Kaya stood on the dock, completely stunned.
Her eyes, filled with amazement and longing, were fixed on Gawain's gentle and refined back.
Even though he was holding a newspaper, sitting with his Erlang, and wearing a military uniform, he still couldn't hide his scholarly air.
But why is it that such a seemingly quiet and peaceful person can so easily utter such Haki and impressive words that make people admire him?
At this time, Kaya did not know that Gawain's temperament stemmed from the consistent temperament of a diplomat. He had strived to advance in his diplomatic career and always aspired to be a spokesperson who stood in front of the world and spoke to the world.
All those predecessors possessed the same gentle and refined temperament as Gawain.
However, behind that gentle and refined exterior, Gawain was ultimately tempered by the hardships of life in the Pirate World, developing a fierce and domineering Haki...
Faced with Gawain's Gawain, Kuro's face could no longer remain calm. At this moment, the fear and panic of death that should have appeared on his face but which he had suppressed finally surfaced.
"Sir... Sir, Gawain!
How could you do this? You are a person I deeply respect; you should speak with authority!
Besides, I... I can atone for my sins, really!
I..."
"You should calm down, Kuro."
Hearing Kuro's increasingly flustered words, Gawain gently waved his hand.
"Since you've remained indifferent in the face of death, why keep jumping back and forth?"
A true strong person, no matter how many times they face death, should remain as relaxed as ever.
Moreover, since you've already impressed me once, I might as well look up to you again.
What do you think?
As soon as he finished speaking, Gawain gave Spandam a look without waiting for Kuro's reply.
Seeing this, Spandam immediately dragged Kuro away.
Oh, and he also covered Kuro's mouth, because the more Spandam is like that, the less he wants to give someone like Kuro a chance!
Because Spandam will never forget how he got his opportunity, nor will he forget what he wanted to do in the future after seizing that opportunity!
He knew it all too well, he really knew it all too well...
Thus, Kuro was thrown in front of Zephyr. After Zephyr and the others interrogated Kuro and uncovered his specific crimes, especially after Zephyr found out that Kuro had actually hypnotized a Marine, giving him credit for killing him, and turning a potentially excellent Marine into a crazed bastard.
There was no room for doubt about Kuro's death.
In the end, Zephyr was sent away, and Shiryu executed.
According to bystanders, Kuro's death was probably not peaceful...
Time flew by, and six days later...
After Kaya's parents returned to Syrup Village from their quest for food supplies, Gawain and his group thanked them and then decided to leave.
That noon, at Kaya's house, Kaya's parents, who had already moved back, were explaining a series of things to their daughter who was about to embark on a long sea voyage.
When Kaya's parents learned that Kaya was leaving, they were undoubtedly devastated.
But so what if things collapse? At least his daughter didn't leave as a slave.
On another level, Kaya even managed to infiltrate the Celestial Dragon's butler team, becoming a reserve assistant...
This also caused a minor conflict within the Kaya family at this time.
At this very moment, Kaya's father is giving Kaya some instructions.
"Kaya, once you're on Gawain's ship, you must study diligently with your teacher."
Although Ms. Kalifa is young, she is not only the mentor personally appointed by Lord Gawain, but also an elite agent of the former CP9 intelligence agency, and now she is the chief assistant of the Celestial Dragon!
Because of her status, even the king of our Goa Kingdom has to be mindful of her feelings!
Even you now..
At this point, Kaya's father wore a smile of immense satisfaction.
He said with immense pride and arrogance.
"Even now, if you tell the king and those nobles your identity, you can receive the same treatment they would give you as a princess!"
Opportunity, that's what you call opportunity!
I never imagined our family would encounter such a fortunate opportunity!
"Hello!!!"
Kaya's father finished speaking, Kaya's mother, who was standing to the side, could no longer hold back.
Kaya's mother, who was usually gentle, suddenly glared at him like a furious female beast.
"What are you saying, Kanan? Kaya is your daughter. She's not some tool for pursuing fame and status!"
Our daughter is only sixteen years old, and she's about to leave her hometown to become an assistant to some Celestial Dragon!
"What is this? This is blatant kidnapping! If he's not Celestial Dragon, then..."
"Keep your voice down!!!"
Kaya's dad quickly shut Kaya's mom up.
"What are you thinking, darling? There are capable people around the Celestial Dragon!"
