"Join your ranks?"
Faced with Gurd's invitation, Gabul froze for a long moment, thinking he had misheard. It wasn't until Gurd nodded that he realized the man was serious.
Gabul remained silent, but Sabo, standing beside him, flared up in anger. "What kind of joke is this, Pirate? Are you mocking us?!"
For the Revolutionary Army to join a Pirate's ranks—what else could it be but humiliation? Their ideals were beyond the comprehension of Pirates!
"Chief of Staff of the Revolutionary Army, Sabo."
Gurd glanced at Sabo.
Though he held the title of Chief of Staff, he was as young and impulsive as Ace. Gurd couldn't fathom what Dragon saw in him.
"You don't get a say here."
"You—!"
Sabo's face flushed red. Fortunately, Koala, standing beside him, grabbed his arm, though the girl's expression was equally furious.
This was too much!
How could he look down on Sabo like this?!
Gurd didn't even spare Sabo and Koala a second glance. For targets he couldn't recruit, he never bothered with their emotions.
Gabul's expression darkened as he prepared to refuse.
"Mr. Gurd, I can't—"
"Don't answer yet."
Gurd cut him off.
"Let's talk business first. Your Revolutionary Army has been causing trouble in our Beasts Pirates' territory. How do you plan to resolve this?"
"..."
Gabul's heart sank.
Revolution and provoking the Beasts were two entirely different matters. If this was framed as the latter, it could spark a war between the Beasts and the Revolutionary Army.
Right now, the Revolutionary Army was constantly hunted by the World Government, their situation already dire. If one of the Four Emperors set their sights on them, the consequences would be unimaginable.
In truth, if Zebra Island hadn't been his hometown, he wouldn't have ventured into the New World at all. He knew full well the risks involved.
Gloom filled Gabul's eyes as he took responsibility upon himself. "Mr. Gurd, this revolution was my personal action. It has nothing to do with the Revolutionary Army!"
"Personal action?"
Gurd scoffed, his gaze shifting briefly to Sabo and Koala before he waved a dismissive hand.
"Fine. Then I'll settle this debt with you alone."
"Thank you."
Gabul exhaled in relief.
Sabo, seeing this, burned with anger and stepped forward to intervene, but Koala pulled him back again. As comrades, they wouldn't stand idly by—but they also had to respect Gabul's choice.
From the day they joined the Revolutionary Army, they had been prepared for this. They couldn't act impulsively out of personal feelings.
This was how they had always carried themselves.
Unconsciously, Gabul's presence had been completely suppressed. Sweat beaded on his forehead as he faced the man who seemed to have everything under control.
How to resolve this?
In past revolutions, things only ended when one side emerged victorious. This was the first time he'd encountered a situation like this.
Fight?
He didn't think he stood a chance.
Before meeting Gurd, he had still clung to faith in revolutionary triumph. But now, facing him directly, he realized just how naive he had been.
The man before him was nothing like past enemies. Gurd didn't even regard them as opponents.
He couldn't put the feeling into words, but his very soul trembled with fear—a terror that made him want to abandon everything and flee.
It was the aura of an absolute ruler!
"Can't think of anything?"
Gurd spoke calmly.
"Then let me propose a solution."
"All laborers are to return to the Weapon Factory immediately!"
"Those who resist—will be executed!"
"That's unacceptable!"
Gabul suddenly stood up, glaring at Gurd with fury.
If they followed the other party's plan, how was it any different from the previous tyranny? The laborers would still be living under the shadow of violent rule.
Gurd said coldly, "Mr. Gabul, I'm not here to negotiate with you. I'm giving you one last chance."
"A chance to live!"
"You think your ragtag forces can actually stand against our Beasts Pirates?"
"The laborers lack knowledge and don't understand the strength and brutality of the Beasts Pirates. But as a Revolutionary Army officer, you can't possibly be ignorant!"
"You're the one sending them to their deaths."
Gabul's face turned deathly pale.
Of course, he knew. Even if the revolution achieved temporary victory, ultimate failure was inevitable. The gap between the two sides was like that of an elephant and an ant.
If the Beasts took this seriously, they could crush the Labor Uprising in an instant.
But—
Gurd sneered.
"I can guess what you're thinking—the same old tricks the Revolutionary Army plays around the world. Too bad you picked the wrong target."
"Let me make this clear: the Beasts will slaughter every last laborer, then destroy this island, extinguishing the flames of revolution you've left behind."
"Any other islands that refuse to obey will meet the same fate."
Clang!
Gabul collapsed onto the floor, his voice hoarse. "If you kill all the laborers, who will make your weapons?!"
"People are everywhere. If we need more, we'll just raid other islands."
Gurd's tone was calm.
The Celestial Dragons wiped out one country every three years, annihilating hundreds over eight centuries, yet the world's population never collapsed. That's because humans breed like rabbits.
And the poorer they are, the more they reproduce!
He didn't enjoy massacring civilians, but the Beasts showed no mercy—especially his younger brother Jack, whose presence was like The Drought descending.
Destroying one island as an example was the simplest solution.
Gabul was horrified.
This was the nature of Pirates!
Life meant nothing to them. In the face of such cruelty, his ideals seemed laughable. There was no room for negotiation.
Gulping for air, Gabul suppressed his fear. "Is... is there really no other solution?"
"There is."
Unexpectedly.
Gurd smirked with amusement.
"I told you earlier—I admire you."
"..."
Gabul was stunned.
Gurd narrowed his eyes. "I'm different from ordinary Pirates. I value efficiency. Ruling through violence and fear doesn't suit my aesthetics."
"I can offer the laborers some concessions—even a meager wage so they can support their families. Just like how I distribute food to the villagers."
"But all of this comes with one condition: the laborers must work diligently to create more wealth for me."
"And one more thing, Captain Gabul."
"You must join my ranks."
Gabul couldn't comprehend it.
He understood the words, but not why Gurd wanted to recruit him. He was just an ordinary man.
"What do you want me to do?"
"I want you to play the hero—Captain Gabul, the Hero!"
"What?!"
Gurd grinned.
Pirates were inherently brutal, especially those of the Beasts. They easily incited public outrage, leading to unnecessary trouble.
Thus, he needed a "hero" who could ease tensions and give the laborers "hope"—someone to act as a mediator.
With "hope," they'd work harder.
Even if it was all a lie.
To put it simply, he needed Gabul to play the role of a hero and collaborate with him to better exploit the laborers.
"Captain Gabul, the lives of tens of thousands of people on this island now rest entirely on your decision."
"You can now answer me—will you join my ranks?"
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