While Gawain was speaking, the guys around him were already incredibly excited.
As von Clay curtsied to Gawain, Miss Valentine couldn't help but rub her face.
Would even Celestial Dragon appreciate the beauty of someone as lowly as me?
Besides them, there was Mr. 3, who was specifically mentioned by Gawain...
With his hair styled in the shape of the Arabic numeral three on his head, he gaped in disbelief.
"I... I... I have the potential to become the first mate of Four Emperors pirate crew...?!
Do I have the potential to become the Emperor's second-in-command?
Am I the Imperial Vice-President?
How could that be? Do you think I don't know my own limitations?
How could I possibly be compared to villains like Ben Beckman, Marco the Phoenix, Charlotte Katakuri, and King the Conflagration...?
Compared to them, I feel like I'm nothing at all...
Gardiner mumbled in a low voice, trying his best not to let Gawain hear him.
Even if he didn't agree with Gawain's statement, he didn't dare express his disapproval to the Celestial Dragon.
Meanwhile, besides them.
Isuka, whom Gawain mentioned last, was completely terrified by Gawain words!
She stared wide-eyed in disbelief and shouted at Gawain.
"Stayed... stayed by Ace's side all along?!
How could I possibly think that way?
I don't want to, I don't want to at all. Even if he's not a pirate anymore, I still have a job in the Navy. I can't stay here too long..."
"You don't need to answer so much, you just need to answer whether you want to or not!"
Gawain interrupted Isuka with a smile, then put down the wine jug and continued speaking to Isuka.
"Your potential looks good; you're among the best even in the Navy. You're so young, yet you're already a lieutenant."
Therefore, you are indeed qualified to come to my ship and take on the same job as Ace.
As for your naval affiliation, think about Gion; she's still a candidate Admiral, and she's always been on my ship, hasn't she?
So, give me your answer: do you want to stay with Ace?
As he finished speaking, Gawain smiled and looked at Isca, while Isuka...
At this moment, the only white residue on the young female lieutenant's face was where the bandage was applied.
As for the rest of her face, her cheeks had already turned uncontrollably red.
At the same time, she lowered her head, her hands unconsciously twisting together.
Seeing the girl's shy and hesitant manner, Gawain smiled and waved his hand.
"Haha, it seems that making this decision is really a bit difficult for you."
Indeed, it's more appropriate for men to bring up certain things.
Okay, I'll make a decision for Ace, and I'll make a decision for you too.
No matter where you two end up in the future, at least for today, you're already my backup crew member!
As soon as he finished speaking, Gawain turned to look at Robin. Facing Gawain's gaze, Robin spoke softly.
"About two minutes left, sir."
"Um."
Gawain nodded, and then he stood up from the sofa.
Gawain patted Isuka on the shoulder casually Gawain smiled.
"It's settled then. From today onwards, your uniform will be changed to the style of our Dark Bird Group."
I only need a young ensign from the navy; Sengoku wouldn't refuse me that much face!
As for you and Ace, haha, let you young people develop yourselves, whether you're friends or something else, as long as you're happy.
By the way, Ace is training with everyone at the training ground over there. After you've eaten, go and have a chat with him!
After saying this, Gawain released the bewildered Isuka and then addressed the members of Baroque Works.
"As for you, go with Crocodile and do what you're supposed to do."
I have some research to do, so I can't continue our conversation.
After speaking, Gawain nodded to everyone. Then, in a flash, he located the location of Franky Laboratory, and vanished without a trace, turning into Inazuma.
After Gawain left...
A group of Baroque Works agents jumped up and down in excitement. At that moment, they felt no less like bank robbers who were suddenly being personally received by the head of a financial magnate.
What were originally their private criminal activities have suddenly become officially authorized, high-profile heroic operations!
And besides Baroque Works...
Isuka and her marines all stayed put in Bengbu.
Who would have thought that they'd be discharged from the navy the moment they boarded a ship?!
No, saying "they" might be an exaggeration, after all, Gawain only asked Isuka to stay.
But Isuka's subordinates were all old friends who had worked with Isuka for a long time. If Isuka stayed, would they really sail their warships back to Marine Headquarters on their own?
"Thinking to myself, "Isuka's adjutant said to Isuka.
"Sir... we... we've been recruited already?"
Although we have no right to refuse Saint Gawain, being suddenly recruited seems a bit too sudden, doesn't it?
Listening to the adjutant's words, Isuka waved her hand dismissively.
