Pirates: Invincible from the Start

They looked at the little sailboat and the people aboard it as though they were soldiers about to set off on a distant mission, their hearts full of hope.

At the bow of the Freedom, Kuta patted Bada on the shoulder. "Relax. As long as I'm here, no one will stop us from bringing your people home."

"Yeah! I believe in you, boss."

"I told you." Kuta's hand paused on Bada's shoulder, then rose and came down hard. "Stop calling me boss!"

"You're almost forty. How can you call someone who's only just turned seventeen 'boss' with a straight face?"

Bada turned to Kuta, looking perfectly serious. "Boss is a term of respect. Why would I be embarrassed? You're the strange one!"

"I..."

Kuta drew back his hand and pointed at himself, a huge question mark practically appearing over his head.

"Yeah, you, boss!"

"You may be young, but you're strong. Isn't it normal for people to call you boss? Why are you so against it?"

Kuta covered his forehead with one hand.

Was the problem that he didn't want people calling him boss?

The problem was that ever since Bada had returned to his old self, he always looked so dignified and serious that Kuta couldn't help feeling a little awkward.

Besides, the man was old enough to be his uncle.

Having someone his uncle's age call him boss just felt wrong.

That was why he kept telling Bada to stop.

"I don't care. Just don't call me boss."

"Then what should I call you?"

"Just use my name."

"Okay, Boss Kuta."

"Hmm..."

Kuta looked at Bada with a slight frown.

Bada hesitated under Kuta's gaze. He could genuinely feel Kuta's kindness.

At first, he had been a little reluctant to call Kuta boss. But then Kuta had agreed