I'm at the top of One Piece

This child has a somewhat weak sense of right and wrong.

Just like those researchers, life is nothing more than a number.

Unaware of what Garp was thinking, Messer looked at the forest receding around him.

At one moment, a flash of brownish-gray color appeared in his eyes, and his figure stopped abruptly.

The Observation Haki is released.

Mercer accurately detected a scent.

Immediately, after scanning his surroundings, a palm-sized rock caught his eye, and Mercer bent down to pick it up.

Breathe.

Entering a state of oneness with nature, the aura around the body becomes tranquil.

Garp, who was standing to the side, was also somewhat surprised by Messer's change.

Just as I was about to ask, I noticed that Moses was behaving differently.

Then they saw Messer slow his pace and walk to the side.

He immediately stopped talking.

Mercer slowly raised his right arm, gazing at a deer in the bushes not far away.

Thirty meters.

Twenty meters.

Fifteen meters.

With his body slightly bent and his feet exerting force, he suddenly launched himself forward when he was ten meters away.

The sudden burst of energy startled the deer within ten meters, causing them to leap into the air.

"Now."

With a low shout, Mercer locked onto the stone with his Observation Haki, anticipating its movements. He rotated his arm inward, adjusted the angle, and the stone whistled out with a whoosh.

Bang!

A muffled thud came from the deer's head, its entire body was thrown off balance in mid-air, and it fell into the bushes.

Mercer rushed to the deer's side, grabbed its head with both hands, and twisted it until its neck snapped with a "crack".

Moses released the deer's head.

A dozen seconds later, the deer breathed its last.

An irregular crystal, about the size of a grain of rice, appeared, shimmering with a mysterious luster.

[Obtained 1 F-grade Soul Crystal]

Karp walked over at that moment and asked in confusion, "Is this an extra meal for lunch?"

Moses shook his head and, to Karp's surprise, said:

"A return gift."

"I was treated to lunch by someone a few days ago, and I'm leaving today, so I'm giving her a gift in return."

Garp's lips twitched.

"Your gift is really amazing, a whole deer."

"Tell me, let me hear it. Who is this guy that you like so much?"

He said that because he knew Moses too well; this guy wouldn't usually pay attention to most people.

Whether I pay attention to them or not depends entirely on my mood.

Just like on the warship, among so many people, over these past few days, only Bogart has been able to chat and laugh with him.

As for the other guys, from the colonel to the lowly soldier, very few could exchange more than a few words with Moses.

Looking at the deer in front of him, which was even bigger than himself and at least 1.6 meters long, Messer thought for a moment and then looked up at Garp.

"Sir, if I tell you something, will you help me bring it down the mountain?"

"Say it or don't, it's up to you." Garp's face darkened. "You hunted the game yourself and won't give it to me, and you expect me to help you? Unless..."

"That's it."

Garp's face stiffened.

I haven't finished speaking yet.

Moses didn't look at him again. Instead, he looked around, then found a thin vine hanging down from a tree and pulled it down with force.

The deer was tightly bound with vines that were over ten meters long, leaving two shoulder straps on either side of its body.

Like carrying a schoolbag, he slung the entire deer across his back, raised his eyebrows at Garp, and walked down the mountain without looking back.

Garp followed behind, a strange look on his face, his lips twitching.

A little imp was carrying a deer that was only a little bigger than himself. If the deer's head hadn't been drooping, you wouldn't have known who was carrying whom.

Speechless all the way.

Less than half an hour.

Mercer and Karp arrived at Windmill Village.

Ignoring Karp, Messer followed the familiar road, making several turns, until he arrived at the back door of a house.

Knock knock knock!

Knock it down hard.

A few seconds later, a clear sound, like a mountain spring, came from inside.

Who is it? Who are you looking for?

“It’s me. Makino.”

Then they heard hurried footsteps from inside, along with an urgent voice saying, "Wait for me, I'm coming!" A few seconds later, the door was opened from the inside.

Upon seeing Messer carrying the deer, Makino froze, covering her mouth, "Little Messer, what are you doing?"

Rolling her eyes, Mercer reached out and pushed Makino aside before going inside.

Put the deer in the yard.

Clap his hands and said to her, "This deer is for you. Consider it a return gift for treating me to dinner the other day."

Makino's eyes twitched. This gift was too valuable. Just as she was about to refuse, she noticed that another person had entered the yard.

"Oh? Mr. Garp? What brings you here?"

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Chapter 24 Freedom and Great Freedom!

"Who do we have here? It's you, little girl. If it's you, then it's not surprising."

"I heard that your family had some trouble, but with Slab's help, I didn't bother to do anything more."

"Makino, how are you doing these days?" Garp asked earnestly. "Just tell Slab if you need anything."

"If he can't solve it, I'm here for you."

Looking at Garp, Mercer sensed that he had a different feeling about Makino, and a hint of curiosity appeared in his eyes.

Karp saw it.

“Before Dorag was ten years old, she was raised in the village. She and her father were childhood friends. Our two families have always had a very good relationship.”

“By the way, Makino.” Garp looked at her. “You’re not young anymore, and you live alone. Why don’t you come with me to Marine Headquarters? It’ll be easier for me to take care of you there.”

Makino smiled and shook her head. "Mr. Karp, no need. I'm perfectly fine here."

"And thank you for what happened before. I heard that a group of thugs had their eyes on my house, and it was you who came back and taught them a lesson."

"Tch, it's that big mouth of Slab again."

Makino covered her mouth and chuckled, then looked at Mercer and Garp.

"And who are you two?"

Karp said, "You know him too, he's Moses. I'm his grandfather."

"Is he your grandson?" Makino asked curiously.

Moses curled his lip. "He's a grandson, but he's clean."

Makino looked surprised.

Upon hearing Messer's answer, Garp pursed his lips, clearly displeased with Messer's quick response.

"Dry? I'm still wet."

"You little bastard, tell me, haven't I raised you like my own grandson?"

"I think you're just asking for a beating again."

Messer rolled his eyes and looked at Garp speechlessly:

"I'm sorry, I was wrong, okay? I apologize, I'm so sorry. Please, you're a kind person and don't hold grudges against a child. Please let's just let this go, considering my sincere apology."

Pfft!

Makino was amused by the way Messer coaxed a child, and her shoulders shrugged. "Sure enough~, little Messer, you're so funny. I think you should be my little brother."

“No,” Mercer denied immediately. “I refuse.”

"Huh?" Makino asked, pouting, "Why?"

“I, Mercer, am rebellious by nature and naturally arrogant. How could I possibly become someone else’s subordinate? Even if I did, I would only be a yes-man and not a true believer. Sooner or later, I would rebel.”

Messer glanced at Makino. "Want to be my boss? Then are you prepared to be betrayed by me?"

Makino blinked and burst out laughing again.