Pirate: It’s not a phantom beast, it’s a phantom god!

Chapter 321 The wandering dragon returns to the sea

[Ahem! I think this is how it's used~]

Bulfat’s familiar voice came from the sound of the bell. Although he was prepared, Osi was still stunned for a moment.

"Uncle Bourfat..."

[Haha~ I never thought I'd actually have the idea of ​​leaving a will, or rather... a last will and testament?]

Well, never mind, anyway, none of these words sound auspicious.

The voice of Yinbeili was somewhat different from the hoarse voice of Bulfat in the later period, and it had a bit more strength... Osi guessed that he must have recorded it a long time ago.

Fortunately, this thing exists; otherwise, it would have been really difficult for me to write it word by word.

Hmm~ By the way, this thing should have already started recording, right?

Hearing the other person's voice, which was as unreliable as ever, Ossie's lips unconsciously curled up.

"Honestly, I told you to go learn to read with Jinbe and the others, but you refused because you were too proud to go."

"And every time she reads the newspaper, she asks me to read it to her..."

[Haha! Hearing this, Osei, you little brat should be starting to criticize me now, right...? By the way, isn't this how you use 'criticize'?]

[You little rascal, you always manage to spout these weird words. You couldn't even speak properly when you first arrived at the Beast Hundred Beasts.]

"..."

"?"

Osi, who was waiting to hear what Bourfat would say about his final affairs, shut up when the other man suddenly turned the topic to himself after only a few words.

Hey, don't be surprised, Ossie. After all, according to the plan, if something really happened to me, this thing should have ended up in your hands.

[I'd be more accurate to say that by the time you hear these words, I'll probably already be dead.]

"..."

"Knowing that you're still smiling so happily..."

Ossie grumbled into the recording, as if she were having a face-to-face conversation with Bourfat, just like before.

[And to prevent myself from suddenly passing away one day, I thought I'd leave some words in advance, so I wouldn't have no chance to say them.]

After all, no one in our line of work can guarantee they'll be alive tomorrow.

So, what if that day really comes...?

【…】

At this point, Yinbei's voice suddenly paused for a long while.

Bourfat remained silent, seemingly contemplating what words to use.

"..."

"Huh? What happened?"

"Could something have gone wrong?"

After a long while, just as Ossi thought the bell was broken and was about to pick it up and tap it, Bulfat finally spoke again.

His tone was no longer nonchalant; perhaps during that period of silence he had thought of many comforting words, but in the end it was just a simple sentence…

Ossie, don't be sad.

"..."

Ossie's raised arm froze.

Bourfat's voice was soft, with a tenderness he had never shown before.

That one sentence alone blurred the girl's vision.

Bourfat's calm voice continued to flow from the sound, only his tone became lower, and his seriousness was clearly evident.

Everyone will experience this day eventually, so don't feel sad for me.

"Uncle, I..."

Ossie clenched her fists slightly and gently bit her lower lip.

How could I not be sad?
I was just an ordinary fish-man, growing up in an ordinary way, setting sail in an ordinary way, and becoming an ordinary pirate.

I know I'm different from you. Boss Kaido, King, and you all... you're all destined to soar to great heights, creating your own era on the high seas.

[And I'm just a dispensable character.]

To be honest, it's truly an honor to have crossed paths with people like you in this lifetime.

"...Idiot, what are you talking about?!"

"You have never been someone who is dispensable."

Ossie's lips trembled slightly, and her voice was a little hoarse.

To her, Bourdet was the closest person in the world besides Ra and Ober, someone who had always been there for her like an elder.

When she's happy, the other person laughs with her; when she's sad, the other person crouches down to comfort her; when she's confused, the other person shares her confusion...

Bulfat may be just an ordinary fish-man pirate, as he himself said... but in Ossi's heart, he is one of the most important people.

……

The recording continued, and after casually talking about himself, Bourfat began to talk about Ossie.

Well, that might sound arrogant, but the main reason I kept this recording is because I'm worried about you, Osei.

"..."

"Enough with the nagging, I have nothing for you to worry about..."

"You...you can't even take a good picture of yourself..."

Ossie's voice trembled slightly as she gripped the microphone tightly in her hand.

But Bourfat ignored her rebuttal and continued, "After all, it's none of my business how others are treated."

Needless to say, your sister sees further than any of us; she doesn't need anyone's help at all.

