The Pirate Who Refused Red-Hair's Invitation

"I'm not interested in the Marines," Lin Mo said calmly. "I'm not interested in pirates or the Revolutionary Army, either. I just want to be a traveler with no ties. That's all."

Whitebeard fixed his gaze on Lin Mo and grinned. "So you promised him you wouldn't join the pirates or the Revolutionary Army, and that's why he gave up?"

"Even if I hadn't promised, I wouldn't join," Lin Mo said casually.

"You want freedom, with nothing holding you back. How does being a pirate conflict with that? Pirates are the freest people on these seas. If you're worried the Marines will come after you, they won't dare touch you while I'm around."

Lin Mo looked up and met Whitebeard's eyes without fear. "I know what I'm doing. I'm not afraid of anyone becoming my enemy. Being a traveler is my choice. Having no ties and being able to do whatever I want, whenever I want—that's true freedom."

Whitebeard's expression darkened slightly. "So there's no way you'll become my son?"

Lin Mo remained utterly calm. "You're not the kind of person who forces others to do what they don't want."

"Hmph! Brat, don't think you can read my mind!"

"I'm not trying to." Lin Mo picked up his Wine Gourd and said lightly, "I'm just stating the facts. Drink today and worry about tomorrow later. Come on, let's keep drinking."

With that, Lin Mo raised his Wine Gourd of his own accord for once.

Whitebeard stared at Lin Mo in silence. A few seconds later, he picked up his own jug and burst out laughing. "Gurararara! Drink today and worry about tomorrow later—I like that! Gurararara! You really are my kind of brat. Fine, if you don't want to be my son, I won't force you. But there's one thing