Within the waters of Alabasta Kingdom, close to the port of Nanohana, a giant naval ship could be seen slowing down. On the deck, Garp looked at the duo happily stuffing bundle of beli into the bag.
"Brat, are you really not going to think about it? With your talent, you can become a strong marine." Garp crossed his arms, his shadow towering over Lazarus as he spoke.
"I would love to," Lazarus admitted with a crooked smile, cinching the bag tight. "But I need more money. You know it yourself—marines don't get bounties for catching pirates."
If he didn't have a system that requires money to operate, Lazarus would join the Marines or remain an ordinary person.
"Hah?!" Garp barked, his laugh rumbling like cannon fire before it snapped into a scowl. "That's the point! Marines don't work for bounty money—we serve justice! The moment you wear the uniform, your duty is to protect people, not to fill your greedy pockets!"
Lazarus slung the bag over his shoulder, not cowed by Garp'. "Easy for you to say, old man. You've got rank, reputation, and a salary bigger than most kingdoms' treasuries. What about a rookie? A kid like me joins, and suddenly I'm running errands, risking my neck for a measly allowance that wouldn't even pay for ship repairs. Justice doesn't put food on the table."
Garp's jaw tightened. His fist curled, cracking the stone beneath his knuckles with the mere weight of his frustration. "Brat, money comes and goes. But what you stand for—justice—that lasts forever!?"
"Funny thing about that," Lazarus shot back, meeting Garp's gaze without flinching. "The same villagers who thank you for protection also pay pirates tribute to keep their families safe. In this world, justice is expensive. If I can't afford it, I can't uphold it."
Garp's laugh exploded again, wild and frustrated all at once. "You've got a dangerous way of thinking, boy! Dangerous, but… maybe that's why I like you." He jabbed a thumb toward his chest. "If you joined the Marines, I'd whip that greed out of you with my own fists!"
Lazarus smirked and adjusted the bag. "And if I joined, I'd end up broke before I even got the chance to build something worth protecting. Tell you what—once I've got enough money, once I don't have to worry about surviving the next day… maybe then I'll put on that coat of justice. Until then…" He tapped the bag. "I'll write my own path."
For a moment, silence hung between them, broken only by the flap of a distant seagull's wings.
Then Garp grinned, teeth flashing. "Fine! But don't think you can dodge me forever. I'll be waiting for the day you've got no excuses left. And when that day comes, Lazarus—you'll serve justice, whether you like it or not!"
Lazarus chuckled under his breath.
"We'll see, old man. We'll see." With Dobby's ability, they quickly apparated to the port of Nanohna in a distance—his voice echoing as they disappear.
Garp couldn't help but shook his head disappointedly, and eventually let out a laugh. He looked at the marines around him and bark. "Whatcha looking at?! Get going, we've got lots of pirates to catch!"
. . .
After Garp dropped him off at one of the largest ports in Alabasta. Lazarus and Dobby quickly attracted everyone's attention, mainly due to Dobby's strange appearance.
Although most of them knows the existence of special races like Murlocs and Merfolk, they rarely or never even see one before.
"Dobby, are you able to cast disillusionment spell on yourself?" Lazarus asked, his feet didn't stop from moving.
"Dobby can do it sir, but Dobby is not able to do so for a long time sir." Following him, Dobby quickly answered.
"It seems you need to strengthen your magic capacity once we gained stable foothold here in Alabasta. Although you won't need to conceal yourself at that point, having enough power to protect yourself is still better."
"Dobby will do his best sir!"
"Alright, let's get a more comfortable clothes." Lazarus and Dobby quickly went to the clothing store. It's getting uncomfortable with the scorching heat of this country.
He bought extra cloak for Dobby so he could make his appearance less conspicuous. Although Dobby was quite resistant of being given a clothes, Lazarus was able to persuade him that he's no longer a servant, but a future boss, and he should make his clothes presentable.
After they're done shopping, Lazarus went to find an inn to stay for the night. They left all their things in their rooms and went to Spice Bean, a small, but well-known restaurant to have their fill.
