Chapter 32: Untitled
"Not bad."
Jiang Qize stepped out of the cabin, looking at the "Bronze Giant" before him with a faint smile curling on his lips.
"Master!" The "Bronze Giant," the Raptorex, lowered his head toward him. His voice was like rolling thunder—hoarse and deep.
"How do you feel?" Jiang Qize asked, studying him closely.
"Master, I need to get used to it," the Raptorex said, raising his stiff arms and legs a little awkwardly.
"Get used to it once we find an island."
"Yes, Master."
"Oh, and don't call me 'Master.' Call me 'Sir.'"
"Yes, Sir!"
Meanwhile, Camon had already brought the two ships together, cleaning off the filth and hauling everything useful over from the old vessel.
Watching this, Jiang Qize gave a small, approving nod.
He wasn't a heartless man. Anyone willing to follow him and work hard would have a chance to grow stronger—if the opportunity arose.
Unfortunately, his system couldn't enhance anyone else's strength. Otherwise, if he could capture a few powerful creatures and combine them with Devil Fruits, he could raise his subordinates' strength quickly.
"Why are you still here?"
He turned his gaze toward little Robin.
Robin shrank her neck slightly, her large eyes misting over as her small hands clutched together nervously.
Jiang Qize raised an eyebrow and glanced at her thin frame. "If you don't want to leave, you can stay for now. But you'll have to work. Go help Camon clean the ship."
Robin glanced up at him, her small mouth opening slightly. In a soft voice, she whispered, "Thank you."
Jiang Qize shook his head and went back into the cabin.
It took a while before Camon and Robin finished cleaning, with the Raptorex lending a hand as well.
Thud!
Robin collapsed onto the deck, her little face drenched in sweat, panting heavily.
Camon sat down beside her.
"Hey, little girl, how'd you get caught by slavers? Where's your family?" Camon asked with a kind, simple smile.
At that question, Robin's eyes reddened instantly, tears welling up.
"Wha—what's wrong? Don't cry…"
Camon panicked at the sight. He was barely in his twenties and had never seen a little girl cry before—especially not one crying because of his question. He didn't know what to do.
"My home… it's gone… Mama's gone…" Robin choked out, trembling slightly.
Camon froze, staring at the girl in silence, unsure what to say.
"If you've got nowhere to go, you could try staying here," he said quietly after a moment. "The captain would probably agree. He seems cold, but he's actually a good man. You won't go hungry or cold here, and he's really strong."
He kept his voice low, afraid Jiang Qize might overhear.
"But… I'm a monster…"
Robin buried her head between her knees, unable to look at him.
"Monster?" Camon blinked in confusion.
"Mhm."
Robin lifted her head nervously, placing her small hands in front of her.
Two tiny hands appeared on the floor before vanishing in an instant.
Seeing that, Camon smiled, a hint of admiration in his eyes. "That's not being a monster—that's a power from one of the Devil Fruits, the great treasures of the sea."
"Devil Fruit?" Robin repeated, her small face filled with confusion.
"Yeah, those weird fruits," Camon explained.
Hearing that, Robin remembered the strange fruit she had eaten. Back then, she'd been starving in the forest and had found it by chance. It had tasted horrible—so awful that it stuck in her memory.
"You've eaten a Devil Fruit at such a young age. You'll definitely become a powerful person someday."
Gurgle…
At that moment, a sound came from her stomach.
Robin's cheeks flushed bright red.
"You're hungry, huh? I'll go make you something to eat," Camon said with a smile, standing up and heading toward the kitchen.
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