The True Path of Pirates

What does death mean?

For pirates galloping on the sea, death is a "friend" who is always by their side.Whether you like it or not, it will always be around you and give you a "surprise" unexpectedly.

But even among them who are accustomed to death, how many of them are truly not afraid of death?Can we welcome its coming without fear?

Perhaps, the obsessions or miraculous dreams in the heart are weapons that can fight against fear.

It's just that when the wish is not fulfilled but the shadow of death is always lingering, that kind of fear will eventually destroy a person's heart, and he will risk his life to grasp "hope"...

……

The sea is not always rough, and even the "New World" waters in the second half of the Grand Line occasionally have good weather.

On the small island blown by the breeze, a tall figure was bathing in the moonlight, quietly looking at the sky.

"Crack-crack!"

And when the sound of stamping on the air gradually became clearer and the man's figure emerged in the moonlight, the tall woman relaxed her tight body, revealing the weakness that should have been there...

Smoothie looked at Archie who came to her with a slight smile on his face, as if nothing had happened, and his vision suddenly blurred.

"Really...do you want to do this?"

"Ha, it's a bit late to talk about this now. My wanted notice will be published in three hours at the latest."

Archie stretched out and looked in one direction with his squinted eyes, then quickly turned back and looked at Smoothie seriously.

However, Archie's words not only failed to dispel Smoothie's worries, but made her even more anxious.

She squatted down, held Archie tightly with her big hands that matched her height, and poured out all her thoughts during this period.

"I've thought about it carefully! It's impossible for my mother to keep her promise and give her life back to me! She may even use my life to restrict you all the time - and Brynn is already 7 years old and can use the 'Memory Fruit' ability more skillfully. By the time--"

"Don't panic, don't panic, just be fine."

"No! You'd better go back quickly! It's still too late!"

Smoothie became more and more panicked as he spoke, and held Archie's hand tighter and tighter, but his eyes became firm, only covered by tears...

Archie looked at Smoothie, who was crying in front of him, and while wiping her tears, he burst into laughter.

Archie's bizarre smile really attracted Smoothie's attention, and it immediately took her emotions away, causing her to subconsciously pout.

"You! Why are you laughing?"

"Huh? It's nothing, nothing. I just didn't expect that my Smoothie would also use his brain to think. I'm very happy."

"You! It's already now, do you still have the intention to tease me?"

"That's not what I meant... I just suddenly discovered that after so many years in the Navy..."

Archie stretched out his hands and pinched Smoothie's face, but the smile on his own face became even brighter.

"But I never have to use my brain."

……

……

When the sun rises, countless news birds rush to all parts of the world with brand-new news, spreading another shocking news to every corner of the world.

The news that the new admiral "White Dragon" - Benjamin Ryden versus the strongest man "Whitebeard" - Edward Newgate, detonated the whole world almost instantly.People speculated about the course and outcome of the battle, and their imaginations became the hottest topic in every tavern.

"Whitebeard is invincible! It's still early for White Dragon to become the 'strongest'!"

"That's not necessarily the case! Whitebeard is already old, not to mention the battle venue is Thunder Island!"

"It is said that both of them have been injured! The powerful people who are aiming at the title of 'The Strongest' are all watching!"

……

The appearance of the navy's "Pluto" battleship added another layer of excitement to this "carnival". Those forces in the first half of the Great Route that were ready to take advantage of the opportunity to break the navy's dominance have now completely stabilized.Even the World Government has temporarily suspended its "secret" oppression of the navy and has temporarily stabilized.

On the contrary, against the background of these two "big news", the news that the former Vice Admiral of the Navy Headquarters defected to the pirates seems a bit "thin".It's just that those shrewd forces from all sides will not miss this, and a new undercurrent will follow...

……

Naval Headquarters, Marin Vando.

An extremely ordinary warship slowly entered the harbor without causing any alarm.No one would have guessed that sitting on this warship were actually the most important figures in the navy!

The seriously injured Ryden completed treatment under confidential arrangements, but he had little time to rest.As the initiator of this change, he still has a lot to do.

Not only him, but in the marshal's office at this time, the older generation "iron triangle" of Sengoku, Garp, and He were also sitting around the table, analyzing the results of the war and processing new reports.

