"Alright, Catherine, I know what you're worried about. Don't worry, I have my reasons for doing this. Besides, I see a reflection of my younger self in George —a look of refusal to submit to fate, a gaze that yearns to become stronger."
That's why I agreed to let him join us. Even if he betrays us later to gain a stronger opportunity, I won't care.
Besides, if we can't even subdue one crew member, how can we possibly conquer this sea? Our enemies are not so simple, so relax and listen to me!
As Luo Chen spoke, he stood up from his chair, his gaze fixed intently on the window, as if he were seeing several kings of the sea standing there, his eyes revealing a strong fighting spirit.
"Hey, I just want you to know that on this high seas, every decision the captain makes affects the fate of everyone on board. You absolutely cannot make a decision lightly. Now that you know the potential consequences of doing this, I won't object anymore."
However, Luo Chen, you must remember this: in the future, whenever you make such an important decision, you must discuss it thoroughly with the crew before implementing it. This is not just advice, but also an essential principle for the strong on this high seas. Unless you have absolute confidence in overpowering everyone, you must abide by it."
As Catherine spoke, her gaze became even more serious as she addressed him point by point.
"I understand, Catherine. Now you can eat properly. If you have any different opinions about my actions in the future, just say so. Don't give me the silent treatment anymore; it's not good for either of us."
Luo Chen nodded solemnly in agreement with her words, then smiled and spoke to her.
"Okay! I understand."
Thus, George's joining the company was officially confirmed during their conversation. Throughout the process, George smiled and didn't interrupt, knowing that he had been formally accepted and now all he had to do was follow the relevant procedures.
As the moon sets in the west and the sun rises in the east, a night passes in the blink of an eye. The next morning, a group of pirates and prisoners who had set up tents on the deck of the ship emerged from inside, stretched, looked at the bright and dazzling sunlight in the sky, and then slowly turned their gazes forward.
"Um..."
One of the pirates rubbed his eyes with the back of his hand and realized he wasn't seeing things. A blurry island suddenly appeared in front of the Isel. After confirming it several times, he hurriedly ran to inform Luo Chen and the others who were fast asleep in the cabin.
Thump thump thump...
Thump thump thump...
"Lord Luo Chen, Miss Catherine, I have important news to report to you..."
The pirate ran outside and shouted into the room.
"Hey, what's wrong, Muhate? What are you yelling about?!"
At this moment, his voice also woke up the others. Even the sycophantic Parker was awakened by him and, still half asleep, came out of the tent to ask.
"The island!! The island is getting closer, we can already see Supomachi..."
Muhate turned around, pointed with his finger to the hazy island behind him, and said loudly.
"What? They've already arrived? What are you waiting for? Hurry up and inform Lord Luo Chen and the others!"
Parker followed his finger and saw the island. Having accompanied Lucas there several times, he could immediately tell that it was indeed their destination, Supomachi Island. Thinking of this, Parker jumped up excitedly and shouted to him.
"I know, I've already been doing that, but Lord Luo Chen and the others don't seem to be up yet and haven't responded to me at all."
When Muhate heard Parker's loud questioning, he also showed a wronged expression and spread his hands.
Click...
Just then, as the two were talking loudly, Luo Chen inside was also awakened by their conversation. After listening to what they were saying, he tidied himself up, opened the tightly closed door, and looked at the two of them.
"What's all this noise? Have they already spotted the island?"
Although he already had some guesses in his mind, he couldn't help but speak up again to confirm his thoughts.
"Yes, Lord Luo Chen, after careful observation, we have discovered the location of Supomachi Island. It's not far ahead, and we'll reach it in just a short while."
Parker shamelessly split Muhate's discovery in half, claiming it as a joint discovery by the two of them. Muhate, standing beside him, opened his mouth, shocked by his shameless words and actions, and didn't know what to say.
"Oh!! Really? Then go and wake up Catherine and George, and also wake up your companions and the other passengers!!"
Luo Chen glanced at him for a moment but didn't expose him. Instead, he ordered them to wake up the others.
"Yes, please wait a moment, I will go and wake the two gentlemen..."
After giving him a respectful bow, Parker jogged inside the cabin and knocked on the doors of Catherine and George's respective rooms to wake them.
The other person followed suit, bowing to Luo Chen before going to wake up the people who had pitched tents on the planks.
" Luo Chen, you called us here because we're almost there... They said they've already spotted the island..."
A moment later, Catherine, dressed in plain clothes, walked up to him and asked.
"Yes, we've arrived. Look, it's right there..."
Following Luo Chen's finger, Catherine saw the outline of the entire island. In the white mist, the vaguely visible harbor was filled with dockworkers carrying loads.
"That's... I didn't expect to arrive here so quickly, the Dark Market... Supomachi Island, I'm really looking forward to the rest of the journey!!"
After seeing the entire island clearly, she couldn't help but exclaim that compared to the three days and three nights she had been lost because she couldn't see the nautical chart and had no compass to point the way, seeing the outline of the island so quickly now was like a dream. No wonder she was so amazed.
"Alright, stop lamenting. We'll be ashore soon. By the way, where did George go? Didn't I tell you to wake him up? Is he still not up?"
Since he was on his own ship, he didn't bother using his Observation Haki to sense everyone's movements, and asked Parker, who was standing behind him.
"Yes, Mr. George said it's best if the two of you handle this; he can't get involved, and he's gone to the gym to work out now!"
Parker, taken aback by his words, immediately stood still and answered.
"He's gone to exercise. Honestly, haven't we already accepted him? Why is he absent from this? We'll have to talk to him properly later. Alright, you can go and prepare for the landing. You don't need to take care of things here."
After listening to Parker's words, Luo Chen first complained to him a few times, then waved for him to go and prepare the relevant matters himself.
"Yes, then I'll take my leave now..."
"Go on, go on!!"
At Luo Chen's signal, Parker returned to the pirates and began directing them to take their positions and prepare for landing.