Compared to the faint sound of cannon fire from the sea outside Mock Town, the streets within the town were strangely peaceful at this moment.
Ian strolled leisurely with the women. The pirates and ruffians who were lucky enough not to be caught up in the Blackbeard incident were now hiding in dark corners, peeking at this group, who seemed like gods on a Parade, with awe and fear.
After her initial restraint, Nami's money-loving nature finally couldn't be suppressed. Her eyes darted around the luxury shops on both sides. When they passed a lavishly decorated clothing store, she finally couldn't help but jog to Ian's side, tugging at his sleeve, her big eyes blinking, full of flattery.
Ian glanced at her, then lazily snapped his fingers.
Gunko understood, pulling out a heavy leather pouch from somewhere and casually tossing it to Nami.
"Clink!"
The crisp sound of metal clinking was music to Nami's ears. She fumbled to catch it, opened the pouch, and the golden gleam instantly turned her eyes into two round Berries symbols.
"Berries!!"
"Gold bars!!!"
"Thank you, Young Master!"
Nami bounced up like a little kangaroo, excitedly kissed Ian on the cheek, then pulled Kaya, who was still a bit dazed, and rushed into the clothing store with great enthusiasm.
"Kaya! Hurry! Let's buy out this whole store!"
Watching her money-grubbing antics, Ian's lips twitched, finding it somewhat amusing.
He then looked at the others. Princess Anna and Princess Sally were already accustomed to such gifts, gracefully bowing in thanks.
Finally, Ian's gaze fell on Gion and Tina.
"You two go as well."
Gion frowned slightly, "Saint Ian, we are Marine, currently on escort duty."
"Why do we have to go too? Tina doesn't understand," Tina pushed up her sunglasses.
The smile on Ian's face faded. He strode in front of them, reached out, and gently lifted Gion's chin, "Are you suggesting that This Young Master's escorts should dress like paupers?"
"Or are you saying that This Young Master's orders can be defied with a boring excuse like 'duty'?"
Gion's body instantly tensed, a bead of cold sweat forming on her forehead. She could feel that the man's patience was wearing thin.
Just as the atmosphere solidified, Princess Anna, holding a few newly selected clothes, ran over with a smile, linking an arm through Gion's and Tina's.
"Oh, come on, you two, don't be so rigid. This is a gift from the Young Master! Come on, let's go pick out some pretty clothes together. You can protect the Young Master better when you're all dressed up nicely!"
Without further ado, Anna dragged and pulled the two female Marines into the town's most luxurious boutique.
Inside the store, the owner bowed subserviently, not daring to breathe loudly.
Princess Anna had clearly become everyone's image designer. With a sharp eye, she immediately picked out a deep purple, high-slit cheongsam for Gion. Its fitted cut perfectly accentuated Gion's well-trained, flawless curves.
"This... this is too revealing, it's not proper," Gion looked at herself in the mirror, feeling a bit uncomfortable. The cheongsam's slit went almost to her upper thigh, making her long, straight beautiful legs even more striking.
"What's with all these rules?" Anna helped her adjust the collar, smiling contentedly, "Sister Gion, look how beautiful you are. Even I'm almost smitten."
Tina, nearby, was also being held down in a chair by Princess Sally, with several top stylists bustling around her. She initially resisted, but after putting on a sharp white pantsuit, paired with a black tight-fitting top and a pair of stylish combat boots, she looked at herself in the mirror—heroic and with a touch of fashion—and her signature catchphrase couldn't even be uttered.
Soon, under Princess Anna's "money power," Gion and Tina were completely transformed.
Gion changed into the cheongsam and was then dragged to get a vintage wavy hairstyle. Her mature and charming demeanor now had an added sharpness befitting a top swordswoman. Walking down the street, she drew envious glances from countless women.
She rubbed her forehead with a hint of helplessness, muttering to herself, "It seems even I can't escape this love for beauty."
Anna giggled nearby, "You Marines are just too poor! Follow the Young Master from now on, and I guarantee you'll live in luxury, eating well and wearing gold and silver!"
"We are Marine, how can we indulge in pleasure?" Tina was still a bit unaccustomed, stubbornly retorting.
"Are Marines not people?" Anna rolled her eyes at her, "Do Marines not eat? Do Marines not have families? Don't always say 'We are Marine.' With your meager salaries, who would still be willing to risk their lives for the World Government?"
"When we return to the Holy Land, I'll suggest to the Young Master that he call the Seat of Power. Your Marine's treatment must be improved!"
Tina blurted out instinctively, "We are Marine..."
"Stop!" Anna interrupted her in time, "This is settled! If the Young Master knew your treatment was so poor, he would definitely step in! I believe in the Young Master!"
Hearing this, Gion, who had been silent, felt a stir in her heart and tentatively asked, "Princess Anna, you seem to know Saint Ian very well?"
"Of course." Anna's tone carried a proud sense of shared honor, "However, This Concubine dare not casually discuss the Young Master. You will understand in the future what kind of man the Young Master truly is. In a word, he is worth your loyalty!"
...Two days later, the going merry sailed away from the thoroughly "purified" Mock Town.
The ship slowly docked at a sunny island port.
However, the expected scene of terrified citizens fleeing did not occur. On the dock, people stood in a dense crowd, and when they clearly saw the handsome figure at the bow, everyone knelt down in unison, prostrating themselves.
Ian stood at the bow, blinking in confusion.
"Are they welcoming This Young Master?"
Just then, a middle-aged man in the crowd mustered the courage to look up and nervously asked, "Excuse me, esteemed sir on the ship, are you His Excellency Neirona Ian Saint, the Crown Prince of the Holy Land?"
"How dare you!" Gunko stepped forward, her aura bursting forth, "How dare you look directly at Saint Ian!"
The man trembled with fear, immediately slamming his head to the ground.
But Gunko's words were like a signal.
After confirming Ian's identity, the people of the entire port did not become more terrified; instead, they erupted in thunderous cheers!
"Thank you, Saint Ian! Thank you for ordering the eradication of the pirates who had plagued this sea area!"
"We no longer have to live in fear!"
Several brave children even ran out from the crowd, shouting loudly at the going merry, "Long live Saint Ian!"
At this, Ian was truly bewildered.
He turned his head to look at Gion and Tina, who also wore expressions of astonishment, "Aren't they most afraid of the Celestial Dragons? Why, after learning This Young Master's name, are they supporting him?"
Gion and Tina exchanged glances, then both looked at the people on the port who were genuinely grateful and prostrating themselves before Ian. Then, with a tacit understanding, they looked at the confused man beside them, and a smile bloomed on both their lips.
—