"That's truly unparalleled treatment, meow!" Pizarro could only chuckle and had nothing else to say.

Seeing Pizarro's gloomy yet hopeful expression, Kuro raised an eyebrow slightly.

"I have high hopes for him."

He said something to Rudolf, who was standing next to him, and then turned and walked into the base.

Rudolph opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but looking at his back and then at Taylor, who had just caught his breath, he couldn't speak.

"Oh, right..."

As Kuro approached the base entrance, he suddenly stopped, turned around, and said, "You did a good job. In the future, you should tone down your smile. That face won't get you anything. As a Shichibukai, you need to be more dignified."

With that, he walked into the base.

Rudolf felt as if a huge weight had been lifted from his heart, and he felt a sense of relief in an instant.

This means... it seems like it's done.

"Thank you!" He bowed deeply to Kuro.

Once Kuro had completely disappeared, he straightened up and moved the corners of his mouth, only to find that his smile, which was usually stiff, had become rigid and remained in a curved shape.

“Is my smile unapproachable?” he asked, looking at Dagon.

“You’re just too approachable, which makes people feel like you’re not a threat,” Dagon sighed.

He also lacked prestige...

Taylor didn't dare to talk back to himself, but he would occasionally dare to exchange a few words with Rudolph, unless Rudolph was really so angry that his lips drooped.

But for him to droop his lips, things must have reached a serious point.

The golden lion was right; that smile... actually meant nothing.

Cry when you need to cry, laugh when you need to laugh, and freely express your strength—that's the true nature of a strong person.

Without that smile, Rudolf remained the hero and leader in the eyes of his people; but with that smile, he was instead looked down upon.

In Kuro's eyes, Rudolph's smile was actually useless.

He could understand the urge to wear a humble smile for the survival of one's people, but in this world, that approach didn't work.

In this idealistic and will-driven world, going against one's own will will only make one weaker and weaker, and eventually lead to confusion.

They have a ready example—Zefal.

One may resort to intrigue and trickery, but one must not lose one's own will.

When you need to be angry, be angry; when you need to be swift and decisive, be ruthless and decisive. Only then can you show true character.

Even Kuro himself has been assimilated into the idea that you should scold or beat someone if you want to, and that you'll be in trouble if I'm unhappy with you.

It's very uncomfortable for him to hold it in.

Rudolph wasn't born with that smiling face; on the contrary, Kuro could see that the violence in his heart was no less than anyone else's.

That guy Taylor who spouted nonsense, when it comes to sheer brutality, Rudolph could easily outdo him by several streets without even flinching.

But he's been holding back too much, and it seems he hasn't improved for a long time. At his current age, he's probably at his peak. But if he had been more open-minded back then, he might be even stronger now.

Aside from his strength, he's also a decent person. He's willing to submit to his clan and is quite rational. If he were to become one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, there would be a safe route for him.

"Arrange my room, and tell the navy not to be too tense. They'll take care of those guys for us... Give them some tents and supplies, and don't skimp on their food."

He gave instructions to the base commander who had accompanied him.

"Yes, sir!" the base commander saluted.

The base commander is a colonel at headquarters. The G-314 branch is just a small branch in the New World, playing a role such as frontline reconnaissance. Of course, its manpower is insufficient. If they were all stationed here to guard Pizarro, would they even be able to do anything?

Pizarro was captured by Rudolf and his men, so they should be the ones to look after him.

"A tent?"

Seeing the navy bandaging the wounded half-fish people, setting up tents in the port square, and bringing out several steaming pots full of food, Taylor snorted, "At least they have some heart."

The anger subsided considerably.

In fact, he didn't ask for anything; all his resentment stemmed from a lack of respect.

But now, seeing the navy officers busy themselves, calling on people to get bandaged up, making tents for them, and even inviting them to eat, Taylor no longer had any complaints.

His mind is simple, and his desires are simple as well.

fair...

All he wants is fairness.

They've captured the Navy's enemy, so the Navy should treat them well, even if they don't get into the base.

Half a day later, a yellow light appeared in the sky and descended upon the G-314 branch.

Kizaru landed on the ground, his cloak floating, and stroked his chin as he looked at Pizarro, who was bound by chains. He pouted and said, "Oh~ how scary. Has he really been caught, you tyrannical king?"

"Kizaru!" Pizarro opened his eyes and saw Kizaru looking him over with interest. He laughed loudly, "You actually came, meow! Hahahaha!"

Kizaru...

The merfolk looked toward the old man, and Rudolf and the other three felt a chill run down their spines.

Another powerful figure has arrived, a world-renowned general.

"Huh?"

Kizaru noticed the gaze and looked at Rudolph. With just one glance, he saw through Rudolph and his group's true nature. "Oh~ half-fishmen, how rare. You're all gathered together?"

"Yes, Admiral Kizaru."

Rudolph was about to bow, but as soon as he bent down, he suddenly remembered something, straightened his back, and looked directly at Kizaru, saying, "I am the leader of this tribe, the king of all fishmen!"

These words caused Dagon's pupils to shrink slightly, and he subconsciously looked at Rudolf.

king...

He had never addressed me that way before.

But it sounds pretty good!

The world certainly has many fish-men. If Rudolph becomes a Shichibukai, he will have enough prestige and fame that those fish-men will surely come upon hearing of his name.

If we slowly gather together those bullied and looked-down-upon half-fish people, and once we reach a certain scale, we might actually be able to create a half-fish kingdom!

Then of course he can be king!

If Rudolph could become the king of all merfolk... that would be an incredible achievement!

A hint of longing appeared in Dagon's eyes.

So, perhaps he could become the... prime minister of this group of half-fish people?

"A king? How terrifying."

Kizaru nodded and introduced himself, "I am Kizaru, an admiral in the Navy. Hmm... I've heard of your name. You're a very good person. You captured Pizarro and handed him over to the Navy. Are you going to become a Shichibukai? This has really given us a big problem. But, well done."

Kizaru chuckled and turned to a Marine officer who had followed him, asking, "Where's Kuro?"

"The lieutenant general is inside the base. I'll go and inform him..."

Kizaru waved his hand to stop the Marine from speaking, and walked into the base alone, saying, "I'll go find him."

As he spoke, he staggered into the base with his hands in his pockets.