Seeing Enel's resolve, Marco stepped forward, his expression stern.
"Enel, I don't care why you want to join us. But if you ever dare to betray this crew, I will kill you myself."
Ace, reminded of the past, also gave him a cold look.
"I hope you don't regret this decision."
Ron let the warnings hang in the air for a moment before stepping forward.
"Enel, if you want to join, fine. But you need to understand the history of this crew. As for your position," he continued, "Captain has agreed to let you join. After some consideration, you'll start as a crew apprentice. In two and a half years, you can be promoted to a full member."
'An apprentice? For two and a half years?'
Enel's pride bristled, but he knew this was no time to be picky.
The goal was to join these monsters and see the vast world they ruled.
"...Fine," he agreed without hesitation.
"I accept."
******
A week later, with the gold of Skypiea nearly harvested, the Whitebeard Pirates were experiencing another transformation in their crew strength.
Dozens of members now wielded new Devil Fruit powers.
Influenced by their captain, most had chosen to replicate the Tremor-Tremor Fruit.
The only downside was that Whitebeard's own mastery was so instinctual he had no specific "techniques" to teach.
His basic punch was an ultimate attack.
This meant the new Tremor users had to learn through trial, error, and guidance from Jozu.
For a time, Jozu's quarters became the busiest place on the island.
He was happy to help, though his patience had its limits.
"What do you call that move?" one pirate asked, watching another's fingers vibrate uncontrollably.
"Heh, I call it the 'Tremor Vibrator'!"
Jozu's eye twitched.
"You're using Pops' power for that? I'm going to throw you off this island."
Inside his lab, Ron checked the logbook where he tracked his progress.
39 out of 100, he thought with a sigh.
Still too slow.
It's time to head back down to the Blue Sea and make some real money.
Just then, the door was thrown open.
Conis rushed in, her face pale with panic.
"Ron-sama, something terrible has happened!" she cried, her voice trembling.
Ron stood up, his expression hardening. "Have outsiders attacked?"
"No," Conis shook her head, her words tumbling out. "It's the Shandians! They're in the main square... I think they're about to fight our people!"
"The Shandians," Ron repeated, immediately understand it.
He knew the tension between the two groups would eventually boil over.
He just hadn't expected it so soon.
"Let's go take a look."
As they approached the square, the cause of the conflict became clear.
A large group of Shandians, armed with spears, were in a tense standoff with the Skypieans.
"They found a new vein of gold," Conis whispered urgently. "Our people tried to claim it, and..."
Ron nodded.
He understood.
To the Skypieans, it was treasure.
But to the Shandians, who had recently discovered they could trade it with the pirates for the precious Vearth they worshipped, the gold had become more valuable than life itself.
A war was about to begin.
"Ron-sama has arrived!"
The shout cut through the tension.
Like a wave, both sides instinctively parted, clearing a path for him.
Ron's expression was unreadable as he walked into the space between the two sides, the fate of the island now resting squarely on his shoulders.
Behind Ron, the commanders of the Whitebeard Pirates stood like statues, their eyes vigilant.
They would ensure his safety at all costs.
In the square, the air between the Shandia chief and the Skypiean leader, Gan Fall, crackled with four hundred years of conflict.
"Enough!"
Ron's voice cut through the silence like a whip.
He wasn't here to mediate; he was here to deliver judgment.
In this world, that was the privilege of the strong.
Disobedience meant death.
A palpable fear fell over the crowd as both Shandians and Skypieans instinctively lowered their heads.
Ron's tone was indifferent, betraying no emotion.
"This conflict ends now. Both sides will compromise. State your terms. You each get one chance."
After a tense silence, Gan Fall stepped forward, his expression filled with a deep, sorrowful resignation.
He bowed solemnly to Ron.
"Ron-sama" he began, his voice heavy with the weight of his people's history.
"This is a grudge forged in blood. It cannot be resolved with mere words." He then turned to the Shandian chief, his eyes filled with a grim resolve.
"A blood feud must be settled with blood. I offer my life in atonement. In exchange, I ask that our two peoples finally live in peace."
A wave of shock went through both the Shandians and the Skypieans.
Was he truly willing to die to end the feud?
The Shandia chief, visibly moved by the gesture, declared.
"Gan Fall, if you do this, I swear on the honor of my tribe that we will live in peace with your people from this day forward."
Gan Fall gave a faint, sad smile.
"Then I ask Ron-sama to bear witness to my resolve."
He pressed a hand to his chest.
A moment later, the immense power of a Reject Dial unleashed, shattering his heart from within.
His body collapsed with a small, content smile on his lips.
He had traded his life for peace—a worthy death according to him.
After Gan Fall's body was solemnly carried away by his people, Ron turned his questioning gaze to the Shandian chief.
The Skypieans had paid their price.
What would the Shandians offer?
The old chief understood immediately.
He stepped forward and bowed deeply. "Ron-sama, the warriors of the Shandia tribe are yours to command. We are brave, fearless, and willing to serve you as your most loyal soldiers."
"Chief!" Wiper shouted, stepping forward in anger.
"We cannot do this! I would rather die!"
"I am also willing to sacrifice myself!" Laki added, her voice firm.
"All of you, shut up!" the chief roared, his voice like thunder.
The protests died instantly.
He lowered his head again, awaiting Ron's judgment, the future of his people hanging in the hand of the young man in front of him.
--------------------------------
Read 40 chapters ahead and support me on patreon.
patreon (.)com/Newbietranslator