A Critical Moment

"Stop...!" At that critical moment, a figure rushed in like Inazuma, instantly closing the distance to within a hundred meters. It was Smoker, who had arrived at breakneck speed, his heart filled with anxiety. However, as soon as he entered the area, he immediately sensed something amiss. His face instantly turned grim, clearly realizing that the situation was dire.

"Ugh... Ugh..." Almost at the same time, Tashigi rushed in after her. However, she had only been there a short while when she suddenly clutched her neck tightly with both hands, her face contorted in extreme pain. Then, with a thud, Tashigi collapsed to the ground, her body curled up in a ball, trembling uncontrollably.

"Sigh!" This breathtaking scene naturally unfolded before Moke's eyes. Although he had initially paid Tashigi with precious Yubashiri as payment for her instruction in swordsmanship, Tashigi was undeniably a crucial figure who had guided him onto the path of swordsmanship. During their time together, a certain degree of affection had developed between them. Therefore, faced with this situation, Moke simply couldn't bring himself to eliminate Tashigi as well. After a fierce internal struggle, he ultimately decided to conceal his powerful abilities.

As Moke slowly withdrew the suffocatingly powerful force back into his body, Doberman and the Momonga, who had been suppressed and were almost unable to breathe, finally felt a great weight lifted off their shoulders and were released. As if they had just struggled back from the brink of death, they opened their mouths wide and greedily sucked in the incredibly fresh and precious air around them, immersing themselves completely in this hard-won freedom.

Meanwhile, Smoker and Tashigi gradually recovered from the terrifying pressure they had just witnessed. When they looked at Moke again, the expressions in their eyes had undergone a complete transformation. After the harrowing scene they had just witnessed, they deeply realized that the man standing before them— Moke —had far surpassed their reach, and there seemed to be an insurmountable chasm between them.

Especially Tashigi, despite knowing the vast difference in strength between herself and Moke, her stubborn and obstinate nature made it impossible for her to easily accept this fact. Her face contorted with rage, she fearlessly charged towards Moke, loudly demanding, "How could you so cruelly kill Captain Wild Dog? He was a dignified naval captain..." Halfway through her sentence, her gaze involuntarily fell upon the Sandai Kitetsu tightly gripped in Moke's hand, her voice growing even more agitated. "A person like you, who kills indiscriminately, is utterly unworthy of such Meito! Your actions are a defilement of this precious blade!"

Hearing Tashigi's indignant and impassioned accusations, Moke was momentarily speechless, finding it both amusing and exasperating. He twitched his lips slightly, a complex expression on his face, and thought to himself, "I must admit, this naive young girl is as innocent as a blank sheet of paper. But... humph!" With that thought, Moke decided to stop indulging her and responded in a blunt, even slightly sarcastic tone, "So what? Are you saying we can only allow your navy to run rampant and do whatever you want on this vast East Blue? When you accuse me of possessing the Sandai Kitetsu, please do your research first and find out what kind of person that so-called Wild Dog Colonel really is! Such a despicable, shameless, and utterly wicked fellow dares to parade around cloaked in the guise of 'justice.' It's the biggest joke in the world!"

"What exactly do you mean by that?" Tashigi stared wide-eyed at Moke, her face full of confusion and bewilderment. At the same time, Smoker's expression subtly changed; his previously calm gaze instantly became complex. Unlike the innocent and kind Tashigi, his years of experience in the Marines had exposed him to far too much of the darkness and ugliness of the world. Yet, hearing Moke's words now, a flicker of joy rose within him. Because, judging from this, Moke didn't seem to have lost his mind and driven by delusion to cruelly kill others simply to obtain a Devil Fruit. Perhaps there was a hidden story behind it all...

Deep within his heart, he always harbored a seed of kindness, a kindness that shone like a faint yet radiant star in the night sky. It was this shining quality that made him far superior to those vicious, murderous, and ruthless pirates who had ascended to the throne of the Shichibukai.

