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From the moment they were born, the six of them had relied on each other for survival. Even when they were adopted, they insisted on staying together, never allowing themselves to be separated. Naturally, their bond grew exceptionally strong.
However, throughout their upbringing, even their adoptive parents, who took them in, only saw them as tools for labor, exploiting them to help run their small shop and generate profits.
As they grew older and learned of Roger's legendary tale, their hearts were filled with longing and anticipation. Finally, at the age of seventeen, after their adoptive parents passed away from a serious illness, they set out to sea.
At that time, the Crocodile Pirate Crew was at the height of its fame. Gritting their teeth, they joined.
The Crocodile Pirate Crew, though the captain was strict, was fiercely protective of its members. Deep down, they had long admired this powerful captain. But one day, everything changed.
That strong and proud captain was defeated. Under threat, he joined another group. The once-promising pirate crew quickly fell apart, leaving the six of them in a state of confusion.
Eventually, they chose to stay behind and wait. That stern ship, though cold on the surface, had once shown them a burning passion that left a deep impression.
A man who burns with such inner fire and clings to his dreams, no matter how much of a bastard he may be, can't possibly be all bad.
That decision would prove to be the turning point of their lives.
They met a new captain, a new "boss," and even encountered a completely new Crocodile.
This was a crew filled with magic, unlike any pirate crew they had ever known. After spending some time together, each day became a joy.
A man named Jason laughed and joked with them daily, occasionally flexing his well-toned muscles, making them shriek in amazement. Trens often used his gun to catch fish, chatting and laughing with them. Even the cold and stoic old captain Crocodile would sometimes crack a sinister, eerie smile that made their skin crawl.
This crew, this group, truly gave them a sense of home.
And today, the six of them finally gave their wholehearted loyalty.
"You six bastards!" Jason stared blankly at them, seemingly in disbelief.
"From now on, you six better train hard. Once your fundamentals are solid, we'll teach you more advanced physical techniques." At this moment, Crocodile walked over in a black cloak, lighting a cigar, his voice deep and gravelly.
"Crocodile Nii San!" The six cried out with excitement.
"Work hard. Jason and I already recognize you as one of us." Crocodile nodded.
"Heh heh, don't forget me!" Trens, carrying his rifle, suddenly appeared at the door with a grin on his face.
The six, even more excited now, shouted loudly: "Trens Nii San!"
"You six are even older than me, and yet you keep calling me Nii San. I've got no choice but to accept it, huh?" Trens shrugged, acting helpless.
"Good! Now all that's left is the captain!" Jason laughed heartily.
"Three of us cadres have already approved of them. I think we can ignore whatever he has to say." Crocodile joked.
This line made the six even more thrilled.
"Hahaha, true enough," Jason laughed too.
"You guys really think I don't exist, huh?" Just then, Rojen walked in, wearing an expression of exasperation.
He quickly turned serious, fixing his eyes on the six.
"This mission we're going on, you may not know the details yet, but…" He took a deep breath, his expression becoming grave.
"…the danger level is completely off the charts. I'll tell you now, we're going to be fighting the Celestial Dragons!"
That one sentence made the Dragon-Elephant Group of Six gasp in shock.
"This...!"
They looked at one another, but their eyes quickly filled with resolve.
"Captain, we've already made our decision. Even if we have to fight the whole world, we're not afraid!"
"Yeah! Who cares about some Celestial Dragons? If you're not afraid, then neither are we!"
"Exactly! Captain, take us with you, we want in!"
"We've got no shortage of passion, Captain. Bring us along!"
In an instant, the six erupted with loud, fiery declarations.
Seeing their burning passion and determination, Rojen was momentarily stunned. Then, a smile crept onto his face, and he gently nodded.
"Good. From today onward, you are my companions."
"And mine too, Jason's!"
"Add me as well, Crocodile."
"And me, Trens!"
All the cadres spoke up, each one wearing a smile.
The Dragon-Elephant Six couldn't hold back their emotions upon hearing those words, they cried tears of joy and hugged each other wildly and messily.
"Jason, get the drinks! Trens, get things ready! We're welcoming our pirate crew's new members!" Rojen shouted loudly again.
"You got it!"
In an instant, the entire ship, The Logan, was buzzing with excitement, and the six new crewmates were bawling like children.
Outside, at the helm, Sanbes watched the scene unfold with confusion.
"What the heck is wrong with those people? They went in and came out crying like that?"
Rojen and the rest paid no mind to Sanbes' thoughts. On the deck, tables were quickly set up and lined with alcohol.
"Since we've got a full house today, let's have hotpot!" Rojen thought for a moment, then smiled.
"Hotpot?" Everyone looked puzzled, about to ask questions, but Rojen had already disappeared into the kitchen.
"Dragon-Elephant One, Two, Three, come help me out." At his call, four of them began moving back and forth between the kitchen and the tables.
In no time at all, the tables were filled with dishes, each containing a wide variety of ingredients. Finally, a soup pot and a small stove were placed at the center. Rojen sat down in front of the table.
"Alright, time to eat!"
Crocodile used his sand powers to lift a wine jug and filled everyone's cups one by one. Everyone started imitating Rojen, placing ingredients into the boiling soup base at the center.
The moment they tasted the food, their eyes lit up.
"This is amazing!" Jason, the glutton, shouted out loud.
"Hey, Sanbes, come eat with us!" Rojen called to Sanbes, who had been peeking over curiously from behind.
"Captain, but… isn't he our enemy?" Dragon-Elephant Six asked in confusion.
Smack!
Dragon-Elephant One smacked him on the head.
"Captain's talking, who are you to question it?"
Rojen simply smiled and shook his head. "Enemies and friends… the line isn't always that clear. Who says an enemy can't become a friend?"
"When it's time to fight, we give it our all, showing no hesitation and giving no mercy. But when fate brings us together, why not become friends, drink together, sing together, and laugh like brothers?"
"A real man sailing these seas, his heart should be as vast as the sea itself!"
His words made everyone's eyes shine with admiration.
"Yeah! A man should have a heart as broad as the sea!" Dragon-Elephant One shouted passionately.
Sanbes, with a complicated expression, quietly sat down at the table.
Rojen's words had deeply shaken his heart.
Enemy is enemy. Friend is friend.
But this man had somehow unified these two opposing concepts, blending them into one.
With a heart like that... what heights would this man reach? What future awaited him?
(End Of This Chapter)