Gin's expression was equally incredulous.
After so many years as a pirate, he had never seen anyone treat the defeated like this.
"You just impressed me with your loyalty, defending your leader with your life, so..."
Alan's lips curled slightly as he looked at Gin: "I'll leave the choice to you. Come on, just say you want to leave, and I won't stop you in any way."
Gin's expression visibly froze at those words.
Krieg's heartbeat quickened, a clear trace of panic in his eyes.
He quickly turned to Gin, only to see that Gin was also looking at him.
"Hey... Gin... You're not going to leave me behind, right?"
Krieg's lips trembled as he asked in an uncertain, shivering voice.
Suddenly recalling how he had vented his emotions on Gin earlier, he felt regret and gradually grew fearful.
Gin's face showed no expression; he simply stared at Krieg.
After a moment of silence, Gin moved his lips and nodded: "Of course. Don't worry, boss, I'll stay so you can leave."
Hearing this, Krieg's eyes lit up, and the corners of his mouth lifted in relief.
Who stayed and who left, the answer was clear.
For Krieg, having Gin join the enemy in exchange for his survival was an offer that required no consideration.
For Gin, as long as Alan let Krieg go, even if it meant risking his life, it was acceptable.
Wasn't this just perfect? Alan thought the same!
From start to finish, all he wanted was Gin. A despicable, rebellious scoundrel like Krieg didn't belong on the ship.
This was literally a three-way win!
"An unexpectedly surprising decision."
Alan observed Gin with interest and said, "Are you worried I might go back on my word, killing the other after gaining one person's loyalty? You made this choice to maximize your chance of survival?"
"If that's the case, I promise in the name of the pirate flag that I won't. Now, I'll give you another chance to choose."
"No need."
Faced with Alan's inquiry, Gin shook his head, took a deep breath, and revealed a faint, bitter relief in his expression: "This is fine. I'll stay to serve you, and I hope you keep your promise to let boss Krieg leave."
Alan said nothing, silently watching Gin, lost in thought.
Krieg remained silent as well, head lowered, not daring to breathe too deeply, fearing Alan might suddenly go back on his word.
"Alright, I promise you."
Alan nodded in agreement.
...
He then ordered his subordinates to prepare enough food and water for twenty people, along with some medicine, and to pack up the heavy golden armor as well.
Bang!
He threw the large bags onto the deck and had his subordinates release Krieg and Gin from their ropes and handcuffs.
Seeing the food and water, Krieg couldn't hide the greed and desire in his eyes. Excited, he rushed forward and grabbed a piece of meat.
Just as he was about to bite, he froze and cast a wary glance at Alan.
Not only was he being released, but food and water were prepared as well? He didn't trust Alan to be so kind.
"It's okay to suspect it being poison; no one is forcing you to eat it."
Alan said coldly.
At that moment, Gin snatched the meat from Krieg's hand and swallowed it in one bite.
Alan paid no attention to his actions.
After observing Gin for a moment and seeing nothing unusual, Krieg finally relaxed.
He didn't take more food; instead, he picked up the large bags and walked to the ship's edge.
He turned for one last glance at Gin, expressionless, and jumped into a small boat prepared by Alan, rowing slowly away.
Moonlight quietly reflected off the sea, scattering silvery ripples.
Watching the shadow of the small boat gradually fade until it vanished into the darkness of the sea, Gin finally spoke: "You planned for me to stay so boss Krieg could leave, didn't you?"
"Yes."
Alan nodded calmly.
Gin looked at Alan and asked, "Why didn't you poison the food?"
"Because I knew you wanted him alive."
Alan replied again, looking toward the direction where Krieg disappeared, and asked: "What did his last glance mean? Was it a farewell?"
"I think... Boss Krieg was probably checking if I had any signs of poison."
Gin replied indifferently, showing no concern for Krieg's actions.
It was a lie to say he didn't feel some disappointment.
He had always known what kind of person his boss was. Even so, he still followed him without hesitation, staying loyal and reverent toward Krieg.
Call it blind loyalty or stubbornness, this was his pirate code of honor.
Although everything has ended now…
"If one day you see him at sea, and Krieg tells you to return, would you obey?"
Alan suddenly turned to Gin.
Gin looked into his eyes, silent for a few seconds, then said: "I agreed to stay, just as you promised to let my boss leave; you didn't go back on your word, and I won't either."
"Your weapons are in the storage. Go get them yourself. Also..."
Alan's lips curled up as he added, "Call me captain from now on."
"I understand..."
Gin responded, bowing his head for the first time, and said: "Captain."
...
"Hahaha! Now we're rich!"
"So much treasure! As expected of the Krieg Pirates!"
"I've never seen this much gold in my life!"
On the deck, the pirates' eyes gleamed with excitement as they formed a circle around piles of gold coins and jewelry, shining brilliantly.
Alan stood on the second-floor balcony with the Nyaban Brothers and Gin behind him.
These treasures were all taken from Krieg's ship.
In addition, they found two black suitcases neatly stacked with bills.
"200 million belly in cash, plus all this treasure..."
"Though I don't know the gold content, the value is definitely over a hundred million. Even selling them on the black market won't net less than a hundred million belly."
On the balcony, the Nyaban Brothers' eyes sparkled with greed.
Looking at the piles of money on the deck, Alan couldn't help but smile.
For pirates, nothing excites them more than treasure.
Krieg's fleet barely survived the Grand Line, ships battered and supplies depleted.
But this huge pile of treasure and cash remained intact.
If not for the consumption needed to enter the Grand Line, there would have been even more.