The pinnacle of pirates begins with deceiving fate!

"We're all doing this for justice, so let's not worry about the details."

John waved his hand dismissively and followed old Fello and the others into the restaurant.

Amidst the wary gazes of the crowd, he walked up to Dorrag, who was sitting in a chair, and looked down at him.

"Kid, do you remember me?"

"Uh……"

Dorag blinked, feeling that the man in front of him was somewhat familiar, but he really had no memory of him.

Of all the people he knows, there isn't a single one with white hair.

In the end, Dragon shook his head.

"It's okay, it's enough that I know you. Just be more careful in the future."

John gave a meaningful "warning" and turned back to the table to continue eating the food he hadn't finished.

The only thing you should never miss is delicious food!

Such erratic words and actions left Dorrag completely bewildered and increasingly confused.

At this moment, Vincent pulled old Ferro to a corner, unfolded the crumpled skull and crossbones flag manuscript, and handed it to him.

"Dad, this is the pirate flag I designed. Let's not stay here any longer, let's set sail!"

"Let's return to our homeland as pirates and rise up in rebellion to overthrow those corrupt nobles!"

"Father, our hope lies in our homeland, the Kingdom of Felose!"

Old Phil took the skull and crossbones flag draft, looked at it for a long time, and then suddenly tore it to shreds.

He looked up, his eyes fixed intently on Vincent's bewildered expression, and his long-suppressed emotions suddenly erupted.

"Stop talking about becoming a pirate rebellion. If it could really change anything, your grandfather and the others wouldn't have taken me away from our home and made us beg for food at other people's doors!"

"Yes, in the town of Shells, we Fellowes are treated like rats and are discriminated against and ostracized by the locals."

"But at least here, we can fill our stomachs and survive!"

"Dignity? It means nothing in the face of survival!"

The roar, accompanied by spittle, sprayed onto Vincent's face, leaving him stunned and frozen in place.

But soon, Vincent was awakened by his indomitable youthful spirit, and he pointed to the kitchen.

"Dad, is this what you call survival? Smuggling and selling alcohol, making a fortune by risking death during Prohibition?"

Then, Vincent turned around, walked to the window, opened it, and pointed to the alley further away on the street.

"And what are we Philoese doing outside? We're running a pleasure district selling meat! We're groveling and working as laborers and servants for the locals!"

"It's an underground boxing ring that uses the gimmick of Feluse fighting each other to lure locals to gamble!"

"Locals can hire us for a pittance and make us work like slaves!"

"If this is what survival is all about, then I'd rather die!"

Vincent practically roared out the last sentence.

Old Fello looked at his son, his gaze gradually becoming complicated, as images of his own youth surfaced in his mind.

He was like that too, wanting to change everything, but...

"I am just a person, not a god, and my abilities are limited."

“Vincent, your dreams are too far removed from mine. All I hope for is that everyone can… live.”

After saying this, old Philo seemed to age decades in an instant, and his usually straight back hunched over.

His appearance moved all the members of the Fellowes Chamber of Commerce present, as they all knew what old Fellowes had sacrificed for them over the years.

Smiling obsequiously and swallowing one's anger is the norm.

Vincent felt no joy of victory from his father's "bow down" during the argument, only an unprecedented emptiness.

But he still insisted on doing it, never compromising with life!

At the same time, their debate, like a spark of light, guided Dragon, who was lost in a thick fog.

"If this is what survival is all about, then I'd rather die!"

Dorrag repeated Vincent's words in a low voice, his fists gradually clenching, and his empty body generating boundless power.

He made up his mind; he would accompany Vincent to the Kingdom of Felose to start an uprising!

John observed the changes in Dragon and immediately realized that this was the turning point that would transform him.

Grand, lofty principles can never match the harsh realities of life.

"Only through suffering and struggle can a person grow and find their own true path."

"Let me see what kind of story you're going to tell..."

twilight

153rd Branch Base, Colonel's Office.

Compared to the understated luxury of Reed's office, this place is simply plain and simple.

There was nothing else but an ordinary, even somewhat worn-out, coffee table and sofa, and an office desk piled high with various documents.

John stood under the bright light, curiously observing the man behind the desk who was engrossed in writing his business.

The man appeared to be in his forties or fifties, with short, dark brown hair, a square face, and a full beard.

It's the kind of face that gives off a dignified and authoritative aura as one gets older.

This is Colonel Rory Burns, the base commander of Naval Squadron 153.

John was called to the office ten minutes ago, and then Colonel Enns just kept his head down and worked for ten minutes without paying any attention to anyone.

This is a common tactic used by many superiors: calling their subordinates over and leaving them to their own devices, allowing them to "reflect" and introspect.

The authority of the superior is displayed through a high-pressure, confined space.

Just when Burns thought he had left John hanging for a while, he suddenly smelled a pungent odor of smoke in the office that smelled only of ink.

He looked up abruptly and saw John standing in front of his desk with his hands in his pockets, a cigarette dangling from his lips, staring blankly at the ceiling.

His eyes were vacant, and his expression was one of blissful reverie, as if he had entered a state of self-realization.

Chapter 42 Welcome to the Navy

When did this guy light his cigarette?!

Burns was not angry at being looked down upon by his subordinates; instead, he focused entirely on the other party's "strength."

Before this, he had gone outside the "Ideal" restaurant to check out the battle site, and he could also smash two large holes in the wall.

Therefore, Burns had no hostility towards this newly recruited troublemaker; on the contrary, he had the idea of ​​winning him over and cultivating him into a confidant.

He poses no threat to me and is a rare talent, so why not take him?

But now, Burns has changed his mind.

The only sound in the office was the scratching of a pen on paper; in the quiet environment, he couldn't hear John pressing a lighter or the rubbing of a match against a phosphorus surface.

This guy's strength might be above his!

This has become a threat to him and must be dealt with!

"Didn't Reed tell you about the rule that Marines from Branch 153 are not allowed to interfere in local affairs?"

Upon hearing the question, John's eyes regained their sparkle, and his pupils moved as he looked down at Burns, who was sitting there.

"No."

Lies just come out of his mouth.

"..."

Burns fell silent at such a firm denial, and his prepared "fire" statement got stuck in his throat.

Before calling John over, he first confirmed with Reed.

Reed patted his chest and assured John that he had clearly explained the rules of the 153rd branch.

But now, John lies without batting an eye, and even seems strangely self-righteous about it.

Burns' brows furrowed, and anger surged within him.

His authority felt challenged!

But in the end, Burns took a deep breath to calm himself down and did not have an outburst.

If it were an ordinary private, he would have told the other party to pack his bags and get out of there without any conditions, but the person standing in front of him now was John, who was probably even stronger than him.

What if this guy doesn't take pressure and suddenly attacks?

He'll be fine once he wins, but what if he can't?

Burns' eyes gleamed, he stood up, and smiled as he extended his hand to John:

"Ignorance is no excuse. Welcome to the Navy."

"It's all for justice."

John also gave a meaningful smile and extended his hand to shake hands with Burns.

Oh! On the surface, he seems to be a thrifty, courteous, and conscientious leader!

pity……

“I have a ‘mind network’; I can see everything you’re thinking.”

On the training ground, John looked at the office with light streaming through the window and shook his head in boredom.

What others need a system to overhear are thoughts that he can simply do with a thought.

He can even capture the fleeting thoughts that pass through the minds of enemies during battle, let alone someone sitting quietly in front of him racking their brains to think.

It's like taking off all your clothes and letting him examine you closely with a magnifying glass.

"It's so frustrating. I should use 'MindNet' less often, otherwise everything will be too boring."