"Yes."
"Withdraw from the New World," Roger said in an unnervingly calm tone. At that moment, his expression was like a saint in the post-enlightenment clarity of a man who had just… relieved himself.
He continued, voice steady, "The Rocks Pirates have set their sights on us. Just a few of their officers were enough to force us to fight with everything we had."
"And among the Rocks Pirates, there are many whose names already shake the seas."
"From any angle, we simply do not have the qualifications to be their opponents."
Hearing Roger's reasoning, Gaban could only admit that the gap between the Roger Pirates and the Rocks Pirates was simply too great.
"I agree with the captain's decision," Gaban said firmly. "Besides, to the Rocks Pirates, the Marines and the World Government are far more worthy of their attention. For us to leave, they probably won't bother stopping us."
Roger placed both hands on the wooden railing, gazing out at the distant sea. "We need a sturdier ship. We need more and stronger companions."
"And I also want to know what exactly is recorded on that stone monument."
At this, the corner of his mouth lifted slightly, as if some sixth sense told him that he would find the answer.
Bathed in the cool, comfortable sea breeze and the warm sunlight, Roger swept away his earlier gloom and laughed. "We'll be back. And when we do, I'll conquer this sea."
Gaban, swept up by Roger's spirit, grinned. "We'll definitely be back."
…
By the time Roger made the decision to leave the New World, it was already the second day after that battle.
And a few hours before that.
"Please, I'm begging you, save him!!" Kaido's voice was hoarse and desperate. In his arms, he cradled the still-unconscious Tengetsu Ares.
Ares' entire body was dark red, his blood forming a hardened, cocoon-like crust over his skin.
Surrounding Kaido were layer upon layer of people some gripping weapons, others holding old-fashioned flintlock muskets.
"Is this guy even human? How can he be so big, with horns growing out of his head?"
"And the one he's holding looks badly injured, but that guy doesn't have horns."
"Doesn't look like a human… could he be a young Giant?"
"..."
The crowd's murmurs filled the air, yet not a single person stepped forward to offer help.
Kaido's voice trembled on the verge of tears as he choked out, "Do you have a doctor here? Please save him. Whatever treasure you want, I'll bring it to you in the future!"
He tried to tempt them with riches, but reality was cruel no one cared for the treasure he promised.
This was no ordinary island.
"We're not interested in treasure. We don't even know if you're a good man. Take the one you're carrying and leave," someone in the crowd shouted.
Others chimed in, "Yeah, treasure's useless to us. If you leave now, maybe you'll meet a ship out at sea that can save him."
"..."
The voices were loud and unrelenting. Kaido could tell they wanted him gone, but feeling the weak, fragile heartbeat and breathing of the man in his arms, he knew Ares' injuries could not wait any longer.
If they delayed, he would die. No doubt about it.
Thud.
The ground shook as if struck by a hammer, making those standing nearby stagger in surprise.
All eyes widened as the giant-like man dropped to his knees.
Kaido's face twisted in anguish, tears threatening to fall. He begged, sobbing, "Please, save my big brother. He can't die yet. He told me himself he's going to forge his body into the world's strongest blade!"
"His name will echo across the seas. I'm begging you, save him!"
"Really…"
"…we can't wait any longer. He needs treatment!!!"
His last words burst out in a hoarse, heart-wrenching roar, tears spilling like a string of broken pearls. Kaido had thrown away his pride and dignity, kneeling in the dirt to beg for Ares' life.
In this vast sea, who knew when they would next encounter people? Ten days, half a month… by then, Ares' corpse would be cold.
The roar shook the air, and more than a few people present were moved.
The place fell silent.
Then.
"I know medicine. If you trust me, let me treat him," a voice called out.
Kaido's face lit up with hope, and he bowed repeatedly. "Thank you! Thank you!"
"Thank you!"
"..."
"Bring him and follow me!"
Kaido rose at once, following the man who was barely taller than his knee forward.
…
When Ares finally opened his eyes, six or seven days had passed. His memory stopped at the moment Kaido caught him; everything after that was a blank.
"This… is this Beehive Island?"
His voice was as faint as a mosquito's, each word sounding like it might be his last breath.
Ares was keenly aware he was lying in a sickbed. The IV bag above him was still half full, and the air was thick with the scent of medicinal herbs.
But inside, he felt hollow. A deep, draining weakness made it impossible to even sit up; he could only roll his eyes around to take in his surroundings.
"You're awake!"
A voice spoke near his ear, and moments later a white-coated figure stepped to the bedside, beaming in surprise.
Ares' eyes widened, and he croaked in disbelief, "A… goat?!"
His voice was raspy beyond recognition. The "person" before him was hardly a person at all more like an upright-walking animal. Though dressed in a doctor's coat, the figure had a furry goat's face and black, curved horns.
The words startled the doctor, who replied with a jolt, "How do you know my name is Sanyang?"
"Well… aren't you a goat?" Ares blinked, bewildered.
Then he frowned. Wait, that's not the point… How the hell can this guy talk?!
His mind was full of questions.
Sanyang, understanding he meant "goat," explained, "The 'San' in my name means 'three.' I'm a doctor and your vitality is unbelievable. Honestly, I thought you were beyond saving."
"Your blood type is rare, and the amount of blood your body needed was enormous enough to drain dozens of people dry."
"So, you being alive… you owe it all to your companion."
Ares' face tensed in urgency. "Kaido!"
"Was it him who gave me blood?!"
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