"Arghhh... Ugh!!!"
Gecko Moria, his body pierced through, had just let out a miserable scream that was instantly replaced by the sound of vomiting.
Hundreds of shadows, like a pillar of ink, gushed out of Gecko Moria's mouth.
Then, all of these shadows flew to different parts of the world, returning to the bodies of their owners who, having lost their shadows, dared not appear in the sun during the day.
When those people discover their shadows have returned, they will surely weep with joy and be grateful to that unknown hero.
"Master Moria!"
Staring at Gecko Moria—his body pierced, his six years of accumulation wiped out in an instant—Perona cried out in worry.
Her body struggled, trying to go and save Gecko Moria, the man who had raised her.
"Don't worry, he's not dead!"
Yami grabbed Perona, not letting her go.
"Please, don't kill Master Moria," Perona immediately pleaded with teary eyes.
Seeing this, Yami smiled to himself; his plan was working.
On the surface, however, he smiled meaningfully and said, "I can spare him, but have you ever heard of a Davy Back Fight?"
"Davy Back Fight?"
It wasn't just Perona who was stunned, but Carina as well.
Carina subconsciously looked at the encyclopedia that was Robin. "Robin, what's a Davy Back Fight?"
Robin habitually tapped her chin with her index finger and slowly explained, "The Davy Back Fight is an ancient pirate game that originated in a certain pirate paradise. Some pirates invented this game to acquire the best crew members from others, so it's also known as the 'Crew Poaching Operation'."
"If there are no crew members they desire, they can even take the pirate flag, which is considered the life of the ship. It's a cruel game where one gambles their comrades and their pride."
"The Davy Back Fight has three major rules."
"The first rule: Anything lost in a Davy Back Fight must be won back through a Davy Back Fight."
"The second rule: The crew member of the losing side chosen by the winner must immediately swear an oath to Davy Jones to serve the winner for life."
"The third rule: The flag taken from the loser must never be flown again."
"Anyone who violates these three rules will be considered a disgrace to all pirates."
"...I see."
Carina had a look of sudden understanding.
Yami looked at Perona, whose expression had changed slightly, and said with a smile, "As long as you swear your allegiance to me right now, I will spare your captain's life."
"..."
Perona fell silent, her expression shifting.
Seeing the conflicted Perona, Yami didn't rush her. Robin and Carina beside him also remained silent.
Even Nami, who had been maintaining her Observation Haki, didn't apply pressure with a finishing blow.
Although they didn't understand why Yami would trade the life of a Warlord for a peer who could create ghosts, they all knew that their Master and Boss had a plan for every step he took.
It was just like when he spared Crocodile's life and had him use his resources to find Trafalgar Law.
For Yami to be willing to spare Gecko Moria, this girl must have some unknown quality.
Otherwise, Yami would have finished him off long ago and taken his Devil Fruit.
At this moment, Perona also made her decision.
Looking at the dying Master Moria, Perona raised her right hand, her beautiful eyes filled with tears as she looked at Yami and swore, "I, Perona, hereby swear to Davy Jones that from this moment on, I officially leave the Gecko Pirates and become a subordinate of the man before me. I will serve him for life and never betray him!"
"Good. From now on, you are my maid. You will call me Master."
Yami nodded in satisfaction and said, "Go on, call that surgeon from inside the castle and have him take your former captain for treatment."
"Thank you, Master," Perona said with a hint of gratitude, then ran towards Gecko Moria.
As she stood beside Gecko Moria, preparing to check his condition, a flash of lightning suddenly appeared out of thin air.
"..."
Staring at the culprit who had put Master Moria in this state, Perona's face turned slightly pale, and she was about to say something with a trembling voice.
"Don't be nervous. I heard your conversation with Master," Nami said with a smile. "From now on, we are comrades. Let me help alleviate his injuries."
After speaking, Nami placed her palm on Gecko Moria's body and released a large amount of electricity.
Unlike the violent currents from before, these were relatively gentle.
The currents seemed to have a will of their own, all surging towards the hole in Gecko Moria's stomach.
Quickly, the smell of something being cooked came from the hole.
The blood that had been continuously flowing from the wound stopped at once.
Nami withdrew her palm and said, "I've temporarily stopped the bleeding and stimulated his heart with electricity. As long as he gets surgery in time, his life can be saved."
"Th-Thank you," Perona said subconsciously.
As soon as the words of thanks left her mouth, not only she but even Nami found it a bit absurd.
Thanking the one who did this... she's actually kind of cute, isn't she?
Nami couldn't help but feel a bit of fondness for Perona, and she also understood why Yami would trade Gecko Moria's life for her allegiance.
This girl of the same age was too naive; she wasn't like a pirate at all.
A simple personality, and she's loyal and righteous!
A person like that was indeed worthy of being her comrade.
"Hurry and find that guy hiding in the castle," Nami said with a smile.
"Right!"
Perona, her face slightly red, nodded quickly and ran towards the castle, soon dragging out the genius surgeon, Hogback.
The two of them then worked together to carry Gecko Moria back into the castle and immediately began surgery.
"Ara, ara... that was quite an exciting battle."
Just as Nami flashed back to Yami's side and Carina was about to ask Yami why he had recruited Perona, a lazy voice suddenly entered their ears.
Hearing this voice, Robin, whose expression had remained calm throughout, had a rare look of shock on her face. Her beautiful face turned pale and colorless, the pupils of her blue-black eyes constricted, and her well-proportioned, mature figure trembled uncontrollably out of a deep-seated fear.
"Robin, what's wrong?" Carina was the first to notice the change in Robin and quickly asked.
Nami was not unfamiliar with Robin's reaction.
Once upon a time, she too would have the same expression when standing before Arlong.
Nami once again took out her three-section staff and looked towards the castle entrance, her face grim. "A new enemy has arrived. This one... is extremely strong!"
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