"Moria, make your choice now. Come with me to meet my boss, or die here along with your men," King said to Moria.
"You bastard! Don't you dare threaten our Captain!"
"That's right! Even if I die, I won't let you threaten Captain Moria!"
The crew members roared once more, shielding Moria, an unyielding fire burning in each of their eyes. The hands gripping their weapons trembled slightly, not from fear, but from rage.
"All of you, shut up!" Moria shouted, then said to King, "I'll go with you to meet your boss, but you must let my crew go."
"No, Captain! We go together!"
"Right, Captain Moria! If we die, we die together!"
The crew members clamored, their voices filled with an unwavering resolve. Supporting each other, they maintained fighting stances despite their many wounds.
Moria looked around at the companions who had followed him for years, his eyes growing slightly moist. He took a deep breath, his voice choked with emotion. "Alright. Let's go together. We live together, or we die together."
King watched this scene in silence, his longsword lowering slightly. He understood that these men before him were prepared to face death. But Kaido's order was not to be disobeyed; he had to complete his mission.
Moonlight spilled onto the battered deck, the air thick with the smells of gunpowder and blood. Moria's crew members leaned on each other for support. Though each bore numerous injuries, an unyielding light still shone in their eyes.
"King, bring his men along," Bullet stepped forward, his gruff voice breaking the silence. "The Captain wants to recruit this guy anyway. I don't think he'd mind a few extra hands."
King remained silent for a moment, then slowly sheathed his longsword. "Hmm," he responded in a low voice. "Now, you and your captain, come with me to meet the Boss."
Moria turned to his crew, concern in his voice. "Can everyone still walk?"
"Don't worry, Captain! These minor injuries are nothing!" a crew member with severe burns on his face grinned.
"Exactly! We're the Moonlight Pirates!" another crew member forced himself to stand, gritting his teeth in pain with every step.
Bullet urged impatiently, "Let's go. We need to arrive before daybreak."
"Wait," Moria suddenly spoke up. "We have our own pirate ship, with plenty of supplies on board. We can sail and follow behind you."
King glanced at him coldly. "Fine. But no tricks."
Moria flashed his signature grin, his sharp teeth gleaming coldly in the moonlight. "Don't worry. I keep my word."
The crew members, supporting one another, walked toward their ship. Under the moonlight, their retreating backs looked especially resolute.
The morning sea shimmered, the golden light of the rising sun spilling onto the undulating waves. The pirate ship of the Beasts Pirates lay quietly anchored in the cove, its massive hull casting a long shadow in the dawn light.
"So, King, you brought them all back?" Kaido sat in his custom-made captain's chair, his sharp gaze sweeping over the heavily bandaged Moria and his crew before finally settling on King. His voice was deep and powerful, carrying an air of particular majesty in the morning light.
The pirates on deck unconsciously held their breath; a tense atmosphere hung in the air.
"Yes, Big Brother Kaido," King nodded respectfully, his black wings gleaming with a metallic sheen in the morning sun.
"You... you're 'The Fierce Beast' Kaido?!" Moria suddenly widened his eyes, recognizing the legendary great pirate before him. He forced himself to stand, wariness in his voice. "Kaido! Why did you send people to capture me and my crew? What do you want?" His fingers unconsciously clenched, his knuckles whitening with the strain.
The crew members behind him also adopted defensive postures, though the fear in their eyes was impossible to hide.
Kaido tilted his head back and took a large gulp of liquor, the liquid dripping down his beard. "Wororororo... I heard you've been making quite a stir in the West Blue. I wanted to see if you're worthy of joining the Beasts Pirates." He wiped his mouth and added, "But don't misunderstand. I only sent King and Bullet to invite you. As for this rabble of underlings of yours..." He cast a disdainful glance at Moria's crew. "...I have no interest in them."
Hearing this, Moria's crew members immediately glared furiously. But after taking in the monstrous figure before them, whose bounty exceeded five hundred million Berries, they wisely kept their mouths shut. Their eyes held a mix of anger and terror, but no one dared to voice a rebuttal.
The atmosphere on the deck grew even heavier, with only the sound of the sea wind rustling the sails echoing around them.
"You bastard! Stop looking down on people!" Moria's voice was full of rage. "They're all my most important comrades!" His voice echoed across the deck, carrying the stubborn, defiant quality particular to youth.
Hearing this, the crew members behind him were visibly moved.
Kaido shook his gourd dismissively. "Wororororo... Spunky. However..." A dangerous glint flashed in his eyes. "...on the open seas, guts alone aren't enough." His tone suddenly turned icy; the surrounding air seemed to freeze solid. The temperature on the deck seemed to drop several degrees instantly.
"I have no intention of being your subordinate!" Moria said through gritted teeth. "I want the freedom to sail the seas!" His voice echoed on the deck, carrying that youthful stubbornness and refusal to yield. Sunlight shone on his obstinate face, casting a golden glow.
Kaido suddenly burst into loud laughter, the sound making the deck tremble. "Want to resist me? Fine!" He stood up abruptly, his colossal frame casting a massive shadow. "If you can beat me, not only will I let you go, I'll even give you my position as Captain of the Beasts Pirates!" His voice boomed like thunder, making Moria's eardrums ring.
"What?!" Moria looked up, shocked, his pupils dilating with surprise.
Kaido surveyed the officers on the deck, his voice thundering. "King! Bullet! Queen! Urouge! Listen up!" He clenched his fist, veins bulging. "In the Beasts Pirates, strength is everything! Whoever has the hardest fists gets to speak!" His gaze swept over each person, as if confirming their loyalty.
The officers nodded one after another, a light of reverence shining in their eyes.
The sea wind suddenly grew fierce, whipping everyone's clothes and causing them to flap wildly.
Kaido's low voice was especially clear amidst the sea wind. "As for the weak... they can only obediently submit to the rule of the strong!" These words pierced Moria's heart like a sharp blade.
Seagulls in the distance let out sharp cries, as if cheering on the imminent confrontation.
And so, under Kaido's overwhelming pressure, Moria also joined the Beasts Pirates, adding a new officer to their ranks.
The Beasts Pirates at this time did not yet have officer rank titles like the future "All-Stars" or "Tobiroppo (Flying Six)". Currently, there were only three levels: Captain, Officers, and Crew Members. Only after the pirate crew expanded further would Kaido implement a more detailed hierarchy.
***
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