Xia Le smiled and spoke again.
"As long as you agree to one condition, I can indeed let you go!"
"You scum who once roamed this world, you heinous criminals, have a chance to redeem yourselves."
At those words, many of the pirates below widened their eyes, and Perospero shouted.
"What condition?"
The boredom, the monotony, the daily torment—it was truly unbearable.
If they could get out of here, they were willing to pay a price.
"Become Marines!"
Xia Le said without hesitation.
"What?"
Perospero froze.
The other pirates stood motionless too, as though they had turned to stone.
They had never imagined that this would be his condition.
"As long as we become Marines, we can leave this place and regain our freedom?"
There was a strange note in Katakuri's voice.
"Correct!"
"You can certainly look at it that way!"
Xia Le nodded with a smile.
"I don't believe that you, the Fleet Admiral, would be so kind."
"That you'd set us free simply because we agreed to join the Marines."
Queen spoke thoughtfully.
"You're clever!"
Xia Le praised him.
His gaze kept meeting those of the pirates before him. When he saw Dragon, Red-Haired, Ace, and the others looking thoughtful, he chuckled and spoke again.
"Then let me explain what's happening in the outside world!"
He drew a breath, and once he saw that everyone was listening closely, he spoke slowly.
"The Marines have taken control of the entire New World."
"And across this vast ocean world, we have established a great empire founded on equality and justice."
"Many races live together, and discrimination and suspicious looks are fading away."
"Everything is growing prosperous."
"At the same time..."
Xia Le paused briefly, his expression turning serious.
"We have also gained control of the ancient weapon, Pluton!"
"And today,