Sabo adjusted his glasses. "I see. Mr. Tesoro is investing in Wano's future."
Ace scratched his head, completely lost. "Finance? What's that? Can you eat it?"
Annie muttered quietly, "Idiot, Ace."
Hiyori explained gently, "Simply put, it's about how to make money, how to spend it, and how to help a country grow and prosper."
Hizumi's fingers flew across the abacus, beads clacking as her eyes sparkled. "Lord Tesoro said that if I master his way of doing business, Wano can become a major economic center! By then, we would not even need to talk about isolation policies anymore, because everyone would want to trade with us."
Oden stood there for a long moment before snapping back to himself and slapping his thigh. "Hahahaha! That's my daughter for you! She even managed to outdo that Tesoro!"
Sabo pushed up his glasses, light flashing across the lenses. "No wonder Uncle Tesoro always says that economic warfare is the only truly unbeatable strategy."
Annie blinked, then suddenly turned to Ritter. "Uncle, can I learn accounting too?"
Ritter: "…?"
The entire courtyard fell silent.
"Pwahaha!" Roger laughed as he slapped his knee. "Brat, the kids you raised just keep getting more interesting!"
Ritter rubbed his forehead. "Annie, are you serious?"
Annie nodded, her gaze unwavering. "Yes. Tesoro said that pirates who can't keep accounts will eventually have all their treasure stolen."
Hiyori added quietly, "…though I think Mr. Tesoro is the one most likely to trick other people."
Hizumi raised a golden abacus high and declared excitedly, "Then it's settled! Once we set sail, we're going to make tons of money! Buy the biggest ship! Eat the best meat!"
"Yeah!" the children cheered together.
Oden sheathed his swords and looked at his energetic daughters with satisfaction. He turned and clapped Ritter on the shoulder. "Hey, Ritter, these kids really have a bright future ahead of them."
Ritter snorted, though the corner of his mouth lifted. "Nonsense. I raised them."
Appearing behind the girls, Ritter formed a small hand of blood mist and poked Hizumi on the head. "Kid, don't focus only on keeping accounts. Your combat strength has to keep up too."
Hizumi puffed out her cheeks. "Uncle Ritter! I practice my swordsmanship every day!"
Hiyori smiled and added, "And Mr. Tesoro promised that once we set sail, he'll provide funding through the Golden Guild to help build our ship. How did he phrase it again? Oh right. He said he would give me an allowance."
Sabo's eyes lit up. "Does that mean we won't have to worry about buying ships or equipment anymore?"
Ace jumped up excitedly. "That's awesome! I'm ordering express delivery for meat!"
Everyone: "…"
Just then, Tesoro's voice called from afar. "Hizumi, have you finished checking today's accounts?"
Hizumi startled, quickly put away her abacus, and shouted back, "Coming right away, Master!"
She turned and stuck out her tongue at Oden. "Dad, today's match is postponed!"
Tesoro, wearing his gold-rimmed glasses and holding a stack of freshly printed bills, smiled as he stood before the children. "This is your allowance for the month. One hundred thousand Beli each."
"Wow! Thank you, Uncle Tesoro!" Ace rushed forward first, his eyes shining like stars.
"Thank you, Mr. Tesoro," Sabo said politely, adjusting his glasses as he accepted the money.
"…Thanks," Annie said briefly, though a small smile crept onto her face.
Hiyori bowed lightly. "Thank you very much."
Hizumi grinned and leaned closer. "You're the best, Master!"
Tesoro nodded in satisfaction and continued handing out the money. But just as he was about to give it to the next "child," a much larger hand suddenly snatched the bills away.
"Thanks, Uncle Tesoro!" came a familiar voice.
Tesoro jumped and looked up. "You cursed captain, don't think I forgot. You already collected your allowance at the start of the month."
"Don't think changing your voice will get you paid twice!"
Ace clutched the thick stack of Beli, eyes wide as saucers. "One hundred thousand Beli? How much meat can that buy?!"
Sabo calculated quickly in his head. "At East Blue prices, this should be enough food to last until we die, or at least a very long time."
Annie quietly tucked her card into her clothes, her small face serious. "Save it. Buy a good sword."
Hiyori and Hizumi exchanged a smile. Hizumi shook the money playfully. "Thanks, Master! I can finally afford a new sword!"
Kuina accepted her card a little awkwardly. "This is… far too much…"
Tesoro waved it off. "It's nothing. If you run out, just go to the guild and mention my name."
Ritter protested, "You can mention my name too!"
Tesoro replied calmly, his tone cold. "If you give my name, you can withdraw immediately. If you give the captain's name, that works too, but they'll call to confirm first."
Ritter's eye twitched. "…You, you, you… are you trying to spoil these kids? This is dangerous. Come on, give the money to your uncle. I'll keep it safe for you."
Tesoro said firmly, "This is called financial education. It keeps them from being swayed by small temptations. And…" He shot Ritter a disdainful look. "Who do you think helped turn that stolen warship of yours into a 'legal fishing boat' back then?"
Ritter: "…Then can I at least take an advance?"
Tesoro replied mercilessly, "No. You still haven't paid back what you overspent on alcohol last month."
Ritter pointed angrily at Roger. "What about that old bastard? He stole the liquor I hid away! I didn't even drink that!"
Roger, hiding behind a tree and secretly drinking, choked and started coughing. "Cough! Brat, you betrayed me?!"
Tesoro adjusted his glasses, a cold glint flashing across the lenses. "Mr. Roger already advanced next month's liquor expenses under your name. Since he's your captain, I put the bill on you."
"You are now deeply in debt."
Ritter looked as if he'd been struck by lightning. "What?!"
The children struggled to hold back their laughter, their faces turning red.
As the sun set, the laughter of the boys and girls drifted on the sea breeze. Their future voyage was bound to be filled with unknown adventures, but at this moment, their eyes held only a longing for freedom and trust in one another.
Ritter watched them, a faint smile on his lips. "These kids… they're really something to look forward to."
Roger walked up beside him, grinning. "Hahahaha! Weren't we just like this back then?"
Ritter shot him a glance. "Old man, stop pretending you're young."
Roger laughed heartily. "What does that matter? Let them charge forward and step into a new era!"
"Exactly like this," Ritter said, swinging his Black Tide greatsword. "Mist God Style: Nine Dragons Rising Coffin."
"You think I forgot you got me into debt, you old bastard? Get lost!"