Chapter 37: The Sea Is My Grave

Several days later.

At the edge of Crow Port, beneath a hill, the ground was littered with tombstones, most of which had been added recently.

Because so many civilians and harbor guards died in this battle.

Soft sobs echoed occasionally as civilians came to mourn their dead loved ones.

In the corner.

Gao Wen personally erected a tombstone, its surface carved with the names of all his subordinates who died in battle, facing toward the Grand Line.

Gao Wen’s gaze swept over the names carved into the tombstone, and he murmured:

“Watch from here.”

“I, no—we will plant the pirate flag in every corner of the world.”

“When everyone begins to speak the name of the Gao Wen Pirates, you will live on with that name forever.”

With that said.

Gao Wen turned and noticed Keluo and his subordinates standing at the entrance of the graveyard, their eyes fixed on him.

“You speak quite beautifully.”

Keluo smiled faintly, adjusting his glasses with his palm, and said coolly:

“Let’s set sail.”

“Captain.”

“Ah.”

Gao Wen smiled faintly.

The group followed Gao Wen in hurried steps toward the harbor.

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

The food aboard was enough for Gao Wen’s men to eat for months; the weapons and ammunition could sustain ten fierce battles.

As long as it was transported back to the Parra Island base, Gao Wen wouldn’t have to worry about supplies for a long time.

Moreover, Jia Sha had promised to establish a covert shipping route afterward to provide Gao Wen with steady logistical support.

Jia Sha’s eyes lit up as she saw Gao Wen arrive:

“Mr. Gao Wen, please remember our agreement.”

“Ah.”

Gao Wen nodded:

“When I return, I’ll send my men to clear the pirates dominating the main shipping lanes around Crow Port.”

With that said.

Gao Wen leapt onto the deck; Keluo and his men followed slowly into the cabin.

After carefully inspecting the ship’s interior and confirming everything was in order, the cargo ship let out a horn and slowly steamed out of the harbor.

Jia Sha stared at the figure standing on the deck, her eyes slightly reddened, unable to suppress her emotions:

“Mr. Gao Wen, when will we meet again?”

Gao Wen paused, then waved his hand over his shoulder:

“If all goes well, you’ll read about me in the newspapers soon.”

“And if it doesn’t?”

“Then the sea will be my grave!”

Jia Sha bit her lip, forcing back her tears with great effort.

She knew the East Blue was not Gao Wen’s limit—this man was like a bird, never meant to stay here.

He was destined for a grander stage, to make the world chant his name.

“What an insensitive man.”

“But are pirates really this glamorous?”

Mo Li froze, a strange unease stirring in her heart:

“Your Highness, you still have this port, and its people.”

Jia Sha wiped her tears with her hand, her voice firm:

“I know.”

“But I also need the strength to protect my people.”

“They say on the Grand Line there’s something called a Devil Fruit—eat it, and you gain immense power. Perhaps…”

“Your Highness, do you want to become a landlubber?”

“Compared to great power, this is merely a small price.”

…

…

…

The sea is ever-changing.

Even in the relatively calm East Blue, storms that arrive without warning can capsize most ships.

Wind howled, lightning flashed.

Amid towering waves, a cargo ship rose and fell with the swells, barely holding back from being swallowed.

“Hurry! Turn the helm!”

“There’s a whirlpool ahead—if we get caught, we’re all dead!”

Keluo stood on deck, directing the ship’s course.

Gao Wen slashed out multiple flying slashes, cleaving distant incoming waves to prevent the ship from capsizing.

This storm first made Gao Wen realize the cruelty of this world.

For low-ranking pirates at least, unpredictable weather was the number one cause of death—combat came second.

“Damn it!”

“Keluo, you’ve been sailing for years—how is your navigation skill barely better than mine?”

“We used to have a dedicated navigator!”

“Where is he?”

“The one who got burned alive in Crow Port.”

“You piece of trash.”

Keluo’s mouth twitched; he opened his mouth to retort when another massive wave surged from afar.

With the force of a mountain collapsing, it threatened to swallow everything—just the pressure it generated made the cargo ship groan.

“Gao Wen!”

“I know!”

Gao Wen’s face hardened; he slashed repeatedly, barely shattering the incoming wave.

But the sea ahead grew even more turbulent…

…

Several hours later.

The cargo ship gradually sailed out of the furious waters.

The wind and waves calmed; sunlight pierced through the clouds, warming their bodies and dispelling the sea’s chill.

The survivors collapsed onto the deck, gasping for breath.

Gao Wen glanced at his panel: Navigation Skill LV-1, then at Keluo, pale-faced, wounds reopened and being rebandaged nearby.

The thought that Keluo’s navigation skill was as bad as his own made his stomach ache.

“Before entering the Grand Line, I must find a competent navigator!”

The memory of that storm sent chills down Gao Wen’s spine.

It’d be ridiculous if he died at sea just days after boasting about his glory.

Then—

A figure wrapped head to toe in bandages slowly pushed open the cabin door and limped out.

“Where are we?”

Jin, just awakened, stared blankly around until he saw Keluo’s face—and remembered what had happened.

“Keluo the Strategist? Did you save me?”

Keluo, expressionless, pointed at Gao Wen and said coldly:

“Him.”

“Knight Gao Wen?”

Jin froze, then recalled everything.

He remembered Krik throwing him toward Gao Wen, then firing without hesitation—even he, whose heart was filled with loyalty and righteousness, felt a suffocating despair.

“Why?”

“A subordinate who can take a blade for his captain? I’d want one too.”

Gao Wen extended his hand:

“Want to join my crew?”

“I might not be a good captain, but I’ll never fire on my own men or raise my blade against them for no reason.”

Ajin gave a bitter smile:

“What loyalty or righteousness do pirates have? Just lies!”

“I…”

Before he could finish, Ajin’s vision went black and he collapsed outright.

(End of Chapter)