Chapter 986: A Paradoxical Soul
Chapter 986: A Paradoxical Soul
That smile enraged Ethan Kadi.
"If we're supposed to stay low, why ambush towns? Isn't that just asking the Navy to notice us?"
The sarcastic, backhanded tone would unsettle any reasonable person.
"Well, it wasn't my decision. While I'm the captain, I can't control my crew's will. People's wills are free—we can't control them. We're a pirate crew united by freedom. What each person does is their personal freedom. The Longsword Pirate Crew never acts collectively unless a majority votes for it. That's the only time I, as captain, can make a decision."
Franz chuckled with a hearty laugh. "You'll understand if you stay longer."
Ethan Kadi neither understood nor wanted to. If not for his undercover mission as an agent—tasked with monitoring the Longsword Pirate Crew's movements—he would have killed this captain already.
But as days turned into months, he realized killing the captain would change nothing. Should the captain die, a new one would be elected by majority vote.
The 'Saber's Hilt' and 'Blade Body' are one. The 'Saber's Hilt' exists only because of the 'Blade Body,' and only the 'Saber's Hilt' can wield the 'Blade Body.'
Later, he discovered the truth of Franz's words. Those plundering towns were indeed outliers—minor factions within the ten-thousand-strong crew. Most pirates lived ordinary lives on the archipelago, like commoners.
When Ethan Kadi, curiosity piqued, asked a pirate who fished daily—more fisherman than marauder—why he became a pirate, the answer was simple: "My homeland's kingdom exploited us mercilessly. Going to sea was the only way to survive."
Others had different reasons. Some fled kingdoms where the army oppressed them. Others were ambushed by pirates, then hunted corrupt officials who colluded with pirates.
The reasons varied, but all boiled down to one truth: they couldn't survive otherwise.
This pirate crew, born from desperation, had endured for a century.
Of course, some joined purely for plunder, but after joining the Longsword Pirate Crew, they either left to form their own crews or shared their spoils with the collective.
They survived like civilians, with one difference: no Navy protection, but also no crushing taxes or oppression. They were free.
Franz, more than a captain, was the mediator for ten thousand souls. He resolved disputes, illnesses, and troubles with his signature hearty laugh, smoothing tensions effortlessly.
The crew didn’t accept those with families. They only took in destitute pirates, supporting them collectively. If someone left, no one stopped them—instead, they celebrated.
Seeing this, Ethan Kadi finally asked the question burning in his heart.
"Kadi, we don’t have grand ambitions. This pirate crew has operated collectively for over a century. Whatever they want, the Longsword Pirate Crew does. If they want to be true pirates, we are. If they seek peace, we provide peace."
That day, Franz stood at the island’s edge, pointing toward the Grand Line.
"Once they find their goals, they’ll leave automatically. Until then, we’re their harbor. When they find their path—good or bad—it’s their choice."
Franz’s grin widened. "The Longsword Pirate Crew’s tradition is the knight’s longsword—to shelter people until they no longer need us!"
Sunlight bathed Franz’s face, his smile radiant, leaving Ethan Kadi momentarily stunned.
This was another form of justice—defiant of the World Government’s laws, yet just all the same.
From that day, Ethan Kadi’s hatred dissolved. He began observing the Longsword Pirate Crew earnestly, gradually becoming one of them.
He still sent intelligence reports, but he also participated in their operations.
His status rose steadily as he shared Navy combat techniques, strengthening the crew. His reputation grew, and so did his influence.
When pirates grinned, mastering new unarmed combat techniques to hunt and fish faster, Ethan Kadi smiled too.
He even told plundering pirates to avoid killing—take supplies, not lives.
With this fallen Navy commander’s help, the Longsword Pirate Crew thrived, aligning more closely with his personal vision of justice.
Should he leave now?
Let them live freely. They were just people seeking freedom.
Until Franz died.
Yes, Franz passed from overwork and heart disease.
When Ethan Kadi heard the news, he stood frozen for a long time.
The captain was gone, but the Longsword Pirate Crew endured—and would always endure.
Faced with the crew’s expectant gazes, Ethan Kadi grasped the longsword, his mind in chaos.
He was Navy—but now, he was also a pirate.
He would bear the 'Saber's Hilt' responsibility as captain, upholding the tradition.
He renamed himself Robert Henry, destined to be known as the Longsword Pirate Gang’s captain.
But perhaps he pushed too hard.
Under his captaincy, the Longsword Pirate Crew grew increasingly Navy-like. Their raids became effortless, their enemies nonexistent.
The crew’s ambitions swelled. They outgrew their South Sea island, craving more resources, dreaming of founding a nation!
No one in the South Sea could stop them. They would succeed.
As Navy, Ethan Kadi had to stop this. As Robert Henry, he couldn’t defy the crew’s will.
This was tradition: wherever their will led, the Longsword Pirate Crew followed.
"Let’s head to the Grand Line! There’s our chance!"
When Ethan Kadi declared this, the crew voted unanimously. The Longsword Pirate Crew would move as one.
And he was ready.
As Navy, he reported the news, fulfilling his duty.
As a pirate, he prepared to stand with the crew, come what may.
If the Navy won, he’d die as the last captain—unashamed before the pirates.
If the Navy lost, he’d fight as a Headquarters Navy Commander against the Longsword Pirate Crew—unashamed before the Navy.
But the final outcome…
His eyes lifted, shadowed with silent mockery. "You wouldn’t understand."
A paradoxical soul, a conflicted man—how could anyone else comprehend?
No more words. Only battle remained!
(End of Chapter)
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