Check out advanced chapters on P@treon: [email protected]/CosmicKaminari
----------
"Join your crew?"
Facing Daichi's invitation, Gabul was stunned for a long while, thinking he had misheard. Only when Daichi nodded did he realize the other party was serious.
Gabul didn't speak, but Sabo, standing beside him, became enraged. "What kind of joke is this, pirate? Are you humiliating us?!"
The Revolutionary Army joining a pirate crew—what else could it be but humiliation? Their ideals were not something pirates could understand.
"Sabo, Chief of Staff of the Revolutionary Army."
Daichi glared at Sabo.
Although he was the Chief of Staff, he was as young and impulsive as Ace. Daichi wondered what Dragon saw in him.
"You have no say here."
"You!"
Sabo's face flushed red. Fortunately, Koala pulled him back, but the young woman's face was also full of anger—it was too much!
How could they belittle Sabo like this!
Daichi didn't even look at Sabo and Koala. For targets he couldn't win over, he never cared about their emotions.
Gabul's face was grim, preparing to refuse.
"Daichi, I am not—"
"Don't be in a hurry to answer."
Daichi interrupted Gabul.
"Let's talk about serious matters first. You Revolutionary Army are causing trouble on our Beast Pirates' territory. How do you plan to resolve this?"
Gabul's heart sank.
Revolution and provoking the Beast Pirates were two completely different concepts. If it were defined as the latter, it could very likely trigger a war between the Beast Pirates and the Revolutionary Army.
Currently, the Revolutionary Army was constantly being hunted by the World Government, and their situation was quite difficult. If they were targeted by a Yonko as well, the consequences would be unimaginable.
In fact, if Zebra Island wasn't his hometown, he wouldn't have specifically come to the New World. He was well aware of the risks involved.
Gabul's eyes filled with determination. He took responsibility upon himself. "Daichi, this revolution is my personal action and has nothing to do with the Revolutionary Army!"
"Personal action?"
Daichi chuckled, looking at Sabo and Koala beside him. After a moment of thought, he waved his hand indifferently.
"Alright, then I'll put this debt on your personal head."
"Thank you."
Gabul breathed a sigh of relief.
Seeing this, Sabo's temper flared. He wanted to step forward to assist, but Koala pulled him back again. As companions, they wouldn't stand idly by, but they also had to respect Gabul's choice.
The day they joined the Revolutionary Army, they had already made up their minds. They must never act impulsively due to personal feelings. They had always lived this way.
Unbeknownst to him, Gabul's aura had been completely suppressed. Beads of sweat continuously formed as he looked at the man before him, who seemed to have everything under control.
How to resolve it...
Previous revolutions only ended when one side was victorious. This was the first time he had encountered a situation like this.
Start a war?
He didn't think he had a chance of winning.
Before meeting Daichi, he still had confidence in the revolution's victory. But facing Daichi now, he realized how naive he was.
The man before him was completely different from previous enemies. He didn't even consider them opponents.
He couldn't describe the feeling at this moment, but even his soul felt fear—a fear that made him want to abandon everything and flee.
An aura like that of an absolute ruler!
"Can't think of anything?"
Daichi spoke lightly.
"Then listen to my solution."
"All laborers should immediately return to the weapons factory to work!"
"Those who defy will be put to death!"
"How can this be!"
Gabul stood up abruptly, glaring at Daichi.
If they followed his plan, what was the difference from the previous tyranny? The laborers would still live under the shadow of violent rule.
Daichi said coldly, "Mr. Gabul, I am not discussing this with you, but giving you one last chance."
"A chance to live!"
"Do you think with your pathetic, small-fry level of military strength, you can really resist our Beast Pirates?"
"The laborers lack insight and don't know the power and brutality of our Beast Pirates, but as a Revolutionary Army cadre, you cannot be unaware!"
"You are the one sending them to their deaths."
Gabul's face turned pale.
He certainly knew that even if the revolution temporarily achieved victory, it would ultimately fail. The gap between the two sides was comparable to an elephant and an ant.
As long as the Beast Pirates took it seriously, they could crush the labor uprising in an instant.
But...
Daichi sneered coldly.
"I can guess what you're thinking—it's nothing more than the same old trick the Revolutionary Army plays all over the world. Unfortunately, you've picked the wrong target."
"I can tell you very clearly that we Beast Pirates will kill all the laborers, then destroy this island, and completely extinguish the revolutionary fire you left behind."
"Other islands that are disobedient will meet the same fate."
Thud!
Gabul slumped to the ground, his voice hoarse. "If you kill all the laborers, who will make weapons for you?!"
"People are everywhere. If needed, we can just plunder from other islands."
Daichi's voice was calm.
The Celestial Dragons destroyed one country every three years, wiping out hundreds of countries within eight hundred years. Yet the world's population didn't collapse because human reproductive capabilities were strong.
And the poorer they were, the more children they had!
He didn't like massacring common people, but the Beast Pirates wouldn't be merciful. Especially Jack, who Daichi considered his younger brother—his passage was like a drought descending.
Destroying an island to make an example was the easiest way.
Gabul was aghast.
This was a pirate!
Regarding human lives as worthless. In the face of their cruelty, his ideals were so ridiculous. There was no room for negotiation at all.
Gabul gasped for air, suppressing the fear in his heart. "Is there... no other solution?"
"There is."
Unexpectedly.
Daichi's smile was playful.
"I said earlier that I admire you."
Gabul was startled.
Daichi narrowed his eyes. "I am somewhat different from ordinary pirates. I value efficiency more. Ruling by violence and fear doesn't conform to my aesthetics."
"I can give the laborers some preferential treatment, and even meager wages, allowing them to support their families. Just like I distribute food to the villagers."
"But all of this is predicated on the laborers working diligently and creating more wealth for me."
"Also, Captain Gabul."
"You must also join my crew."
Gabul couldn't understand.
He could understand the other party's meaning, but he couldn't understand why he wanted to recruit him. He was just an ordinary person.
"What... do you want me to do?"
"I want you to play the hero. Captain Gabul, the hero!"
"Ah?!"
Daichi grinned.
Pirates were, after all, barbaric and crude, especially the Beast Pirates, who could easily incite public anger and cause unnecessary trouble.
Therefore, he needed a hero who could ease tensions and give the laborers "hope," serving as an intermediary.
With "hope," there would be motivation.
Even if it was false "hope."
Simply put, he needed Gabul, as a hero, to cooperate with him to better exploit the laborers.
"Captain Gabul, the lives of tens of thousands of people on this island are now entirely in your hands."
"Now you can answer me—will you join my crew or not!"