Chapter 51: I Have To Give It My All Too!
Faced with this situation, Ralph reacted in a way no one expected.
He abruptly raised his head, instantly switching to a Lufia-style clueless expression, blinking his eyes and speaking in an extremely innocent tone:
"Huh? What government? Navy? I don't know what you're talking about?"
Then he quickly lowered his head, clumsily tying Zoro's bandage while casually complaining to the swordsman:
"Zoro, stop looking around when you're this badly injured! Rest properly and close your eyes right now!"
Immediately after, as if just remembering the world's greatest swordsman was standing nearby, he quickly turned to Hawk Eye with a stiff yet polite smile:
"Well... Senior Hawk Eye, I'm just here to rescue my companion. I'll leave right after saving him! Having the honor of witnessing the world's greatest swordsman in person today is truly the privilege of three lifetimes! This junior will take his leave now and won't disturb you further!"
After speaking, he forcefully lifted the nearly unconscious swordsman and suddenly activated Soru with his feet!
"Whoosh!"
Before anyone could process that full-of-holes performance, Ralph had already jumped back to the deck of the sea restaurant Baratie with Zoro, landing beside Lufia and the others.
The air fell silent for a moment.
Then whispers emerged from the chefs, remaining pirates, and some brave customers who hadn't fled.
"This... this is way too deliberate, right?"
"He might as well have written 'I'm hiding something' on his forehead..."
"That movement speed just now is definitely not something an ordinary pirate should have!"
"Government agent? Navy spy? Could such a small pirate crew be hiding some big secret?"
"Shh... keep your voice down, don't cause trouble..."
Various speculative and suspicious glances fell upon Ralph like shadows.
Just then, Ralph suddenly slapped his thigh and shouted with greater volume than before, filled with concern:
"Oh no! That's terrible! Where's our Going Merry?! When Senior Hawk Eye cut Krieg's broken ship into three pieces earlier, the waves were so huge! Did it capsize our Going Merry?! Usopp's still on board!"
This tactic of using facts to divert attention proved immediately more effective than the previous pure acting performance of playing dumb.
At the very least, Lufia was successfully distracted.
"What?! Going Merry is missing?!"
Lufia immediately jumped up, scanning the surroundings like a watchtower, her face filled with anxiety,
"Usopp! Where are you, Usopp?! Going Merry! My Going Merry!"
Nami also temporarily broke free from her complicated emotions and soon pointed toward a small dot almost disappearing at the horizon:
"There! It's Going Merry! It's heading back this way... It seems the huge waves and turbulent currents swept it far out earlier."
Everyone finally breathed a sigh of relief.
It appeared Ralph had successfully used the "Going Merry's disappearance" emergency to temporarily divert his companions' attention from sensitive topics like "Six Powers" and "government."
But Ralph knew clearly in his heart that this was only possible because of these companions' trust in him.
Some things simply didn't require explanation before those who trusted you.
The Zoro he was supporting, despite bleeding all over, still insisted on speaking:
"Ahem... No wonder you're so paranoid... It turns out your own background... is the most questionable of all! But... Lufia believes in you... and so do we."
Zoro raised his voice slightly and continued:
"No matter what your identity was before... now you're a companion of the Straw Hat crew... We believe you won't do anything to harm your comrades..."
These words clearly reached the ears of those nearby.
They were spoken to Ralph, yet weren't they also meant for Nami, whose trust had been wavering?
Though Lufia didn't fully understand, she nodded vigorously with a radiant smile on her face:
"That's right! I've always believed in everyone! I believe Usopp will definitely protect the Going Merry! And I believe Sanji will definitely become our cook!"
Suddenly being called out, Sanji instinctively retorted:
"Hey! I haven't agreed to join your ship yet..."
However, when met with Lufia's clear, trusting eyes and Nami's gaze—who had just stopped crying, her eyes still red—Sanji felt his heart racing uncontrollably, unable to speak another word.
If... if I were to really go... the main reason would definitely be Miss Lufia and Miss Nami...
Sanji told himself inwardly.
Secondly... this seaweed-head's determination to achieve his dream even at the cost of his life... has actually... moved me somewhat.
Old man... is this what you wanted me to understand!
At that moment, on the black coffin-like boat, Hawk Eye had already slung the black blade "Yoru" back over his shoulder, preparing to leave.