Even Mr. Garp, who is the "leader of the atmosphere team", is now looking at all kinds of information carefully, showing an extremely rare but extremely natural seriousness.

"Bru—Bru—"

Everyone was so used to the sound of the phone bug that it had become almost background music over the past few hours.

However, this time the sound did not come from the office's dedicated phone, but from Ruiden's arms. This also attracted the attention of the three people, causing them to look over subconsciously.

After seeing the "face" of the phone worm clearly, Ruiden knew the identity of the other party, and immediately turned on the public broadcast and connected the phone worm.

"Riden, it's me."

"Dadi..."

"As you can imagine, that guy Vicky went crazy after seeing the newspaper. Five minutes ago, he had left the warship alone - the only place he wanted to go was the Ten Thousand Nations, and he wanted me to go Stop him?"

"No, just let him make trouble. Just follow him and bring him back when he makes enough trouble."

"okay, I get it."

The phone stopped ringing, and the phone bug fell silent again.Ruiden's upright body suddenly collapsed on the backrest, and his face that had always been calm showed a look of pain that seemed to be caused by an injury.

"Boom boom boom!"

Before Seng Guo and the others could say anything, a rapid knock on the door immediately interrupted their thoughts.

"Report! Lieutenant General Flying Squirrel has something to report! Wait outside the door now! Please give instructions from the marshal!"

Although the door was not opened and everyone could not see the messenger's expression, obvious anxiety could still be heard in his voice.

Warring States glanced at Ruiden, and after seeing him nod, he sighed softly, readjusted his demeanor, and then gave the instruction.

"Let him in."

"Yes!"

The messenger resigned with great relief.

Not long after, the door to the Marshal's office was opened. Lieutenant General Flying Squirrel, whose expression showed no change, walked directly in front of the four people and saluted Warring States sitting in the center.

"See the Marshal, Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Garp, and—General White Dragon!"

When he called Redon, Flying Squirrel's tone was obviously much heavier, and it was no longer possible to maintain the composure on his face, staring directly into Redon's eyes as if he was about to spit out flames.

Warring States had long understood Flying Squirrel's thoughts, but he could only ask: "Lieutenant General Flying Squirrel, what's the matter?"

"Yes! After reading this morning's newspaper, my subordinate expressed doubts about the military situation and found it difficult to agree with it! I can only come to ask the commander about the defection of Lieutenant General Archie!"

"..."

When these words really came out of the flying squirrel's mouth, the three people in the Warring States Period frowned.On the one hand, they don't fully understand the hidden meaning; on the other hand, they really don't want to deal with such troublesome matters.

Flying Squirrel had no intention of "troubling" Seng Guo and the others, and his eyes were always focused on Ruiden.And when the other party looked sideways at him with "behind the scenes", the flying squirrel did not hide his anger.

Ruiden seemed not to notice, and just asked calmly: "Vice Admiral Flying Squirrel, are you asking this question as a Vice Admiral, or as a brother?"

"Both!"

"Ah……"

After hearing the flying squirrel's reply, Redon's expression became intriguing, and the flying squirrel's anger also rose!

"Any questions, General?"

"of course."

"Please advise!"

"If it is a Vice Admiral asking about the military situation, then I can only reply to you. This is a military secret and you have no right to know!"

"..."

Ruiden's words were direct enough, but they did not make the Flying Squirrel retreat. They only allowed him to further understand his position and fully understand his identity.

And during the not-so-long wait, Redon's voice reached his ears again.

"But if the elder brother asks about the younger brother's criminal behavior and wants to find out the origin of the crime, then I will reply to you, and you have no right to know!"

"!!!"

This time, let alone Flying Squirrel, even Warring States and the others found it difficult to accept Ruiden's words, let alone Flying Squirrel himself!

"Hey……"

And just when the atmosphere was at its most tense and the situation was at its worst, Ruiden, who had caused all this, let out a long sigh. He didn't look as domineering as before at all, and his whole person seemed to be much more haggard all of a sudden.

When he looked at the flying squirrel again, a helpless smile appeared on his face that was pale due to injury.

"Lieutenant General Flying Squirrel, the first point I just said is my own meaning; but the second point is just a truthful statement..."