However—
"Hey hey hey, you little pirate!" Garp suddenly spoke up, grinning as if nothing had happened just moments ago.
"Your boss said you'd treat us well, right? Hurry up and tell me — is there anything fun around here? Take this old man out for a look~"
"Ah! Yes, Sir Marine Hero!" Mok snapped back to his senses, quickly responding to Vice Admiral Garp.
He also patted the shoulder of Captain Smoker, who was standing nearby with a sour expression. "Hey, Brother Smoker, we're allies now. Don't keep scowling like that."
However—
"Get lost! The Marines will never cooperate with pirates." Smoker's face darkened even more at Mok's casual tone, glaring at him.
"If I catch you doing anything illegal, I'll arrest you myself!"
He still didn't understand why Vice Admiral Garp had accepted the bribe, but as a Marine Captain, he'd be watching them personally.
If Dande Chacher did anything against the law, he would not show mercy — and he would report Garp's actions today directly to Fleet Admiral Sengoku!
"Don't worry. Unless it's the boss's direct order, I, Mok, would never do something like that."
Mok patted his broad chest and confidently promised, completely ignoring Smoker, who raised an eyebrow at his words and seemed about to say something.
He scratched his head and thought for a moment. "An interesting place... Ah, right!"
As if something had come to mind, his bull-like eyes blinked slightly, and he revealed a meaningful smile.
"I know where to go. That place is quite interesting, and since it's getting late, it's the perfect time to relax."
With that, he clapped his hands and turned around.
"Let this great lord show you how to truly enjoy yourselves!"
As his voice fell—
"???"
Before the curious Garp could ask where they were going, and while all three were still puzzled, Mok started walking excitedly in one direction.
Before long—
They arrived at a lavish, extravagant, yet solemn building.
Staring at the luxurious building in front of her, Tashigi blinked in surprise, her innocent face filled with confusion. "This kind of looks like Sabaody Park~"
But—
Standing at the entrance were alluring women dressed in seductive clothing. Inside, shadows flickered, and in the dim evening light, red, blue, and pink lights shimmered faintly.
Realizing something, Tashigi's face turned slightly red. "It just looks... not very proper."
As her voice trailed off— Smoker and Garp seemed to realize something as well.
One had dark lines all over his face, while the other laughed gleefully, watching with great interest.
However—
Before the grim-faced Smoker could say anything—
"What do you mean 'not proper'? Sabaody Park? This used to be Arlong Park, a theme park built by fishmen."
Beside them, Mok chuckled. "But later the boss remodeled it. Now it's called..."
He looked up at the glowing red sign.
"Red Romance Private Club."
Saying this, he winked and gave Smoker a meaningful glance.
"This is a place to relax and enjoy~"
As soon as the words left his mouth, "Where the hell are you taking us?" Smoker, with a face full of black lines, had his hand holding the cigar shaking, nearly dropping it, "Are you trying to corrupt the Navy's justice with this?"
"Dande~"
Except for Garp, who was still cheerful and even a little curious, even the innocent Tashigi, standing beside him, was blushing, nervously and hastily saying, "Places like this are not suitable for the Navy, and I'm a girl!"
Although she said no, her sparkling eyes would occasionally glance at the "Red Romance" club with curiosity.
However,
It seemed that Mok didn't notice the nervous and awkward expressions of the two.
Since it was rare for him to have such a chance, and with the boss covering the bill, he was determined to enjoy himself.
He directly grabbed Smoker and walked inside, saying, "What's with all these 'this place' and 'that place'... this is a serious place. Now that we're here, come on, let me show you how to enjoy it!"
"You~"
"Damn it!"
"Ahahaha~"
"Little Peach! Little Red!" Ignoring the strange trio, Mok yelled loudly toward the inside, "Come out and greet your guests!"
"…" X3
That name... it sounds so improper!
The next day.
Since the situation had been resolved, Dande wasn't in a hurry to return to the 16th Division.
He decided to wait for Smoker and the others to leave before heading back. After all, Cocoyasi Town wasn't far from the 16th Division.
Unexpectedly, the great trouble had been solved, and Dande had slept quite comfortably last night.
When he woke up, it was already nearly noon.
After a simple wash-up, Dande came out and saw Miss Robin, who had been sitting in the office reading a book.
One couldn't help but admire her. She passed the doctoral exam with full marks at the age of eight and became an archaeologist.
She really loved reading.
Since coming to the East Blue with him, whenever Robin had free time, she would make herself a pot of tea and leisurely read a book.
Dande picked up a document from his desk. The name on it indicated that it was a document delivered by Mayor Genzo from the town earlier this morning.
He quickly glanced at it before putting it down again.
The document mainly recorded the arrangements made by Cocoyasi Town for the new refugees who had arrived last night.
In just one night, Cocoyasi Town had already made all the necessary arrangements.
Of course, Dande wasn't surprised by this.
After all, after so many years, the people of Cocoyasi Town were already well-versed in how to handle such matters.
Unfortunately, this batch still lacked any real talent, which left Dande a bit disappointed.
Although there was a guy named Pike who was good at handling pelts and making leather armor, the kind of architectural or shipbuilding talent he needed wasn't there.
There weren't even any people with decent strength, let alone any rare technical experts.
Although strength was the most important thing on the seas, with one powerful person being able to wipe out an entire country, technology also played a crucial role in this vast ocean.
Didn't you notice?
Even the World Government, which controls the entire sea and is incredibly powerful, places great importance on technology.
It's easy to imagine.
Unfortunately, when it comes to research in technology, the World Government mainly focuses on weapons—researching what kind of weapon can destroy an island faster and more easily, wiping out the insects beneath it.
For this reason, even the world's top scientist, Vegapunk, who wanted to use technology to change the world, had no choice but to research terrifying killing weapons under the World Government's threats and temptations.
As for this world's top scientist, Dande Chacher was quite envious of him, but unfortunately, it was far too difficult to steal... or recruit him.
There are just too few scientists in this sea.
Those who have the ability either already have their own forces or have been recruited by the World Government.
Finding a talented wild scientist is incredibly difficult.
The more Chacher thought about it, the more envious he became.
He sighed, shook his head, and seemed to remember that there was something more important to do today.
**********
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