One Piece: Pirate King? I just want to kill all of you

Chapter 125: Are You Teaching Me How to Do Things?

The moment those words registered.

Veins popped on Smoker’s forehead, his expression turning downright ugly.

"So that’s how it is... The World Government has no intention of publicly admitting that a bunch of pirates resolved the Alabasta crisis."

"Especially since the one who did it was that lunatic Will..."

"That’s why they’re trying to shove all the credit onto us Marines..."

The realization made him curse inwardly: Those shit-eating bastards!

Right after the thought crossed his mind, the Den Den Mushi in his hand started ringing.

Buru buru... gacha!

Already in a foul mood, Smoker snatched up the receiver and snapped coldly, "Who is it?!"

"...Hmm?"

On the other end of the line, Fleet Admiral Sengoku—who was seated behind his desk in Marineford—frowned at the tone.

"It’s me, Sengoku."

"Smoker, what’s gotten into you? Why do you sound so pissed off all of a sudden?"

Smoker’s face stiffened. He quickly forced down his anger and answered in a low, measured voice, "It’s nothing, Fleet Admiral. I just received the promotion notice and got a little... emotional."

"...Fine."

Sengoku didn’t press the issue and got straight to the point.

"I’m calling to confirm one more time. Has Madman Will and his crew really left Alabasta already?"

Smoker’s eyes narrowed. Without a second’s hesitation, he replied, "Yes, sir. They’ve completely left the kingdom. If you don’t believe me, feel free to send someone to search right now."

A bead of cold sweat slid down his temple.

Lying straight-faced to the Fleet Admiral of the Marines was no small feat.

"Don’t worry, Smoker. Of course I trust you," Sengoku said calmly, then let out a weary sigh. "I’m just... disappointed. That man finally showed himself, and he slipped away again. Who knows when we’ll get another chance to track him down."

"...I’m sorry, Fleet Admiral Sengoku." Smoker’s voice carried genuine remorse. "It’s my fault."

"This isn’t on you, Smoker. You did excellent work," Sengoku reassured him immediately, then shifted to a stern command. "Anyway, since they’ve escaped, hurry and escort Crocodile and the others back. We need these criminals locked away in prison as soon as possible."

"Yes, sir."

Click.

The call ended.

Staring at the now-sleeping Den Den Mushi, Smoker fell silent, a complicated look in his eyes.

"Colonel Smoker..." Tashigi, standing beside him, hesitated, worry written across her face.

Smoker snapped out of it, turned, and started walking toward the cabin. "I’m fine. Let’s get Crocodile and the rest transported first."

"Yes, Colonel!"

Tashigi hurried after him.

––––––––––

Meanwhile, the very moment Smoker hung up...

Will casually tossed the listening Den Den Mushi back to Nami, not sparing it another thought.

He took a step forward and called out to the others, "All right, time to go."

"Got it!" Nami and Chopper nodded instantly and fell in behind him.

They’d only walked a few paces when Will suddenly stopped, glanced back, and fixed his gaze on Robin—who was still rooted to the spot.

"What about you?" he asked. "Where are you headed next?"

Robin blinked, mildly surprised. "Me?"

She gave a helpless little shrug. "I don’t know. I’ll probably keep wandering for a while. My position’s been exposed again, so I’ll have to lie low."

Will didn’t bother with pleasantries.

"Why bother hiding? Just come with us."

Nami and Chopper’s eyes widened; they instantly understood what he meant and whipped their heads toward Robin.

Robin froze, a flicker of light passing through her eyes. "...You’re inviting me onto your ship?"

"Of course." Will turned fully to face her, dead serious. "Robin—come be my crewmate."

Her skills, her Devil Fruit, her knowledge—everything about her was perfect for his crew. As for the rest? He wasn’t worried in the slightest.

Robin’s lips almost curved into a smile, but the expression died halfway. She hesitated, voice uncertain. "Have you forgotten how I betrayed Crocodile?"

"Aren’t you afraid I’ll do the same to you someday?"

Will didn’t even flinch.

"Nope."

Robin tilted her head, confused. "Why not?"

"Because I’m not," he said simply. "I trust my own judgment."

Even that blunt answer didn’t fully ease the conflict in her eyes. She hugged her left arm with her right, murmuring, "But I’m... a cursed woman. The World Government’s been chasing me my whole life. They call me the ’Devil Child.’ Bringing me aboard might not be the wisest move..."

Will’s eyebrow arched. His voice turned low and firm.

"What, are you teaching me how to do things?"

"I don’t give a damn what kind of trouble my crewmates come with."

"And you’re not some ’devil child.’ The real devil is the bastard who slapped that label on an eight-year-old girl."

"The harder the World Government tries to bury you under bounties and lies, the more obvious it is they’re terrified of what you know. They’re desperate to silence the truth—and that alone proves you’re innocent."

He took a step closer, tone growing even stronger.

"Besides, I’m the guy who kills Celestial Dragons for fun. You really think I’m scared of adding one more wanted woman to the roster?"