As for that brat Obey, she's always hiding in the lab, you hardly ever see her... and all the stuff she's doing is beyond my ability to understand.

However, given her ability to endure loneliness, there shouldn't be any problems.

"Hmph~ She's not that great."

When Obi was mentioned, Osi still unconsciously muttered something.

Only you, Ossie.

Although you may seem as carefree and easygoing as us roughnecks, I know you're more sensitive and perceptive than anyone else.

At this point, Bourfat's voice went blank, as if he were recalling something from a long time ago.

Do you remember the first time I took you out to sea?

[That time, you felt it was your mistake that caused your crew to die needlessly, and you were filled with remorse. Afterwards, you erected a monument for all the brothers who sacrificed themselves with you... This is the first time I've ever seen someone erect a monument for pirates.]

I knew from that moment on that you were not like us.

After all, we pirates are like wild dogs on the sea, and wild dogs don't need tombstones.

But you are not. You are fundamentally different from us... You are like a star in the sky, beautiful and dazzling, completely different from us roadside stones.

[After that, you grew up and started to have your own ideas, even fighting Kaido because of it. The sight of you covered in blood really startled me.]

I don't know who's right and who's wrong, since I'm not exactly a person with my own opinions either.

I thought the world Kaido wanted to create, where power determines status, was pretty good, so I followed him without thinking too much about it.

But then I felt his idea was too narrow-minded; there must be a better answer, but unfortunately, I was too stupid to think of it.

"Is that even a question? It's obvious that the gorilla who only knows how to use force is wrong. How could I possibly be wrong..."

Ossie pouted, still not believing that she had any problem.

"But you guys probably all agree with that guy who just swings a big stick, right..."

So what I'm trying to say is, Osei, if you believe your idea is right, then stick to it. Don't pay attention to Kaido or anyone else's disapproval.

"Eh?"

Most people on this vast sea are like me, just drifting with the tide. It's remarkable that you and Boss Kaido have your own opinions; only people like you can become the protagonists of this sea.

His tone gradually became more uplifting...

You are a dragon destined to soar through the sky, and should not be bound by anything.

Go ahead and do whatever you want; I'm on your side.

【…】

Bourfat took a deep breath at this point, then spoke with undisguised pride:
You will always be the best in my heart, and I will always be proud of you.

"..."

"Fool……"

Holding the now-silent conch shell in her hands, Ossie lowered her head, her long, crimson hair falling down, obscuring her expression.

"You don't need to tell me, just knowing me is enough for you to be proud for the rest of your life."

"You can keep your fish eyes wide open and admire my heroic figure over there..."

Ossie's voice was choked with emotion, and his tone of voice trembled and distorted noticeably.

Ah! There's more!

? !
Ossie, who had been secretly rubbing the small pearl, was startled by this sudden turn of events and almost dropped the conch shell in her hand.

The originally subtle sad atmosphere completely collapsed.

"You bastard, can't you just say it all at once? Is this your last words or are you trying to squeeze out every last drop?"

Forced back her tears, Ossie gritted her teeth and complained.

But Bourfat didn't seem to intend to end things in such a somber mood. His tone became light again, even somewhat teasing, as he said:
If possible, it would be even better if you could change your habit of constantly using phrases like "young master" or "grandpa."

Stop obsessing over your tank top and trousers; try to take better care of your appearance.

[I don't expect you to be like your sister, but at least don't act like a rough, uncouth guy like us.]

"I don't care how plain you are, I'll wear whatever I want!"

"I don't just want a vest and trousers, I also want a cape, and I want to wear red and green, and yellow and purple!"

Ossie began to protest against the magnetic field.

[After all, you're such a pretty kid. If you dressed up a little, you could make the whole ocean fall for you.]

[Hehe~ I've been bragging to everyone all these years that my Osie is absolutely as beautiful as the legendary mermaid princess. I don't want to be accused of bragging back home.]

"..."

"Humph~"

……

【alright. 】

I've weathered all the storms of life, enjoyed all the pleasures, and seen all the sights... especially meeting you all at the end, I'm already very content.

So, don't be sad for me.

After I die, there's no need for a funeral. We fish-men are children of the sea; just put my body back in the ocean.

[What did La say again—"The swimming dragon should return to the sea... I, this swimming fish, should also return to the sea."]

　I'm numb. I've been writing for two days and still can't get any of the lyrical feeling I want.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)