Recruitment

Rod swung the long saber in his hand, then raised it again, looking at the beautiful patterns on the blade with a hint of satisfaction.

Although he wasn't a pure swordsman, obtaining a fine sword was an unexpected joy.

I didn't expect this guy's strength to be so mediocre, yet he had a good sword.

Glancing at Mr. 11, whom he had knocked to the ground, Rod bent down, took the scabbard hanging from his waist, and sheathed the newly acquired fine sword.

"This is my sword!"

Seeing Rod naturally sheathe his long saber and claim it as his own, Mr. 11 couldn't help but speak.

"It's mine now."

Rod glanced indifferently at the other man.

"Who are you?"

Thinking about how the opponent had subdued him in an instant, Mr. 11 knew in his heart that he was probably no match for him.

But, at least he had to find out the enemy's identity.

"Weren't you after my bounty? What, you don't recognize me?"

Hearing Rod's answer, Mr. 11 took a serious look at Rod and Nerl, and his expression changed drastically.

Red hair, emerald green pupils. They were from the Rod Pirates, Rod and Nerl!

"Rest assured and wait for the battle to end."

Nerl retrieved two wine glasses from the bar counter, poured a glass of wine for himself and one for Rod, and quietly waited for the battle in the street to end.

Hoo--

Genos let out a long breath, pulled the broken sword from his chest, and threw it on the ground. He then picked the two bullets stuck in his neck and threw them away. Afterward, he slowly walked up to Mr. 5.

Mr. 5 lay on the ground, covered in wounds of various sizes. These were injuries Genos had sustained in the previous battle, trading his life for damage.

The battle had lasted nearly an hour. 67 ordinary members of Baroque Works were all severely injured or dead! Two Chief Commanders had moderate injuries but were exhausted, unable to even stand up!

One enemy, the Zombie Man, Genos, had his body pierced by swords countless times, his chest shot through by bullets, and his bones shattered by heavy blows.

Mr. 5 looked at Genos, who had not a single scratch on his body, and a trace of fear appeared in his eyes.

This was a true monster that could not be killed!

"Can you tell me why? Why go to such lengths?"

Even if the opponent could quickly recover from his injuries with his Devil Fruit abilities, the damage sustained during the battle was real, and the pain of being injured was real.

Even the most brutal pirates wouldn't fight like this. Why go to such lengths?

"Why?"

Genos, holding a nearly shattered hand axe, looked down at the man lying on the ground, his eyes filled with a hint of anger.

"You sent people to steal my Xixi, and you're asking me why!?"

"Xixi?"

"She's a dog I raised, my only companion! I will never forgive anyone who dares to harm my companion!"

"Because of a dog!?"

Mr. 5's eyes widened.

The reason for fighting to such an extent was actually just because of a dog!?

"That white dog!"

Mr. 11's eyes widened as well. He remembered the subordinate from earlier, the one who had stolen Genos's dog and whom he had ordered to get rid of it.

"Was it you?"

Genos suddenly looked up, his gaze swept over Rod and Nerl, then landed on Mr. 11.

He had noticed these two red-haired youths during the battle, but they hadn't shown any hostility, so he hadn't paid them much attention.

"No, it wasn't me, I don't know anything!"

Just kidding. Even Mr. 5 and Ms. Valentine had been taken down. Mr. 11 had no intention of fighting Genos right now.

Besides, it wasn't him who did it in the first place.

"Your Xixi is over there."

Rod spoke, pointing to a box by the wall.

Hearing Rod's answer, Genos threw away the axe in his hand and quickly ran to the box. He carefully opened it and let out a sigh of relief only when he saw Xixi lying inside, unharmed and fast asleep.

He gently picked Xixi out of the box and looked at Rod and Nerl.

"You saved Xixi, right? Thank you so much!

I will repay you handsomely. No matter what you ask, I will do my best to fulfill it!"

Hearing Genos's words, Rod's face immediately broke into a slight smile.

"Then, come aboard my ship and sail the seas with me!"

"Huh?"

Genos was slightly taken aback.

He was indeed grateful to these two red-haired youths who had saved Xixi, and he truly wanted to repay them.

However, he had originally refused Baroque Works' recruitment precisely because he wanted a peaceful life, and that was what led to the current situation.

This kind of request from them...

"You guys are..."

Genos tentatively asked.

"We're pirates!"

"I'm sorry."

Genos's face was full of apology.

"I just want to live a peaceful life. I really don't want to become a pirate and be chased all over the sea by the Marines, never finding peace."

Rod didn't mind Genos's refusal. Instead, he poured him a glass of wine and gestured for him to sit down and chat for a while.

"If given a choice, no one wants to be chased around.

But this sea is like this; it won't be peaceful just because you want it to be. Haven't the events of this time made the situation clear to you?"

Raising his wine glass to clink with Genos's, Rod took a sip and then pointed at the members of Baroque Works lying on the ground. He continued.

"The one you just defeated was Baroque Works' Chief Commander, Mr. 5.

You're a smart person. You should understand from his codename that since he's number 5, there are four people stronger than him above him. And above those four is their mastermind, one of the Shichibukai, Crocodile."

Seeing Genos's changing expression, Rod shook his head slightly.

"You're already involved now. If you want to continue maintaining the peaceful life you desire, you can only eliminate everyone who wants to break that peace."

"What a hassle!"

Genos tilted his head back and drank all the beer in his glass, letting out a long sigh.

He just wanted to live a quiet and simple life with Xixi.

Rod poured him another glass of wine, then laughed heartily and patted Genos on the shoulder.

"Don't worry, being a pirate isn't as tough as you imagine.

In fact, as long as you have enough strength, you can live a dashing life no matter what you do."

"However, your concerns aren't wrong. Many times, pirates do indeed face pursuit from the Marines."

Rod stood up, his gaze falling on the distance, a flash of red light in his eyes.

"Just like now!"