If someone overhears what you say, not only will you lose the wealth you've already acquired, but your daughter's fate will also be very tragic!
In short, we, as inferiors, cannot refuse the orders of the Celestial Dragon!
Since we can't refuse, we should naturally strive to find the better possibility in our current situation!
What do you want me to say? Do you want me to act like an ordinary father and tell my daughter to take good care of herself and live a happy life?
If it were up to me, I wouldn't have let my daughter leave my side at this age, would I?
My daughter has become Celestial Dragon's subordinate. Since that's the case, I must teach her how to face the real world!
I really want to tell our daughter happy fairy tales like we used to, but reality isn't a fairy tale, and Kaya has been forced to face reality, hasn't she?!
As soon as he finished speaking, Kaya's father gently hugged his daughter and stroked her hair with emotion.
"My dear daughter, remember, do not act willfully on that ship."
Perhaps you have the right to be willful a few times, because Gawain seems to be a reasonable person.
But whether you have the right or not, being willful will be punished, because they are not your parents, they are not us!
Dad doesn't want to tell you how to climb the social ladder, Dad doesn't want to tell you how to use more realistic methods to achieve a better position.
But if you don't do something, you can't blame others for doing it.
If you don't defeat others, they will naturally defeat you!
Lord Gawain is ambitious; just look at the people around him. Under the Dark Bird banner, a world of striving and progress is destined to emerge.
In such a world, no one can tolerate naivety or stagnation!
Don't be fooled by the fact that there are girls younger than you, like Uta, Shirahoshi, and Vivi, on his boat.
Don't be fooled by the presence of Lieutenant Isuka and other girls around your age on his ship.
Those younger than you, they are all princesses, all of them!
Behind them stands their country; their existence is bought with the obedience of an entire nation and people!
As for Lieutenant Isuka and the others, they are warriors, and the reason they exist is their potential; they have unlimited possibilities!
And you, my daughter, I'm sorry!
Your father is not a king, and even my wealth is far less than a single mast on Gawain's ship.
You have no special privileges, no potential, all you have is meticulousness!
So, my dear daughter, forget your past and try to live on that ship!
When you stop being naive, you won't be so easily defeated anymore!
After saying that, Kaya resolutely let go of his daughter.
"Let's stop here. We can't keep the Celestial Dragon waiting any longer."
Meanwhile, at the dock in Syrup Village, Usopp's underlings were crying as they said goodbye to him.
Compared to the relatively realistic farewell that took place at Kaya's house, Usopp's farewell to his underlings seemed very One Piece-esque.
Crying and tears filled the ground; their words were filled with anticipation for the future and aspirations for life.
Usopp cried as he hugged his underlings tightly, calling out their names one by one.
"Wow! Tomato Head, Onion Head, Radish Head!"
Brother, after I leave, you must take good care of this village!
"Damn, bro!"
Onion Head wiped away his tears and answered with unwavering resolve.
"After you leave, we will definitely carry on your work and shout 'The pirates are coming!' every morning in the village!"
"Wait, big brother!"
Radish Head, who was standing to the side, couldn't help but ask.
"You shouted that pirates are coming because your dad is a pirate."
But it was you we were waiting for!
So, should we call out that the Celestial Dragon have arrived?
"Or has the Dark Bird arrived?"
Tomato Head added from the back.
Listening to his underlings' words, Usopp started crying and then laughed.
"Pfft, haha, waaaah, don't say such silly things, you brats!"
Those are lies that only I, the Liar, have the right to tell. After I leave, you cannot take away my business and go around the village shouting lies!!!
At this point, Usopp released his underlings, and then, with his long nose sticking out, he gave them a thumbs-up!
"I'm a peerless genius who mastered the disassembly and maintenance of all kinds of guns in just six days, and incidentally made my body many times stronger... Usopp!"
As my underlings, you must follow me and become even better than you were before, you bastards!
Wait until I've sailed the seas and earned my own bounty and reputation!
By then, I definitely won't be like my damn Pops!
Then, I will return to Syrup Village and tell you all my stories!
I believe I can definitely create an amazing story!!!
And you all must become even better by then!!!
In the distance, in the waiting area near the Little Dark Bird, Gawain sat on the sofa with a smile, watching Usopp and his crew say goodbye.
