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Chapter 435: A Hero Must Be Sacrificed
Chapter 435: A Hero Must Be Sacrificed
Sharp stared at Soros, his expression a complex mix of emotions.
"That's right!"
A man wielding a wooden sword stepped in front of Sharp, declaring, "Mr. Sharp, I was saved by you too. No matter what your intentions were back then, the fact remains that you rescued me. I don't idolize you like Soros does, but I know gratitude."
He gripped his wooden sword like a divine artifact, drawing boundless strength from it.
"Exactly! Mr. Sharp, no matter what that man says, it was you who encouraged us this past year. We've been drifting aimlessly for years, but only last year, when you were here, did we feel hope."
Another person stepped forward to block Sharp's path. "Regardless of what anyone says here, to us, you're our hero!"
Three. Four. Five.
One by one, they emerged, forming a wall in front of Sharp, their gazes unwavering against the opposing force.
"I guess negotiations are impossible."
George shook his head, smirking coldly. "Wooden weapons? You think you can fight us with that? My men, seize these slaves!"
The remaining pirates roared and charged at the slaves.
The battle resumed.
They'd fought before.
Though these slaves lacked quality weapons, years of survival in this primordial jungle had forged their physiques.
George's crew were pirates hardened by years of trials on the Grand Line. Their combat instincts were sharp, and with superior weaponry, they gradually gained the upper hand.
"Too slow. Too slow."
Moro shook his head, turning to Massey. "Hey, Navy, you lot should pitch in too."
"But they're pirates..." Massey hesitated.
"Pirates? Who cares! If you delay Charloss Saint's affairs, can you take responsibility?!" Moro barked.
"I... I understand."
Massey gritted his teeth, raising his hand. "Advance! Help them capture these slaves!"
"But Commander Massey, we've already defied Vice Admiral Kuro's orders. Assisting pirates might be..." a lieutenant hesitated.
"I'm your superior!"
Massey roared. "Now, obey! Help them subdue these slaves!"
Who would willingly serve under Kuro, a commander who flouted rules and acted on whims, leveraging his reputation as Lucius Kroadmiral's subordinate? Massey had spent years climbing to Commander. He had no intention of playing along with that madman's games. If he could curry favor with a World Noble, after this mission, he could transfer to a better post and even secure a promotion.
"Yes, Commander Massey!"
Faced with Massey's fury, the lieutenant could only comply, leading his men to join the pirates' ranks against the slaves.
The pirates had already gained the advantage against the slaves, but with the Navy's addition, the battle became a one-sided massacre.
"Unforgivable!"
Soros, his arm severely wounded, thrust his wooden spear forward, toppling a pirate. But another pirate quickly closed in, slashing his injured shoulder, leaving a gash. Soros staggered back, then drove his spear forward again, impaling his attacker.
Among the slaves, Soros was clearly the strongest.
George raised his gun from the crowd, aiming at the young man.
Bang!
Suddenly, a figure lunged, knocking George sideways. Blood trickled from his nose as he stumbled backward.
"Sharp!"
He retreated a few steps, clutching his nose, shocked at the resolute face before him. "Have you lost your mind?!"
"Captain, please stop!"
Seeing George's bloodied face, Sharp's expression softened. He opened his mouth, still pleading, "I won't board your ship anymore, Captain. For my sake, spare them!"
"Do you think I have the authority here?"
George's face darkened. "And what makes you think you're someone I should heed? You know how your bounty came to be. Don't lecture me with that sanctimonious tone!"
He holstered his gun and lunged at Sharp, grappling him.
"You don't want to board? Then don't! Did you really think I considered you a crewmate?"
He punched Sharp's face, sending him reeling backward, shouting, "Just one drunken mistake earned you a bounty higher than mine! Unforgivable! Unforgivable!"
"Captain."
Sharp, struck by the punch, hesitated to retaliate as George's words froze his body.
Bang!
Before he could react, George charged again, knocking him down. Straddling him, George rained punches on Sharp.
"What 'Blazing Flame Bearer'! What 'bounty over 100 million'! Mine's only 20 million! Back then, you had more prestige than me on the ship! I was jealous! I was so jealous!"
Seeing Sharp's fading consciousness, George drew his pistol, aiming at his forehead with a malevolent grin. "Did you really think I'd come for you back then? No! If the Navy hadn't captured you, you'd have starved to death on that island! That was a deserted island, no navigational routes nearby. Eventually, you'd die there."
"Then the Navy caught you, and I thought it was over. But last year, you contacted me again. I planned to storm Shabondy again, using your reputation to recruit powerful pirates, then discard you at the first opportunity."