Then, softer but unbreakable:

"So listen—once you’re my crewmate, nobody lays a finger on you again. That’s a promise."

Something warm flickered in Robin’s eyes. A memory rose unbidden—a giant’s gentle voice from long ago.

"Robin... the sea is vast."

"No one in this world is alone forever. One day, you’ll meet companions who will protect you..."

Her voice came out barely above a whisper.

"...Have I finally met them?"

"Companions..."

The desert wind blew past, heavy with silence.

Nami’s eyes darted between them, and she quickly stepped in, looping her arm through Robin’s with a bright grin.

"Come on, Robin! Once the captain’s made up his mind, even the Four Emperors couldn’t change it."

She tugged gently. "Let’s get out of here together."

Robin looked startled for a second, emotions swirling across her face, but she let herself be pulled along.

Standing before the man who had just offered her a home, she drew a slow breath, then smiled—truly smiled—for the first time in years.

"Please take care of me from now on... Captain."

Will’s lips curved into a satisfied smirk.

"Trust me, Robin. This is the best decision you’ll ever make."

He turned and started walking again. "Let’s go. Time to leave."

––––––––––

That afternoon, a ship sat anchored on the upper reaches of the Sandora River.

Kingdom guards were busy hauling crate after crate aboard.

Issho stood quietly on deck, head tilted toward the sky as if gazing at the clouds, lost in thought.

Carina directed the soldiers with sharp commands, making sure every box ended up in the right hold.

When the last crate was secured—

Pat-pat-pat-pat-pat!

A frantic stampede of footsteps echoed across the dunes.

Everyone turned.

A grinning Moving Crab and a squad of sprinting ducks came barreling toward the ship, kicking up a storm of sand, carrying Will’s group plus the king, princess, and the two royal guards.

The bizarre convoy skidded to a halt beside the ship.

Will hopped down first, followed by the others.

Carina leaned over the railing. "What’s with the rush? Why’s everyone here?"

"Smoker already reported that I took down Crocodile," Will explained casually, heading up the gangplank. "We’re leaving today. If we stick around any longer, the Marines or the Government might use it as an excuse to cause more trouble for Alabasta."

Carina instantly understood.

Issho gave a small nod of acknowledgment toward Cobra and the others below.

Robin—now dressed in a simple shirt and trousers, a far cry from her earlier Baroque Works attire—boarded silently, keeping to herself.

Nami and Chopper immediately ran to Vivi’s side, all smiles and reluctant goodbyes.

King Cobra stepped forward.

"Mr. Will."

Will glanced back. "Hm?"

Cobra reached into his robe, pulled out a small object, and lightly tossed it.

Will caught it one-handed and looked down—a satisfied glint in his eye.

"Thanks. Exactly what I came for."

"It’s nothing," Cobra replied warmly. "Compared to what you’ve done for this country, it’s a trifle."

Will gave a small wave without another word and boarded.

Once Nami and Chopper were aboard too, the anchor was raised and the ship began gliding downriver.

Vivi had been smiling bravely the whole time, but the moment the ship started moving, her mask cracked. Her shoulders drooped, eyes growing glassy.

She’d hoped they could stay just a few more days...

"Vivi!"

Will’s voice rang out from the deck.

At the same time, something small arced through the air toward her.

She looked up, startled, and caught it with both hands.

A Den Den Mushi—its shell and expression an almost perfect miniature of Will himself.

"This..."

She lifted her gaze to the departing ship, eyes shimmering.

Will was already at the railing, grinning wide.

"I know how much you love your country, Vivi. That’s why you risked everything infiltrating Baroque Works. The kingdom just barely survived a civil war—there’s no way you’d abandon it right now, even if I asked you to sail with us. So I’m not gonna ask."

Vivi’s breath hitched, gratitude flooding her chest that he understood so completely.

"But!" Will continued, jabbing a finger straight at her. "You’ve already sailed on my ship, which makes you my crewmate forever, got it?"

"Anytime you need help, ring that Den Den Mushi."

"And the day you decide you’re ready to chase the horizon... come find me. The sea will still be waiting."

Robin, leaning against the opposite railing, felt a soft smile tug at her lips.

This man really is impossibly overbearing...

Nami and Carina waved enthusiastically.

"Take care of Alabasta, Vivi!"

"We’ll see you again—I’m sure of it!"

Chopper bounced up onto the railing, waving both hooves. "Bye-bye, Vivi!"

Vivi wiped her eyes, broke into a brilliant, tear-streaked smile, and waved back with everything she had.

"Goodbye, everyone!"

"I know we’ll meet again someday!"

King Cobra watched the ship grow smaller in the distance and let out a quiet sigh.

"What a strange man..."

Then, softer, with a father’s gentle smile:

"...But I think it’s a very good thing that Vivi was acknowledged as his crewmate."

After all—pirates with that much power who still chose to do good instead of evil...

They were rarer than Logia fruits in this ocean.

--

Support me & read more advance & fast update Chapter on my patreon:

pat reon .com/yuuwand