Awakening

What is the most terrifying thing in the world?

Is it the most fearsome enemy?

Is it the loss of loved ones?

Is it the unpredictable future?

Is it the death that is inevitably unavoidable?

Yes, but also no. All these things, in the final analysis, boil down to one thing: the loss of hope. Isn't the most terrifying thing in the world to lose hope precisely when you have finally gained it, at the moment you feel most fortunate?

Louis felt a chill all over his body, not because he was currently submerged in the sea. He couldn't stay on the surface for long, and the surging waves would soon push him back into the water. Even the coldest seawater couldn't extinguish a burning heart; only despair could.

The signal of the Den Den Mushi had been cut off. It wasn't a simple jamming; the Den Den Mushi itself had a problem. The communication function of CP-special Den Den Mushi was already monitored by superiors. Even if the intelligence operative didn't make a call, many normal sounds would be transmitted. When superiors deemed it necessary, cutting off the signal was not strange.

Skello had indeed done a beautiful job this time. Even though Louis wasn't someone he particularly liked, he wouldn't blindly try to kill Louis. Instead, he made his move only after Louis had completed his mission and reported the intelligence to the Navy. The mission was considered complete, and even his superiors couldn't find fault. Louis was just unlucky.

What to do?

What to do?

What to do?

What to do?

Louis bobbed up and down in the water, these words replaying in his mind. Without a doubt, he had reached an unprecedented desperate situation. His enemies were three: the Roger Pirates, the storm, and the approaching Navy.

Within the Roger Pirates, there were absolutely many individuals who could easily kill him. The idea of disguising himself and infiltrating the Roger Pirates was pure fantasy. Even Rayleigh could easily distinguish the aura of every beast on an island in an instant. How could he not distinguish someone he lived with day and night on a ship? Not to mention Roger.

The storm, of course, needed no further explanation. Louis was currently submerged in the sea, and it took immense effort just to break the surface for a breath. It was even more chaotic underwater than on the surface. The surging currents carried earth-shattering power. He wasn't a Fish-Man, after all. Louis didn't know how long he could last if he continued to stay in the sea.

Then there was the third, the Navy, who should have been his reinforcements. At this moment, they would undoubtedly be his enemies as well. He couldn't prove his identity. If he could meet Admiral Sengoku, if he could meet the high-ranking officials of the Navy, perhaps the phone call just now could help. Even if he wasn't fully trusted, at least there would be room for maneuver. A simple verification with CP would solve the problem. But the real issue was, could Louis actually meet the Navy's high-ranking officials?

Louis estimated his most likely outcome: being sunk to the seabed by the Navy's indiscriminate firepower.

"Am I dead for sure?"

Louis struggled to break the surface, then shot into the sky.

"Absolutely not!"

He didn't want to die. He absolutely did not want to die here. He had no grand dreams, only the desire to live! He had to achieve this simple dream no matter what!

Not to mention, there were two guys waiting for him. He absolutely, absolutely could not die here.

And, absolutely, absolutely, absolutely, he had to take down that man!

"Geppo!"

He couldn't care about anything else anymore. Louis used Geppo. His identity could be changed later; all that mattered now was survival. Besides, it wasn't that easy to be discovered now. The torrential rain reduced visibility to only a few meters. It wouldn't be easy for Louis to be spotted.

"There!!"

Louis saw it. A ship, not very large. Compared to the mainstream large ships of the New World, it was quite small, probably a small boat capable of carrying a few dozen people. It drifted powerlessly on the sea, but it was enough. For Louis now, it was enough.

"Bang!"

Geppo combined with Soru. Lucci named it Razor. Louis hadn't given it a name; it was fast anyway.

The distant distance was quickly covered by Louis's frantic charge. Louis descended from the sky.

"There's no one here either!"

Louis gritted his teeth. The ship was also full of dead bodies, clearly a ship ravaged by the Roger Pirates. He could sail, but it was obviously difficult for one person to manage a ship alone.

"Forget it! Then come on!"

But there was no more time for Louis to hesitate. He instantly sprang up and landed on the mast, lowering the sail. The small boat began to move rapidly under the fierce wind. Then Louis landed behind the ship's wheel on the deck, his hand on the helm. "A mere storm! Don't think you can do anything to me!!"

Louis had never been so agitated. Death had grasped his heart, so what he had to do now was to pry open the hand of death.

"Whoosh!!"

A huge wave crashed over, its crest far exceeding the height of the small boat's mast.

"Hahahaha!!"

Louis burst into laughter. Such emotional outbursts were extremely rare for him.

He forcefully turned the helm to its limit. A small boat meant greater maneuverability. Louis didn't dodge; the small boat charged directly towards the wave crest. Then, just as he reached the base of the crest, Louis turned the helm again. The small boat turned once more, suddenly sideways, and began to sail directly on the crest of the wave. Louis looked up and could see the dark seawater, with even fish swimming within.

"I want to,"

Louis said softly, "live."

"Boom!!"

The giant wave crashed onto the sea surface like a collapsing mountain, but it didn't affect the small boat itself. Louis steered the small boat out of the tsunami. He had indeed survived.