"But what I didn't expect was the Navy's purge here. I had to use you first. Never did I imagine you'd still be this foolish. Let me tell you the truth, Olex Sharp. In my eyes, you're just disposable fuel! Once used, you're worthless! What hero? What great pirate? All lies! I'll expose your fraudulence right now!"
With that, George prepared to pull the trigger.
"Officer Sharp!"
Suddenly, a roar came from behind. Soros broke free from combat, charging at George, slamming him off Sharp.
"Officer Sharp, don't be swayed by that man! You've always been the strongest!"
Soros shouted, "You told us about the wonders of the Grand Line! You taught us how to survive better! Don't you remember? Before you came, what kind of life did we have those years!"
...
"Officer Olex Sharp! I'm Soros! The child you saved six years ago!"
"Ah, did I save you? Well, thanks for helping me escape the Navy's pursuit. This is the 0th Area."
...
"What kind of place are you living in? Have you been squeezed in this tree hollow for six years? The Algimian mangroves produce excellent bubbles. Let's gather some materials to build a treehouse. That way, you'll live more comfortably."
...
"You don't keep in touch with your companions? That's not good. Let me tell you, whether sailing the seas or surviving on land, companions are crucial. Hmm, let me try. Since you say I have prestige, let me help you. Consider it repayment for saving me."
...
"The Grand Line? It's magnificent! Hahaha! When I get the chance, I, Olex Sharp, will take you all to sea! But now, you need physical training. Especially you, Soros! Look at you, so thin! Without proper training, you're not qualified to sail with me!"
...
The memories flashed vividly. Soros gripped his long spear, shouting at Sharp, "Olex Sharp! Weren't you supposed to take me to sea?!"
These words jolted Sharp from his stupor, his lifeless eyes flickering with emotion. He wiped the blood from his face, rising halfway. "I still need to take you to sea."
"Exactly! You must take me, take all of us to sea! That pirate is nothing! You're the greatest! If there's any captain, it's you! Snap out of it, Captain! We're in crisis now!!!" Soros bellowed.
Sharp stared at Soros, then turned to the slaves struggling against the Navy and pirates, gradually being overwhelmed. Regardless of age or gender, they all wielded weapons, or fists when none were available. Even when knocked down, not a single person showed fear.
They were weak. Not strong.
It was his guidance that, in this past year, trained them to resist this much.
His merit.
These people were his legacy.
He could too.
Bang!!
The gunshot drowned the battle's intensity, freezing the air for a moment.
Soros immediately turned his head, staring at the bullet's phantom trail, stunned.
At that moment, a figure blocked his path.
Sharp spread his arms, facing Soros, as the bullet pierced his back, staining his chest with crimson.
"Officer Sharp?"
Soros stared at Sharp, lips trembling.
Sharp smiled at him, then collapsed forward, leaning on Soros's shoulder.
"Soros... I'm sorry. I'm not the hero you think I am."
"No, Officer Sharp, you are, you always will be." Soros instinctively released his wooden spear, trembling hands supporting Sharp, tears streaming down. "Officer Sharp."
"Don't speak."
Sharp managed a faint smile. "I... I'm done for. Soros, I'm truly grateful. Actually... I was lost. Seven years ago, saving you was just a coincidence. I didn't have those noble intentions."
"When I couldn't contact the captain, I considered dying... But you, you gave me purpose. I deceived you, brought you all here... Even now, I still want to return to the captain's side."
"But you called me a hero..."
"A hero must be sacrificed."
With effort, he straightened, extending his bloodied hand to touch Soros's. "Carry on my will."
"I'm not qualified for such a heavy burden, but you... You can do it, Soros. You're stronger than me. If I was your hero..."
Blood trickled from his lips as he smiled at Soros. "Then a hero must do something heroic. Though it might not seem impressive, taking a bullet for you... was the best I could do."
"I'm just a nobody, a small fry. To accomplish one meaningful deed in my life... I'm already satisfied."
"I, a person like me, can still have a purpose."
He bared his teeth, eyes suddenly widening, pushing Soros backward with his last strength. "Run! Then, set sail!!!"
As he pushed Soros away, his body fell backward, hitting the ground. His hand left Soros's body, reaching toward the sky.
...
"Hey, little Sharp, what kind of person do you want to be in the future?"
"Me? Hmm? A hero!"
The sniffling child spoke with longing.
...
"Can someone like this even be considered a hero?"
He smiled, collapsing heavily to the ground, his voice fading into silence.
(End of Chapter)
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