When Ryuen and Robin returned to the villa-inn, most of the others had already come back as well, except for Anya and Hog.
"Ryuen, Robin! You're back!" Leah greeted them cheerfully.
"Where did you guys go today? Robin and I walked around the central street for a long time and didn't see you." Ryuen asked curiously.
"About that, we ran into an old man in a small alley who's really good at cooking.
Ryuen, listen to me, his fried rice was amazing! Anya is still there helping out just to get the recipe." Daisy said excitedly.
"So that's what happened~~~" Ryuen nodded in understanding.
That old man's fried rice was so good that even Sanji praised it. The key ingredient was sea salt left behind after the Gods of Water receded.
"Ryuen, Fleet Admiral Sengoku's aide, Brannew, contacted me about promoting the orphanage project.
Sengoku also said to credit everything on the Marine's side to Admiral Aokiji and Vice Admiral Garp.
I feel like something's off about their attitude." Nami said seriously.
Ryuen thought about it for a moment and figured that Sengoku was probably doing this because he saw a bright future for Aokiji.
As for Garp, it was probably just to make things look even better.
"What are you thinking about?" Nojiko kicked Ryuen's foot.
"Nothing. By the way, have you told Bellemere about this? Did she say anything?" Ryuen asked after snapping out of his thoughts.
"Well, Bellemere said she wants to talk to you in person~~~" Nami said, avoiding eye contact.
Seeing her , Ryuen turned to Nojiko, only to find that she was also shrinking her neck, looking awkward.
"You guys... You didn't say something reckless and push the blame onto me, did you?" Ryuen asked, feeling annoyed.
Seeing them stay silent, he looked over at Daisy and Leah, but they also stayed quiet.
Robin noticed that the atmosphere felt a little strange. She knew who Bellemere was—a kind woman who raised Nami and Nojiko.
Hearing the Den Den Mushi ring, Ryuen suddenly had a bad feeling.
It was like when an introvert suddenly gets a call from home.
"It's Bellemere, Ryuen! You handle it!" Nami quickly handed the Den Den Mushi to Ryuen before everyone, except Robin, vanished from the yard at lightning speed.
"Looks like our Captain Ryuen is about to get scolded. I'll be leaving too." Robin chuckled and swayed her hips as she walked away.
In no time, Ryuen was the only one left in the yard.
Looking at the still-ringing Den Den Mushi, Ryuen thought, *It's just getting yelled at, right?*
With that, he clenched his teeth and picked it up.
"Bellemere, good evening—"
"Ryuen! I was just starting to enjoy my peaceful retirement, and now you come along to ruin it?!"
Before Ryuen could finish his sentence, Bellemere's furious voice exploded through the Den Den Mushi.
The shout was so loud that even the receiver on his end sprayed out spit.
The way these things worked was really something else.
"Bellemere, you're still so young. How can you retire now? This time, I even got you a high-ranking position..."
"Ryuen, be honest with me. Why are the Celestial Dragons being so cooperative with you?"
Before Ryuen could finish, Bellemere cut him off again. Her voice was calm but serious, with a hint of worry.
"Bellemere, don't worry. Did you forget about the Ohara incident?"
"We saved Saint Lindgas back then, and we became good friends. That's why he's been looking out for us." Ryuen spoke softly.
Ryuen knew Bellemere was worried about them. As their strength grew, she had learned a lot about the World Government. And now, finding out that her kids were so deeply involved with the Celestial Dragons—it was impossible not to be concerned.
Somewhere, in a Marine surveillance department and a World Government inspection unit, agents were monitoring Ryuen and Bellemere's conversation.
But since the Dream Exploration Team was using top-tier Den Den Mushi, neither department was able to pick up anything useful.
One of the surveillance officers looked up at his superior and shook his head.
The department head's face grew even more serious.
After listening to Ryuen's explanation, Bellemere felt it made sense, but something still seemed off.
The news in the papers lately made her think that Ryuen's relationship with that Celestial Dragon wasn't as simple as just saving an old friend.
"I'll take this job. I'll make sure the orphanage is well managed.
But Ryuen, you all need to be careful, got it?" Bellemere's tone was firm.
"Don't worry, Bellemere, we'll be fine. As for the orphanage,
I'll have the Marines and the World Government handle staffing. You just need to make sure everything runs smoothly."
Hearing Bellemere drop the questioning, Ryuen let out a quiet sigh of relief.
Bellemere knew them too well. He figured she must have sensed something, which was why she called.
Good thing he managed to brush past it.
"Don't worry. As long as I'm here, no one will dare cause trouble at the orphanage!" Bellemere said confidently.
Over the years, her Vegetable-Vegetable Fruit had developed quite a few abilities.
"Then I'll be counting on you, Bellemere~~~" Ryuen said with a grin.
"You little trickster. Alright, I'll leave it at that for now. I have work to do!"
*Click!* ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ novᴇl(ꜰ)ire.ɴet
Bellemere hurriedly hung up the call, and Ryuen knew she was off to handle orphanage matters.
As Ryuen finished his call with Bellemere, Nami and the others walked over.
Ryuen turned to Nami and said, "Nami, handle the publicity as we discussed. Coordinate with Morgans and include Fleet Admiral Sengoku's input.
Also, have Morgans put a job ad in the newspaper.
We're seriously short on people for the orphanage. I don't fully trust the Marines and the World Government alone. We need to bring in people who genuinely love kids.
Make sure Morgans notes that preference will be given to those who love children."
"Got it!" Nami nodded and immediately got in touch with Morgans.
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