Education

As Locke listened to the three of them recount their stories, he felt that this was some truly ridiculous melodrama. If he brought all three aboard his ship, then including Yun Zhinnan, there would be four people in total, all with melodramatic stories. Was his pirate crew going to be called the Melodramatic Pirate Crew in the future?

Of course, that was just Locke mocking himself. In truth, he had not given up on inviting the three of them aboard. Besides, even if he wanted to give up, little Annie beside him probably would not agree.

"So, what are the three of you planning to do?" Locke asked after hearing their stories.

Upon hearing Locke's question, the three of them immediately looked at Annie, who floated beside him, and did not dare say a word.

"Don't be afraid. Say whatever you want. We won't force you," Locke reassured them.

"Big brother..." Annie began after hearing Locke's words, wanting to say something.

Locke shook his head at Annie, signaling for her not to speak yet and to first hear what the three of them had to say.

Annie puffed out her cheeks in dissatisfaction and turned her head away.

"Our original plan was to go home and take a look first, but..." Big Bear said, glancing once more at Annie.

It seemed the three of them had suffered some kind of trauma in that dream. Otherwise, they would not be so afraid of Annie now.

"Fine, then. I'll go back with you and see how things are. If, when the time comes, you still don't want to leave with us, I won't force you."

"Thank you, benefactor, but..."

"All right, I understand. I'll persuade Annie not to come after you," Locke said helplessly once again.

Hearing Locke's words, the three of them visibly breathed a sigh of relief. They bowed to him, then left.

"Big brother, why didn't you let me handle it?" Annie asked Locke after watching the three leave.

"Big brother wants them to come with us too, but loyalty gained through force is unreliable. We need to move them with love."

"Move them with love? What is that?" Annie asked curiously.

"Come, I'll tell you a story. Once upon a time..." Locke then began telling Annie a story about love and peace.

"Do you understand now?" Locke asked Annie after finishing the story.

"I understand. Big brother's story was really good, and I'll use love to move them," Annie said before skipping out of the cabin.

Time passed quickly. Five days went by, and Locke's injuries had mostly healed. As for Yun Zhinnan, who had remained not far from him, he had long since awakened.

What puzzled Locke, however, was that Yun Zhinnan had clearly been more seriously injured than him, yet he recovered even faster. He had been able to walk three days ago, and now he strode as swiftly as the wind. Locke, meanwhile, had only been able to get out of bed and walk yesterday. The difference was rather great, but Locke did not dwell on it. He simply assumed that everyone had a different constitution. He had already experienced that with Zoro.

On the second day after Locke woke up, he had Carmen gather all the slaves and told them to organize themselves and return home. He also gave them the slave ship so they would have a means of traveling across the sea.