Totto Land Sea Region, Ten Thousand Nations.
In the blink of an eye, it's been half a month since the war ended.
On this day at Cake Island, the sun was shining brightly, and the sea breeze gently caressed.
At the shipyard, workers were feverishly repairing war-damaged ships under Smoker's leadership, the sounds of hammering and shouting resounding in succession.
Chopper and Bebo squatted side by side by the dock, munching on cotton candy while watching Smoker's busy figure.
"Truly worthy of Smoker-senpai, able to withstand such trials."
Chopper exclaimed in admiration, "He was lying unconscious in bed until the day before yesterday, yet today he's able to do such heavy labor."
Defeating Commander Snack in that battle skyrocketed Smoker's bounty to 830 million belly.
Not only did he become the top figure under the Endgame's highest cadre, but his fame also spread worldwide, with the name "White Hunter" renowned across the Four Seas.
But the cost was significant as well.
That battle, albeit a win, was an incredibly hard-fought victory, a literal "bitter battle".
Smoker not only turned into a bloody figure on the spot, fell into a coma for a long time, but his ears were also cut off by Snack with a samurai sword, leaving him permanently disabled.
Chopper was helpless about this, but fortunately, the Endgame had Law, a professional surgical doctor, to perform ear repair surgery.
At least, from the outside, it looked fine, no different from its original appearance, and even the sutures were invisible.
However, his hearing was greatly affected.
In daily life, without using Observation, it was difficult to determine the origin of sounds.
Just like now—
"Smoker-senpai!"
Tashigi hurriedly arrived and slightly bowed to a female boatman:
"The headquarters of the Stationed Corps has officially moved to Cake Island. We need to collect and integrate the data of various industries in the new territory. The first dock is your responsibility, so please organize the files and hand them over sooner."
"Hmm, got it."
Smoker also turned to glance at the female boatman, "This task is simple, I'll go to the Stationed Corps tomorrow... huh, why does your voice sound so young?"
How could she look over forty and still sound like a youthful girl?
"?"
The female boatman looked utterly baffled.
What's with these two officers, why do they have to talk to me, treating me like some sort of signal relay station?
"Puhaha!"
Chopper couldn't help but burst out laughing, but as he laughed, he felt it was too hellish, too unethical, and quickly covered his mouth, though his shoulders kept shaking.
Bebo also held his face as red as a tomato.
Once Tashigi's figure was out of sight, the little fat bear and small reindeer weren't as amused. Chopper tore off a piece of cotton candy, blissfully putting it into his mouth:
"330 million belly, speaking of which, Tashigi's bounty has also increased a lot, almost to…"
"Almost catching up with you, is that what you want to say?" Bebo pouted, "Because you saved over a hundred people at one time, you're considered a troublesome battlefield doctor, and your bounty rose to 375 million belly, Tony Tony Chopper-sama?"
"I-I'm not trying to show off!"
Chopper held his face, twisting his noodle-like body, "Idiot, don't call me that, even if you praise me like that, I won't be happy!"
"But you're clearly happy!"
Bebo shouted furiously with sharp teeth, "Even Law's bounty only increased to 350 million; you just soared to become number one among the Super Rookies of the same period!"
"Eh? Number one? Idiot, even if you say so, I still won't be happy!"
"Enough already!"
...
How did these two little brats start arguing too?
Ah Yin carried an empty strawberry milk carton, passed by, squinted an eye to glance over here, seemed like they were discussing bounties?
Hmm, what was my latest bounty again?
Ah Yin racked his brains to recall, it seemed to be 700 million belly, just 20 million shy of Nojiko's after defeating Perospero.
After finishing off that Baron Egg, and knocking away over a dozen pirates with bounties exceeding a hundred million, his importance at the Navy Headquarters suddenly rose again.
What a headache, with this kind of situation, won't more troublesome guys come to deal with me next time?
Ah, if I get seriously injured, how will I drink milk and bask in the sun?
He tossed the empty milk carton into the trash bin, flicked his tail, lazy to listen to Chopper and Bebo's bickering, left the dock running briskly all the way.
The wind brushing past his temples and ears as Ah Yin's speed picked up, crossing the wilderness, entering the bustling town.
Residents along the way saw him, smiling and waving, some kids even proactively gathered around giggling.
Am I being more accepted?
Ah Yin keenly sensed the shift in atmosphere.
Since moving to Cake Island, every day he goes to the seaside, enjoying strawberry milk while basking in the sun, comfortably before running back.
In the first few days, the residents of Ten Thousand Nations were clearly wary of the Endgame, fearful and avoiding me, not even daring to come close.
And now, even the children dare to approach.
"As expected of the master."
Ah Yin thought lazily.
Those things humans generally call "administration" are the most troublesome and boring in the world, he doesn't understand and doesn't want to understand.
Just knew that after the master took control of Ten Thousand Nations, a series of new policies were promulgated swiftly.
For instance, without any basic increase in taxes, they even abolished the "Soul Tax" that was paid every six months;