One Piece: The user of the Nen-Nen Fruit, who overturned the sea.

The bear looked up in surprise.

His impression of the captain, who had caused him considerable "trouble" upon first meeting, had improved.

"Don't be so surprised!"

Roy pointed into the distance and continued,

"That wall should not exist, and royalty and nobles should not oppress the common people like this."

"Since you want to join us, then your hometown is our hometown."

We will make the Kingdom of Sorbe better—that's my promise to you.

A look of emotion welled up in the bear's eyes.

He didn't expect Roy to agree so readily, and even to offer to change the country.

"Thank you..." Xiong's voice was choked with emotion.

Ginny's eyes also reddened, and she bowed repeatedly.

"Thank you, Captain Roy! Thank you everyone!"

"Alright, don't be shy."

Roy laughed.

"Since we're family, let's not speak like outsiders."

But before that—”

Roy looked towards the church, where a line had already formed for those waiting for treatment.

"Go get your medical treatment first. This is your daily routine. Don't change it because of us."

Xiong nodded emphatically and strode towards the church.

Ginny stayed by his side, helping to maintain order.

Roy and his companions observed from the vicinity.

The treatment proceeded as smoothly as it had yesterday.

Kuma's Paw-Paw Fruit ability is truly amazing, allowing him to materialize concepts such as "pain," "fatigue," and "disease" and eject them from his body.

While it cannot cure certain chronic diseases, it is remarkably effective for acute symptoms and injuries.

Pea and Vera also helped again, providing life essence and basic medicine.

However, the calm was broken around 10 a.m.

A group of soldiers in uniforms walked from the direction of the city wall, led by a middle-aged officer with a fierce face.

They swaggered through the slums, ignoring the sick and poor people on the roadside, and went straight to the church.

"Hey! Bartholomew Bear!"

The officer shouted rudely.

"It's time to pay this month's taxes!"

The bear, who was treating an old woman, looked up and adjusted its glasses:

"Tax? What tax?"

"Protection tax!"

The officer said confidently,

"You open a clinic on the kingdom's land and enjoy the kingdom's protection; shouldn't you pay taxes?"

The bear frowned:

"This is not a clinic, it's a church."

Moreover, I have never enjoyed any kind of "protection".

On the contrary, it is you who have never protected anyone here.

"Stop talking nonsense!"

The officer waved his hand impatiently.

"His Majesty the King has decreed..."

Everyone who conducts business within the kingdom must pay taxes.

"You treat so many people every day, you must have made a lot of money, right?"

"Hand over 30%, or we'll shut down your church!"

The civilians in the procession began to stir.

"The bear has never taken any money from us!"

"Yes, he received treatment for free!"

"You officials, you won't help us, fine, but you even try to rob us!"

The officer glared at the poor man who had spoken.

"Shut up! You have no right to speak here!"

He turned to the bear and threatened:

"Pay up now! Or I'll have this dilapidated church torn down!"

The bear clenched its fist.

He had witnessed the actions of these soldiers—

They levied exorbitant taxes, oppressed ordinary people, and even forced those who couldn't pay taxes to work as laborers.

But he kept quiet because he didn't want to cause trouble or reveal his identity.

But now...

"He has no money."

A calm voice rang out.

Roy stepped out from the crowd and stood in front of the bear, blocking the officer's view.

The officer looked Roy up and down:

"And who are you? What's it to you?"

Who I am is not important.

Roy said calmly,

"The important question is, on what basis do you collect taxes?"

What have you done for these civilians?

Was clean drinking water provided?

Have they built a decent road?

Has a basic healthcare system been established?

The officer was taken aback by the question, then became enraged:

"What do you know! A kingdom has its own rules!"

Moreover,

"This year, the share of celestial gold has increased. If we don't levy taxes, how will we explain this to the world government?"

"Heavenly Gold..."

Roy's eyes turned cold.

Sure enough, it's this one again.

The member states of the World Government pay a huge amount of Celestial Gold to the Celestial Dragons every year.

Ultimately, all of this money was passed on to ordinary people.

"So you exploit these poor people who can't even get enough to eat."

"To support those arrogant and domineering Celestial Dragons?"

Roy's voice was laced with sarcasm.

"You...you dare to criticize the Celestial Dragons?!"

The officer's expression changed drastically.

"Guards! Arrest him!"

The soldiers swarmed forward.

But the next second, they all froze in place.

It's not that they don't want to move, it's that they can't.

An invisible mental field held them firmly in place, preventing them from even blinking.

The officer stared in horror at the bizarre scene, his voice trembling:

"What...what did you do?!"

Roy didn't answer, but turned to the bear:

"Do you see that? This is the truth of the world."

"The Celestial Dragons are high and mighty, the World Government maintains order, and the royal families of the member states exploit the common people."

Those at the very bottom of society have to fight tooth and nail just to survive.

The bear remained silent, its eyes burning with fury.

He had always known that the world was unfair, but seeing it so starkly displayed still made him feel suffocated.

Roy continued to ask the officer:

"Tell me, how much Celestial Gold does the Kingdom of Sorbe need to pay this year?"

Under mental control, the officer answered involuntarily:

"Five...five billion Berries..."

The onlookers, mostly poor, gasped in shock.

Five billion peles! That's an astronomical figure for them.

"How much tax does the kingdom collect in a year?" Roy asked again.

"About eight billion..."

"Therefore, you have to hand over the majority of your tax revenue to the Celestial Dragons."

Is the remainder used to maintain the kingdom's operation?

"Yes...yes..."

Cold sweat beaded on the officer's forehead. He didn't want to speak, but his mouth wouldn't stop.

"What happens to the tax revenue from these slums? Where does it go?"

"Use...for palace repairs, noble allowances, military expenses..."

"Has even a single penny been spent on the poor?"

"No...no..."

The answer is already obvious.

This country,

No, it should be said that most member states of the World Government operate in this way.

The blood and sweat of ordinary people are exploited to support the ruling class who are high above them.

All of this is presented under the guise of "legality" and "rules".

"Bear, do you understand now?"

Roy turned to look at the bear.

"You treat dozens of patients here every day, but you can't cure the root cause of these diseases."

As long as this system exists, there will always be new patients and new suffering.

The bear took a deep breath and slowly nodded:

"I see.

Individual acts of kindness cannot change systemic evil.

To truly help these people, we must change this country, we must change the world.

"That's right."

Roy said with relief,

"Then, would you be willing to join me, starting by changing the Kingdom of Sorbe?"

"I do."

The bear's answer was resolute.

Ginny stood beside him and said firmly,

"I'd like to too!"