Chapter 93: I, Gao Wen, Am Really Too Gentle

「Er…」

Gao Wen froze, unsure how to explain.

Because what Xiang Keluo said was right, but not entirely right — at the time, acting so you'd see hope was real, but so was not having Armament Haki mastered.

After a moment's hesitation, Gao Wen had just opened his mouth to speak when Xiang Keluo rudely cut him off:

「You don't need to say anything more! 」

「I understand everything! 」

Xiang Keluo's eye sockets visibly reddened:

「You hid your strength on purpose so as not to crush my drive to move forward, didn't you? 」

「Ah Jin was right — you bastard really are too gentle, always considering your companions no matter what. 」

「It was like that at Crow Harbor, like that in the battle at Cocoyashi Village, and like that when you bet your life against Hawkeye too…」

「We scoundrels aren't worth it! How long are you going to keep being so naive! 」

Amid his words.

Xiang Keluo grabbed Gao Wen by the collar, and the bewildered look on the latter's face only confirmed his guess was correct.

His thoughts even began to wander, and he unconsciously recalled when he had first met Gao Wen.

The more he thought, the more he felt that, given the personality Gao Wen was showing now, he couldn't possibly be someone chasing status and fame — so what reason could possibly have driven him to become a Warlord of the Sea?

「So even becoming a Warlord of the Sea, gaining a stable life — was that just a reason you found on the spot back then, to give me something to live for? 」

「And you've even been training hard to fulfill that promise from back then, acting so relaxed during the day…」

「Just because you didn't want us companions to worry?! 」

「You…」

「Sigh! 」

Xiang Keluo let out a long sigh, his arms trembling as he let go:

「You think doing all this will make me grateful to you? 」

「Dream on — I'm a pirate! A heartless pirate! 」

A whole barrage of words, every single one straying from the facts, yet seemingly airtight in logic.

For a moment, Gao Wen was actually a bit dumbfounded by him:

「I…」

「Don't try to explain! 」

Xiang Keluo shook his head, his gaze revealing he had seen through everything, and said firmly:

「You've gone this far — if I don't make you the Pirate King, I don't deserve to live as a man! 」

Their argument quickly drew the attention of everyone on the ship.

The dozen or so pirates who had come along this time had all gathered on the deck, looking at Gao Wen with moved expressions — many of them were even streaming tears.

「So the captain has been carrying all this on our behalf without us even realizing? 」

「Yeah. 」

「Wasn't Crow Harbor also done for our sake? 」

「What a righteous man! 」

「Wooooh—! 」

For a moment.

The only sound on the deck was the wailing and howling of the pirates.

Standing outside the crowd watching Gao Wen, Nami had long since grabbed a tissue and started dabbing at her tears.

If there was anyone present who could empathize one hundred percent with what Xiang Keluo was feeling, it could only be Nami.

After all, she was the one Gao Wen had truly saved.

Everything Xiang Keluo said fit perfectly with the image of Gao Wen in her heart!

「Mr. Gao Wen, so powerful and yet so gentle… it's simply… simply…」

「Waaah—! 」

A few seconds later, Gao Wen was drowned in everyone's tears — he could tolerate people wiping their tears on his clothes, but he even saw a few little brats wiping their snot on it.

「Hey now, that's a bit rude, isn't it! 」

Gao Wen's mouth twitched, and looking at the crowd surrounding him, he didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

The secret was out, but it seemed there was no problem — in any case, it looked like things would still play out as expected, just with a slightly off vibe.

Just at that moment.

A massive wave came crashing from afar, nearly capsizing the small sailing ship into the sea, and the crowd around Gao Wen was instantly scattered.

Two unlucky ones were even swept straight into the ocean, and it took a great deal of effort to climb back up.

But after this little commotion, everyone returned to their posts and focused on sailing.

Only Xiang Keluo remained standing beside Gao Wen, and said in a low voice:

「I won't give up on surpassing you, but likewise, I'll make you sit on the throne of the Pirate King! 」

「This is my promise! 」

Saying so, Xiang Keluo extended his fist. Seeing this, Gao Wen shook his head helplessly and also extended his fist, bumping it against his.

The sailing ship rode the wind and waves.

With Nami planning the route in real time and Gao Wen smashing every obstacle along the way, the pirate ship sailed far faster than imagined.

Just four short days later.

They had already reached Reverse Mountain, before the Red Line.

After inquiring with the residents on the islands along the way and confirming that no one had seen that band of pirates pass through, Gao Wen led the group to wait in the nearby waters.

Awaiting the arrival of their target.

……

Elsewhere.

When Labut and Ratchet brought the pirate ship past Rogue Town, they briefly resupplied with some food and fresh water, then quickly raised the sails and set off.

Ratchet gazed at the town shrinking behind them, a flicker of unwillingness in his eyes:

"That bastard of a Logia user actually isn't here?"

"Dammit!"

"I was even planning to get payback for last time."

"Even if he has a Seastone weapon, as long as I'm prepared, he's no match for me."

Labut shook his head and said:

"That guy is a Marine after all. If we really killed him, we'd have a hard time answering to Lord Hanafza."

"Besides……"

Labut glanced at the wound on Ratchet's body that had only just healed, and finally could not hold back, saying:

"I observed it last time — that guy's strength isn't that simple. If it really came to a fight, one-on-one we might not be his match."

"I'd lose to him?"

Ratchet suddenly raised his voice, yet instinctively turned his head away, looking somewhat lacking in conviction.

While the two were arguing, a pirate came wagging his tail out of the cabin, a lecherous glint in his eyes:

"Captain, about that woman we snatched from the port — the brothers want to……"

"Hehehe……"

As he spoke, several pirates crowded around at the same time.

Clearly they had been drooling over Gasha for a long time; they simply hadn't had the nerve before, but now they truly couldn't hold back any longer.

"Don't even think about it!"

Labut swept a glance over them, his gaze icy and devoid of any emotion:

"That woman is strikingly beautiful, still pure, and a Devil Fruit user to boot."

"Put her on the slave market, and she'll easily fetch ten or even a hundred times the price of an ordinary catch."

"With that money, if you want to find women, you can go anywhere."

The men were reluctant and said:

"But the brothers all……"

"Go find yourselves a fish of about the right size and take care of it. If I find anyone has touched her, I'll feed him to the fish!"

Labut's tone carried an air that brooked no argument.

The pirates were resentful, but even more afraid of the man before them, so they could only slink away.

The brig on this ship was located at the bottom of the cabin; every spot that could let in light had been sealed shut — oppressive and dark.

Bang!

The hull lurched, and unknown objects inside the cabin knocked together, emitting a harsh racket.

Gasha, curled up in the corner of the brig, suddenly hugged her legs tighter. She opened her eyes wide, trying to make out what was moving, but all she could see was pitch darkness.

(End of chapter)