The moment their food arrived, Dobby's ears perked like sails catching wind. He took a careful sniff, then plunged his nose almost straight into the steaming plate.
Dobby's eyes widened, almost squealing as he spoke. "Dobby has never smelled anything like this sir… so juicy and aromatic—ohhh, Dobby could eat this until death sir!"
Lazarus chucked and also started moving his own spoon. The warmth quickly spread across his tongue, layered with the kind of complexity that only spices could carry. He leaned back against the worn wooden chair, exhaling as though a burden was lifted.
"Finally! My stomach has been filled with real food. How I miss this taste!"
Dobby looked at him curiously, his mouth still full as he spoke. "Real food? Are we eating fake food before sir?"
"Dobby, the food we're eating before is too bland with little to no spices." Lazarus raised the spoon, letting the steam curl between them "This, however, is life."
Dobby nodded furiously, as if he understand something. "Dobby agrees! I will learn how to cook real food sir!"
The two laughed, drawing a few curious glances from other diners. Spice Bean was busy today; merchants, travelers, and dockworkers packed the small establishment. The air was heavy with cumin, cinnamon, roasted peppers, and the occasional sharp crack of laughter.
At the far end of the long communal table, a chubby man shifted his plate aside and leaned closer. His clothes weren't extravagant, but well-kept, the kind of simple practicality that marked a man used to travel.
"You two sound like you've been living off saltwater and dreams."
Lazarus raised a brow, but he still entertained the curiousity. "Not far from the truth. Shipwreck diet, you could call it. We just returned after being stranded from an island you see."
"No wonder." The man nodded his head, then extended a hand as he introduced himself. "I'm Toto, a merchant. I just got back from Albana."
The name hung in the air like a spark. Lazarus looked at the man, but thought it was just similar name, not the same person he knows.
"I am Lazarus, and my companion here is Dobby. We're also merchants, and just got here. Which business do you think has opportunity?"
Toto looked at them with surprised and suddenly became enthusiastic. "If you want, you can follow me to Yuba Oasis."
"Yuba Oasis?" Lazarus was surprised.
"That's right. I'm currently gathering merchants to develop Yuba Oasis into a town." Toto immediately said.
It's really him!
Lazarus finally realized that it wasn't just similar name. This person should be the father of Koza, who was the childhood friend of Princess Vivi and the future leader of rebel army.
In the story, King Cobra tasked Toto to spearhead the development of Yuba Oasis. It was strategically planned so travellers and merchants could have resting place while traveling the vast desert.
Even after Crocodile destroyed it, Yuba was rebuild under Princess Vivi's leadership and remained to be an important trade hub in the west of Sandora River.
"Good, then I'll trust you." Lazarus quickly agreed. This was clearly a meat actively stuffed in his mouth. He would be a fool not to accept it.
Toto was forced to swallow the words he want to use to persuade Lazarus. However, he was a little doubtful at Lazarus' decisiveness. "You agree so quickly? You—"
"Don't worry. I was just optimistic about the development of Yuba Oasis. As a place positioned along the main trade route in west Sandora River. If it was developed right, it could easily become an important trade hub that connects several major cities in the west. I'm guessing, the royal family also hoped to develop this land, but few merchants dared to take risk due to ever-changing condition of the desert."
"I didn't expect that a young man like you to have such an insight." Toto become even more happy, realizing he's not talking to an ordinary person.
It's been a few months since he's gathering merchants that's willing to join him, but just like the man has speculated, not many is willing to take the risk. After all, drought is normal occurance.
Toto even want to talk about the future plans of Yuba with him. In fact, he's been worried that his ability is not enough to lead the reclamation project of Yuba Oasis. Now that he found a person he could discuss with, Toto was a little impatient.
However, looking at many people looking, their ears twitching, Lazarus knows this is not the place is not suitable to talk about business. "We can discuss further cooperation in private."
Toto quickly calmed down and couldn't help but feel embarassed. However, he still continue to converse with Lazarus with other things.