"Pirate."
"Yeah."
"That's... sentiment, isn't it?"
To be completely honest... Well, yeah, it is.
Most of these Marines are teenagers or in their twenties, and seeing them sobbing uncontrollably—men and women alike—struggling so hard their wrists and necks are bleeding from the chains, it pains me.
"I'd be lying if I said there wasn't any."
"This world ain't one you can navigate on sentiment alone."
I know that! Do you think I haven't wrestled with just taking the easy route and raiding towns and villages countless times? Without money, you can't even eat! I know damn well it'd be easier to just throw away all my morals!
But if I do that, there's a huge chance of massive consequences catching up to me in 10 or 20 years!
"Silent Step. I don't think you're just some kid based on looks alone. You've got people under you capable of neutralizing everyone on this ship. That guy earlier was following you as their leader too. You understand your subordinates' roles and positions. You're all proper outlaws."
From what I can see, Bege seems to have boarded alone. He's probably not a crew member of this ship. If he were, Perona's ghosts or Robin would have spotted him already.
Should I assume he's already eaten his Devil Fruit? Good call sending Daz back as a precaution.
Even if our ship gets attacked, with Perona, as long as someone can buy her even a little time, she can instantly turn the tide.
Teaching Robin combat techniques would be problematic anyway.
Robin's signature joint locks from the original story apparently can't be used yet at this point. I'm only having her help with surveillance and eavesdropping this time—basically she's limited to communication using 'ears' and 'mouths,' and literally helping out with many hands at most.
If this guy has already eaten that fruit and become a 'force,' there might be other combat power outside, so keeping Daz as a guard who can handle them is the right move.
...I could really use another fighter.
"Bege."
"What?"
"The reason I became a pirate was precisely because of the Celestial Dragons."
Bege's face twists slightly with surprise. So this story really hasn't spread around here either.
...Come to think of it, the Marines wouldn't voluntarily spread news about how the World Nobles created another pirate.
"They told me I'd become their slave, and when I refused on the spot, I became a hunted man."
Bege mutters quietly, "Don't those bastards know anything about restraint?" I want to nod like a bobblehead but I need to hold back.
"I understand money is important. You can't survive in this world without it."
"You're... struggling, aren't you?"
"Look at this body and appearance. Can you blame me?"
"Fair enough."
"But that doesn't mean I'll do anything for money. I at least want to be able to live with myself."
Despite this conversation happening after we'd already declared negotiations have broken down, Bege shows no anger or displeasure. He is a gangster—the casual ways of legitimate society don't work here, and you never know where the landmines are. That's true, but he seems like someone you can reason with if you approach things properly.
"Going forward, I'll laugh and suffer as I cross these seas... but if the foundation of all that is built on me doing to others what forced me into this life, then I'll inevitably become corrupted."
Since I originally had a civilian mindset, until I can recruit people capable of positive mental manipulation like Jango or Miss Golden Week and earn their trust, I shouldn't leave a single moral stain that would compromise my principles.
"Especially if the people I abandoned were Marines."
"I don't get that part. They're enemies, aren't they?"
"Precisely because they're enemies. And regardless of their motives, they're people who've gone to sea."
It's ironic for me to say this when I've been beating down bandits throughout this pirate world, but the sea is truly terrifying.
I'm managing because I've learned basic navigation, but whether my course is correct depends on compass and maps, and when food and water run low, you have to sail even through dark nights guided by stars alone.
"Even if they're enemies I'll fight to the death... my pride won't allow me to mistreat people who understand the terror of the sea."
Like with Daz, this might be an opponent my attacks won't work on, but it can't be helped. As a precaution, I told Daz about possible ambushes and had him ready to launch at any time.
"I don't completely disagree with your reasoning. But you won't rise to power that way, pirate."
"That's fine. Accumulating money, resources, and followers to gain power—that's a gangster's true purpose, right?"
We both start taking distance from each other. Combat is now unavoidable.
"Then what about pirates?"
"We go where we want to go, however we want to go."
"I see... definitely a pirate. But you know!!"
Parts of Bege's body start opening with clicking sounds.
...
Wait just a minute! Hey! If you fire from there, you'll hit the Marines behind me!!
And! Don't shoot cannonballs inside a ship!! We're near the bottom deck!!?
"Can you win with just noble feelings!? Can you win with conviction alone!?"
"Too bad, pirate! We have superior firepower!"
–
Everyone despaired. Multiple cannonballs appearing suddenly. Facing them was just one child, pirate or not. And he wasn't even carrying a single blade, let alone a gun.
Though they'd been creating distance, there's only so much space indoors. Indeed, the next moment brought thunderous roars and brilliant flashes.
Everyone sobbed and wept tears. They would be sold after all.
Those who'd dreamed of being Marines, those who'd joined seeking stability—all would be exploited to their very bones.
--Marines, straighten your spines.
So when that voice rang out, everyone's eyes widened. Even the gangster stared in shock.
"Whatever your reasons for enlisting, you swore to risk your lives on the seas. With those characters for 'Justice' on your backs."
As the thick smoke cleared, a child stood there—not only unwounded, but without even scorch marks.
"Then no matter how desperate your situation, you should stand straight and hold your heads high. Because you are Marines."
"You bastard pirate—you kicked up every single one of those cannonballs!!"
The gangster who shouted in amazement while looking up at the collapsed ceiling wore a fearless grin. Like a pirate before treasure, his eyes sparkled with excitement.
Simultaneously, small doors opened all over the gangster's body, and armed gangsters poured out, surrounding the child—the pirate.
"Can you win just by gathering soldiers?"
Surrounded by numerous gangsters,
"Can you win just by pointing gun barrels?"
Surrounded by numerous gun barrels,
"Too bad, gangster."
That small back, before the suspended Marines, never cowered,
"--Our resolve is different."
And stood perfectly straight.
"Excellent... You really are something, 'Silent Step' Kuro."
"Join my Family, Kuro! You're the best!"
"I appreciate the praise, but I decline."
"Then I'll take you by force!"
"Try it, Gang Bege."
"--I'll push through with a pirate's pride!!"
--
How's so far? anyone willing to give a review please?