The pinnacle of pirates begins with deceiving fate!

Bogart, known as the "King of Drawing His Sword," has been by Garp's side for many years and always makes a sword-drawing stance during battles.

But no one ever saw him draw his knife.

Even when John encountered Garp in the Rocks Pirates, he never saw this guy draw his sword.

It's like a knife being welded into its sheath.

John felt that this guy's role was the same as Reed's—a secretary.

He immediately shrugged, feigning ignorance, and said:

"Colonel, I don't understand what you're talking about."

Then, he turned his head and swept his gaze over the marines lined up in the room.

Did you hear what I said?

"..."

The marines remained motionless, silent as if they were wooden figures.

His original intention was not to get involved in the conflicts of his superiors, but Bogart interpreted it in a different way.

They didn't hear anything!

Bogart's face darkened, and he was about to say something to save face for Garp when he was stopped by a raised, thick arm.

Garp blocked Bogart's path with his left hand, scratched the back of his head with his right hand, and grinned:

"I'm sorry, this wasn't my intention, I didn't know it would turn out this way,"

"That's more like it."

John felt better.

It's worth noting that even figures like Rocks, Roger, and Newgate couldn't make Garp humble himself like this, yet he did it with just a few words.

Emotional value at its peak!

"Please, Vice Admiral Garp."

John smiled and raised his hand to lead the way for Karp and the others.

Bogart moved his lips as if he wanted to say something, but in the end he held back and sighed helplessly.

That's just his personality as the official in charge. He dares to openly humiliate the corrupt nobles and royal families of the member states, and even the Celestial Dragons, the "world nobles," by calling them pigs.

However, when faced with this righteous navy that "speaks out for the people," they are so easy to talk to that they are easy to bully.

But this Major John is clearly just making excuses...

The town's reconstruction was swift, and as the naval group walked through the streets, the framework of a new, larger-scale building complex was already visible.

But Karp's attention wasn't on the buildings; he was drawn to the tired faces of the residents.

Garp couldn't help but think of himself.

Every time he goes on a mission to chase pirates, he causes chaos and destruction, and it's common for him to damage the environment and buildings. Now even "Crane" refuses to let him board her warship.

Simply because his reckless fighting would damage the warships.

Just as Karp was reflecting on himself, a commotion arose ahead.

"You despicable thief! Stop right there!"

"Damn Felose people, you filthy sewer rats, I'll drive you all out of Shells!"

The sailors looked in the direction of the sound and saw two figures chasing each other in a narrow alleyway between the house frames on the right.

Running ahead was a skinny little devil carrying bread, while chasing behind was a burly thug wielding a rolling pin.

Attracted by the commotion, the residents who were building houses rushed over to join the chase after the thieves after only a brief moment of consideration.

thump

The little devil, who was trying to escape, tripped over a wooden stake on the ground and fell face-first to the ground, the bread he was holding tightly flying away.

The residents quickly caught up with the little devil and raised their hands to hit him with the sticks, hammers and other construction tools they were holding.

His fierce expression suggested he was determined to beat the brat to death.

"Hey!"

A penetrating sound suddenly rang out, clearly reaching the ears of the noisy residents, causing their tools, which were about to fall, to abruptly stop in mid-air.

The residents turned around at the sound and saw John staring intently at them with a stern face.

The intense gazes put them under pressure, and they hurriedly began to explain themselves one after another.

"This brat stole my bread, is it too much for me to beat up a thief?"

"Yes! I was helping to catch the thief, I didn't bully any innocent children."

"Me too! Me too!"

They are now truly terrified of John.

That guy either uses his position as base commander to threaten and extort money from Losais to become marines, or he drags old Shells into creating all sorts of bizarre regulations.

Swearing? Slap yourself!

Spitting anywhere will get you slapped!

Those who urinate or defecate indiscriminately will be publicly whipped after having their pants pulled down!

These past few days, all sorts of regulations have almost driven them crazy!

