"Moria, choose now: come with me to meet my captain, or die here with your crew," King said to Moria.
"Bastard, don't you dare threaten our captain!"
"That's right! Even if I die, I won't let you threaten Captain Moria!"
The crew members roared again, shielding Moria, their eyes burning with unyielding fire. Their hands trembled slightly as they gripped their weapons—not from fear, but from rage.
"All of you, shut up!" Moria shouted, then turned to King. "I'll go with you to meet your captain, but you must release my crew."
"No, Captain! If you're going, we're all going."
"Yes, Captain Moria! If we die, we die together!"
The crew clamored with voices full of unwavering resolve. Supporting each other, battered and bruised, they maintained their battle stances.
Moria scanned the faces of these companions who had followed him for years, his eyes growing moist. He took a deep breath, his voice choked with emotion. "Fine, we'll go together. We live together, we die together."
King watched silently, his longsword lowering slightly. He understood that these people were prepared to face death. But Kaidou's orders were absolute—he had to complete the mission.
Moonlight bathed the ruined deck, the air thick with the smell of gunpowder and blood. Moria's crew members leaned on each other, covered in wounds, yet their eyes still shone with defiant light.
"King, take his crew with us!" Bullet stepped forward, his rough voice breaking the silence. "The captain wants to recruit this guy anyway. I doubt he'd mind a few extra hands."
King was silent for a moment before slowly sheathing his sword. "Hn," he grunted lowly. "Now you and your captain will come with me to see the captain."
Moria turned to his crew, concern in his voice. "Can everyone still walk?"
"Don't worry, Captain! These minor injuries are nothing!" a crew member with severe facial burns grinned.
"Exactly! We're the Moonlight Pirates!" another crew member forced himself upright, wincing with every step despite the pain.
Bullet urged impatiently, "Let's go. We need to arrive before dawn."
"Wait," Moria interjected suddenly. "We have our own pirate ship with plenty of supplies. We can sail behind you."
King shot him a cold glance. "Fine. But no tricks."
Moria flashed his signature grin, sharp teeth glinting coldly in the moonlight. "Don't worry. I keep my word."
The crew members supported each other as they headed toward their ship, their silhouettes appearing exceptionally resolute under the moonlight.
The morning sea shimmered, golden sunlight from the rising sun dancing across the rolling waves. The Beasts Pirates' ship lay quietly anchored in the bay, its massive hull casting a long shadow in the dawn light.
"So, King, you brought them all back?" Kaidou sat in his custom-made captain's chair, his sharp gaze sweeping over the heavily bandaged Moria and his crew before settling on King. His voice was deep and powerful, carrying particular authority in the morning light.
The pirates on the deck unconsciously held their breath, the air thick with tension.
"Yes, Big Brother Kaidou," King nodded respectfully, his black wings gleaming with a metallic sheen in the morning light.
"You... you're Kaidou, the 'King of Beast'?!" Moria suddenly widened his eyes, recognizing the legendary pirate before him. He forced himself to stand, his voice laced with caution: "Kaidou! Why did you send people to capture me and my crew?" His fingers tightened unconsciously, knuckles turning white from the strain.
The crew members behind him all assumed defensive stances, but the fear in their eyes was unmistakable.
Kaidou tilted his head back and took a large gulp of liquor, the liquid dripping down his beard. "Wororororo... I heard you've been making quite a stir in the West Sea. I wanted to see if you're worthy of joining the Beasts Pirates." He wiped his mouth and added, "But don't get the wrong idea. I only sent King and Bullet to invite you alone. As for these small fries under you..." He cast a contemptuous glance at Moria's crew, "I have no interest in them."
Moria's crew glared angrily upon hearing this, but after getting a clear look at the monster with a bounty exceeding 500 million Berries before them, they wisely kept their mouths shut. Their eyes reflected a mix of rage and terror, yet no one dared to voice any objection.
The atmosphere on the deck grew increasingly heavy, with only the sound of sea winds rustling the sails echoing through the air.
"Bastard! Don't look down on us!" Moria's voice was filled with fury. "They're my most important comrades!" His words reverberated across the deck, carrying the stubbornness and defiance characteristic of youth.
The crew members behind him showed a flicker of emotion in their eyes upon hearing this.
Kaidou shook his liquor gourd dismissively. "Wororororo... You've got spirit. But..." A dangerous glint flashed in his eyes. "On the high seas, spirit alone isn't enough." His tone suddenly turned icy, and the surrounding air seemed to freeze. The temperature on the deck appeared to drop several degrees in an instant.
"I don't want to be your subordinate!" Moria said through gritted teeth. "I want to sail the seas freely!" His voice echoed across the deck, carrying the stubbornness and defiance characteristic of youth. The sunlight illuminated his resolute face, casting a golden glow.
Kaidou suddenly burst into loud laughter, the sound shaking the deck. "Want to fight me? Fine!" He stood up abruptly, his massive frame casting an enormous shadow. "If you can defeat me, not only will I let you go, but I'll even give you the captain's position of the Beasts Pirates!" His voice thundered, making Moria's eardrums ring.
"What?" Moria looked up in shock, his pupils dilating with astonishment.
Kaidou scanned the Executives on the deck, his voice like thunder: "King! Bullet! Queen! Urouge! Listen well!" He clenched his fist, veins bulging. "In the Beasts Pirates, strength is everything! Whoever has the strongest fists gets to speak!" His gaze swept over each person as if confirming their loyalty.
The Executives all nodded, their eyes gleaming with reverence.
The sea winds suddenly intensified, whipping through everyone's robes with a fluttering sound.
Kaidou's deep voice cut clearly through the sea breeze: "As for the weak... they can only obediently submit to the domination of the strong!" These words pierced Moria's heart like a sharp blade.
In the distance, seagulls let out shrill cries, as if cheering for the impending confrontation.
Thus, under Kaidou's overwhelming pressure, Moria joined the Beasts Pirates, adding a new Executive to the crew.
At this time, the Beasts Pirates did not yet have the hierarchical titles like the All-Stars and Tobiroppo that would exist in the future. Currently, there were only three ranks: Captain, Executive, and crew members. Only after the pirate crew expanded would Kaidou implement more detailed classifications.