With Captain Barbossa's official authorization, Roger completely took over command of the sea serpent.
He stood by the helm, replacing the Old Helmsman who was already weak-kneed with fear, and personally steered the ship.
As his hands gripped the wheel, a wondrous sensation arose within him.
It was as if the entire ship had become an extension of his body.
The flow of the seawater, the caress of the wind, all were clearly transmitted to his palms through the helm.
His skill in "Basic Navigation" was pushed to its limits at this moment.
"Hard to port, furl the fore-sail!"
"Helm five to starboard, lower the main-sail by one-third!"
"Steady! There's an undercurrent ahead, prepare for impact!"
Roger's commands came one after another.
Brief, clear, and precise.
Under his command, the pirates, though still flustered, were no longer as panicked and helpless as before.
They were like a pack of tamed wolves, executing every command around their new alpha.
Gibbs became Roger's first mate.
He was responsible for running around the deck, relaying orders, and coordinating personnel.
His single eye was now filled with fervent admiration and trust for Roger.
Captain Barbossa silently stood by, watching Roger calmly direct the entire situation.
The more he watched, the more astonished he became.
Every one of Roger's maneuvers exceeded his understanding.
Sometimes, he would deliberately turn the ship's side towards a seemingly small wave.
Barbossa was about to speak up to warn him, but then he found that the wave was weakened by an unknown undercurrent before it hit the hull, which instead helped the ship adjust its direction.
Sometimes, he would order the ship to sail against the wind for a short distance.
Just as Barbossa thought the mast was about to break, he would order a sharp turn, perfectly utilizing the reactive force of the wind to skillfully avoid a huge whirlpool.
This was no longer just sailing.
This was dancing.
Roger was like a top dancer, and this dilapidated sea serpent was his dance partner.
They were performing a thrilling waltz on the deadly stage of the Devil's Triangle.
Time passed minute by minute.
The storm's power was gradually weakening.
Although the sky was still gloomy, the rain had lessened considerably.
The waves were also no longer as violent as before.
They were passing through the core of the storm.
When the last ray of sunlight pierced through the thick clouds and shone on the sea, the entire Devil's Triangle miraculously calmed down.
Although undercurrents still surged beneath the surface, compared to the cataclysmic scene just now, it was like a docile lake.
"We...we made it out?"
A pirate looked at the sky, which had returned to a clear blue in the distance, and rubbed his eyes in disbelief.
"We're out! We really made it out of the Devil's Triangle!"
"God! We survived!"
After confirming their safety, the deck erupted in cheers louder than any before.
Many pirates could no longer stand, collapsing onto the deck, crying tears of joy.
Some rushed to the ship's rail, shouting loudly at the sea, releasing the fear they had suppressed for so long.
Roger also released his tightly gripped hands from the helm and let out a long sigh of relief.
The highly concentrated mental focus relaxed at this moment, and a strong sense of exhaustion and the sharp pain in his back instantly swept over his entire body.
His vision blurred, his body swayed, and he almost fell.
"Sir!"
Gibbs, who was closest to him, rushed forward and supported him.
"I'm fine."
Roger waved his hand, his face somewhat pale.
At this moment, Captain Barbossa also walked over.
He stood before Roger, silent.
He merely looked at him with an extremely complex expression.
The cheers on the deck gradually subsided, and all the pirates gathered around, quietly watching their captain and their savior.
Suddenly, Barbossa made a gesture that shocked everyone.
He took a step back and faced Roger.
Towards this young man whom he had disdained just yesterday, he solemnly bowed, performing a standard seaman's salute.
"I, Barbossa, Captain of the sea serpent, apologize to you for my previous rudeness and folly."
His voice was hoarse but filled with sincerity.
"You saved my ship, and you saved all our lives."
Barbossa's action was like a signal.
Gibbs immediately released Roger's arm, also stepped back, and bowed deeply.
Immediately after, all the pirates on the deck, including Billy the bearded man who had a previous grudge with Roger, all spontaneously bowed to Roger.
"Thank you, sir!"
"We all owe you a life!"
"From now on, you are our Brother!"
Heartfelt thanks resounded on the deck.
These desperate men of the sea, rough in nature and unfamiliar with sweet talk, but their emotions were the most direct and sincere.
You saved my life, so my life is yours from now on.
Roger looked at the pirates bowing to him, and he was also deeply moved.
He did all this initially only to save himself.
But at this moment, looking at these sincere faces, he felt a sense of being recognized and accepted by comrades.
This feeling was even stronger than when he was a third mate on a modern ship.
"Everyone, rise."
Roger spoke, his voice a little tired but very gentle.
"We are all on the same ship; helping each other is only right."
His words made the pirates look at him with even greater respect and closeness.
"Well said! We are Brothers!"
Billy was the first to straighten up.
He walked up to Roger, scratched his head, his face showing a hint of awkwardness and guilt.
"Um... Brother Lin Ye, I was wrong before, I drank too much, I was an idiot, please don't take it to heart."
Saying this, he pulled a flat flask from his In my arms and offered it.
"This is my treasured rum, top-notch stuff! Have a taste! Consider it my apology to you!"
Roger looked at him, smiled, and took the flask.
He opened the cap, tilted his head back, and took a gulp.
The spicy liquid instantly burned from his throat to his stomach, a warm current surged through his body, dispelling much of the cold and fatigue.
"Good rum!" Roger returned the flask to Billy.
"Haha! You're straightforward, Brother!"
Seeing Roger drink his rum, Billy knew he was forgiven and grinned broadly with joy.
The surrounding pirates also laughed, and the atmosphere instantly became lively and harmonious.
They began to crowd around Roger, asking him how he did it and if he knew any magic.
Captain Barbossa looked at Roger, surrounded by everyone, a relieved smile on his face.
He knew that from today on, this young man would become an irreplaceable presence on the sea serpent.
He walked to Roger's side, clapped him on the shoulder, and announced loudly:
"Brothers! To celebrate our escape and to thank our hero, Roger!"
"When we reach Tortuga, Roger gets double all the spoils from today!"
"And, all the rum at the taverns, I'm treating! We won't go home until we're drunk!"
"Ooh-hoo! Long live the Captain!"
"Long live Brother Lin Ye!"
The pirates erupted in even more enthusiastic cheers.
Roger listened to the cheers around him.
Looking at the "0" gold coins still on his system panel.
His heart was also filled with anticipation.
Tortuga, the pirates' den of iniquity.
His first pot of gold was about to be in his hands!