After the storm had passed, the Oro Jackson sailed toward the distant horizon.
The injured crew members went to Crocus for treatment one after another. They held unconditional trust in this ship's doctor with his superb medical skills.
The battle against Shiki had not been without casualties. On the contrary, Roger's ship had suffered heavy losses, with nearly ten crew members even buried at sea.
This was a common sight for pirates, yet when they cast the bodies into the ocean, many of their companions still could not hold back their tears.
For pirates, the most unbearable thing was a companion's betrayal. The second was probably a companion's death.
But as pirates who roamed these seas, there were always certain things they had to face.
"No matter how many times it happens, you just can't get used to companions leaving like this." Rayleigh stood at the bow and sighed.
Beside him, Roger and Shin stood shoulder to shoulder.
"It was my failure as captain. I couldn't protect them." Roger let out a soft sigh as well.
Shin watched in silence, offering no opinion.
Once the brief ceremony ended, there were other trivial matters to handle, and those had always been left to Rayleigh.
That evening, with the first burst of laughter, the lively banquet officially began.
While sailing the seas, any excuse was enough for these pirates to throw a banquet. Only at times like this could they sing to their hearts' content, indulge themselves freely, and feel what it meant to be pirates.
Naturally, Roger would not pass up such a rare opportunity. He shamelessly pestered Shin for that wine gourd of his, and in the end, Shin could only fill ten whole barrels with fine wine for him. As for the wine gourd, he could forget it.
As