Chapter 68: Justice
The process of satisfying appetite is filled with happiness, and happy times always pass particularly quickly.
After the two had eaten and drunk their fill, it was already noon.
An officer found the place and reported that all the soldiers had finished their meals and were assembled at the morning landing site, waiting for instructions.
Hearing this, Zephyr also stood up to prepare to pay the bill.
But at this time, Miss Lapp was already too exhausted to move, so Old Saluzzo shakily took the still somewhat damp Belly.
The two had eaten nearly seventy pizzas in total! If there hadn’t been a shortage of ingredients, they probably could have eaten dozens more!
While clearing the plates, Lapp saw the two were about to leave, wiped her hands on her apron, and asked:
“Have the two of you finished eating? I wonder if it suited your tastes?”
“Hahahaha! Of course!
When I get back, I must have the canteen masters add this pineapple pizza to the menu.”
Garp picked his teeth; he, who was always indiscriminate with food, irresponsibly made a decision that could very well cause internal division in the Navy.
“That’s good, then. I wonder how long you all plan to stay here, so I can inform Grandpa Town Chief to make arrangements.”
“Hmm, probably another day. Our mast is broken and needs temporary repairs.”
Zephyr assessed the warship’s damage; to continue sailing, it would take at least a day to repair.
“A broken mast will be hard to fix, and there are no shipwrights on the island who can repair a warship.”
“No need for such trouble, it’s just a temporary fix.
In a bit, we’ll go to the blacksmith shop, buy a few long iron rods, and nail it back on.”
Zephyr waved his hand, indicating no need to trouble the townsfolk.
“By the way, little girl, do you have time?”
“Of course I do, but I need to clear these plates first.”
Lapp pointed to the few large and small plates left on the table.
Because the two had ordered so much, after the table was covered with pizzas, Miss Lapp stopped plating them and served the pizzas directly, so there weren’t many plates to clear.
However, given the shopkeeper father and daughter’s current condition, it wouldn’t be right to just leave the messy table and walk away.
Lapp’s small body stood on a stool, sorting the plates that were huge for her size; her serious little face couldn’t help but evoke pity.
Old Saluzzo, who had just settled Miss Lapp, saw this and hurried over:
“Oh dear, how can I let Miss Lapp do these? Put them down quickly, I’ll handle it.”
“It’s fine, just a bit of effort.”
“Even so…”
“Haha, let me do it. We ate too much and caused you trouble.”
With that, Zephyr really rolled up his sleeves and started clearing.
“Then I’ll help too…”
“Garp, don’t make more trouble.”
It had to be said that Zephyr was a Navy Admiral after all; in no time, he had sorted all the plates and even washed them clean.
Wiping the water stains from his hands, Zephyr said:
“Little girl, can you walk around with us some more? We’d like to learn more about the local customs on the island.”
“Ah? Zephyr, we’re not here on vacation; hurry up and fix the ship and leave.” Garp was somewhat puzzled.
“I suddenly feel like staying longer, got a problem? If you don’t want to walk, go back and organize the troops first.”
“Fine, I’ll go then. You take your time walking alone.”
With that, Garp left with the officer, but instead of heading to the port, he went toward a nearby skewer stall.
『Looks like he spotted something; as expected of the renowned Navy Admiral.』
Faced with Zephyr’s somewhat odd invitation, Lapp felt he had noticed some anomaly, but she didn’t refuse.
On one hand, the other party’s soul showed no hostility.
On the other hand, in a one-on-one situation, the advantage was hers.
And so, the big and small figures walked side by side along the street.
“Little girl, have pirates come to your town?” Zephyr asked naturally.
“Yes.”
“This place was ruled by pirates before, but three days ago they set out to sea and haven’t returned yet.”
Any lie would have flaws, so Lapp chose to answer truthfully.
“I see… No wonder I see so many traces of pirate life here.”
As a Navy veteran of decades, Zephyr had actually noticed the town’s strangeness from the start.
Whether it was the residents’ speech habits or the odd buildings in the distance, they all bore obvious pirate styles.
