"Thank you, Kuzan."
Hearing those words come out of Kong's mouth out of nowhere, Kuzan was a little bewildered.
He had no idea why Kong would say that.
Kong turned to Kuzan. "Would you be willing to hear an old man's story?"
Kuzan thought for a moment, then finally nodded slowly and sat down beside him.
The old man lying on the ground no longer looked as savage and overbearing as he had just moments ago. He seemed to have become that genial Fleet Admiral again.
Seeing this, Kong smiled, a hint of relief in his expression.
"Eighty-three years ago, in the West Blue, a fifty-seven-year-old fisherman finally had a son in his old age."
"The family treasured that child and carefully nurtured him as he grew. They made a reasonably comfortable living from fishing."
"Under his parents' loving care, the child grew up strong and healthy."
As Kong spoke, a nostalgic look appeared on his face.
Kuzan was puzzled, unsure what Kong meant by telling him all this now.
He looked up at the imposing Uranus overhead and felt as though its presence had locked onto him.
Yet, sensing Kong's presence growing weaker, he chose to keep listening.
"When the boy was three, a tremendous upheaval struck that once-happy family."
"One day, a ship arrived from the sea, flying a skull flag. There weren't as many pirates back then as there are now. The islanders didn't know what that symbol meant and assumed they were merchants coming on business."
As he spoke, he began to laugh. "Heh heh heh, hahahaha."
"When they arrived on the island, everyone welcomed them warmly."
"Who could have known that once they reached town, they would demand we hand over all our valuables, and even offer up our women?"
"Only then did the people