I don't know what kind of spell old Shields was cast on, but he did whatever John said, no matter how bizarre or outrageous it was, and he never objected.

Unfortunately, old Shells was the town mayor and a nobleman of the Kingdom of Leon. Coupled with the law enforcement power of the 153rd branch, these ordinary civilians had no way to resist him.

They'd rather have these fancy regulations to make money, but they don't; it's as if they're just there to torture people.

Those who are punished cannot even pay money to ensure their safety; they must be beaten!

Even more outrageous is that even if they hid in their tents at night and cursed, the Marines would come to their door the next day to punish them.

It's like being watched by that guy John all the time!

"Who gave you permission to resort to vigilante justice? Do you have any respect for the Kingdom of Leon and the Navy? Do you have any respect for the World Government?!"

"Are you planning a rebellion?!"

John stepped forward and launched into a tirade, berating the residents until they couldn't lift their heads and shrunk back like turtles.

"Rich people use Pele as a pillow, what's wrong with a kid eating a piece of bread?"

"If I'm hungry, I'll not only steal, I'll rob!"

"It's not like we stole your bread, so of course you can talk big without feeling the pain..." the thug who had been robbed muttered aggrievedly.

He was so wronged!

"Hey! You dare talk back!"

John rolled up his sleeves and raised his hand, scaring the thug into shrinking back.

Seeing this, Bogart pushed the hilt of his knife with his right thumb, making a small part of the blade protrude from the scabbard. He then lowered his legs into a lunge position, ready to charge forward and stop him.

But at that moment, a childish voice suddenly rang out.

"I didn't steal it for myself, it's for my mom!"

Chapter 65 Why are mermaids more expensive than humans?!

John didn't actually slap the man; he only meant to scare him.

Bogart didn't rush forward either, his brow furrowed at the kid's words.

Bogart has seen many children in the world who have been abandoned by their parents or become orphans for various reasons.

To survive, these homeless children resort to theft, robbery, and fraud, which become commonplace in their lives. As they grow up, they naturally become pirates.

Therefore, when he heard "for Mom", his first thought was that his mother had instigated him to steal!

Since it wasn't for their own benefit, they must have been intimidated and instigated.

"Kid, where's your mom?"

John grabbed the child by the back of his collar and lifted him to his feet. The child looked at John fearfully and stammered an answer.

"My mother is sick and can't work to earn money. She hasn't eaten for two days, so I..."

"Don't you have any savings?" Bogart stepped forward, took a piece of candy out of his pocket, and handed it to the child.

The child shook his head, took the candy, tore open the wrapper, and eagerly stuffed the candy into his mouth.

With increased sugar intake, his sallow complexion improved slightly.

John glanced at the residents present, then looked at Bogart and explained on behalf of the child:

“The Felose people are cheap labor here. They are paid for each day they work, and if they stop working, they have no money to support themselves the next day.”

"They have zero tolerance for risk; even the slightest setback can plunge their lives into despair."

In fact, his control over Morgan and Burns to destroy the town was also partly intended to help the Felosians make decisions.

Since life is so hard in Shells Town, let's go somewhere else, or maybe join Dragon and Vincent in the rebellion in the Kingdom of Felose.

A tree dies when transplanted, but a person thrives!

Unfortunately, these Felos were exceptionally stubborn and refused to leave.

Left with no other choice, John could only try to secure some living space for the Felosians by reserving an area for them in the town's planning map.

To allow the people of Felosé to no longer be crammed into cramped, dirty, and cheap rental housing, and to truly settle down here.

Everything in Shells Town was reshuffled under his arrangement.

Therefore, he refused the ten million Berries that old Shields had promised.

During the reconstruction, the marines were specifically instructed to help the Felosians first, so that these people who were unable to face the risks of life could be settled down first.

As for the Philose people, they were so poor they couldn't afford to eat...

I'm sorry, John can't help you either, but his money is useful.