As Carlo spoke, he pulled a slip of paper with a den den mushi number written on it from his pocket and handed it to Connie.
"Then I shall accept it with gratitude, Captain Carlo," Connie said, putting it away very solemnly.
She knew very well how precious a favor from a powerful Great Pirate like Carlo was.
If used properly, it could even bring immense benefits to this country.
Of course, Connie had no intention of demanding a reward for her kindness.
She actually admired Carlo's actions very much.
Connie never imagined that a pirate would go to such lengths for these refugees.
Meanwhile, the Marines on God Valley had done nothing but aid and abet the wicked.
Thinking of this, Connie smiled. "It's rare for Captain Carlo to visit the South Blue. Why not visit our Royal City? I'll have a banquet prepared..."
Carlo shook his head slightly. "Thank you for your kindness, Queen Mother, but perhaps next time. I need to return to the New World as soon as possible; I have some matters to attend to."
"Very well then, I won't keep you any longer. Safe travels, Captain Carlo."
Connie nodded slightly.
Carlo also nodded and smiled, preparing to turn and leave.
But he suddenly thought of something and turned back, saying, "Oh, right. The Marines also rescued a group of refugees. I'll contact them later and have them send those people over so they can be reunited."
"You're going to contact the Marines?" Connie was a bit dazed.
Carlo had already walked away.
Watching Carlo leave, she quickly called out, "Captain Carlo, these treasures..."
"Keep them. Since the Sorbet Kingdom is preparing to become an Affiliated Nations of the World Government, you'll certainly have to pay the celestial tribute. Consider this a small token of my regard."
Carlo didn't look back, simply waving his hand.
Looking at Carlo's tall back as he departed.
Connie couldn't help but sigh with emotion.
"He truly is an unconventional pirate."
"Kuma! Ginny! Let's go! We're heading back to the New World!"
Carlo didn't walk over to the refugees; instead, he stood in front of the ship and shouted to Kuma.
He saw Kuma and Ivankov seemingly talking to the refugees.
Hearing his call.
The three youngsters ran over.
When they reached him, Kuma suddenly spoke up hesitantly, "Captain Carlo, can... can we stay?"
"Why stay?" Carlo looked down at him, expressionless.
Kuma said nervously, "I... I want to stay and protect everyone."
As he spoke, he looked up at Carlo with hopeful eyes.
However, he was met with Carlo's refusal.
"No."
"Why?" Ivankov asked back, somewhat agitated.
Carlo said indifferently, "You're too young. You can't even protect yourselves, yet you want to protect others?"
"Are you looking down on us? We're very strong!" Ivankov rolled up his sleeves, showing off his biceps, and patted Kuma beside him. "And Kuma, he's already an Devil Fruit User."
"What about me, big brother?" Ginny pointed at herself.
"You're... also strong. You're good at gathering intelligence. The three of us together are invincible!"
*Thump!*
As soon as Ivankov finished speaking, he was struck on the head by Carlo, and tears immediately welled up from the pain.
Carlo curled his lip. "Clearly, you're not invincible yet."
"But..."
Kuma wanted to say more.
Carlo interrupted him beforehand.
He said in an unquestionable tone:
"I don't care what you're thinking; you've already done enough for them.
Even kindness and compassion must have limits. Beyond that, it's just being a 'Holy Mother'—it's pedantic.
I can allow you to rescue them, but I don't want you to sacrifice your entire lives for them.
Let's go. I saved you, and as repayment, you have to work for me first, starting as Interns for the Sky Pirates.
As for these people, the royal family of the Sorbet Kingdom has already promised to settle them.
If you want to come back and visit in the future, then grow up quickly. Once you've grown strong enough to protect yourselves, perhaps then I'll let you return."
Saying this, without waiting for them to speak, he gave a large wave of his hand.
A gale swirled in the area, lifting several people and flying them onto the ship.
"John, set sail! Back to the New World!"
"Alright."
John responded and waved to several pirate ships in the distance.
Soon, the six pirate ships began to weigh anchor, preparing to set sail.
Just then, nearly two thousand refugees in the distance came swarming toward them.
They shouted various words of gratitude and waved at the pirates on the ships.
Some even knelt directly on the ground, pressing their foreheads to the earth, and shouted loudly:
"Kuma! Ivankov! Ginny! Captain Carlo! Thank you for saving our lives! We will never forget it!"
A child shouted in a childish voice.
"I want to be a pirate when I grow up! I want to join the Sky Pirates!"
"Captain Carlo! Kuma! Safe travels! We'll miss you! Goodbye!"
On the ship, Kuma and the others leaned over the bow, waving their arms, already sobbing uncontrollably.
Carlo sat down in a rattan chair, pulled out a cigar, looked at John standing nearby, and teased, "John, how does it feel to be a good man?"
John snorted coldly. "Boring! It's a pain in the neck! Let's just hurry back to the New World and grab some territory!"
"Is that so?" Carlo shook his head. Just as he was about to light his cigar, the den den mushi on the table in front of him rang.
Carlo pressed the answer button.
The den den mushi faithfully mimicked a large catfish-like face.
Babel's muffled voice immediately rang out on the deck.
"Captain Carlo, where are you guys?"
Carlo said, "We're still in the South Blue, just about to head back. What's wrong? Is something up?"
Babel's tone was somewhat angry.
"It's that bastard Shiki! He's already beat us back to the New World and taken in a large number of pirates from under Rocks.
His forces have now expanded to a terrifying degree; he's even seized Hachinosu.
Our people were all kicked out by him. That bastard has no sense of honor. He's currently picking up the pace, snatching up the Rocks Pirates' territories and businesses.
If you don't come back soon, Rocky Port will be his too!
By the way, I'm in Dressrosa. Once you're back in the New World, come here to meet up with me first. Your son is here."
"Son? Since when did you have a son?" John looked at Carlo, completely bewildered by what Babel said.
"I'll tell you when we're back in the New World." Carlo hung up the den den mushi.
John waved his hand. "Forget it, never mind that! But that bastard Shiki has already seized Hachinosu, and our people were actually kicked out by him. Carlo, now that Rocks is dead, what do you plan to do next?"
"What to do?" Carlo lit his cigar, a grin spreading across his face. "Blow Shiki's head off, of course!"
"I'm going to stick a rudder in his head!"