"I am very sorry. My intention in joining everyone's crew was not entirely pure. This decision carries my own selfish motives."
Jinbe spoke with complete honesty.
He was an honorable man, and that very nature prevented him from hiding his thoughts. Jinbe was not someone who would stab others in the back or conceal his intentions. Whatever was on his mind, he would say it openly and directly without avoiding anyone.
To many people, this behavior might appear foolish or overly chivalrous.
Yet it was precisely this straightforward character that had earned him the respect of the Marines, the admiration of Whitebeard, and even the acknowledgment of BIG MOM.
Such integrity was a rare temperament that few others could match.
True boldness was not merely about strength. It was a presence that influenced others and naturally inspired trust.
The Straw Hat Pirates felt the sincerity in Jinbe's apology and the guilt behind his words. Instead of doubting him, they found themselves appreciating the former Shichibukai even more.
A man who admitted his faults so openly was not someone they could dislike.
Jinbe lifted his wine bowl and raised it toward the group.
"I did not expect Brother Shirogai to be absent."
After taking a calm sip, he gently placed the bowl down before looking at Luffy.
"For now, allow me to temporarily join this pirate crew. If Shirogai does not approve after his return, I will withdraw from the crew immediately."
Just as the words left his mouth, a calm voice sounded from behind him.
"It is simply making use of circumstances, nothing serious."
The voice carried an easygoing tone.
"In a chaotic world like this, it is very common to borrow the reputation of a powerful person to protect those you care about."
The voice paused slightly.
"Jinbe, I have no objection to you joining this crew."
"Welcome."
"Huh!!!"
The entire hall inside Ryugu Palace fell into stunned silence.
Everyone turned in shock.
That warm voice, calm and friendly, yet carrying a quiet authority, was unmistakable.
It belonged to the God King.
Shirogai.
The man who had suddenly vanished from Fish-Man Island.
Jinbe immediately stiffened. His expression grew solemn, and a faint tension appeared in his eyes.
"God King Shirogai!"
He had encountered Shirogai during the Marineford War, and the memory remained vivid.
Shirogai's voice was gentle, yet every word carried an unyielding firmness that left no room for refusal. His tone held the confidence of a powerful man who stood above the tides of the world.
It possessed the presence of a true conqueror.
Swish!
A flash of black light appeared inside the hall.
In the next moment, several figures suddenly materialized within Ryugu Palace.
Shirogai stood calmly at the front.
Behind him were Zoro, Usopp, Chopper, Franky, and several others.
"Awooo!!! Everyone! Long time no see! I missed you all so much!"
Franky's voice exploded through the hall.
His body had become even larger and more imposing than before, his mechanical frame gleaming under the palace lights. He struck a strange pose while grinning widely.
His excitement was impossible to hide.
"Wuwuwu!!! Luffy!! Nami!! Sanji!! I missed you all so much!"
Chopper's small face was already flushed red.
His eyes quickly filled with tears as he looked at his long separated companions. He barely even noticed that he had suddenly appeared deep beneath the sea inside the transparent halls of Ryugu Palace.
With tiny hooves tapping against the floor, he ran forward with teary eyes.
"Hehe…"
Zoro quietly watched the scene.
For a moment, the usually cold swordsman looked as though ice had melted from his expression. A rare smile appeared on his face.
"Luffy. Nami. Sanji."
Usopp was in even worse condition.
Tears streamed down his face while his nose ran freely. He sobbed loudly without caring about appearances as he rushed forward.
"Luffy! Nami! Sanji!!!"
Nami stood frozen.
She stared at the familiar figures before her as though afraid they might vanish if she blinked.
They had all been separated.
Now, suddenly seeing them again caused something deep within her chest to tremble.
Her eyes slowly reddened.
"I missed you all so much…"
Sanji slowly stood up.
A cigarette hung from the corner of his mouth as he looked at the returning group. His expression appeared relaxed, though the faint tremble of his shoulders betrayed his emotions.
"Hmph."
He scoffed softly.
"You idiots are all still alive, huh. Looks like none of you did too badly."
Among the Straw Hats, Sanji was the most sensitive when it came to emotions.
During his time on Okama Island, the hardships he endured were not what hurt him most. What truly tormented him was the constant longing for his companions.
He had grown up in a cold home where family affection barely existed. The bond between blood relatives meant nothing there.
Yet after joining the Straw Hat Pirates, he discovered a type of family he had never known.
His respect for Shirogai resembled the admiration a younger brother held toward a dependable elder.
His constant tolerance toward Luffy, Usopp, and Chopper felt like the patience reserved for troublesome younger siblings.
His endless rivalry with Zoro resembled the relationship of two competitive brothers who refused to admit their concern for one another.
Nami and Robin felt like sisters he instinctively wished to protect.
Franky's eccentric personality amused him, while Brook earned his respect as an elder.
Sometimes, during sleepless nights, memories of these bonds would quietly surface in his mind.
The most interesting moments, however, were always the silent exchanges of glances between him and Zoro.
At that moment, the two men locked eyes.
For a brief second, neither spoke.
Yet both clearly saw the same emotions reflected in the other's gaze.
Relief.
Happiness.
Annoyance.
Disdain.
Sanji narrowed his eyes slightly while keeping his cigarette between his lips. His hands remained inside his pockets as he spoke first.
"Huh? Green Algae Head, you lost swordsman, what exactly are you staring at?"
Zoro placed his hand on the hilt of his sword without the slightest hesitation. A cold smirk appeared on his face.
"Oh? Curly Brows, you useless cook, what does it matter if I look at you?"
The tension between the two instantly rose.
To the onlookers from Ryugu Kingdom, it looked as if the two were moments away from starting a fight.
Their relationship seemed absolutely terrible.
Yet the other Straw Hats did not react at all.
In fact, the familiar argument felt strangely comforting.
This was the atmosphere they were used to.
"Hehehehe!! Ahahahaha!!! Everyone!!"
Luffy suddenly burst into loud laughter.
But the moment he noticed the tears in everyone's eyes, his own expression crumbled.
His mouth stretched wide as tears quickly formed.
"Usopp! Zoro! Chopper! Franky!!!"
The chopsticks and wine glass in his hands fell to the floor.
Luffy rushed forward without hesitation.
His arms stretched wide as he tightly wrapped them around his returning crewmates, squeezing them with all his strength as though afraid they might disappear again.
"Wuwuwu!! I missed you all so much!! I missed you all so much!!!"
"Luffy!!!"
Usopp and Chopper cried loudly while hugging him.
Zoro, however, immediately pushed Luffy's tear and snot covered face away with clear disgust.
"Hey! Your tears are soaking my clothes! Get away from me!"
Franky attempted to maintain his tough persona.
His eyes had already turned red, yet he still shouted loudly.
"Awoo! You guys! Real men never cry!"
A second later, he completely lost control.
"Wuwuwu!!"
Franky suddenly burst into tears and joined Luffy, Usopp, and Chopper as the four of them hugged each other while crying loudly.
"Hehe, do not mind them."
Shirogai had already lost interest in the emotional chaos.
He calmly walked past the crying group and sat beside Jinbe.
King Neptune and Jinbe had both instinctively stood up the moment Shirogai appeared.
Jinbe's expression was especially serious.
Shirogai smiled lightly and waved his hand.
"Sit down. No need to be so stiff, Jinbe."
His tone was relaxed.
"Since Captain Luffy has already approved of you joining the Straw Hat Pirates, that makes you one of us."
Shirogai leaned back slightly.
"And once someone becomes a companion, there is no need for such formalities."
His smile remained calm.
"We are companions now, Jinbe. You do not need to treat me like some distant figure."
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