He seemed to have lost interest in Ralph's clumsy performance and the subsequent farce, or perhaps Zoro's earlier whisper about trusting comrades had also reached his ears.
"Enough."
Hawk Eye's voice drifted over with the sea breeze,
"Since even your companions don't care about your suspicious background, I have no need to investigate further."
Then he shouted to the severely injured Zoro on the deck:
"Strive to become stronger."
"Then, try to surpass me, Roronoa Zoro."
Hearing these words, Zoro, who had been nearly unconscious, summoned strength from somewhere and suddenly raised his still-functional right arm, lifting the Wado Ichimonji he had been tightly clutching high above his head, roaring in a hoarse yet resolute voice:
"Do you even need to tell me that?! I will definitely become the world's greatest swordsman!"
He paused, his gaze sweeping over his companions nearby before finally settling on Lufia, his voice carrying unprecedented pride and bond:
"Otherwise—how could I be worthy of being the companion of the 'Pirate King'!!"
"Hahahaha!"
Upon hearing this, Lufia immediately placed her hands on her hips, puffed out her chest, and laughed with immense joy, "That's right! Exactly!"
"Pirate King?"
These three words instantly caused an uproar among the remaining pirates nearby.
Even Hawk Eye's movements paused slightly.
He turned his head, his gaze carrying a hint of scrutiny as it swept over Lufia's face filled with sunshine and fearlessness, then looked at the severely injured but fervent-eyed Zoro, and the others nearby with varied expressions—Ralph, Nami, Sanji, and the rest.
"Pirate King... That's an even more difficult path than surpassing me."
"You... are quite an interesting bunch."
"...?!"
"If fate allows it... let's meet again on the Grand Line."
Having said that, he prepared to sail away.
"Hey!!! Hawk Eye!!!"
A roar suddenly erupted—it was Krieg, clad head to toe in golden armor and fully armed.
"You're just leaving like that?! Didn't you come here to take my life?! I'm the overlord of the East Blue! Pirate Admiral Krieg!! How dare you ignore me?!"
Hawk Eye cast him a dismissive glance from the corner of his eye, "I originally intended to use you all to kill some boring time. But now... I've had enough fun and am going home to rest."
This complete disregard and contempt infuriated Krieg more than any insult could.
"Had enough fun?! You say you've had enough fun?! I was the one who got beaten up and suffered!!"
Krieg screamed hysterically as he suddenly activated his armor's mechanisms.
"Click-clack—"
The heavy golden armor suddenly opened its layers, revealing seven or eight gun barrels and cannon muzzles all aimed at Hawk Eye!
"Before you leave— I'll kill you first! Die!!"
Just as Krieg's face twisted grotesquely and his finger was about to pull the trigger in that split second—
"Soru!"
A figure appeared behind Krieg like a ghost—it was Ralph!
He didn't fire a gun or draw a sword, but simply raised his leg, channeling explosive force into a powerful kick against Krieg's defenseless back of the head!
"Thud!!"
A heavy, forceful impact.
The arrogant overlord of the East Blue, the "Admiral" Krieg, covered in weapons, didn't even make a sound as his eyes rolled back and he face-planted directly onto the deck, completely knocked out.
The scene fell silent once more.
This kick was fast, accurate, and ruthless... but not exactly honorable.
"So... so fast!"
"But... this fighting method is too..."
"Attacking from behind when someone's attention is elsewhere..."
"Just as despicable as us!"
The remnants of the Krieg Pirates fell into chaos—some terrified by the speed Ralph displayed, some despising this cowardly sneak attack, while others wanted to avenge their captain but didn't dare step forward.
Among the Straw Hat crew, Lufia had the strongest reaction.
Principles were principles, persistence was persistence—this was a creed carved into her bones.
Even when dealing with enemies, she believed in defeating them head-on.
"Ralph!"
Lufia shouted discontentedly, her small face tense with obvious anger,
"How could you do that?! Although that golden guy is a big villain who wants to steal Chef Zeff's restaurant, didn't we agree to defeat him fairly?! How could you sneak attack him from behind when he was about to shoot Hawk Eye?!"
In Ralph's current perception, the system interface showed the progress bar representing Lufia's favorability—which had just reset to zero and begun accumulating again—now flashing with a conspicuous red light at its edges!
Warning? Was the favorability about to drop?!
Ralph's heart sank.
