Chapter 62: The Weak Don't Deserve Sympathy
On the calm sea, two pirate ships—one large, one small—drifted slowly under the pale moonlight.
Whitebeard's fleet had finally exited the storm and entered peaceful waters. Three hours had passed since the battle had ended.
The Green Cross Pirates continued following behind, refusing to turn back despite Luo Han's disappearance.
Others might think Luo Han and Cole had died, but the Green Cross crew didn't. After all, Luo Han had told them, "We can handle it!"
So, in their minds, their boss was still out there. Tuck and the rest believed it without question. Luo Han and Cole weren't dead—they were just missing and would return soon. That was why they stayed, following Whitebeard's ship, waiting for them.
Aboard the lead ship—
Whitebeard stood on the rear deck, gazing at the sea behind them. His thoughts drifted back to the battle.
He recalled that moment when he sensed Luo Han falling into the sea. Enraged, he had turned to confront Garp—only for a mysterious voice to whisper in his ear.
Thinking back to those words, Whitebeard's lips curled into a faint smile. That brat's Devil Fruit powers are far more developed than I thought.
Tap, tap. Footsteps sounded behind him. Whitebeard turned to see Sister Shao approaching.
"Newgate, did those two kids really die?" she asked, brushing her hair aside, her tone tinged with sadness and doubt.
"They probably didn't. That kid told me to leave first," Whitebeard replied, though he wasn't entirely sure. He'd never heard of a Devil Fruit ability that could let a user survive the sea's curse.
"Oh? He contacted you?" Sister Shao's eyes brightened with surprise. Then they're alive… She looked out at the calm sea. They must've had a way to move underwater.
But thinking about the three CP0 agents who had ambushed Luo Han and Cole , she furrowed her brows and turned to Whitebeard.
"Newgate, those CP0 agents… they were after Luo Han, weren't they?"
"Yeah. After they knocked him into the sea, they immediately stopped fighting," Whitebeard replied, still puzzled. What kind of secret does that kid have to make CP0—the World Government's elite unit—deploy a four-man squad?
I hope that brat's alright. Whitebeard smiled again at the thought—Luo Han's flustered expression was kind of amusing.
Sister Shao gave Whitebeard a strange look. Not understanding why he was suddenly grinning, she turned back to the sea.
"It's been a while now. They should've caught up already, shouldn't they?" she said softly, a trace of worry in her voice.
Hmm… Suddenly, her Observation Haki sensed a large Sea King racing toward the ship from behind.
"Newgate, heads up. A huge Sea King is heading this way fast," she warned.
"From behind?" Whitebeard's expression tensed. He could handle it, but if the ship was damaged, things would get messy.
"Yes. It'll be here any second."
Hearing this, Whitebeard raised his massive naginata. Vibrations began gathering along the blade—one swing could easily split the sea and that Sea King in half.
It was coming. Whitebeard now sensed it too—a Sea King nearly 3,000 meters long, about to surface.
His muscles tensed as he prepared to strike—but then, a familiar voice rang in his ear again.
"Hold it, Brother Newgate!"
Huh? Whitebeard lowered his weapon in surprise. The Sea King had already surfaced.
"What is it, Newgate?" Sister Shao asked, puzzled by his hesitation.
"What's with that Sea King? Why's it following us?"
Thump! Thump! Golden Lion arrived at the rear deck, frowning as he saw the Sea King.
Just as he was about to speak, he froze—eyes wide—staring at the beast.
The massive Sea King opened its mouth, and whoosh! whoosh! two figures, one large, one small, shot out and landed on the ship.
Thud! Thud! Two solid impacts rang out.
"Haha! Brother Newgate, did you miss me?" Luo Han grinned, raising an eyebrow. "You almost sliced me in half just now! Haha!"
"Haha! I knew you were still alive. That was one hell of an entrance," Whitebeard said, both startled and relieved to see Luo Han and Cole emerge from the Sea King's mouth.
"Oh my! Not bad… Surviving six hours against three CP0 members and Zephyr and still making it back," Sister Shao said with a hint of admiration.
"Haha! We got lucky. Just as I fell, that Sea King swallowed me—and I lived!" Luo Han said sheepishly.
Sister Shao looked at him like he was messing with her. Luo Han could only chuckle awkwardly.
Thankfully, she didn't press further. Seeing that the two were safe, she waved her hand and returned to her cabin—it was already past midnight, after all.
"Brother Newgate, I'm taking Cole over to Tuck's ship to rest," Luo Han said.
Seeing Cole 's battered state—wounds still bleeding—Whitebeard nodded. "Go ahead."
"Right." Luo Han responded and flew off with Cole toward the Green Cross ship. He didn't say a word to Golden Lion.
After all, it had been Golden Lion who stopped Whitebeard from avenging them against Garp. That left Luo Han disappointed.
He used to think they shared a bit of camaraderie—but clearly, Golden Lion had never seen him or Cole as real friends. The man hadn't even shown a shred of anger when they were presumed dead.
Even though they'd survived, a shadow of bitterness lingered in Luo Han's heart.
Forget it. This world doesn't revolve around one person… unless you're Pirate King Luffy, Luo Han mused.
Golden Lion silently watched Luo Han and Cole fly away. He clenched his fists.
That brat dared give me attitude? Hmph… Only comrades deserve sympathy. The weak don't.
Unaware of this, Luo Han and Cole arrived aboard Tuck's ship. Luo Han then telepathically directed the Sea King back into the deep sea.
"Lord Luo Han! Lord Cole ! I knew you two would be okay!" Tuck and the crew rushed over, full of relief and excitement.
"Haha! Of course! I'm your captain, after all. You think I'd die that easily?" Luo Han laughed. Looking at them, he couldn't help but feel a bit touched. These fools hadn't abandoned ship while he was gone.
"Boss Luo Han! Lord Cole is still bleeding!!" Tuck suddenly shouted, pointing at Cole 's wounds.
Luo Han turned to see Cole , silently enduring the pain, his body still covered in injuries. His eyes grew misty. If Cole hadn't protected me… I'd be dead.
"Quick, go prepare food. As long as he eats, Cole will recover quickly," Luo Han ordered the crew.
(END CHAPTER)
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