"Hoo..." Smoker took a deep drag on his cigar, the smoke instantly spreading out like a veil over his cold, handsome face. Then, he slowly exhaled the smoke, forming a long, white column that rose and dissipated into the air.

After doing all this, Smoker's sharp, hawk-like eyes, carrying a hint of warning, swept over Doberman and Momonga in turn, and he said in a deep voice, "Fleet Admiral Sengoku has issued an order that the mission of inviting Moke to join the Shichibukai will be carried out by Tashigi and me." As he finished speaking, his gaze shifted to Moke not far away, and he stared intently at him, asking, "So, are you willing to accept this invitation?"

Upon hearing this, Moke was slightly taken aback, a look of surprise on his face. To be honest, he hadn't expected Sengoku to make such a move. After all, knowing the original plot well, he knew all too well that the so-called Seven Warlords of the Sea system would be abolished sooner or later. Moreover, as time went on, the Navy would launch targeted crackdowns and hunts down former Shichibukai one by one. At that time, the desperate Shichibukai might choose to collude with each other and form a new force capable of rivaling the Four Emperors of the New World.

Therefore, if he were to readily agree to join the renowned and Might-Shaker Four Seas Shichibukai right now, wouldn't he be able to cleverly use his extraordinary and special status to win over some of its members? Thinking of this, Moke's originally sharp, hawk-like eyes gradually deepened, as if he were secretly plotting a world-shaking plan deep within his heart... Perhaps he could even recruit them all to his command! Especially that stunningly beautiful and captivating empress... Just thinking about that charming woman, Moke suddenly felt that even slowing down the swing of the sword he was gripping seemed perfectly acceptable.

Seeing Moke remain silent, Tashigi decisively played the emotional card. "Considering the time we spent together, you should seriously consider this. To be honest, neither I nor Captain Smoker truly want to one day have to face you on the battlefield, fighting to the death." At that moment, Moke had already made up his mind, and without hesitation, he replied, "Actually, all along, I've only been targeting that infamous Wild Dog. I have no animosity towards the entire navy. Besides, we share a deep bond from teaching each other swordsmanship... Therefore, I've decided to join you!"

"Great... that's fantastic!" Smoker's voice trembled with excitement. His resolute face was flushed red with extreme excitement, and his eyes shone with ecstatic joy. Tashigi, standing beside him, could not hide her joy either. She clenched her fists and raised them above her head, jumping up and down with glee, shouting, "Fantastic! We did it!" Their cheers mingled and echoed in the empty space.

However, amidst this lively and joyous atmosphere, Doberman stood silently like a statue. His tall, imposing figure remained Fudō, seemingly blending into the background. His brows were slightly furrowed, tightly knit together as if in a knot that was impossible to untie. His deep, worried eyes stared straight ahead, as if they could pierce through the fog before him to see the truth hidden deep within. His lips were pressed into a straight line, showing no sign of speaking. His entire demeanor was serious and aloof, forming a stark contrast to the joyous and celebratory atmosphere around him.

Meanwhile, on the other side, the Momonga also wore a solemn expression. He crossed his arms over his chest, leaned slightly forward, and lowered his head in deep thought. His face, which usually carried a sly smile, was now clouded with worry and despair. Even his once sharp, hawk-like eyes had become somewhat lost, as if shrouded in a thick fog, making it impossible to discern his true thoughts and feelings.

Time slipped away silently, second by second, as if the whole world had frozen in that moment. No one knew how much time had passed; perhaps only a few minutes, but for Doberman and the Momonga, it felt like an eternity. Finally, as if slowly awakening from a long dream, they both looked up at each other simultaneously. But only for a moment, and then, as if struck by lightning, they quickly looked away, as if the brief eye contact had left them both feeling somewhat awkward and at a loss.

