"Captain, I'm sorry. I'm a spy."
After confessing his true identity, Drake let out a huge sigh of relief. He was, at his core, a man of pride. Every day spent undercover in the Bellamy Pirates had been pure torment.
At first, it was the humiliation of having to work under that Hyena. He was the son of a Rear Admiral, after all. To have fallen so low... anyone would have been resentful.
Later, it was simple defiance. He refused to accept that Bellamy was stronger than him, more ruthless than him – he refused to accept any of it. Unfortunately, Bellamy had a knack for slapping him down, both literally and figuratively, forcing him to swallow his pride, no matter how much it burned.
As time went on, however, Drake had found himself gradually acknowledging Bellamy's worth. Bellamy's sheer audacity and courage had won him over. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to speak his mind so openly during this conversation.
Bellamy was pleased to hear Drake's candid confession. The kid hadn't chosen to lie to him, and that was a good start. It was the first, crucial step to becoming one of his own.
He clapped Drake on the shoulder. "I know. Is there anything else you want to say?"
Bellamy's attitude perplexed Drake. Why wasn't the captain furious after learning he was a spy?
Just as Drake was lost in his confusion, Bellamy looked him directly in the eye and said, with utmost seriousness, "Listen up, kid. We will clash with Doflamingo someday." His tone was dead serious, leaving no room for doubt.
Hearing this, Drake's heart leaped with a flicker of hope. If it was Bellamy… maybe…
But Bellamy wasn't finished. "But it won't be by skulking in the shadows, using underhanded schemes, or playing the spy."
"Hiding in the shadows might, admittedly, allow for a fatal blow to the enemy."
"But I don't like it!"
One day, he would face the Heavenly Yaksha head-on, on the open sea. He would settle all their scores in his own way. Sneaking around and playing spy games was the way of politicians, and he had no interest in it.
Drake didn't quite understand why they had to confront Doflamingo head-on. It was the same way he'd never understood why there were always so many pirates on the sea, an endless stream of them.
Bellamy saw the confusion in his eyes. "Drake, do you know why I absolutely had to go out to sea and become a pirate?"
"Because of the Celestial Dragons!"
The very words "Celestial Dragons" cast a shadow over the world, a pall that hung over everyone.
"As long as the Celestial Dragons exist, there can be no true justice in this world!"
The statement came straight from the heart, unadorned and without exaggeration. From the moment he'd arrived in this world – even back when he was just reading the manga in his previous life – Bellamy had always believed that the Celestial Dragons were the greatest evil of this world. As long as they existed, the Marines' justice would always be a twisted mockery.
As the son of a Rear Admiral, Drake was hardly ignorant of the Celestial Dragons' depravity. However, his understanding of them mostly came from hearsay. Without personally experiencing that kind of despair, it was impossible to comprehend how profoundly they corrupted the very concept of justice.
"Captain, is that why you became a pirate?" Drake asked, a glimmer of understanding dawning in his eyes.
"That's right. That's the only reason I'm willing to be a pirate."
If he could, who wouldn't choose a stable life? Did people really think he was born a lunatic? If the world wasn't such a dark and hopeless place, the Marines would have been the best option.
"I understand." Drake's gaze, as he looked at Bellamy, underwent a profound change.
"Captain, I, 'Red Flag' X. Drake, swear to you here and now." Drake straightened his posture, then knelt on one knee. "If you help me avenge my father, then from this day forward, I will be the sharpest blade in your hand."
This solemn oath signified that Drake had finally, completely accepted Bellamy. It also meant that the Bellamy Pirates had gained a truly formidable fighter.
Bellamy was overjoyed at Drake's pledge. He quickly helped him to his feet, reassuring him, "Just you watch. It won't be long."
"Five years. Five years at most," he declared, volunteering a timeframe. "Within five years, I will have my battle with the Heavenly Yaksha."
In truth, Bellamy felt that three years would be enough. But stating such a short time would only make him sound like he was boasting, and that would serve no purpose. It was better to show his resolve and completely put Drake's mind at ease.
As expected, Drake was deeply moved by his vow.
"Captain, I can wait."
"Whether it's five years or ten, as long as I can personally avenge my father, I'm willing to wait."
The kid had spoken more in these last few minutes than he had in the past several months. In this short time, he'd completely exposed his most vulnerable side. But this was the real Drake, the side that Bellamy wanted to see.
"No need to say any more. I said five years, and it'll be five years."
Call it boasting, call it overconfidence, whatever it was, Bellamy had made his stance undeniably clear. At this point, what more could Drake say?
"I understand, Captain."
"Then let's work hard together."
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