"Hoo hoo hoo"

Cold sweat poured from his body. Although he had received sailing training during his CP training, this was the first and most dangerous time he had sailed under such conditions. Fortunately, he succeeded.

I can do it!

A smile appeared on Louis's lips. I can do it!!

"En?"

Suddenly, Louis saw something bobbing on the sea, right by the ship. The heavy rain made it hard to see clearly, but after a second look, he finally confirmed it was a person.

"That's..."

A surprised smile spread across Louis's face. He quickly scanned the surroundings. The sea was relatively calm. He dashed to the ship's railing like lightning, grabbed a coil of rope that had fallen on the deck, and threw it out, wrapping it around the person in the sea.

"Come up!"

With a strong pull, the man flew onto the deck, landing right in front of Louis.

Louis didn't have time to spare. He stepped on the man's chest. "Captain! Are you alive!"

It was Rhode, the captain of the Blood Hand Pirates, Rhode.

"Ugh!"

His vitality was indeed remarkable. Despite sustaining not-light injuries, he regained consciousness after spitting out a large amount of seawater. "Mario?"

"That's great! Captain!"

Louis returned to the helm, genuinely happy. With Rhode around, their chances of survival had definitely increased. This guy was strong. "With your help, we'll be fine!"

"You saved me? I remember being thrown into the sea by those guys from the Roger Pirates. Hiss, it hurts!"

He clutched his chest. "Several bones must be broken? They're so strong! That big cat!"

"It's fine, as long as you're alive!"

Louis said thankfully, "This storm really came at the worst possible time!"

"Where are we going? Mario,"

Rhode struggled to stand up. "You can even steer a ship?"

"I learned for a while,"

Louis said directly. "The waves are too big! If we stay here any longer, we'll all die. I think we need to get out of this area first. Captain, can you help me control the sails? The wind is too strong, I'm afraid the ship will capsize."

"Leave?"

Rhode was stunned, then shouted, "Why leave? What are you talking about, Mario! The battle with the Roger Pirates isn't over yet! Admiral Golden Lion hasn't given the order to cease fire! We have to go back and continue fighting!"

"Go back? Captain,"

Louis asked in surprise, "Are you joking, Captain? Going back means death! With these waves, and against the Roger Pirates."

"This is our responsibility! The Admiral hasn't given the order, how can the soldiers below desert their posts! Mario, you've disappointed me!"

Rhode reprimanded loudly, "As pirates, how can you abandon righteousness!"

"But Captain, didn't Admiral Golden Lion already abandon us?"

Louis shouted, "He doesn't care if we live or die!"

"What nonsense are you spouting! Isn't Admiral Golden Lion still fighting Roger?"

Rhode pointed to the sky. Slashes were still whistling through the air. Roger and Golden Lion's battle was becoming more intense. "How much have we sacrificed? The crew members left in the sky might be just one step away from victory! As long as we go back and continue fighting, we can defeat Roger! Mario! Hurry back!"

"..."

Louis sighed. "So, this is your resolve, Captain?"

"Yes,"

Rhode said seriously, "I am willing to fight for Golden Lion's ambition until my death!"

"I see,"

Louis licked his lips. "Then I'm sorry, Captain. I'm not willing to gamble my life for someone else's dream."

"What"

Rhode's eyes widened.

"In the end,"

Louis gripped the helm. "Admiral Golden Lion has nothing to do with me, does he? He's not my idol."

"Mario, you"

"Captain, I'm not going back. I want to live. My voyage has just begun."

Louis stated plainly.

"Alright, I understand. I respect your choice,"

Rhode nodded. "But given my current condition, I can't go back on my own. Please, Mario, I implore you, give me a ride back!"

He bowed deeply.

"..."

Louis looked at the man. The existence of such a guy was probably why he was moved by this manga back then. But, "Sorry, Captain, as I said, I'm not going back."

"Mario"

Rhode looked up, his expression exceptionally serious. "Is this your attitude? I don't want to force my crew, but now I must go back! In the name of the captain, Mario! Take me back! This is an order!"

"Don't make me angry, Mario!"

"I see, it seems there's no way to change your mind, no matter what. I understand. When two people's opinions clash, one must choose, right?"

Louis looked deeply at Rhode, then nodded. "Captain, I've seen your resolve. Alright then, Captain, please take the helm for a moment. I'll observe the surrounding currents. Blindly turning in this storm will surely capsize the ship."

"Ha, is that so? That's great."

Rhode smiled and walked to Louis's side, placing his hand on the ship's wheel. "Just keep it still, right? Don't worry, Mario. As long as you send me back a bit, I'll let you go."

"Mm, Captain, I understand now. I can't change your resolve,"

Louis's voice was soft.

"Of course! A man's resolve,"

Rhode laughed. "Can never be changed!"

"Yeah, that's right."

"Lotus Finger Gun!"

"Ahhh!!!"

"That's right, my resolve, I absolutely refuse to change it either."

A chapter of three thousand five hundred words, you guys get it, right?