Then, almost simultaneously, a look of Satori realization appeared on their faces, as if they had suddenly grasped a crucial point. In an instant, their faces turned deathly pale, devoid of any color, and even a fine layer of sweat appeared on their foreheads, clearly shocked to the extreme by what they had just realized.

Their eyes met again, but this time, the look was no longer filled with doubt or confusion, but with deep regret. That regret surged over them like a raging tide, completely overwhelming them.

Recalling the breathtaking and incredibly fierce battle that had just ended, they had fought with all their might, risking their lives in a desperate struggle against the enemy. Amidst the flashing blades, their bodies were mercilessly torn apart, blood splattering everywhere, leaving them covered in wounds. Yet now, witnessing how smoothly things had been resolved, a question involuntarily arose in their hearts: was this life-or-death battle truly worth it?

Those deep, unforgettable wounds were real and tangible! But now, when they look back on that unbearable past, those wounds seem so pale, powerless, and futile. It's as if all the suffering and torment they endured was nothing but a meaningless dream, a wasted pain and torment.

Thinking of this, the two looked at each other, speechless for a moment. The air around them seemed to freeze, instantly creating a suffocatingly awkward atmosphere. They stared silently into each other's eyes, trying to find a glimmer of comfort or relief in those deep gazes. However, what they saw was an undisguised deep helplessness, and Dark-Dark Fruit self-mockery and bitter smile at their own fate.

Perhaps, before the situation deteriorates beyond repair, the best course of action is to quickly slip away and make a run for it! Almost simultaneously, this thought flashed through their minds like a dazzling Inazuma of lightning tearing through the dark night. At this moment, Moke, who had been observing from the sidelines, Fudō shifted his gaze to the knives that Doberman and Momonga were gripping tightly. Relying on his rich experience accumulated over the years and his extraordinary intuition, he immediately realized that these two knives were definitely not ordinary. Especially the one held by Momonga, whose quality was exceptional, not inferior in the slightest even to his own renowned Sandai Kitetsu.

Moke sighed softly, a deep sense of regret welling up inside him. He stared intently at the two precious swords, as if they were radiating a captivating light, tempting him to possess them. However, reality was cruel; Smoker's sudden appearance shattered his carefully laid plans.

He couldn't help but think that if Smoker had arrived even a fraction of a second later, even just a few minutes later, perhaps those two rare swords would have fallen into his hands and become his prized possessions. But now, all of that was just wishful thinking; no matter how much he regretted it, he couldn't change the fact that had already been established.

Just then, Smoker slowly pulled a small, exquisite Den Den Mushi from his pocket, carefully handing it to Moke, and whispered, "This is a Den Den Mushi that can directly connect to Fleet Admiral Sengoku. Every member of the Shichibukai of the Sea possesses such a special communication tool." Moke was slightly taken aback, then reached out and steadily caught the Den Den Mushi. The moment his fingers touched the Den Den Mushi, an inexplicable sense of mission welled up within him. Because from this moment on, he officially joined the ranks of the Shichibukai, becoming a ruler of this vast ocean!

Just as Moke was immersed in the joy and excitement of becoming Shichibukai, Smoker Fudō handed him a yellowed wanted poster. Moke instinctively looked up and saw a portrait of a cold-faced, dignified figure on the poster. In an instant, his pupils contracted sharply, and he felt a sense of foreboding. He knew that this wanted poster was no ordinary item; it was more like a heavy pledge of allegiance, signifying that he was about to embark on a path full of dangers and challenges.

What shocked Moke the most was that the person wanted on the bounty poster hanging high on the city wall was someone of extraordinary and unimaginable status and power! Who exactly was this person? And why were various forces chasing after him? These questions lingered in Moke's mind like a fog, refusing to dissipate...