"Hearing your words is like hearing a lecture; you're still so good at talking nonsense."
Even if it happens suddenly, do we have the power to refuse?
That's all for now. You guys enjoy your lunch on the Dark Bird Ship first. I... I'm going to have a good chat with my future colleague.
I think, given the current situation, I should have a proper talk with him!
With that, Isuka waved goodbye to her adjutant and then excitedly walked towards Ace.
She's getting more and more excited about Ace's expression!
Nearby, Ace was being pinned to the ground by Rayleigh held a sword scabbard covered in Armament Haki against Ace's ribs.
Then, he yelled at Ace.
"Struggle, keep struggling, feel the effects of Armament Haki on your body!"
Don't just focus on the pain; the key is to experience the effects of Armament Haki on your elemental body!
"What effect? What effect? It hurts so much!"
"Old man, be gentle, be gentle!!!"
Ace struggled desperately, and the feeling of having his soft spot pressed against him was truly excruciating.
However, just as Ace was struggling desperately, his peripheral vision suddenly caught a glimpse of someone to the side.
In his eyes, the female navy woman who had been relentlessly pursuing him was actually walking towards him!
"Wait, old man, I think you're making me hallucinate!"
I saw someone who should never have been there!
"Old man, loosen your grip a bit, or you'll just beat me to death!"
Who is it?
Upon hearing this, Rayleigh turned to look at Isuka. When he saw that she was a girl about the same age as Ace, Rayleigh immediately smiled like an uncle.
"Haha, so a friend has come to visit!"
At this point, Rayleigh gently raised his sword sheath and released Ace, who was fighting desperately.
At the same time, Rayleigh squinted his eyes, raised his left hand, and made a beckoning cat gesture towards Isuka.
"Hello, young lady from the Navy, how did you get on this ship?"
"Why?"
Hearing Rayleigh's greeting, Isuka nervously pursed her lips.
"Pluto... Dark King Rayleigh!"
"Haha, that's right, it's me."
You haven't answered my question yet, little girl.
Did you chase Ace all the way here?
Rayleigh teased Isuka, and Isuka nodded uneasily at his words.
"That's right. In the past, I was always hunting Ace."
However, I have now been recruited by Lord Gawain... onto the Dark Bird Ship. Lord Gawain said I would be Ace's colleague, I..."
"Oh!"
Upon hearing this, Rayleigh immediately revealed an impressive smile, and he clapped his hands lightly.
"Haha, it seems the Iron Eagle Group already has a second person. What's your name, little girl?"
"Isuka, Navy Ensign Isuka ..."
Isuka relaxed slightly and spoke to Rayleigh in a more normal tone.
Only then did Ace leap up from the ground.
He tilted his head and gave Isuka an incredulous look.
"Wait, Isuka, what did you just say?"
You said you were recruited to this ship?
"Yes..."
Faced with Ace's question, Isuka nodded with a mischievous grin.
"Originally, I only wanted to see Saint Gawain, hoping to find out if you were alive or dead..."
However, I never expected that just getting on a ship would actually... actually get on a ship..."
As soon as she finished speaking, Isuka rolled her Byakugan dramatically, then gave Ace a formal greeting.
"In short, from now on, we are comrades, Fire Fist Ace."
Now that you're no longer a pirate and I'm no longer a marine, I don't need to worry about our differences anymore. Instead, I can properly repay your kindness to me!
"Gratitude?"
Upon hearing this, old man Rayleigh immediately showed an interested expression, and he curiously waved to Isuka.
"Come on, standing here makes it look too serious, doesn't it?"
It's almost lunchtime, so I'll give Ace a few minutes' break early.
"Let's go to the rest area and talk."
As they were talking, Grandpa Rayleigh led the astonished Ace and the shy Isuka to the place where the officers were resting.
Upon seeing the man and woman Rayleigh had brought, Jinbe, who had just returned from stealing a tree, started a fire and asked Rayleigh a question.
"Grandpa, how come there's another little girl on our boat?"
This girl looks to be about the same age as Ace.
"What's her situation? Is she Lieutenant Vice Admiral Gion's adjutant?"
"No, it's Ace's... girlfriend, haha!"
Rayleigh laughed in response, then waved to Jinbe.
"Where's Gawain? I don't see him. Wasn't he just sitting here a moment ago?"
"The master has gone off to do research with Franky again..."
Jinbe answered without even looking up.
Hearing Jinbe's words, Ace became interested and couldn't help but ask Rayleigh.
