White Wolf Silas actually invited me to dinner. Has he finally realized my charm?
Silas's invitation made Stussy's heart flutter.
Though nine out of ten pirates were both ugly and crude, Silas was completely not in this category.
Two years ago, she had wanted to join the White Wolf Pirates.
At that time, Silas's answer was that the White Wolf Pirates needed doctors, but not quacks. If she could achieve half of Goat Doctor's skill level, he would allow her to join the White Wolf Pirates.
This was why Stussy had worked so hard to study medicine these past two years.
As for treating poor people?
Seeing Silas step aside as a patient nervously sat before her, Stussy inwardly curled her lip. For the sake of my future captain, I will treat you people for a while.
However, there were unexpectedly many patients seeking consultation.
By the time Stussy finished today's work, the sun was almost setting.
"Sorry, Captain Silas, for keeping you waiting."
Running out of the clinic, Stussy brushed back her short golden hair, slightly damp with perspiration. The setting sun's afterglow cast glimmers on her face, her curved arm pressing against what the white coat wrapped.
Even the experienced Silas could not help being momentarily dazed seeing this scene. The eighteen-year-old girl displayed her most beautiful side to him without reservation.
"Captain Silas?"
Fortunately, Silas was not some novice. After just a moment's distraction, he used his strong willpower to look away.
"Mm, let us go."
But Stussy still caught Silas's momentary change.
The girl secretly rejoiced inwardly.
So White King Silas's willpower was not as firm as she had imagined.
Thinking this, even Stussy's steps became much lighter.
"Hmm hmm!"
"Miss Stussy seems in good spirits."
"Because my intuition tells me something good will happen soon."
"Oh, Miss Stussy has already guessed."
At an open-air restaurant near the coast, Silas casually ordered several dishes, then handed the menu to Stussy.
"I once told Miss Stussy that as long as your medical skills reached half of Goat Doctor's level, I would let you join the White Wolf Pirates."
"And now is the time to fulfill that promise."
"Captain Silas, you are inviting me to join the White Wolf Pirates?"
"That is right."
Though she had already suspected this internally, the moment Silas nodded, Stussy's heart could not help but feel excited.
"But..."
Silas suddenly changed direction.
"This actually is not a good choice."
Silas's words made Stussy's heart rise again.
"The White Wolf Pirates are wanted by the World Government. All crew members bear bounties. We are vicious criminals."
Silas looked at Stussy, saying calmly:
"But Miss Stussy is different. You have stable work at Sphinx, and this work surely brings considerable income. Even without joining the White Wolf Pirates, you can live comfortably."
"As I said two years ago, the White Wolf Pirates do not need an incompetent doctor. Miss Stussy, you can learn more at Goat Clinic, then decide whether to join us after gaining sufficient experience and knowledge."
Stussy was different from Rocks and the others.
The moment Rocks gripped his sword and went to sea, his life had only one path: becoming a pirate. Newgate was the same.
Combat was their talent.
If they wanted achievements beyond ordinary people's reach, they could only fight.
Stussy was not like this.
She still had choices.
Joining the White Wolf Pirates meant being labeled by the World Government. If they could not win final victory, the rest of her life would never know peace.
If she stayed, Goat Clinic would just be an ordinary hospital under White Wolf Pirates' protection. Even if the White Wolf Pirates were destroyed someday, retribution would not reach such an ordinary small clinic.
Reality was not a game.
Betting with your life, who could guarantee always winning?
"Miss Stussy, everyone's life might have only one choice."
Stussy knew this was probably her final Q&A before joining the White Wolf Pirates.
Just answer correctly, and she could join.
So what was her answer?
Stussy did not know if Silas had seen through her carefully crafted persona. At the clinic, she was a kind, loving, young, beautiful doctor with excellent medical skills.
But in reality?
Only Stussy knew that all her efforts were to join the White Wolf Pirates, climb into Silas's bed, and ideally drain Silas to inherit his wealth.
Her essence was not pure. It was even ugly.
All this stemmed from childhood experiences, being sold by her father to slave traders for less than 10,000 Belly, and struggling to escape and hide in Sphinx's orphanage.
Soon after, the orphanage went bankrupt from lack of funds.
So Stussy had believed since childhood that money was the most important thing in this world. With money, you could buy anything.
Power, strength, status!
Until she met the good-hearted Goat Doctor, who was harsh to pirates but kind to ordinary people. Stussy appreciated his care but completely disagreed with his actions.
Not making money when you could is being an idiot!
Taking money earned from pirates to help ordinary people—how could such stupid people exist?
Stussy preserved her purity precisely because a girl's innocence was her most precious possession. Even if selling it, it had to be for a high price.
Silas was her chosen target.
Old, incredibly wealthy, and handsome. Compared to those pirates who made her nauseous at a glance, he was incomparably better. If not for his fearsome reputation, people would believe he was an elegant noble.
If she could latch onto Silas, her innocence preserved for over ten years would finally have use.
As for feelings like love, they are too luxurious for her.
Even now, facing Silas's question, Stussy naturally had her answer.
Working at the clinic is hard and tiring with little pay. If I joined the White Wolf Pirates, just caring for Silas and the crew's health would be easier and pay more.
As for danger, where in this world is safe? Speaking of the safest place, would that not be beside Silas?
Recalling how Silas had saved her from that large pirate, Stussy's grip on her drink glass tightened slightly. That moment's sense of security remained unforgettable.
This was not love. Psychologically, it was just the suspension bridge effect from hormone secretion during crisis.
Convincing herself, Stussy forced composure.
"If I join the White Wolf Pirates, Captain Silas will protect me, right?"
"Haha, of course."
Even accepting Stussy, Silas had no intention of training her as a combatant.
The best way to prove herself was by improving her medical skills.
Helping the wounded recover combat ability as quickly as possible, that was her duty.
"Then I want to join!"
Stussy smiled slightly.
"Besides, did Captain Silas not promise me this? I have worked so hard for so long just for your answer. If I gave up now, would everything not be wasted?"
"Then, as you wish."
Silas shrugged, extending his hand with a smile.
"Stussy, welcome to the White Wolf Pirates!"