Chapter 21: Coach, I Think…
"This…" Alvida hesitated. Until now, Cheng Lang's strength had been a mystery to her. Looking at his build, she could tell he wasn't the combat type. Handsome, yes—but not lethal.
"Marine Lieutenant?" That was already a generous evaluation from her.
"What if I became a noble?"
"Then you could be the greatest noble in the country. If you wanted, you could even establish your own nation. With your abilities, you wouldn't fear pirates."
Cheng Lang shook his head at her admiration for nobility.
"What's wrong?"
"Why did your crew abandon you?"
"What does that have to do with anything?" Alvida frowned.
Cheng Lang explained:
"A country is like a pirate ship. You're the captain—the king. Luffy is the king of another country. He defeated you, but he didn't destroy your nation. Yet your people abandoned you. They sold out their homeland and prepared to live under another flag."
"The country wasn't destroyed… so why was I abandoned?"
"Because you were defeated."
"In other words, your nation's foundation was military force. Once your force was denied, your citizens deserted you. So, in a broader sense—what is the foundation of a great nation?"
"This…" Alvida couldn't answer. It was beyond her understanding.
"It's also force."
"What?!"
"The Four Emperors. Big Mom's Pirates—you've heard of them, right?"
Alvida nodded.
"What do you think would happen if Big Mom announced she'd stop being a pirate and pay the Heavenly Tribute?"
Hiss…!
"So. A nation is built on force and maintained with money. We may have gold, but it's like a child wearing a crown. Do you think the adults won't try to steal it?"
"Yes. Definitely."
"Then founding a nation or becoming aristocrats is impossible for us. We'd just be children parading through the streets with a crown."
"You could stop being a pirate and become a merchant, maybe."
"What did you rob before?"
"…Merchants."
"So force is needed."
Hiss… Alvida couldn't refute him. Even her view of piracy was being reshaped.
She realized the reason she never saw beauty in the world was because she was too weak.
Suddenly, she stood and stepped toward Cheng Lang.
He flinched.
"What are you doing?"
"I finally understand. The reason I feel the world is rotten is because I'm not strong enough—because I'm not standing high enough! When I become a great pirate like Big Mom, the world will look beautiful to me."
"You could say that."
Cheng Lang looked at her, uneasy.
Oh no. Did I overdo it?
But there was fire in her eyes.
She had regained her confidence.
She had found her goal.
Before, her dream was simple: to be praised for her beauty. Like a starving person wanting only food. She forced respect through strength, but deep down she knew it wasn't real. Being called "fat" enraged her.
After eating the Slippery Fruit, she achieved her goal. But then she lost it. All that remained was enjoying her beauty's success—and curiosity about the man who had changed her fate.
She hadn't minded following him for a while, like a crewmate, until he was defeated. Then she would leave, just as her crew had once left her.
But now… her mind had changed.
This man thought on a different level.
And she was certain: Cheng Lang was someone she could follow.
The moment she resolved herself—
Countless experience orbs burst from her body.
Cheng Lang froze.
The orbs rushed into him before he could react.
In seconds, his level jumped to eight.
Almost nine.
He was stunned.
Why had Alvida suddenly dropped XP?
What triggered it? Could it happen again?
He thought back.
How had he reached level one in the first place?
Looking at Alvida now, he realized—
It was recognition. Submission.
The first time he faced her, maybe it had been a disguised form of submission. Not true loyalty, so the XP was minimal—but enough to level up. He just hadn't noticed.
Something to test later.
---
Alvida noticed Cheng Lang staring at her, dazed. She realized her own outburst, but stayed calm. She didn't mind him admiring her—in her bikini, no less.
Cheng Lang snapped out of his thoughts.
"Since you're ready to be a pirate, what now? Do you want to plunder?" Alvida teased. After all, that was the image of pirates.
"What would we loot?"
"Money?"
"No shortage."
"Supplies? Food? Beauties? Wine?"
Cheng Lang laughed.
"Being a pirate doesn't have to mean plundering—or doing evil."
"Then why be a pirate?" Alvida asked, puzzled.
"Think Orange."
Alvida blinked, then understood.
Of course. He was still the kind man she thought he was.
"Then it doesn't matter whether you're a pirate or not," she joked, dropping the subject.
"What? Planning to join the Straw Hats?"
"How do you feel about that idea?"
"Fine by me. Plenty of pirates recruit defeated rivals." Alvida shrugged.
Just then, Kuya Mi stepped out.
She faced them seriously.
"I've decided."
"Oh? And what's your choice?"
"Thank you for your care these days. I want to go to Branch 153… to meet Coby."
"Just to meet him?"
Kuya Mi fell silent.
Cheng Lang waved his hand.
"You heard our earlier conversation, didn't you?"
"Ah…"
"The little girl has learned to lie," Alvida said with a smile.
Kuya Mi lowered her head, saying nothing.
"What were you thinking before?"
"I wanted to… follow."
Her voice was soft, but firm.
At sea, she had felt their kindness. Her social anxiety had eased. She had been happy—happier than in the last ten years. She had tasted freedom.
But she had also heard Cheng Lang's words.
Force.
She had no strength like Alvida.
No strange powers like Cheng Lang.
She was just an ordinary girl with a little knowledge of navigation.
If she followed them, she would be a burden.
She imagined their disappointed faces—
And it hurt.
Better to leave on her own.
So she made her choice.
Alvida sighed, spreading her hands.
"You convince her."
---