But time was running out.
It had been about five months since the Bear King had destroyed the island, and Bill guessed that the island only had a couple of years left before its entire foundation was underwater.
Finishing the last piece of iron, Bill headed for camp. Masterson and the trio had been sent out to get another month's worth of provisions, so only Yoko, Carol, the old teacher, and Nelson remained.
It was about midday, and the girls were studying. Over the past few months, Yoko had developed a regimen much like Bill's had when he was her age. It was impressive, but Bill had always warned her that strength wasn't everything, and that she needed to live and enjoy life.
He didn't feel like a hypocrite in giving this advice, because even if Bill had followed a stricter routine in his younger years, he had already lived a full life once.
But the girl was determined. She even wanted to use a hammer because, she said, "it would be fun."
Bill tried to ease the girl's hatred of pirates, and to some extent he succeeded. However, the changes came from within, and there was little he could do except be there.
Carol was more interested in learning from the old engineer and from time to time from Bill. Yoko persuaded her to train together, but it was not Carol's main interest.
And then there was Nelson.
To his credit, even three months later Nelson was still threatening and cursing, promising Bill he would get what he deserved.
Now that Nelson had lost over a hundred pounds, he still couldn't walk on his own, but at least he could now more easily control the sponge when Bill threw him into the water.
Walking up to the man, who was lying relaxed on the wheelbarrow, Bill said cheerfully:
- Good afternoon, Nelson. Ready for a walk?
Nelson looked at the horizon and didn't react at first, but when Bill came closer, he said:
- Look, I'm going to offer you a deal. The best deal you'll ever get.
Bill paused, raised an eyebrow, and Nelson continued:
- I will forgive you for everything you have done to humiliate me, how you have mocked me, how you have beaten and starved me. If only you give me back my ship, hire a crew and let me go.
Then, slowly turning his head from the horizon to Bill's face, Nelson added with venom in his voice:
- If you don't do this, I will destroy you.
Hearing this, Bill just sighed and shook his head before saying,
- Nelson, there is an old saying: "Hate poisons the one who wears it."
Bill came closer and took Nelson from behind—which was easier now, thanks to the loss of weight, since it reduced the risk of his own weight breaking Nelson's bones—and, lifting him with effort, continued:
- You think I'm humiliating you, but in fact I'm saving your life.
As he spoke, Nelson began to move his legs, as much as he had been trained to do over the months.
- Why do you think I'm doing this?
- Haa HaaNelson: - Because you're a sick, abnormal person! You haa think, haa this is funny!
Hearing this, Bill gently put Nelson down and, standing in front of him, looked him in the eyes.
- No. I don't think it's funny. I think it's sad. And I believe you're better than that.
Then, placing his hand on his shoulder, he continued:
"But you'll never get better until you believe you're worth more than..." Bill pointed at Nelson's huge belly, "this."
Then Bill picked it up again, and after a long silence he heard Nelson say quietly:
- What can an eighteen year old boy who has everything know?
It had been a long time since anyone had mentioned Bill's physical age. Be it Captain Maynard, Hina, Smoker, or Vegapunk, they all treated him like an adult.
Of course, he acted like an adult and gave no reason to treat him like a teenager, but after hearing Nelson's words, Bill himself found it funny that he was giving advice to a former commodore in his twenties.
But now that the question was raised, Bill could only answer honestly:
- What do I know? Well, I know that addictions cannot be overcome for someone else. The person who is addicted must overcome himself, otherwise there will be no change.
I also know that the root of most addictions is low self-esteem. People don't change because deep down they don't believe they deserve better. They can't be responsible because how can they take care of anything else if they can't take care of themselves?
Bill didn't know if Nelson's words had hurt him, but he started shouting before he could finish:
— A commoner tells me that I have low self-esteem?!
- Skuehahaha!
"Let me tell you something: I am fifth in line to the throne of the Frous Kingdom!! My worth is a thousand times higher than yours! So what if you have mastered Life Return? That you have mastered part of the Six Forces? That you can use Haki? You have all of these, but I am still superior to you in birth!"
After he spoke, Nelson began to sweat and, breathing heavily, almost whispered: "...That's the way the world works."
When he was done, Bill didn't throw him to the ground or treat him roughly. After all, despite everything Nelson said, Bill was the one with the power in this situation.