Basil was originally shopping as well. It was not easy for him to come to the Golden City, and Lieutenant General Kuro even said that he would pay for the extra part of the consumption. He would definitely not miss such a good opportunity.
He was either beaten up or on a mission all year round. It was certainly good to have a place to relax and play.
Even if he was surrounded by a group of children, it didn't matter to him. It was just buying flowers. He was a Captain of the Headquarters and his salary was enough.
What kind of concept is a Headquarters Captain? It's the same as the level of arrogance that Femboldi had in East Blue, opening an army ship, eating high-class restaurants, picking up girls and drinking good wine.
Of course, he could afford to buy flowers.
Until the group of children said those words.
"Five thousand Berries?!"
Basil widened his eyes and said in surprise, "Five thousand Berries for such a lousy flower? You're robbing money. Even pirates can't rob as much as you!"
This shocked look made a little green-haired girl in the group of children flinch and show fear.
Instead, a kid wearing a hat next to him shouted, "You are Marines! VIP guests! It's only 5,000 Berries, you can afford it. Please! Please give me the money!"
As the child called out, one could even see his mouth was wide open, revealing a missing front tooth.
His bold words made Basil take a few steps back.
Good lord, this is not snatching but directly asking for it. There is no need for flowers.
It's not that he can't afford 5,000 Berries, but these children only have tens of thousands of Berries each, but the key is that this is not the case.
"Go, go, go."
Basil rolled his eyes and waved at them. "A group of little kids who are crazy about money. Do you think I'm a fool? Why do you want so much money?"
With that, he ignored the children and turned around to lead Marine in other directions.
"Hey, please!"
A group of children, led by the kid with the hat and missing front tooth, continued to surround the group of Marines.
"You kids are so annoying." Basil frowned and was about to let Marines drive them away when a voice suddenly sounded from the side.
"You can't disturb our distinguished guests, little brats."
A few people in black suits walked over arrogantly. One of them smiled and bowed to Sazir and the others. "Esteemed guests, I'm very sorry to disturb your mood. I will immediately chase these brats away."
With that, he glared at the brats, but his expression was filled with a fake smile. "I say, this place doesn't seem to be a place you can come to. You should go back to where you should go and not cause trouble for the guests."
"Oh…"
The child with missing front teeth subconsciously took a step back.
"Brother…"
The little girl beside him said timidly.
"I, I understand."
The child with missing front teeth glanced at his sister and took a few steps back. He lowered his head and turned to leave with his men.
It seemed that he had lost something important without selling the flowers.
"Sorry to disturb you, honored guest."
The man bowed again and said to Basil, "I have driven them away. I promise there will not be a second time."
Basil frowned as he looked at the little ghosts who left dejectedly, then glanced at the man in black formal wear with a fake smile and narrowed his eyes.
"Hey, little ghosts."
Suddenly, he said, "Why do you need money so much?"
These words made the child with missing front teeth pause. He turned his head and looked at the man in black suit with hatred.
"With money comes freedom. You rich people don't understand at all!"
"Smelly brat, get back!"
The man in black suit raised his eyebrows and was about to walk over.
At this moment, a hand blocked his way.
"Free?"
Basil looked at the kid with missing front teeth and asked, "What do you mean? Who restricted your freedom?"
"Honorable guest, let us handle this small matter. You should be here for fun." The man in black suit hurriedly said.
"Shut up."
Basil glared at him and said, "It's not the time for you to talk. I'm asking the kid, not you. Kid, tell me why you want freedom so much."
The little ghost with missing front teeth looked at Basil and then looked at the threatening man in black suit. He opened his mouth and finally turned around. "Let's go, Celeste, we're going back."
The green-haired girl bowed apologetically to Basil. The moment she raised her head, her eyes were filled with desire, but in the end, she shook her head slightly and prepared to turn around and leave.
"Brat."
Basil said lightly, "Consider it carefully. We are not only guests, but we are also Marines. Logically speaking, if you don't say anything, with my temper, I will definitely not help you, but my identity is Marine. Routine inquiries are still necessary."
"I, we are in debt."
The little girl named Tianbao lowered her head and said softly, "Without money, we have no freedom."
"Free?"
Basil chewed on these two words and turned to look at the man in black suit.
The man in the black suit smiled and said to Basil, "Sir, there are some things that are within the scope of our Gulan Tézoro's affairs. It's enough for you to just play. Originally, we don't have to answer, but seeing that you are a Marine, let me answer."
"The parents of these children are in debt, and because they are unable to pay them back, even their survival is a problem, so we are kind enough to take those children in and let them work in this city and let them survive. The food they waste every day is a lot, and we are at a loss. Even so, we have not given up on them. But children don't know anything, they will only think that we are bad people."
"Are you satisfied with this answer?"
The man in black suit asked with a smile.
Basil looked at him expressionlessly and said slowly, "I don't think I asked you whether you are a bad person or not. You put yourself in my shoes. Besides, what does the money owed by parents have to do with children?"
Basil pulled away the man in black suit and said, "But since you say so, we will be merciful and not let you suffer a loss. We will accept these children."
"Hey, little ghosts, are you willing to come with us Marines? You don't have to stay here."
"Really?!"
The kid with missing front teeth opened his eyes wide and turned around. He said in surprise, "Can we really leave here?!"
Sazir reached out and beckoned. A Marine next to him handed him a cigar. He picked up the cigar, raised his head, and blew out the smoke like Kuro.
"Of course. We Marines keep our word."