The Great Pirate Era

After some understanding, Jerry realized he had been overthinking everything. Although they had followed him, they had no intention of doing anything to him.

They had originally just wanted to teach him a lesson, but after seeing him get thoroughly beaten, they didn't press the matter further.

It was just his own poor impression of pirates, leading to a misunderstanding born from excessive speculation and fear.

"Sir, would you be willing to pay a small price to buy this sword?"

As Jerry reached out to take the sword Cifer was offering, his mother stepped in and took it first.

She gave Savage Dragon a deep look before sheathing it again. After a moment of thought, she looked up at Cifer.

Savage Dragon was a good sword, but it would be useless in their hands. She still had to sell it to exchange it for Belly and give her children a better life.

However, as a descendant of the Dragon Slayer, and having grown up listening to stories of her ancestors and Savage Dragon, she naturally hoped the sword would fall into the hands of a strong warrior.

Only in the hands of a strong warrior would its name as a Supreme Grade Sword not fade. She also looked forward to the day Savage Dragon could once again be famous throughout the world.

Cifer, who had easily dealt with Savage Dragon's residual soul, was undoubtedly a powerful man. Furthermore, she had also heard important information from what Captain Smoker had said earlier.

She had lived in Loguetown for many years, even before Smoker took office. At that time, she was not as sickly as she was now.

She had also learned about this captain; he was a man who hated evil and was full of a sense of justice.

Although the Shichibukai were different from ordinary pirates, it was unlikely that he would describe one as an "unconventional Marine," and he had also emphasized that there was only one such individual.

This meant that, in his perception, the man before him was a pirate different from other Shichibukai, a pirate full of justice.

If Savage Dragon could be entrusted to such a man, who was renowned and powerful, and possessed a sense of justice, she would be happy to see it.

After all, her ancestor had protected the world, slaying dragons in the name of justice with his life. If Savage Dragon were to become a weapon used by villains to harm civilians, she wouldn't know how to face her departed ancestor.

"Buy it? That's not impossible. Give me a price!"

Cifer was actually worrying about not having a suitable good sword, because he found that sometimes, when dealing with trouble, it was indeed convenient to just unleash a sword energy.

Ulquiorra already knew how to use a sword, and more importantly, who could refuse the identity of a great swordsman when traveling?

"This is... one of the twelve Supreme Grade Swords, Savage Dragon!"

As luck would have it, Tashigi, the sword fanatic who had been trailing behind Smoker all along, arrived at the scene just then and immediately recognized the sword in the woman's hand.

Drawn to Savage Dragon, Tashigi even forgot about Smoker and Cifer beside her, walking up to the woman to examine the sword closely.

"If Mr. Cifer were to use this sword, I'm sure that Dragon Slayer would be very pleased!"

Having learned the whole story, Tashigi pushed up her glasses and looked at Savage Dragon with great joy.

Such a treasure sword should no longer be hidden away, nor should it fall into the hands of bad people!

If Cifer were the wielder, she believed it would undoubtedly be a blade of justice.

Seeing the young girl's fondness for Savage Dragon and her high evaluation of Cifer, the woman finally felt completely at ease.

At the same time, she tentatively revealed her lowest acceptable price: 100 million Belly.

After all, this was one of only 12 Supreme Grade Swords in the world. This price was the lowest she could offer after much hesitation.

Although the onlookers didn't understand swords, they could guess from Tashigi's shocked and pained expression that the price was quite cheap.

100 million Belly?

Cifer wondered if they would go hungry if they took this much money from the ship, especially since there were two big eaters on board now.

"Kid, I can tell you seem to hate pirates?"

Cifer didn't give his answer directly, but looked down at Jerry.

The moment Jerry drew Savage Dragon, Cifer could see a hidden hatred in his heart, not towards himself, or rather, not solely towards himself.

Silence confirmed Cifer's guess, but Jerry didn't answer his question.

Seeing this, the woman sighed and explained the reason to Cifer.

After the Great Pirate Era began, countless ambitious people rushed to the Grand Line, attempting to find the great treasure Roger spoke of.

Jerry and Jamie's father, Jess, was one of them.

At that time, Rina was still a healthy woman, and Jamie had only recently been born. Although their family wasn't wealthy, it was harmonious and happy.

She thought they would grow old together, spending their remaining years with their children.

Until that day, everything changed...

"Jess, what are you doing?"

Rina, who had just returned from grocery shopping, saw her husband packing his luggage. She had a bad premonition.

"Rina, please forgive my selfishness!"

Jess immediately knelt before her and told her that someone had invited him to go out to sea to search for the legendary treasure.

She had asked why he so easily accepted someone else's invitation. Jess said something she couldn't understand but also couldn't refute: the Pirate Flag was calling him.

Jerry, who was about four years old at the time, was hiding in the room, secretly watching his parents' conversation.

"What about me? What about the children? They're so young!" Rina didn't fly into a rage, but asked softly.

"I'm sorry!"

Jess didn't answer directly, merely bowing his head to the ground.

"You can go!"

Rina saw his determination to set sail and knew this home could no longer hold this man.

Having received his answer, Jess left in a hurry, not even seeing his children before he departed.

From then on, whenever Jamie asked about her father, she would tell her daughter that Daddy had gone to a faraway place to handle important matters, and perhaps he would return when Jamie grew up.

Jerry, however, never asked about Jess. Rina guessed he must have heard something, and she wouldn't bring him up in front of their children either.

She thought she was still young and could support the two children, but fate always seemed to enjoy playing tricks on her.

An accident two years ago had caused her health to deteriorate, and she could no longer work outside. The family's savings had also gradually dwindled.

This continued until Jerry started earning money, and then up to the Savage Dragon incident today.

"That man isn't my father!"

Jerry was very emotional. Not long after Jess left that year, he saw his mother go out.

He was afraid his mother would abandon them too, so he secretly followed her.

As a result, he saw his mother squatting in a deserted corner, sobbing uncontrollably. He felt as if his heart had been torn.

From then on, a seed of resentment towards pirates was planted in his heart. Coupled with the increasing rampant activity of pirates in recent years, he vowed to become a Marine of Justice.

He wanted to bring all the pirates in the world to justice!