The two groups gradually merged together. Brigadier General Otran walked at the front, accompanied by Admiral Louis, who enthusiastically introduced the local customs, city layout, and the location of the upcoming alliance conference.
Following closely behind them was Leon Fang, carefully observing and committing everything around him to memory. At that moment, a nimble figure suddenly squeezed through the crowd.
"Brother Leon Fang, Tina missed you so much!"
Tina cheerfully wrapped herself around Leon Fang's left arm, tilting her head up as she spoke in a bright, lively voice.
Leon Fang felt a wave of helplessness the instant he sensed countless burning gazes converging on his back. With his Observation Haki, he could even clearly distinguish them—those filled with gossip and curiosity came from his fellow Marines, while the angry, jealous stares belonged to the nobles of the Kingdom of Hisca.
His helplessness wasn't born from fear of trouble. Minor nobles posed no threat to him whatsoever. What he was truly mourning… was the future of this kingdom. Had the influence of certain questionable tastes already spread into the upper nobility?
Noticing the disturbance, Brigadier General Otran turned around. His eyes gleamed with unmistakable gossip as he asked, "You must be Tina, right? I've heard there's a little girl who often visits our naval base. Every time you come, you bring gifts for the soldiers. Many of them secretly call you a little angel."
Tina wasn't intimidated in the slightest. She straightened up and gave a proper salute.
"Your Excellency Brigadier General, this is what I should do."
At that moment, Louis also turned around, his supposedly "sharp" gaze landing squarely on Leon Fang.
"Let him explode, let him explode," the nobles of Hisca laughed inwardly, waiting eagerly for the scene where this Navy officer would get into trouble.
To everyone's disbelief, under the stunned gazes of the nobles, the usually stern and dignified general suddenly strode forward, pulled Leon Fang into a hug, and burst into hearty laughter.
"Hahaha! Brother Leon Fang, it's great to see you again! I knew you'd find your place in the Navy!"
"Uncle Louis, it really has been a long time," Leon Fang replied with a smile. "You look much more energetic than last time."
The nobles' worldviews shattered on the spot.
What was this? Was favoritism really allowed to be this blatant?
No matter how resentful they felt, none of them dared to voice it. One was a Navy brigadier general, the other a kingdom admiral—both far beyond anything they could afford to offend.
The atmosphere quickly became warm and friendly. After entering the royal city, Tina leaned close to Leon Fang's ear and whispered excitedly, "Brother Leon Fang, you came at just the right time! Our kingdom's specialty food festival is famous across Saint Ting Island. It started yesterday, and it gathers delicacies from all the surrounding kingdoms. Tina will take you to try them later!"
"I think you just want to eat," Leon Fang said with a doting smile, gently patting her head.
"Hehe, both!"
"But will Uncle Louis agree? He won't have time to watch over you right now."
"Don't worry! As long as it's you, Brother Leon Fang, Dad will definitely agree."
With that, Tina ran up to Louis, grabbed his arm, and shook it gently.
"Dad, I want to go to the specialty food festival later. I've been looking forward to it for so long!"
Louis frowned slightly, hesitating. "That place is far from the capital, and I can't leave right now. What if something dangerous happens—"
"Brother Leon Fang will be with me, Dad. Don't you know how capable he is?"
"Well… Brother Leon Fang is reliable. With him around, I can rest easy. However…"
Louis glanced to the side, still looking conflicted.
Brigadier General Otran interjected with a grin, clearly enjoying himself.
"Leon Fang, just take the little girl out for a while. Just make sure you're back before the alliance meeting begins."
Leon Fang felt as if he'd been cleanly sold out.
"…Alright, I understand."
…
Tina hadn't exaggerated in the slightest. The food festival truly gathered specialties from across Saint Ting Island. Even rare delicacies like Alabasta's scorpion roast meat, famous for its unique flavor, were available.
"Oh! Tina is so happy!" she exclaimed while holding food in both hands. "After waiting for so many years, I can finally eat at the festival! In the past, Dad always had things to do at this time and never felt safe letting me come alone."
"Given Uncle Louis's personality, it's already impressive that he allowed you out," Leon Fang said while tasting the food himself. He didn't indulge excessively, but he also wouldn't force himself into becoming some ascetic monk. Appreciation of beauty and good food was only human.
"That's true." Tina nodded, then asked curiously, "By the way, Brother Leon Fang, the newspapers a few days ago talked about how you risked your life to rescue hostages. Can you tell me more? Tina really wants to hear it."
"You know my strength. Saying I risked my life is exaggerated. Those pirates were—"
Seeing Tina still staring at him stubbornly, Leon Fang sighed and raised his hands.
"Alright, alright. Here's roughly what happened…"
After his vivid explanation, Tina's eyes sparkled brightly. Even the grilled meat in her hand turned cold as she forgot to eat it.
"Tina is so envious! I really want to become a Marine like you as soon as possible and protect justice. It's just a pity Dad insists I must be at least sixteen before joining."
"Ouch!"
While lost in her daydream, Tina was suddenly bumped by a filthy little boy, nearly losing her balance.
Fortunately, she had some basic training. Even caught off guard, she managed to steady herself quickly. When she looked up again, the culprit had already vanished into the maze of alleys.
Feeling both embarrassed and annoyed, she stomped her foot.
"That little beggar was so rude!"
It wasn't disgust—it was humiliation. Being startled like that in front of her idol was unacceptable.
Leon Fang's expression turned slightly serious.
"Check if you lost anything. That brief fluctuation just now felt like… the aura of a Devil Fruit."
"A Devil Fruit?" Tina widened her eyes. She couldn't connect a dirty little beggar with something worth over a hundred million Berries. Still, trusting Leon Fang completely, she immediately checked herself.
"Damn it! The money I brought to treat you today was stolen!"
"Just pocket money?" Leon Fang sighed in relief.
"Even if it's just thirty million Berries, that person dared to bump into me and steal my money. I'm going to settle this score!" Tina said angrily, grinding her little tiger teeth.
"Cough—!"
Leon Fang nearly choked. He stared at her as if meeting her for the first time.
"…How much did you say again?"
"Thirty million Berries! Don't worry, Brother Leon Fang. It's just my allowance for this month. Tina's just upset, that's all."
Leon Fang didn't particularly care about money. In the past two years, the total bounties of pirates he'd captured exceeded three hundred million. Even though the Navy didn't hand over bounties directly, his accumulated rewards were still close to a hundred million.
But no matter how he looked at it…
Casually carrying thirty million Berries as change was something even he couldn't get used to.
So this was it.
In the eyes of those nobles…
He really did look like he was living off a little rich girl.
--------------
T/N:
Access 30 chapters in advance on my P@treon: [email protected]/FicTale
(Replace @ with a)
Thanks :)