So even if the townsfolk weren’t pirates, they must have had close contact with them.
And these details were something Lapp, who had only been in this world for a few days, couldn’t possibly have considered.
“Do you know which pirate crew they were?”
“Beasts Pirates.”
“Beasts Pirates?! You mean the Beasts Pirates!”
Zephyr’s tone suddenly rose; after all, they had stumbled into Beasts Pirates territory by accident—who knew if it was good luck or bad.
“Yes, but they took almost everyone with them, and no one knows where they went; they still haven’t returned.
Even the pirate flag that had always hung on the town gate was taken down, so the townsfolk are a bit worried.”
After getting a general sense of Zephyr’s character, Lapp wasn’t worried he’d take it out on the townsfolk, so she spilled everything.
Of course, she deliberately blurred the details about the logistics pirates left behind.
“Worried… I see…
Sorry, that’s the Navy’s incompetence!”
Zephyr suddenly bowed solemnly to Lapp.
Thinking of the residents here having to seek protection from pirates, thinking of the town chief and the shopkeeper’s terrified looks upon seeing the Navy, Zephyr’s sense of justice was deeply stung!
“Strength has limits, and human power is finite. Most islands in the New World are like this; you needn’t apologize for it.”
Lapp was a bit surprised by Zephyr’s sudden apology but still politely comforted him.
“No, the Navy’s duty is to protect the people and eliminate pirates.
That New World residents can only survive under pirate protection is the Navy’s failure! The World Government’s failure!”
Zephyr kept his head bowed, fists clenched, his heart filled with immense guilt.
Seeing the other party seemed prone to getting stuck on it, Lapp helplessly continued to comfort:
“I admire people like you full of a sense of justice; not everyone can have the belief to fight for unrelated strangers.
Perhaps one person’s power often seems insignificant, but I sincerely hope your ideals bear fruit.
So, please lift your head.”
She reached out her small hand to gently touch Zephyr’s hair and gave him a smile.
Her impression of this Navy man was quite good—attentive, gentle, full of justice and responsibility.
Regardless of stance, these uniquely human qualities attracted the current Lapp like gems.
Birds always like to collect shiny things.
And the fire of desire in the other party’s soul, fueled by justice and burning steadily, made the current Lapp take notice.
『Such fervent desire… truly enviable.』
『What an incredible girl…』
Looking at Lapp’s smile, Zephyr felt his soul cleansed.
His heart, weathered by reality, seemed bathed in sunlight, becoming warm and vibrant again.
“Little girl, you… would you like to join the Navy?”
After hesitating repeatedly, Zephyr finally extended the invitation to Lapp.
He really couldn’t bear to leave such a defenseless little girl on an island that could be attacked by pirates at any time.
Bringing her back to the Navy, even for logistics at headquarters, he could ensure her safety.
But contrary to his expectations, Lapp shook her head and refused.
“I already have a place to belong; unless something unexpected happens, I won’t go elsewhere. Mister Zephyr, no need to worry about me.”
“Is that so? What kind of place is it?” Zephyr still asked worriedly.
“Hmm… a warm little team, I suppose. Kind and gentlemanly canteen masters, bold colleagues who act bravely, reticent but diligent seniors.
The boss is straightforward and values talent; he’s quite good to me and my sisters.”
This was spot on; since joining the Beasts Pirates, Kaido had basically granted every request from Lapp and the other two, never skimping on treatment.
Ember might always have a cold face, but big or small matters, he’d always help wholeheartedly.
Burufaruto went without saying; he was already showing signs of treating Obei and Aoxi like his own daughters.
Especially toward Aoxi, it was nothing short of meticulous care.
“I… I see. Sounds like a nice place.”
“Yes, it really is a nice place.
It’s a shame they’re not on the island right now, or I should introduce them to you.”
“Haha~ Is that so? That’s truly a shame.” Zephyr chuckled lightly.
『Sounds like an ordinary little group; wonder what business they’re in…
If it’s something like sea transport, I can have logistics look after them later.』
The big and small pair thus chatted while circling the town once, then returned to the port.
……
