[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-if-you-don-t-try-hard-how-can-i-become-pirate-ki":3,"chapter-if-you-don-t-try-hard-how-can-i-become-pirate-ki-if-you-don-t-try-hard-how-can-i-become-pirate-ki-chapter-61":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","If You Don't Try Hard, How Can I Become Pirate King?",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2340045,4574,"Chapter 61: Wager (Request Follows! Tuesday PK Recommendation Slot!)","if-you-don-t-try-hard-how-can-i-become-pirate-ki-chapter-61",61,"\u003Cp>Gao Wen murmured to himself, paused in thought, then said:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Aren’t we setting sail precisely to find such beings?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kamon blinked, turning to look at Gao Wen:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s so cool!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But to thank you for your help, we’re throwing a feast tonight!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Wen smiled faintly and followed Kamon away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Along the way:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Countless wild beasts from the jungle gathered behind Kamon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Over twenty years, many beasts had endured cycles of life and death, yet after parting, new life emerged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their friendship with Kamon had not faded with death, but become a legacy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In such a journey, Kamon had already found his treasure; Gao Wen was still on the road, yet without realizing it, he now had no shortage of companions trailing behind him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The feast was held in a cave at the island’s center.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Around the central bonfire, Kamon laid out his homemade fruit wine, smoked fish, and fruits and melons gathered by his beast friends from surrounding woods, letting everyone help themselves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Keluo raised his cup and clinked it against Kamon’s:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sorry about earlier.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kamon waved his hand:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t mention it—all’s in the wine!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Saying that,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>he ignored Keluo, downing a large gulp of wine himself; Keluo, seeing this, grinned and swallowed a full bowl in one go.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kamon’s mobility was limited; even with help from his beast friends, the wine he brewed was far from fine or delicious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But wine itself was never the main event—the ceremony was merely decoration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The smiles and joy on everyone’s faces were the true heart of the feast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The feast lasted days and nights.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only when the storm outside the cave had fully calmed did they finally stop.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kamon, who had not seen a living soul in twenty years, unleashed all his pent-up enthusiasm; even though many of Gao Wen’s group were already drunk, they couldn’t stop him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the beach:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The pirate ship stranded by the storm was pushed back into the sea by the combined efforts of all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, proper precautions had been taken; though damaged in places, it remained seaworthy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Wen left Kamon a Den Den Mushi, telling him he could contact him directly if he needed anything from the outside world, then departed with his crew aboard the ship.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the great wind came great clarity; the sea was calm, gentle waves lapped, and warm sunlight fell from the sky onto them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Warm and pleasant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nami, sunbathing, quietly rolled over—and saw a green-haired figure push open the cabin door and step out slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Where are we?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Where are Johnny and Joseph?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zoro scanned the area and asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In just a few days,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the wound on his chest had nearly healed, yet he only now awoke; though his face was still pale, it no longer hindered combat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The three swords at his waist were the best proof.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, awake?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Wen, sitting on deck polishing Kensei, looked up at Zoro.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In these past days,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>he had used his badge ability to assess Zoro’s potential—and confirmed his guess: Gold Rank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That meant even without any breakthroughs, even without needing to awaken his true heart like Keluo, Zoro could, through steady progress, become one of the strongest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His potential already surpassed Gao Wen’s at this moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Naturally, he wanted to bring him under his command.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Did you save me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zoro looked at Gao Wen, one hand resting on his sword, eyes eager—but he still suppressed his desire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you want me to join you, better do it now—!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Kid, you owe me three lives.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Wen held up three fingers, smiling faintly: “Turning down your savior like that? Not very polite~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zoro’s eyelid twitched:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve only got one life! Where’d you get three?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Wen pointed to the corner, where Johnny and Joseph were mopping the deck with a broom:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Aren’t your two little underlings people too?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zoro fell silent, then looked up at Gao Wen:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What will it take for you to let them go?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Wen’s expression turned serious:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How about a wager?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s still ten or so days’ sail to my base.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You can attack me any way you like—if you make me bleed, I’ll not only return your freedom, I’ll hand those two brats over to you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s the stake?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Wen pointed at Zoro:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmph~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zoro’s face broke into a defiant grin:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If I refuse now, I’d be the one acting foolish.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But even if I lose to you, I’ll leave this ship the day I surpass you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“After all,”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I have a promise I must fulfill—even at the cost of my life!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Wen said calmly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re already looking for an escape route before we’ve even begun?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But these two things aren’t mutually exclusive. Enough talk—I’ll take your silence as acceptance of the wager.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment his voice ended,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>three silver blade streaks surged toward Gao Wen, growing larger—Zoro, long restrained, struck instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clearly, he still resented his earlier defeat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Impatient fellow~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Wen smiled faintly, thrusting Kensei forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As before, his sword tip met the convergence of Zoro’s three blades; no matter how hard Zoro pushed, he couldn’t advance an inch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this time,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zoro had already prepared himself mentally.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If even a dagger could do it, how could his own most familiar, soul-tuned blades fail?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A thought flashed through his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zoro pulled his two swords back, intending to retreat and gather another assault—but Gao Wen’s Kensei, like a venomous snake, clung to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The relentless thrusts left Zoro overwhelmed; his three swords flailed wildly just to barely block, his feet slipping back step by step.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Within a few breaths, he was pushed to the deck’s edge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Wen’s attack slowed; Zoro barely exhaled in relief when a silver-white blade streak shot from Gao Wen’s hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He barely ducked—the streak skimmed his scalp and flew far away…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hss!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sea beast dozens of meters long, just leaping from the water, was split cleanly in two by Gao Wen’s aerial slash.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zoro turned back, staring at the shocking sight on the sea, swallowed hard, and said:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Can a swordsman even do this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Wen smiled faintly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A powerful swordsman can cut down flying dragons from the sky.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Want to learn?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll teach you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmph!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zoro’s lips curled into a fiercely defiant smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In that moment, he suddenly realized that joining Gao Wen’s Pirate Crew wasn’t such a bad thing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the very least, even when facing his own opponent, Gao Wen had stepped in to save him—indicating the man was unlikely to be a truly monstrous villain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, having such a powerful opponent to spar with would only accelerate his growth!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had confidence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He could reach Gao Wen’s current level within three years at most!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll become the strongest—in my own way!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1130,"2026-06-20T23:03:52.332Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","ff0b802ed16e6f49998c8e8e1839850cb5f470411b6a3e1cba2159abe2c6f468","if-you-don-t-try-hard-how-can-i-become-pirate-ki-chapter-62","if-you-don-t-try-hard-how-can-i-become-pirate-ki-chapter-60",469,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fif-you-don-t-try-hard-how-can-i-become-pirate-ki-cover.jpg"]