Chapter 37: The Sea Is My Grave

Several days later.

At the edge of Raven Port, beneath a mountain, the ground was covered with tombstones of the dead, most of which had been added recently.

For in this battle, far too many civilians and port guards had perished.

Soft sobbing sounds occasionally drifted from all around, as civilians came one by one to mourn their deceased family and friends.

In a corner.

Gao Wen personally erected a tombstone, its surface carved with the names of subordinates who had died in the battle, and the tombstone faced the direction of the Grand Line.

Gao Wen's gaze swept over the names carved on the tombstone, and he murmured:

"Watch from here."

"I, no, we will plant the pirate crew's flag in every corner of the world."

"When everyone begins to sing the praises of the Gao Wen Pirate Crew, you too will live on alongside that name."

Having said that.

Gao Wen turned, only to discover that Xiang Keluo and a group of subordinates were standing at the entrance of the cemetery, their gazes fixed on him.

"The words sound quite fine, though."

A faint smile played on Xiang Keluo's lips; he adjusted his glasses with his palm and said calmly:

"It is time to depart."

"Captain."

"Ah."

Gao Wen smiled faintly.

The crowd followed Gao Wen, walking briskly toward the port.

A cargo ship over a hundred meters long, loaded with grain, ammunition, and medical supplies, lay quietly moored in the port.

The food here was enough for Gao Wen's men to eat for several months, and the ammunition was sufficient to sustain ten fierce battles.

Once transported back to the base on Para Island, Gao Wen would not have to worry about supplies for a very long time.

Moreover, Jasha had already promised that afterward, a hidden route would be established to provide Gao Wen with stable logistical support.

Seeing Gao Wen arrive, Jasha's eyes lit up:

"Mr. Gao Wen, please remember the promise between us."

"Ah."

Gao Wen nodded:

"Once I return, I will dispatch subordinates to begin clearing the pirates who have taken up residence along the main shipping lanes surrounding Raven Port."

Having said that.

Gao Wen leaped onto the deck, and Xiang Keluo likewise led his subordinates slowly into the cabin.

After carefully inspecting the interior of the ship and confirming everything was in order, the cargo ship sounded a whistle and slowly sailed out of the port.

Jasha looked at the figure standing on the deck; her eyes reddened slightly, and she could no longer suppress the emotions in her heart:

"Mr. Gao Wen, when will we meet again?"

Gao Wen paused slightly, turned his back to Jasha, and waved his hand:

"If all goes smoothly, you will soon see news of me in the newspapers."

"And if it does not go smoothly?"

"Then the sea will be my grave!"

Jasha pressed her lips together, exerting great effort to keep the tears in her eyes from falling.

She knew the East Blue would not be Gao Wen's limit; this man was like a bird that would never stay here.

He was destined to go to a grander stage and let the world sing the praises of his name.

"Truly a man who knows no romance."

"But are pirates such magnificent beings?"

Jasmine paused, a strange sense of unease arising in her heart:

"Princess, you still have this port, and you still have the people here."

Jasha raised her hand to wipe the tears from her eyes and said firmly:

"I know."

"But I also need power sufficient to protect my people."

"I have heard that on the Grand Line, there exists something called a Devil Fruit; whoever eats it gains immense power. Perhaps..."

"Princess, do you wish to become a landlubber?"

"Compared to immense power, this is merely a small price to pay."

The sea is ever-changing.

Even in the relatively peaceful East Blue, storms that descend at unknown times are enough to capsize the vast majority of ships.

Wild winds swept, and Lei Guang flashed.

Amidst the surging waves, a cargo ship rose and fell with the spray, vaguely facing the risk of being swallowed.

"Quick, quick, quick! Turn the rudder!"

"Ahead is a whirlpool; once we fall into it, we will all die!"

Xiang Keluo stood on the deck, directing the ship's navigation.

Gao Wen directly slashed out a series of airborne strikes, cleaving the towering waves attacking from afar, ensuring the ship would not capsize under their impact.

The howling storm made Gao Wen realize the cruelty of this world for the first time.

At least for low-level pirates, the unpredictable climate was the number one cause of death, with combat ranking only second.

"Damn it!"

"Keluo, you've been at sea for so many years; how is your navigation skill about the same as mine?"

"There used to be a dedicated navigator on the ship!"

"Where is he?"

"The one who burned to death at Raven Port before was him."

"You useless piece of trash."

Keluo's mouth twitched noticeably; just as he was about to retort, another towering wave surged from the distance.

Carrying the momentum of mountains collapsing and seas overturning, it sought to swallow everything before it; merely the pressure it generated caused the cargo ship to creak.

"Gao Wen!"

"Got it!"

Gao Wen's expression turned cold and stern; he raised his hand and successively slashed out several airborne strikes, barely managing to shatter the incoming towering wave.

Yet the sea in the distance grew even more turbulent...

Several hours later.

The cargo ship gradually sailed out of that mad sea area.

The wind and waves gradually subsided; even sunlight pierced through the clouds to shine upon everyone, dispelling the chill of the seawater.

The survivors, having narrowly escaped death, collapsed onto the deck, gasping for air.

Gao Wen looked at the Navigation skill at LV-1 on his panel, then at Keluo in the distance, whose face was deathly pale and whose wounds had burst open as he re-bandaged them.

Thinking that the latter's navigation skill level was about the same as his own, he felt a throbbing pain in his groin.

"Before entering the Grand Line, we must first find a reliable navigator!"

Just thinking of the storm from earlier, Gao Wen felt a wave of post-traumatic fear.

It would be ridiculous if he had just spoken cool words the day before and was now buried at the bottom of the sea.

But at this very moment.

A figure entirely wrapped in bandages slowly pushed open the cabin door and limped out.

"Where is this?"

Jin, who had just awakened, looked blankly at everything around him until he saw Keluo's face, at which point he finally recalled what had happened before.

"Xiang Keluo? Did you save me?"

Keluo pointed expressionlessly at Gao Wen and said coldly:

"It was him."

"Knight Gao Wen?"

Jin was slightly stunned, then immediately recalled what had happened.

Recalling the scene where Creek threw him at Gao Wen and fired without hesitation, even he, even with a heart full of loyalty and righteousness, felt a moment of suffocation.

"Why?"

"I would also like to have a subordinate who can block blades for the captain at a critical moment."

Gao Wen extended his hand:

"Do you want to come aboard my ship?"

"I may not necessarily be a good captain, but at least I won't fire on my own people, nor will I arbitrarily draw my sword against my subordinates."

Jin gave a bitter smile:

"What loyalty and righteousness do pirates have? Loyalty and righteousness? It's all lies!"

"I..."

Before he could finish speaking, Jin's vision went black and he collapsed directly.

(End of this chapter)