Passionate Preacher!

Passionate Preacher!

"Join the Marines?!"

Faced with Yoriichi's invitation, Kyros was stunned.

The Marines?! It was a path he had never considered. Kyros did not doubt the truth of Yoriichi's words. After all, the arena manager had already told him that a colonel from Marine Headquarters was looking for him. Now that he had seen Yoriichi's fighting ability, he had no further doubts.

The tall man who had come with the boy had not made a move, but he was surely very strong as well.

There was no need for people like them to toy with a gladiator like him.

"Can someone like me join the Marines too?"

Kyros murmured. He was asking Yoriichi, but also asking himself. Hearing this, Aokiji raised an eyebrow slightly. Judging by Kyros's expression, it seemed he had a story.

Aokiji was immediately interested and interjected, "Mr. Kyros, what kind of person are you? Why can't you join the Marines?"

"As long as you're not a pirate or a serious criminal, anyone can join the Marines."

Hearing that, Kyros shook his head and let out a soft sigh. Seeing his demeanor, Aokiji became certain that there was a story behind him and immediately said, "You have—"

Before Aokiji could finish, Kyros answered dejectedly:

"I'm a murderer!"

"That's right, one of the serious criminals you mentioned!"

After saying that, Kyros turned to Yoriichi. "Sorry. I don't think I can join the Marines."

As his words fell, Kyros gripped his sword, turned around, lowered his head, and walked toward his room.

"Kyros."

"Don't be in such a hurry to leave. I'm rather concerned about this matter of you being a murderer. Could you tell me about it briefly?"

Aokiji stopped Kyros and asked with a smile. He was trying to guide Kyros, hoping he would talk about himself. Aside from being stronger than most, Aokiji was no different from other young people his age.

He liked liveliness, had justice in his heart, and enjoyed hearing about other people's experiences. Aokiji and Kyros were not far apart in age, so they could barely be considered peers.

Aokiji was truly interested in this peer's life experiences.

Kyros stopped and slowly turned around. After pondering for a long time, he walked to the wall, leaned against it, and slowly sat down. Yoriichi and Aokiji exchanged a glance, then walked over and sat cross-legged in front of Kyros.

Kyros's room was clearly not far away, yet the three of them sat directly on the ground.

"Two years ago, I killed someone..."

"..."

Kyros then told Yoriichi and Aokiji about his past. It was nothing more than his good friend being killed, him avenging that friend, and becoming a murderer as a result.

Although the laws of Dressrosa also demanded a life for a life, a trial had to take place first. Kyros's private vengeance was not permitted.

Thus, Kyros had become a murderer.

What happened afterward was as Yoriichi knew. King Riku investigated the matter and learned the full truth. He believed Kyros was talented and loyal, and since the man Kyros had killed was himself a murderer, he greatly admired Kyros. Therefore, he showed leniency in disguise by setting the condition of "100 victories in the arena."

Strictly speaking, Kyros was no longer a criminal. The reason he remained here was only because of his guilt and the contempt surrounding people held toward murderers.

"So much happened!"

After quietly sitting on the ground and listening to Kyros's story, Aokiji could not help but sigh softly.

He also admired Kyros's loyalty. When he heard how King Riku had pardoned Kyros, his eyes lit up slightly as well.

At first, Aokiji had not been particularly interested in recruiting Kyros into the Marines. If Kyros wanted to come, he could come. If he did not, that was fine too. Aokiji truly did not care much.

But now, Aokiji had become just like Yoriichi. He very much hoped Kyros would join the Marines. If nothing unexpected happened, Aokiji would be promoted to commodore this year. At that time, he would have his own ship and his own subordinates.

But Aokiji had risen through the ranks far too quickly. Among his subordinates, he did not actually have a suitable adjutant.

Although Headquarters would assign one to him, having no one of his own by his side still felt different. Within the Marines, many adjutants serving flag officers were personally trained by those officers.

Yoriichi did not know that Aokiji had long since set his sights on him. Aokiji had even privately spoken to Garp about Yoriichi before, only to be brushed off by Garp.

He had originally lacked a suitable candidate. Now that he had encountered Kyros, Aokiji immediately turned his attention to him.

Someone devoted to friendship and loyalty, with no ties to the Marines, was a perfect fit!

After hearing Kyros's account, Aokiji instantly understood why he still remained in the arena and why he had rejected the invitation.

Kyros was held back by inferiority and guilt...

Thinking of this, Aokiji stood up.

"Kyros, I understand your situation now."

"I'm Kuzan, a colonel from Marine Headquarters."

"Your identity is not a problem. The Marines can accept you."

Aokiji first stated this firmly. Then, after pondering for a moment, he continued:

"I know that you may blame yourself deeply because you killed someone, but isn't that exactly why joining the Marines would be right?!"

"This world is far too chaotic. Rampant pirates have launched massacre after massacre, plundering batch after batch of civilians."

"That is precisely why the Marines exist!"

"Chasing down pirates and giving civilians an environment where they can live in peace—that is the duty of the Marines."

"Kyros, staying here and numbing yourself through fighting has no meaning."

"The dead will not come back to life because you keep fighting. Likewise, your guilt will never disappear through battle."

"Become a Marine. Use your strength to help those who need help. Isn't that far more valuable than staying here?!"

Aokiji spoke with passion. At this moment, he truly believed in the justice of the Marines and in his own justice. He was a genuinely hot-blooded young man.

Yoriichi glanced at Aokiji, feeling that the guy was manipulating Kyros. He even had proof. But Aokiji currently looked like a fanatical preacher spreading his beliefs to others, so calling it manipulation did not seem quite right.

After all, a boss who manipulated people would not believe his own nonsense.

"Help more people?!"

"Can a murderer like me really do that? Do I even deserve to do that?"

Kyros stared blankly at the fervent Aokiji, somewhat lost in thought.

"Of course!"

"Come on, Kyros! The Marines need people like you!"

Aokiji walked up to Kyros, extended his hand, and looked at him with anticipation in his eyes, waiting for his answer.

Seeing Kyros's slightly trembling body and quivering lips, Yoriichi lowered his head with a smile and thought, I never expected Kuzan to have this kind of personality when he was young.

What a waste that he didn't become an HR recruiter.

Kyros looked at Aokiji's outstretched hand, released his grip on his sword, and tightly clasped Aokiji's hand with both of his. He nodded heavily.

"Colonel Kuzan! Please let me join the Marines!"