Hearing Usopp's voice, Gawain pursed his lips and spoke to Rayleigh, who was sitting lazily beside him.
"Rayleigh, the influence of pirates is still the greatest. Even after joining us, this kid is still thinking about getting a bounty."
"Haha, that's not true. The concept of bounties has been around on the seas for over eight hundred years. That number is no longer something dangerous; it's just a common standard used by ordinary people to measure the strong and the legendary!"
After saying that, Rayleigh turned to Gawain and said seriously.
"Honestly, it would be quite inconvenient if there were no bounties in real life."
For example, on our ship, although there isn't a huge difference in status among us officers, there should still be a distinction between those in charge and those in subordinate positions.
Now, we all determine our respective heights and positions based on our understanding of ourselves and each other.
After all, there are many places to practice on the ship; we can get the hang of it by practicing with each other.
But the future..."
At this point, Mr. Rayleigh's gaze deepened, and he leaned slightly closer to Gawain, speaking softly.
"But in the future, my Captain, we cadres must not be treated equally by you."
You should know better than I do that impartiality is only suitable for this kind of adjustment period.
In times of war, we will definitely need to distinguish between superior and inferior!
After all, once the battlefield is divided into areas and regions, only one person can have the final say in each area; this is the most fundamental core of warfare.
That is, one person gives the order!
At this point, Grandpa Rayleigh gently raised his hand and pointed to the numerous Black Ice Terrace members around him.
"These ordinary soldiers are quite different from us officers; you and Lucci have created many different ranks among them."
The detailed hierarchical divisions not only brought more talented commanders to the forefront, but also provided them with a complete hierarchical system, much like that of the navy.
Even if they are broken up into groups of five, the group members can instantly understand whose orders they should obey and who should step forward to give the orders!
But among us cadres, you have never brought up such a distinction."
Rayleigh raised his hand and patted his chest.
"I also know that at crucial moments, perhaps someone with more seniority like myself can stand up and say a few words to the younger generation."
But this format is very informal, Gawain.
Let me give you an example. Imagine Crocodile, Hancock, and Shiryu team up to fight a pirate crew, but they disagree on some of their plans.
So, of the three of them, who do you think would be willing to take orders from whom?
Hancock will not obey anyone except you.
The same Shiryu.
As for Crocodile, he would never take anyone else's orders seriously!
Although some things, once brought up for discussion, seem incredibly realistic.
Ultimately, however, the system needs this reality, and there cannot and should not be complete equality among officials!
After speaking, Grandpa Rayleigh looked at Gawain, waiting earnestly for Gawain reply.
Gawain pondered for a moment, then nodded with a light laugh.
"You're right, sir. Although I have clearly defined the powers and responsibilities of the Black Ice Terrace for the time being, I haven't actually made specific divisions among the cadres."
On the one hand, I do not want concepts such as strength and weakness, superiority and inferiority, to limit cadres' self-awareness and pursuit of strength.
On the other hand, among cadres, command authority sometimes seems unimportant.
After all, this is the ocean, where strength speaks volumes. We need the strength of our cadres even more, and we need them to act as the blade, piercing the sword with the necessary incisions!
However, what you said is indeed correct. In certain special circumstances, it is necessary to distinguish between cadres to make their interactions clearer.
I do have a simple plan for this.
Among us, merit is not something to talk about; hard power is more important than merit, and that is an indisputable fact.
No matter how great their achievements, if they cannot withstand the impact of the Four Emperors and their vice-emperors, then they are naturally not qualified to become officers, because the armies led by such officers cannot threaten the truly strong.
Therefore, I don't want to assign you a clear seating arrangement for now, but I can approach this issue in a different way.
I can first make the cadre hierarchy clearer and more specific, so that when dividing the cadres' work areas in the future, we can clarify and adjust their work content according to their respective hierarchical levels!
At this point, Gawain lit a cigarette.
He spoke with a laugh as he exhaled wisps of smoke.
"For example, I can first divide the officers into different squads based on their respective strengths, and gather people who are suitable for that style under the appropriate officers."
While this doesn't fundamentally solve the issue of hierarchical hierarchy among cadres, it does address the issue of effective cooperation among them.
As for this kind of formation, I think they can be called the Thirteen Flag Guard Divisions for now.
Perhaps this name would be more suitable for spreading across this vast ocean.