"Akisu!"
Borodo finally couldn't help but cover the child's mouth, but it was too late.
The expressions of the Straw Hat crew collectively darkened.
"Oh?"
Zoro's hand returned to his sword hilt, "Using us?"
The light from Sanji's cigarette flared sharply:
"You've got quite the nerve."
Nami raised her golden staff with a forced smile:
"It seems you need so proper 'education.'"
Usopp also put on a fierce expression:
"That's right! We'll show you the power of the Straw Hat Pirates!"
After a clanging, smoking, thorough beating...
The thief brothers knelt on the beach in a deep bow, fresh lumps swelling on their heads, their foreheads pressed tightly to the ground.
"W-we're terribly sorry!"
Borodo's voice trembled, "We were wrong! Please forgive us!"
Akisu followed suit:
"Sorry! We'll never do anything like this again!"
Lufia crouched in front of them, her rubbery face leaning close:
"Do you really understand your mistake?"
"Really, really!"
They nodded desperately.
"Well then!"
Lufia stood up, her smile radiant, "I forgive you!"
Borodo and Akisu froze, looking up, unable to believe they were being let off so easily.
Nami sighed:
"If the captain says so... you're lucky."
Usopp also relaxed:
"Don't do sothing like this again, it's too dangerous."
Just as the Straw Hat crew was preparing to return to the Going rry and continue their journey to the Grand Line, Ralph suddenly spoke up:
"Wait."
Everyone turned. Ralph walked up to Borodo, his gaze sharp:
"You instigated the fight between us and the Trump Pirates. Was it really just to steal the Diamond Clock in the chaos? Or... was there another purpose?"
Borodo stiffened, his eyes darting away:
"N-no... there wasn't..."
"You're lying."
Ralph's Observation Haki clearly sensed the fluctuation in the other's emotions, and more importantly, he knew the story.
Without another word, he took off the cross pendant from around his neck.
The pendant swayed in the sunlight, and as Ralph activated his hypnosis skill, Borodo's eyes gradually glazed over.
"Now, tell the truth."
Ralph's voice was low and steady,
"What was your real purpose in provoking a war between the two pirate crews?"
Under hypnosis, Borodo finally revealed the truth:
"Stealing the Diamond Clock... was just a cover."
"My real goal was to hope the Straw Hat Pirates would eliminate the Trump Pirates..."
"Bear King has ruled Clockwork Island for seven years, its people living in fear..."
"I found Akisu abandoned at sea seven years ago. Clues in his swaddling clothes suggested he might be from Clockwork..."
"I wanted to send him ho, to find his parents..."
"But I couldn't do it alone..."
"I heard the Straw Hat Pirates had defeated powerful East Blue figures like Arlong and Don Krieg..."
"So I thought, if you could defeat Bear King..."
As the truth was unveiled, silence fell over the reef.
Akisu stared blankly at Borodo, his eyes gradually reddening.
Nami turned her face away, Usopp sniffled.
Zoro held his swords, his expression unreadable.
Sanji silently lit a new cigarette.
Lufia's rubbery mouth pressed into a thin line.
Hearing such a touching story, everyone was moved.
After all, in this day and age, anyone drifting on the seas would be embarrassed to greet others if they hadn't experienced sothing significant during their childhood.
"Borodo..."
Akisu's voice trembled with tears, "Why didn't you tell ?"
In his hypnotized state, Borodo murmured in response:
"Because... if you knew I was sending you away... you'd never agree... You said we'd be thief brothers for life... But you're still young. I can't let you be a thief forever..."
"Idiot!"
Akisu suddenly lunged forward, small fists pounding against Borodo's chest, snapping him out of his hypnotic state.
Coughing as he opened his eyes, Borodo saw Akisu's tear-streaked face.
"Who gave you the right to decide on your own?!"
Akisu cried while hitting him, "Didn't we promise to be thief brothers forever?! Are you trying to ditch ?! Are you breaking our vow?!"
Each punch was light, but every word struck deep.
Flustered, Borodo could only hug Akisu tightly:
"I'm sorry... I just... just wanted you to have a real ho..."
"This is my ho!"
Akisu shouted, clinging tightly to Borodo, "You're my family! If you insist on sending to Clockwork Island, I'll never go! I an it!"
The touching scene moved the Straw Hat Pirates.
Just then, Lufia suddenly jumped up, rubber fist smacking into her palm, eyes shining like stars.
"I've decided then!"
Everyone turned to look at her.
Lufia grinned, showing her signature brilliant smile:
"Our next stop is Clockwork Island!"
"Huh?"
Borodo and Akisu froze simultaneously.
"Knock out Bear King and steal the Diamond Clock!"
Lufia raised both hands high, announcing loudly,
"That way my bounty will increase, right? Maybe I can even surpass Ralph!"
The Straw Hat Pirates were montarily stunned, then burst into laughter.
"Hahaha, that's our captain for you!"
Zoro was the first to respond, "Perfect timing. I've been wanting to et this Bear King anyway."
Nami's eyes turned into Berry symbols, "The Trump Pirates' treasure is mine! And if that Diamond Clock is really that valuable—"
"Don't worry, Miss Nami!"
Sanji imdiately assured, "I'll definitely protect Miss Nami!"
Though his legs trembled slightly, Usopp puffed out his chest:
"S-since the captain says so! I, the great Usopp, will give it my all too!"
Everyone rolled up their sleeves, the atmosphere growing enthusiastic.
Watching this, Ralph felt warmth in his heart.
This was the Straw Hat Pirates.
They'd change course for a touching story, challenge powerful enemies to help strangers.
Just as he was about to praise Lufia's decision, he received so bad news.
"Ralph, this ti you stay out of it!"
Hearing Lufia's words, Ralph almost thought he'd misheard.
"Why?"
Lufia began explaining seriously:
"Because I want to test my training results, and also..."
As she spoke the latter part, she slowly turned her face away, pouting exaggeratedly, "If Ralph keeps stealing the spotlight, my bounty will never surpass yours!"
Well... what could Ralph possibly say to that?
Lufia is adorable when she's being willful, unlike Luffy who just seems asking for a beating!
Since it's Lufia's request, might as well indulge her!
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