil Fruit was clearly not enough to fill his stomach, and he still looked very hungry. Vic bought him a bottle of milk, and the child alternately brought the bread to his mouth with the milk in one hand.
Vic didn't usually carry money, but when Rebecca said she wanted to go shopping, he brought some with him. Rebecca was truly penniless; she even entrusted her allowance to Vic for safekeeping.
They basically didn't need any money at Marine Headquarters; their food was all freshly caught. If they needed money, she would just ask Vic for it, so Vic became Rebecca's money bag.
Rebecca's smile never stopped as she watched the little guy eat so happily.
It seems Rebecca really likes children. Tashigi Rebecca Marine Headquarters, making her a more responsible guardian than Smoker.
After finishing one Streusen, the little guy looked at the other one in Vic's hand, his longing undisguised.
"Here you go. If you feel a little full, don't eat anymore. You won't go hungry again!"
Vic wasn't just talking; this is a kid who ate Devil Fruit. Although we don't know what his ability is, it must have some use. Letting him join the Navy means he won't lack food or clothing, and he'll have a safe environment to grow up in.
The little guy still didn't speak. He looked intently into Vic's eyes, nodded his little head, as if he saw something in Vic's eyes, took the bread handed to him, and continued eating.
The people on the street seemed somewhat afraid of these people. Wherever they went, the people in front of them would scatter like birds and beasts. They were obviously not good people. Vic wondered how this little guy had offended these people.
This group of people had walked a long way, far from the bustling streets, and were now in a rather remote place, with relatively dilapidated houses along the way.
"Hey, where's your fruit stand? This doesn't look like a place to buy anything. Where are you taking us?" Vic said impatiently.
This is how a normal person behaves. If you're brought to a place like this and don't say a word, it will only arouse their suspicion.
Vic might never see the truth he wants to know, and be taken somewhere else and given some random excuse to get rid of him.
Of course, Vic could use force to coerce them, but that would be too boring; the truth seen with one's own eyes is much more accurate.
"What's the rush! We'll be there soon. The owner isn't at the fruit stand; he's already home." The naked, burly man said impatiently, having dropped his disguise and abandoning the superficial politeness he displayed on the street.
He didn't take Vic and his companion seriously either. He was taller and more muscular than Vic, and he wasn't afraid that Vic could cause any trouble.
"That's good."
Vic curled his lip, but found it somewhat amusing. These people weren't coming over to tie them up or rob them; they were just walking around at a distance, neither too close nor too far. At first glance, they looked like a group of strangers.
Vic guessed that because there was Marine Base on the island, these people wouldn't dare to act too openly; they'd just wait until they were in a secluded spot to strike!
The little guy in Rebecca's arms had already finished the bread and milk, his little belly was bulging, but he didn't have the satisfied expression of someone who was full. The further they walked, the more uneasy he became, squirming in Rebecca's arms. Rebecca kept comforting him.
"Arrive!"
Vic was wrong; it wasn't a deserted place. The naked, burly man led them to a detached building, which was surrounded by a high courtyard wall. The building looked quite old and somewhat dilapidated.
"Oh, then go call your boss out and discuss how much compensation is appropriate," Vic said nonchalantly.
"Hahaha!"
"This kid is really interesting."
"Yeah, what a hothead!"
"Kid, you really thought we brought you here to talk about losing money? You're adorably naive. Now even you belong to us, so the money on you is no exception, hahaha!" The naked giant laughed arrogantly, completely revealing his true colors.