https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-722-A-Flower-Worth-Five-Thousand-Beri/13539074/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-724-Isn-t-That-the-Excuse-You-Were-Looking-For-/13539076/
Chapter 723: The Navy Keeps Its Promises
Chapter 723: The Navy Keeps Its Promises
Sazil had been wandering the streets of Gold City, taking in the sights. With Kuro Vice Admiral footing the bill for any extra expenses, how could he pass up this golden opportunity? After all, he spent most of the year either getting beaten up or executing missions. A chance to relax and have fun was more than welcome.
Even being surrounded by a group of kids didn’t bother him. Buying flowers? No problem. He was a Headquarters Lieutenant—his salary could handle that easily.
What did "Headquarters Lieutenant" mean, after all? It was like Fenbodi back in the East Blue—swaggering around in warships, dining in luxury restaurants, chasing women, and sipping top-shelf liquor.
A few flowers? He could afford it without a second thought.
Until the kids dropped that number.
"Five thousand Beri?!"
Sazil’s eyes widened in shock. "Are you trying to rob me?! Even pirates aren’t this brazen!"
His startled reaction made one green-haired girl shrink back, her face twisting in fear.
But a hat-wearing kid nearby shot back defiantly, "You’re Navy, right? Vip customers! Five thousand Beri? You can afford it. Please, just give me the money!"
As he yelled, the gap-toothed kid’s missing front tooth became visible.
The sheer audacity made Sazil take a few steps back.
Good grief, this wasn’t even a scam anymore—it was outright extortion. No flowers, just cash.
Five thousand Beri wasn’t a problem. A flower per kid would only amount to a few ten thousand Beri total. But the principle of the thing? That’s where the line was drawn.
"Get lost", Sazil rolled his eyes dismissively, waving them off. "You kids are money-crazed brats. Thinking I’m some sucker? What do you even need so much cash for at your age?"
He turned away, leading the Navy officers in another direction.
"Wait! Please, help us!"
Led by the gap-toothed kid, the children surrounded the Navy group again.
"Are you brats trying to annoy me to death?" Sazil frowned, ready to order his men to clear the kids out, when a voice cut through from the side.
"Don’t bother our Vip guests, you little pests!"
A group in black dress uniforms strode over arrogantly. One of them bowed to Sazil with a smile. "Honored guests, we deeply apologize for their rudeness. Allow me to chase these brats away immediately."
He glared at the kids, his face twisting into a fake smile. "This isn’t a place for you. Return to where you belong and stop troubling our guests."
"Ugh—" The gap-toothed kid instinctively stepped back.
"Brother…" The green-haired girl beside him whispered timidly.
"I know", he muttered, glancing at his sister before lowering his head and retreating with the others. It was as if missing a sale meant losing something precious.
"We deeply apologize for their intrusion, esteemed guests", the man in black bowed again. "I’ve driven them away. There won’t be a second time."
Sazil frowned at the dejected kids leaving, then narrowed his eyes at the smirking man in black.
"Hey, brats", he suddenly called out. "Why do you need the money so badly?"
The gap-toothed kid froze. He shot a glare at the man in black before shouting, "Money means freedom! You wealthy types wouldn’t understand!"
"Brats! Get back to where you belong!" The man in black barked, lifting his foot to step forward.
But a hand blocked his path.
"Freedom?" Sazil fixed the gap-toothed kid with a sharp look. "Explain that. Who’s restricting your freedom?"
"Honored guest, such minor matters are under our jurisdiction", the man in black interjected hastily. "You’re here to enjoy yourself—"
"Shut up", Sazil snapped. "I’m talking to the kid, not you. Tell me, why do you want freedom so much?"
The gap-toothed kid glanced at Sazil, then at the threatening figure in black. After a pause, he turned away. "Let’s go, Tianbao. We’re leaving."
The green-haired girl bowed deeply to Sazil, her eyes lifting to meet his with a pleading gaze. But she shook her head faintly and turned to leave.
"Brat", Sazil said coolly. "Think carefully. We’re not just guests—we’re Navy. Normally, I wouldn’t lift a finger for you without answers. But since it’s my duty to investigate…"
"We owe debts", the young girl, Tianbao, whispered meekly. "Without money, we have no freedom."
"Freedom?" Sazil repeated the word, then turned to the man in black.
The man smiled. "Honored guest, this is Gran Tesoro’s internal matter. But since you’re Navy, I’ll explain. Their parents couldn’t repay debts and faced starvation. We took the children in out of kindness, letting them work here to survive. Feeding them is a huge loss for us, but we haven’t abandoned them. Yet the children are too naive to see we’re helping."
"Does that satisfy you, esteemed guest?"
Sazil stared blankly before saying slowly, "I didn’t ask if you’re good or bad. You assumed that. Also, what do the parents’ debts have to do with these kids?"
Shoving the man aside, he added, "But since you mentioned losses, we’ll show mercy. We’ll take the kids off your hands."
"Wait—brats! Want to join the Navy? You won’t have to stay here."
"Really?!" The gap-toothed kid spun around, eyes wide with hope. "We can really leave?!"
Sazil gestured. A Navy officer handed him a cigar, which he lit and puffed proudly, mimicking Kuro’s style.
"Of course. The Navy keeps its promises."
(End of Chapter)
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