"Grandpa, Saint Gawain... he actually does research?"
Can scholars also possess such overwhelming Conqueror's Haki?
"Ha ha..."
Upon hearing Ace's words, Rayleigh laughed and shook his head.
"What kind of research could he possibly be doing? He was the one being researched. The Rumble-Rumble Fruit's power is of great use to Franky. I don't know exactly what it's for, but I think it must be something extraordinary!"
"If that research wasn't important, Gawain would absolutely never cooperate with him in researching his own!"
As he spoke, Rayleigh nudged Ace lightly with his elbow.
"Besides, you clueless brat, even at a time like this, you're still thinking about men?"
Didn't you see that the girl had been waiting for you in embarrassment for a long time?
Don't you know that at this moment you should say something a man should say?
"I..."
After being lectured by Rayleigh, Ace had no choice but to turn and look at Isuka.
Just now, he had actually been avoiding Isuka somewhat.
He could roughly understand Isuka's thoughts, and it was precisely because he understood that he wanted to escape.
Because he didn't think someone like him deserved such kindness from an excellent marine...
Beside her, seeing Ace's evasive gaze, Isuka's expectation gradually turned into disdain.
Isuka shook her head dismissively, then spoke familiarly to Rayleigh and his group.
"Seniors, please don't get it wrong. Ace and I are just ordinary people."
When I was chasing him, I accidentally encountered some accidents, and just when I was about to die, Ace saved me. It's that simple.
As for our relationship, we couldn't even be called friends. Before I boarded the ship, I was actually chasing after him...
In short, I am Isuka, a naval ensign, and it is an honor to be on board the renowned Dark Bird Ship alongside my seniors!
In the past six months, Saint Gawain's various deeds have already reached the ears of us drifters through newspapers and magazines.
Whether it's Fish-Man Island or Jaya, Saint Gawain's kindness is admirable.
As for his confrontation with Whitebeard and Red-Haired Shanks, his courage is truly awe-inspiring!
At this point, Isuka solemnly bowed to the group of veteran cadres.
"I really didn't expect that an ordinary second lieutenant like me could gain Gawain's approval and come here to chat with these legendary seniors."
If I have done anything wrong, I hope you seniors will forgive me!
At this point, Isuka bowed to the cadres once again.
Seeing Isuka bowing, he smiled and nodded slightly. Then, he turned to Isuka and smiled.
"Although I cannot see, I can hear the passion in your heart just by listening to your voice."
And, haha, just based on the things you said praising Gawain, you're already on a completely unhindered journey on this ship!
Because all these so-called seniors you're talking about share the same thoughts as you, haha!
Amidst the laughter, Yixiao raised his wine jug and took a satisfying sip.
Then, he continued speaking to Rayleigh with a smile.
"Haha, Brother Rayleigh, since our dreams can also be recognized by young people."
I have already seen what the future holds.
As long as our ideas can be recognized by young people of every era.
Even if our generation ultimately fails, our thoughts will live on in future eras!
"Yes!"
As soon as the joke ended, Rayleigh nodded slightly, but then immediately shook his head.
"What you said is indeed very true, but it's a bit too pessimistic."
Haha, how could we possibly fail?
Gawain is no ordinary guy, we've known that for a long time, and as for us, we're even more extraordinary!
If even Gawain and all of us together can't achieve this mere dream...
Then who else is qualified to achieve these things?
As soon as he finished speaking, Rayleigh nodded to Yixiao, then turned to Ace and smacked Ace hard on the head.
"And you, Ace, look how polite that young lady is!"
Isuka, that little girl, doesn't have a middle surname. I guess she's from an ordinary family, just like me.
But you, you are Roger's son, a descendant of the Clan of D!
You possess one of the finest bloodlines from the sea, yet you can't even compare to one ten-thousandth of that young girl's!
Whether it's politeness or composure under pressure, you've been surpassed by Isuka in every way!
At this point, Rayleigh repeatedly tapped Ace's head, while Ace, taking the beating, wore an indifferent smile and glanced at Isuka, who gasped in shock.
Noticing Isuka's surprise, Ace immediately pointed at Isuka's face and shouted at Rayleigh.
"Grandpa, look, she's been frightened."
He's not as calm and collected as you say, is he...?
"Get lost! Who wouldn't be surprised to hear about your background? Don't try to argue, kid!"
Rayleigh gave Ace a final tap on the head, then picked up the wine jug and, together with Ace, Isuka, and the others, began to drink heartily.