One Piece: Please Call Me Godfather!

The naval base was missing a person, but it did not cause any waves.

After all, basically all the high-ranking officials had become part of the Francklin family, and he had never felt the base being as controlled as it was now, like an arm's extension.

However, this damn thing was built on the foundation of everyone being part of the Ulysses family.

Every time Francklin thought about this, he felt immense pain.

He had ultimately rejected what he had once firmly believed was justice.

But despite the pain, why did he feel like he had unloaded some burden?

Francklin didn't know, nor did he want to know.

He had to board the pirate ship, and right now he just wanted to quickly get the vegetables.

Even though now everyone was on his side, Francklin still felt a heavy burden, and didn't dare to go meet Reinhardt during the day.

By the time Reinhardt saw him, it was already late at night.

"Where's the promised vegetables, Reinhardt?" Francklin said forcefully. "If you don't satisfy me, don't blame me for going all out and ruining everything!"

Reinhardt sighed. "My friend, I've always shown you my friendship, but why do you always ignore it?"

Francklin's anger flared up, and he opened his mouth angrily, "Alright, alright, my teacher, please forgive my rudeness."

It must be said that once someone crosses the final boundary, the limits will only keep lowering.

"So, where is the Arlong pirate crew?"

Francklin asked urgently.

The Arlong pirate crew was the one Reinhardt had prepared the vegetables for Francklin.

There were several pirates in the East Sea with bounties over ten million, and Arlong was the one with the highest bounty, as well as the only one residing in a certain place.

If we don't catch him, where should we strike next?

Reinhardt laughed and said, "No need to worry, my friend, this time, I will go with you."

"What?"

Francklin furrowed his brows tightly. "What kind of joke is this? You're going to act with me?"

The Godfather from Loguetown, along with me, a Navy lieutenant colonel, acting together?

What kind of ridiculous combination is this?

Does black and white even match?

Reinhardt gazed deeply at Francklin, sighed softly, and said, "Francklin, Francklin, what exactly did I do wrong to make you disrespect me like this? You've hurt my feelings."

"…"

In that moment, Francklin felt a chill, as if coldness surged from his spine all the way up to his brain, and in an instant, he felt like he was falling into a crack of ice and snow.

"Apologies, Godfather," Francklin lowered his head, knowing he couldn't turn back now. There was only one path forward, and it was dark. "I misspoke."

Once pride is shattered, it cannot be repaired.

The fierce aura that had surrounded Francklin disappeared in an instant, and it was gone forever, as long as he was in front of Reinhardt.

"No need to be restrained, my friend," Reinhardt patted Francklin's shoulder and smiled, saying, "But remember, friendship requires both sides to maintain it for it to last. Those who cannot understand the effort of others are unworthy of friendship. What do you think, Francklin?"

"Of course, of course." Francklin silently laughed bitterly.

It's really over for me.

"Hahaha," Reinhardt suddenly laughed heartily. "No need to be restrained, no need, Francklin. We're friends, not superiors and subordinates. Why hold back in front of me, your friend?"

"Alright, go prepare a bit, my friend. Afterward, we'll set off for Cocoyashi Village."

"Alright."

Francklin felt like he left the Ulysses estate with the feeling of a dog with a dead master.

Even when he returned to the naval base, the feeling of being suppressed didn't dissipate at all.

The entire Loguetown seemed to turn into an invisible large net, tightly binding him.

-

"What? Rein, you want to go out to sea?"

Reinhardt went to Jackson to discuss his plans to leave for the sea in two days. Jackson, anxious, said, "The family has just gotten on track, and you're leaving now—"

"I'll be back in at most two weeks," Reinhardt replied. "If the family will fall apart just because I'm gone for two weeks, then it doesn't need to exist."

Jackson thought for a moment, then nodded. "Alright, I'll take care of the family matters. You be careful out there and take Barto with you."

Reinhardt felt warmth in his heart. It had been many years since anyone cared for him. He smiled and said, "Barto will stay in Loguetown. He's about to master Haki, don't waste his time. Don't worry, Uncle Jackson, the East Blue doesn't have anything that deserves my respect."

Hmm, except for that one flying Lion King in the sky.

"Alright then."

Jackson finally accepted.

After a bit of preparation, the naval warship set sail two days later.

When Reinhardt was fifteen, he had already been out on the seas, but this was his first time on a military ship.

Even though it was in the East Blue, this warship was far stronger than other ships in the region, with incredible speed.

The only thing that complicated things for Reinhardt was the overly enthusiastic naval officers.

"Godfather, would you like some tea?"

"Are you all blind? Don't you know to hold up the umbrella for the Godfather?"

"Godfather, let me give you a back rub."

Each officer surrounded Reinhardt, their enthusiasm like fire.

Yes, at least the officers, and even the regular sailors, were not qualified to approach.

Francklin looked at this scene with a blank expression.

To prevent the news from spreading, on this ship, whether it was the common sailors or the officers, all were chosen from those who belonged to his family.

In fact, it wasn't hard to make this selection.

At this point, it was actually harder to choose a sailor who wasn't part of his family.

Since they were all part of the same family, they were even more enthusiastic.

Reinhardt waved away the overly enthusiastic officers and then said to Francklin, "My friend, in this era of great pirates, with pirates everywhere, Loguetown's naval forces are in disarray? A lieutenant colonel of the main fleet only has one ship, not even a fleet, how are we supposed to intimidate the pirates like this?"

"How about this, when we get back, I'll donate 100 million Beri to the base as military funds?"

Francklin nodded, "Then thank you, Godfather."

"Hahaha, no problem," Reinhardt laughed. "Only with peace in Loguetown can we feel at ease. You should use that money to recruit more soldiers."

"We have many promising young people in Loguetown, don't we?"

"…"

Francklin instantly understood what Reinhardt meant. You really are something, Godfather.

But he could only nod, "Alright, I've wanted to strengthen the military for a while."

"Haha."

The warship's destination was Cocoyashi Village.

Francklin's target was the Arlong pirate crew.

Reinhardt's target was a cat, as he liked cats.