236. Under arrest

----

The bustling streets of the Tru Empire were a sight to behold, and the Marines couldn't help but marvel at the transformation of this once-desolate land.

The team had split up after dinner to explore the vibrant Royal City. Everyone seemed eager to take in the sights, though each found their own way to do so.

Gion, the only woman in the group, wandered the commercial streets alone, her curiosity piqued by the modern architecture and bustling shops.

Whether it was the intricate displays in clothing stores or the technological marvels in other establishments, she examined everything with childlike wonder.

Meanwhile, Garp, dressed casually in a short-sleeved shirt, shorts, and slippers, strolled down the streets with his usual carefree demeanour.

Yet, despite his nonchalant attitude, even he couldn't ignore the dramatic changes around him.

"I didn't expect this place to change so much in just a few years," Garp muttered, glancing at the lively scene. "And when did the population grow this much?"

As he walked, a street vendor called out to him, "Hey, brother! You must be a foreigner, right?"

Garp stopped and turned to the man, his interest piqued. "What gave me away?"

The vendor chuckled, pointing at the bracelet on Garp's wrist. "That bracelet of yours is a dead giveaway. Only outsiders or businessmen wear those."

Garp glanced at the bracelet and smirked. "So, that's how you tell us apart?"

The vendor nodded, then continued, "Brother, are you curious about how we run things here? Ask me anything I've been here since I was a kid, so I know a lot."

"What about taxes?" Garp asked. "How does this kingdom collect taxes from people like you?"

"Taxes? We don't pay taxes here," the vendor replied with a grin. "His Majesty calls us 'petty bourgeoisie.' As long as we don't affect the city's appearance, we can do business freely. We only pay a small management fee."

"Management fee? That's basically a tax," Garp said with a laugh.

"Not at all! We earn over 300,000 beris a month, and the fee is just 1,000 beris. Compare that to other kingdoms where we'd lose 50,000 beris in taxes. And that's not all His Majesty sends people to train us in better techniques. Of course, we have some strict rules, like keeping the streets clean after closing shop."

Garp raised an eyebrow, impressed by the efficiency and fairness of the system. "But if there are no taxes, where does the king get the money to run this place?"

The vendor's grin widened. "You underestimate His Majesty. The Ministry of Commerce manages factories and trade. All exported goods are state-owned, so the kingdom's wealth comes from its industries, not from squeezing small-timers like us."

Before Garp could ask more, the bracelet on his wrist began to glow red and tighten slightly. He looked at it in surprise, tugging at it with his usual strength, but it didn't budge.

"Let me warn you, brother," the vendor said, lowering his voice. "Your bracelet's glowing red. That means you're asking questions you shouldn't be. Our Kingdom is friendly, but we don't tolerate prying into certain matters. Just enjoy the sights and stay out of trouble."

Garp frowned but nodded, deciding to drop the subject. Yet, his curiosity got the better of him as he continued to inspect the bracelet. Despite his immense strength, he couldn't damage it.

As he fiddled with the bracelet, its glowing intensified, and a colourful light began flashing in one direction. Moments later, a group of twenty uniformed policemen arrived, their demeanour tense and vigilant.

One officer, wearing a beret, stepped forward and addressed Garp sternly. "Sir, please come with us. You are under investigation for attempting to remove an identification bracelet and making inappropriate inquiries."

Garp scratched the back of his head, laughing awkwardly. "Wow, haha! It's all a misunderstanding. I was just testing the bracelet's durability I didn't mean any harm!"

The officer didn't relax. "Regardless of intent, you've violated regulations. Please cooperate with our investigation."

Though Garp's expression remained cheerful, the situation had clearly escalated. The other officers stood ready, their hands near their weapons, prepared for any sign of resistance.

"Alright, alright. Lead the way," Garp said with a wave of his hand, trying to diffuse the tension.

As the policemen escorted him away, the bustling streets carried on, oblivious to the minor commotion. In the Tru Empire, order was paramount, and even someone as carefree as Garp had to tread carefully.

----

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