Time flies, and a month has passed in the blink of an eye. That morning, sunlight filtered through the dappled leaves onto the deck. Ata looked at Moke with astonishment and sincerely praised, "Captain, the talent you've displayed in swordsmanship is truly beyond my reach; I'm utterly humbled!" In the past month, Moke had devoted himself to learning Ata techniques and essence of Two-Sword Style from Ata, and his progress had been astonishing, like a rocket soaring into the sky. Even Ata, who had always been quite confident in his swordsmanship, had begun to doubt his own life several times.

Ata slowly handed the treasured sword, named Kashu, to Moke, saying softly, "Captain, now that you've mastered the art of Two-Sword Style and become a true Two-Sword Style swordsman, how about this Kashu...?" However, before she could finish, Moke rudely interrupted her, "This was your initiation gift when you joined our pirate crew. There's no reason to take it back! Besides, my second treasured sword will be in my hands soon enough."

At this point, Moke paused slightly, then continued, "However, we really need to get to work on the tasks assigned by the Marine Headquarters. After all, we've already ascended to the throne of the Shichibukai; we should at least make a name for ourselves." Ata chuckled softly, covering his mouth, and replied, "Yes, Captain, if we keep delaying like this, it really won't do." With that, the two exchanged a smile, then turned and walked towards the bow of the ship, preparing to embrace new adventures and challenges.

Just then, her previously injured face not only completely healed, but also radiated a more captivating glow than ever before. It was as if, after experiencing the baptism of pain, she had received the blessing of some mysterious power, making her even more beautiful and charming. The confidence she had once lost, like a ray of warm sunlight piercing through the clouds, shone upon her once more.

Immediately afterward, her delicate brows furrowed slightly, as if a thought had suddenly flashed through her mind. She then eagerly added, "Captain, if you manage to successfully deal with this troublesome fellow, do you have any plans to recruit some truly powerful individuals to join our pirate crew? You know, only in this way can we make our already formidable pirate crew even stronger!" As she spoke, her hands trembled slightly with excitement, and her already bright and captivating eyes shone like brilliant stars in the night sky, sparkling with a dazzling light intertwined with excitement and anticipation.

Deep down, she was acutely aware of their current predicament. Relying solely on her and her captain's meager strength, defeating Doflamingo and his ruthless, wicked gang was an almost impossible task. Therefore, after careful consideration, she understood that only by gathering more like-minded allies who possessed extraordinary strength could they unite and fight side-by-side, offering even the faintest hope of completely defeating and eliminating their enemies.

Hearing this, Moke nodded slightly in agreement, replying, "That's right, a whole month has passed since that incident. The crucial intelligence I need should be delivered to me soon. Once I receive it, I'll take you to recruit two exceptionally powerful companions." However, his tone shifted abruptly, adding, "But before that, there's something of paramount importance that must be addressed—my long-awaited second peerless Meito. As a Swordmaster pursuing the ultimate swordsmanship, possessing a truly exceptional sword is of immense significance to me!" With that, his gaze involuntarily drifted into the distance, as if he could already see the coveted Meito quietly awaiting its true master.

Hearing this, Ata's eyes lit up instantly. He asked curiously, "Oh? Which Meito is it that our captain values so highly?" Moke smiled slightly and replied mysteriously, "Don't worry, you won't be disappointed." As soon as he finished speaking, Moke slowly stood up, put his hands behind his back, and gazed into the distance. A subtle smile played on his lips as he murmured, "Finally here, these fools..."

Seeing this, Ata quickly followed Moke's gaze. In an instant, his expression changed drastically, his previously calm face instantly replaced by rage. His eyes flashed with a fierce killing intent, as if he wanted to tear the distant enemy to pieces, making no attempt to conceal his inner fury. Ata clenched his teeth and squeezed out a single sentence. "Hmph! These despicable bastards have finally shown themselves!"

At this moment, Moke chuckled softly. He turned to look at the furious Ata beside him and said reassuringly, "Don't be anxious, Ata. If we hadn't obtained reliable intelligence from the underground forces beforehand, knowing they would be coming here, why would we be here waiting? So, calm down, their fate was already sealed."