Karp, wearing a white round hat and a white suit, still couldn't conceal his burly physique.
Karp seemed to be just sightseeing, walking through Loguetown aimlessly, eating and drinking, appearing very at ease.
He wandered until nightfall, finally entering a bar.
The bar owner was a short, stout man.
As Karp sat at the counter, he said, "One cup of black tea, please."
"This is a bar, we don't have black tea," the stout man replied without looking up.
"You do, and it's Caslan black tea, very delicious," Karp said with a smile upon hearing that.
The stout man suddenly looked up, and upon seeing Karp, he quickly whispered in a fright, "Mr. Karp, it's been a long time since you've been here."
"But Loguetown is now territory of the Genbu Navy, that's very dangerous for you."
Karp took off his hat and smiled, "It's alright."
"The Genbu Navy's humanitarianism, well, it's very righteous, isn't it?"
"I see everyone here living very happily. At least, in the East Blue under the jurisdiction of the East Blue Navy, there are still many pirates rampant."
The stout man looked at Karp in disbelief, his mouth agape, not knowing what to say for a long time.
Karp comforted the stout man with a smile, "Don't be so nervous."
"You know my personality, don't you?"
"Although our positions are different, I also admire the Genbu Navy very much."
The stout man managed a slightly bitter smile, then perked up. He then took out his specially collected tea leaves and expertly brewed a pot of black tea for Karp. He poured a cup into a mug and handed it to Karp, smiling, "Mr. Karp, please enjoy."
"Thank you!" Karp said, picked up the tea cup, took a sip, and a warm smile spread across his face. "It's the same familiar taste, the same familiar recipe."
"This was specially prepared for Mr. Karp. Only you could get my bar to sell a pot of tea," the stout man said, smiling happily.
"Can you tell me about Loguetown these past few days?" Karp put down his teacup and chatted with the stout owner, laughing.
"Of course!" the stout owner readily agreed.
In fact, due to the main stationing of the Genbu Navy and the establishment of a police system, the crackdown on pirates and gangsters was very strict.
As a result, pirates were almost non-existent in Loguetown, and even gangsters dared not show their faces.
Anyone who dared to appear would be quickly apprehended or executed after being reported.
With the absence of pirates and gangsters, everyone lived in peace and contentment.
Furthermore, the Genbu Navy also undertook the task of protecting merchant maritime trade, which brought hope to many. As some tasted success, more and more people participated in maritime trade.
After all, trade within an island was limited. To obtain more resources and rare goods, one needed to trade with different islands and different kingdoms before reselling them.
As more people made money, and with no threat from pirates or gangsters, the men in their families were willing to go out and earn.
With more merchants coming and going, the numbers of people dining, lodging, frequenting bars, and traveling also increased.
Local shop owners and businesses also found their lives free from worry.
With such an environment of peace and contentment, how many people would still think of becoming pirates?
It's not that there aren't any; after all, many people were still affected by pirates.
More and more people became curious about the sea.
Thus, these people appeared in the East Blue.
Explorers, bounty hunters, driven by dreams, culinary pursuits, and regional adventures, gradually appeared in the East Blue.
In addition, some skilled culinary hunters also began to make a living on the sea.
They sought to obtain more delicious ingredients and travel to different regions to learn and seek advice on different culinary arts. To this end, they built or chartered large ships and opened culinary restaurants at sea.
These culinary restaurants could exchange ingredients for delicious food, or customers could pay with gold coins and berries.
This was very attractive to explorers, bounty hunters, Marines, and even merchants sailing the seas.
Of course, the establishment of these culinary restaurants was arranged by Benedict.
The spread and inheritance of culture require pioneers to create it and make it shine before it can form its own civilization and culture.
Clearly, the current East Blue seas were prosperous and stable, a sea favored by merchants, explorers, and poets.
Karp, traveling by merchant ship, observed all this as a merchant and a passerby, and couldn't help but praise: the Genbu Navy truly did a great job, no wonder so many people now wanted to join the Genbu Navy.
Steel Bone Kong submitted a proposal for a world conscription to the Five Elders, which was supported. The world conscription then began.
However, although the number of participants in the conscription was considerable, it was clearly insufficient compared to the scale of the Genbu Navy.
Especially from the East Blue, their numbers were the smallest among the Four Seas, and their strength and talent were generally average.
Even those from the other three seas were fewer than they had anticipated.
For this reason, they felt a bit puzzled.
After analysis, they had an answer in their hearts, though they were somewhat uncertain.
The currently prosperous, thriving, and peaceful East Blue was the best answer.
Jingle!
The doorbell rang, and the door was pushed open, with a figure walking in.
The stout man's expression changed drastically as he looked at the person who entered. He grabbed Karp's hat, intending to put it on him.
However, Karp reached out and stopped the stout man's hand, smiling without speaking.
Benedict, dressed in military uniform, walked straight to the counter and sat beside Karp, smiling, "One cup of white wine, please."
"And one for this uncle next to me."
The stout owner stood frozen, his mind struggling to keep up.
His gaze swept between Benedict and Karp, his heart pounding, unsure whether to follow Benedict's instructions.
"White wine, the finest liquor produced by the Genbu Navy. It's strong and very suitable for men."
"Don't you really want a cup?"
"Uncle Karp."
Benedict turned to look at Karp and said with a smile.
Karp looked at Benedict, and after a moment, he burst into hearty laughter.
"A Zhe, since this kid is treating, then give me a cup of white wine," Karp said to the stout owner with a smile.
Upon hearing this, the stout man finally came back to his senses. He quickly turned, grabbed a wine glass, and poured a cup for Karp.
"It is indeed strong, and very manly." With just one gulp, he downed two taels of the four taels of white wine, his face quickly flushing. However, this was clearly not enough to get Karp drunk.
Benedict chuckled, then looked at Karp meaningfully and said, "You've been openly wandering in Loguetown for so long, it shouldn't be just to have me buy you a cup of white wine, Uncle Karp."
"..."