After finally rising from "Friend" to "Good Friend," could this thing actually regress?
"Lufia, let me explain!"
Ralph quickly waved his hands.
"I just knocked him out! I didn't kill him! Look, he'll wake up soon! Then you can properly knock him flying again!"
"I promise I won't interfere!"
He tried to placate her, but this reason clearly didn't fully convince Lufia, as her little mouth was still pouting.
Ralph quickly stated his true purpose:
"Knocking out Krieg wasn't entirely about him—it was for Hawk Eye's sake."
These words not only stunned Lufia, but even Sanji, Nami, and Zoro, who was barely holding onto consciousness, looked over. Even Hawk Eye, who had been about to leave, showed a slight flicker of interest.
This suspicious newcomer who knows the Six Powers... could he also be foolishly trying to challenge me like that green-haired swordsman?
Hawk Eye thought to himself.
After all, Ralph did have a sword at his waist.
The surviving members of the Krieg Pirates and some people from the restaurant nearby also tensed up again.
Could it be?
They wondered:
Are we about to witness a second challenge to the world's strongest today?
This young man carried a gun on his right and a sword on his left. His looks were handsome in an unremarkable way, and he had no reputation in the East Blue... Where did he get the courage?
Under the gazes of everyone—some confused, some expectant, some just watching for amusement—Ralph scratched his head and showed a somewhat embarrassed smile as he addressed Hawk Eye.
"Hawk Eye, sir! Look, this Krieg tried to sneak attack you with a dirty trick just as you were about to leave. I decisively stopped him!"
"Considering how I stood up for you... how about... we become friends?"
The sea breeze seemed to halt for a moment.
A few suppressed coughs and snickers came from the deck.
Even Boss Zeff couldn't help but twitch the corner of his mouth.
Hawk Eye's face remained its usual cold and stern expression, but a trace of something extremely rare seemed to flicker in his eyes... exasperation?
He was silent for two seconds before asking in return, "What do you think?"
Ralph's smile grew even more earnest. He rubbed his hands together and continued:
"Then... how about a different condition? If someone who doesn't claim to be a swordsman and doesn't care about scars on his back also wants to spar with you now and learn a few moves... wouldn't that earn a little goodwill from you either?"
"..."
This time, even Zoro couldn't help but let out a muffled grunt from his throat, whether from pain or some other emotion.
Hawk Eye looked at Ralph. This young man clearly understood his principles and style, yet he could say such things that completely contradicted them without batting an eye...
He didn't even know whether to call this person "self-aware" or "completely lacking self-awareness."
Seeing Hawk Eye's reaction, Ralph let out a couple of dry, awkward chuckles.
He knew himself that the first two proposals were absurd to the point of being laughable, but when he said them, he had held onto a sliver of hope.
However, when that hope was completely dashed by Hawk Eye, a sense of calm rose in Ralph's heart instead.
He didn't have Zoro's pure resolve—to face death unflinchingly for the sake of dreams and promises, to stake everything on the edge of his blade.
But just moments ago, witnessing Zoro risk his life to walk his own path, and hearing Zoro's words about trust...
These interwoven thoughts stirred something deep within him that he had always carefully avoided.
In this world, on these seas where people would unhesitatingly sacrifice everything for dreams, beliefs, and comrades... Have I been too much like an over-cautious, calculating outsider?
He yearned to belong, to possess souls as fervent as theirs, yet instinctively protected himself with calculations, systems, and weighing pros and cons.
It was time for a change.
He would attempt to win Hawk Eye's favor with a determination ready to face death.
To test his own capacity and courage, to respond to his comrades' trust and expectations... Perhaps he could try?
Compared to Zoro's genuine life-or-death challenge, Ralph's current action carried far less risk—Hawk Eye would most likely not kill him.
But the mortality rate wasn't zero. This awareness alone was thrilling enough for a soul like his, hailing from an era of peace and accustomed to growing up safely with system assistance.
If he doubted whether his resolve was worthy of these comrades, he would prove it through action.
In this world where one could stake their life for dreams, he too would gamble once.
The playful grin and awkwardness faded from Ralph's face, replaced by a focused seriousness and determination to give his all.
"Well then, Mr. Hawk Eye—"
"Please allow me to consult you using a sword technique that does not exist in this world."
"I hope to win your recognition!"
"Please—take this!"
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