However.
Just as he finished speaking.
Before his young daughter could ask what he meant with her puzzled expression.
"Clang, clang, clang~"
Another series of metallic knocks rang out.
At the same time, as Pike braced himself for a beating for saying such words aloud.
"Hey, hey, hey! You! I've been waiting for you! I thought you were picking out food, but no—you're here saying things like that to a kid?"
"???" Pike raised his head in confusion.
Behind the window stood a plump old woman in a loose-fitting white chef's uniform that could barely hide her bulk. She held a large ladle as she glared at him.
What does this woman mean?
Is she worried they'll commit suicide?
Before he could even ask.
"Pah, pah, pah! What's all this talk about death? This is Cocoyasi Town, Captain Chacher's territory. How could there be slaves here? You're not here to become slaves."
The old woman serving the food snapped, her tone irritable. Then, noticing the frightened little girl staring at her, she softened her expression, her wrinkled face breaking into a kind smile.
"Don't be afraid, little girl. This isn't a bad place. Starting today, you'll have enough to eat, nice clothes to wear, and no one will bully you."
"R-Really?"
"Of course! I wouldn't lie to you. As long as your father works hard, everything will be fine." The old woman's eyes twinkled as she looked at the girl's hopeful gaze. Raising the large ladle in her hand, she spoke excitedly,
"Here, you can find work, earn wages, eat your fill, and wear beautiful clothes."
"You can learn useful skills, sleep peacefully, laugh joyfully, and live happily every day!"
"If you have a special skill, you can even get a better job and earn higher wages. And if you don't know anything, as long as you're willing to work hard, the factories here will gladly take you in. This place is always in need of people!"
"Welcome to Cocoyasi Town, the most beautiful place in the East Blue."
"Now, hurry up and get your food. Take as much as you like, but remember not to waste it or overeat. You'll be busy tonight."
"..."
Urged by the old woman, Pike took his daughter and filled a plate to the brim.
There was rice, soft white steamed buns, delicious dishes, and mouthwatering meat—foods their family had never had before.
When they sat down and looked at the meal before them, it all felt like a dream.
Could this really be true?
"Daddy, can I eat now?"
"Yes, go ahead, Katy." Pike snapped out of his daze at his daughter's voice. Realizing it wasn't a dream, he gave her permission. Watching his daughter happily devour the food in front of her, a smile unknowingly crept onto his face.
At that moment...
It seemed like he heard a sound. He turned his head and saw a group of people walking in. No, it shouldn't be called another group; these were the others who had come with them earlier.
It seemed this group had just gone to... right, they went to take a bath.
Pike looked at the people, who should have been as filthy and ragged as he was, now clean and dressed in brand new gray clothes. He stood there, stunned.
His eyes were filled with disbelief.
"Daddy, eat too, it's so delicious. This is the best thing Kati has ever eaten."
Only the shout of his daughter snapped him back to reality. He looked at his daughter, whose belly was full, and Pike, who had been worried and anxious, couldn't help but smile. "Eat! Daddy will eat too!"
He was already hungry, but everything in front of him was so shocking that he had forgotten his hunger. Now, as he came back to his senses, the hunger inside him returned, urging him to eat quickly.
But just one bite of the steamed bun was enough to leave him stunned.
"It's so delicious!"
In an instant, tears flowed from his eyes, running down his cheeks and falling from the corners of his mouth.
Is it really possible to fill your stomach just by working hard?
Pike, teary-eyed, looked at his daughter, who was also tearful, and took a deep breath. With a firm expression, he said, "Kati, Daddy will work hard."
"Mm!"
"I will! Even if it costs me my life!"
Pike lifted his head and looked at the window, where the queue had been reorganized. His eyes were no longer lost but were now firm and determined.
Cocoyasi Town...
Captain Chacher!
On the other side,
Garp and the others, led by the grumpy Moke, seriously observed Cocoyasi Town.
Their expressions shifted from disdain to calm, and then to a slight surprise.
Before them...
A vast expanse of stone-paved roads, clean and orderly!
Buildings lined the streets, looking neat, uniform, and sparkling, clearly newly constructed.
Perhaps it couldn't compare to the famous Sabaody Archipelago in the Grand Line, but they all knew the special nature of Sabaody.
Seeing such clean, orderly, and spacious streets in a small town in the East Blue was still quite shocking.
Especially the crowds walking along the streets, dressed in clean clothes, with sincere smiles on their faces and eyes full of hope for the future... this was not something you'd see in the Sabaody Archipelago.
After all, Cocoyasi Village was just an ordinary, humble village on the Conomi Islands in the East Blue, the only special thing about it being that it was under the jurisdiction of the Navy's 16th Division.
Garp furrowed his brows, his hand, which had been shoveling snacks into his mouth, paused slightly.
At that moment, for some reason, his mind unconsciously drifted to the village on the Goa Kingdom Island... the village that was independent of the Goa Kingdom, under his protection, and also his hometown, Windmill Village.
But even with his protection, Windmill Village could never develop like this.
Then, he went back to his usual carefree self, continuing to stuff his face with snacks while laughing, "What an interesting guy, hahaha~"
As he finished speaking,
Beside him, the more composed Commander Tashigi, who was eating in small bites unlike Garp, had a serious expression on her face. "Looks like we misunderstood Captain Chacher. Captain Chacher is a good person!"
He drove away the fishmen and Captain Nezumi, and as the base commander, not only did he protect the village, but also helped the impoverished village develop.
And he was even willing to shelter refugees from other islands, offering them a new life.
Upon thinking about this, Tashigi couldn't help but let out a sigh of admiration and respect, "Really admirable!"
**********
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