One Piece: Please Call Me Godfather!

Tonight, the Ulysses mansion is brightly lit in the grand hall, with finely dressed gentlemen and noble, graceful ladies of high status participating in a banquet.

"Godfather, this is Mr. Tulum, president of the Tulum Trade Association."

"This is Mr. Don from the Sikali family."

"This is Mr. Terry, the owner of the North Wind Shipyard."

Reinhardt and Jackson, both holding wine glasses, mingled around the banquet, moving from one spot to another.

Every time they reached a new place, Jackson would introduce Reinhardt to a gentleman or a noble lady.

Unlike pirate groups, banquets for some people are never about the food.

Instead, it's about meeting others, or meeting more people through those they already know.

Networking, that's the true essence of a wine gathering.

This world is complicated, and even the small town of Loguetown is tangled with powerful, complicated factions, making the situation rather intricate.

Fortunately, the Ulysses family has existed in Loguetown for decades, already being one of the most influential powers in the town, with many relationships already managed by previous generations of Godfathers.

Reinhardt's job is just to continue maintaining these connections.

Reinhardt's networking skills are impeccable. With his handsome appearance, gentle demeanor, and witty remarks, he can win anyone's favor.

Of course, what makes people more inclined to be kind to him is his current status.

"Hey, look over there."

A wealthy merchant carefully pointed to a corner of the grand hall.

As he chatted happily with a friend, he turned his head and immediately saw a group of people, not the kind of good-natured folks one would expect, gathered together. In an instant, he exclaimed,

"Ronald, the leader of the Ronald family, the one who broke into Boss Birch's office, and Dylan, the boss of the Fury Gang! My god, has every villain in Loguetown come?"

Another person whispered, "What else can we expect from our Godfather? He's now the commander of all the underground factions in Loguetown."

The merchant who spoke earlier said, "Actually, this is a good thing for us. Ulysses is much easier to deal with than those other people."

"Exactly, who can say otherwise?"

While the people above ground were discussing loudly, the individuals below ground were not idle either.

"Basically, all the important figures in Loguetown are here?" Ronald sighed in admiration. This was Ulysses, this was the power of the Godfather's influence. They were not on the same level as these people.

Dylan, the head of the Fury Gang, said, "Even those who didn't establish alliances with the family in the past are here. Who wouldn't want to build a strong relationship with the Godfather now?"

Ulysses, or rather Reinhardt, now represented the dark world of Loguetown.

It didn't matter if you didn't have a relationship with the Navy; in fact, the Navy would protect you.

However, if you wanted to make a name for yourself in Loguetown without connecting with Ulysses, that would be a big problem.

The banquet was not only attended by Loguetown's upper-class individuals, but also by people from all walks of life, from the three teachings and nine schools.

Saying that Ulysses' friendships span all of Loguetown is no exaggeration.

Doctors, innkeepers, chefs, tailors, cart drivers, shop owners, small stall vendors, people from all professions—this was not an uncommon occurrence.

Reinhardt had been taught since childhood that even a beggar in a sewer could one day prove useful. It didn't matter their status; if someone was worth making a friend, one should go ahead and do so.

Connecting with these people was just as smooth for Reinhardt.

However, when chatting with them, he couldn't maintain his gentlemanly demeanor. He needed to laugh, get angry, and engage in banter, taking on the local attitude.

Perhaps enjoying the conversation, an elderly man with graying hair hesitated for a while before finally gathering the courage to speak, "Respectful Godfather."

"Ah? Is there something I can assist you with, Mr. Johnny?" Reinhardt remembered that this man had introduced himself as Johnny when talking about the weather earlier. He was the owner of a small grocery store and had once received help from the old Godfather when he was young.

Johnny spoke cautiously, "Respectful Godfather, you know I run a small grocery store, but recently my supply ship encountered a storm and sank. Since I had paid for the goods in advance, I'm now a bit short of funds—"

"I see, this is not a big problem," Reinhardt said kindly. "You've taken the initiative to speak up, which makes me happy. This shows that you value our friendship. In return, I will make sure you receive a full loan for your store's supplies. You can pay it back when you have enough funds."

"Ah, thank you, thank you so much! I respect you most, Godfather," the elderly man said, his tears streaming down his face. "This is the result of my life's work, you know, you know—"

Reinhardt quietly listened as the elderly man rambled on about his store's history.

"Ulysses has truly produced an outstanding Godfather," the people at the banquet said.

"Kind Godfather, could you perhaps help me with something as well?"

A man with a distinctive hairstyle, his hair on both sides styled to resemble fields, with the middle bald and a little rubbed, carefully asked in the middle.

Reinhardt also remembered him, the owner of the weapons shop in the town, Ihonma.

"Of course, sir, as long as it's a reasonable request."

"Well, um..."

Ihonma hesitated for a moment, then gritted his teeth and said, "Godfather, my wife has a very fiery temper. I think..."

"Could you perhaps talk to her for me, so she doesn't want to beat me up anymore?"

As soon as those words were spoken, a burst of laughter erupted around them.

Reinhardt had originally thought the man wanted to say something serious, but after all the hesitation, he ended up saying something like this. Reinhardt couldn't help but laugh.

"This is quite easy. However, my brother, fearing his wife is not something to be ashamed of. I can tell you are not a weak man, but someone who can make even brave men bow. So, I imagine your wife must be an intelligent and strong woman. If there is something you want to discuss with her, I believe you will fare much better with a little conversation."

Ihonma suddenly felt a little proud. His wife indeed loved him very much. "Well, it's not as good as you say, Godfather."

"However, if you are truly afraid, I can offer you a simpler suggestion."

Reinhardt smiled. "Often, the quarrels that seem meaningless between husband and wife stem from an imbalance in their nighttime lives."

"This—"

Ihonma's face turned red in an instant.

A round of sympathetic laughter spread through the crowd.

Watching Reinhardt smoothly handle the situation, Jackson couldn't help but feel deeply pleased.

The old Godfather, Reinhardt, truly had become the most outstanding leader.

By the time the banquet ended, it was already late at night. Reinhardt didn't immediately go to sleep because, in his mind, that patch of starlit sky had just lit up a new star.

(The Night King)

[ TL/N : Happy New Year!! *Cough* let's get to the business, can I get some support? Kidding... You can try tho :3 ]