Over at the explorer's dock, there was a flurry of activity and high spirits.
However, the atmosphere on the sea serpent was gloomy and lifeless.
Ever since Barraba returned from the black market, he had completely locked himself in the Captain's Cabin.
Apart from coming out to get some food and water each day, he was never seen.
Occasionally, the crew would hear him talking to himself nervously through the door crack, or screaming in terror at the slightest sound.
Everyone knew that their Captain had gone completely mad.
The treasures on the ship had been partly squandered in Tortuga, then most of it extorted by Roger, and the rest was all locked up by Barraba, with no one allowed to touch a single coin.
The crew had nothing to do each day but stay on the ship, drinking and gambling, just waiting to die.
They saw no future, and no hope.
"Damn it, when will these days end?"
A pirate slammed his empty rum bottle onto the deck.
"The Captain's crazy, are we just going to rot here with him?"
"Then what can we do?"
"We're his crew, we took his money, so we have to listen to him."
Another pirate replied weakly.
"Listen to him? Listen to him go mad?"
An older pirate named Hanson snorted coldly.
"Haven't you heard?"
"Brother Roger's side is almost done turning that old wreck into a warship!"
"I secretly went to take a look yesterday, and my goodness! Eight 12-pound cannons lined up, better than the cannons on our ship!"
"And, I heard from Billy that Brother Roger provides them with meat every meal, and plenty of rum!"
"Although the work is tiring, they learn new things every day, and everyone is as energetic as if they've been injected with adrenaline!"
Hanson's words stirred up a storm.
"Really? Isn't Billy always exaggerating?"
"This time he's not exaggerating!"
Another pirate who had been there also leaned in, lowering his voice.
"I'm telling you, that ship is repaired as good as new! I've never seen such beautiful carpentry in my life!"
"Brother Roger, he's practically a Sea God incarnate!"
"Most importantly, he has a goal!"
"I heard Gibbs say that once the ship is repaired, they are going to pull off an even bigger job! The target is Port Royal!"
"What? Port Royal? Isn't that suicide?"
"Bullshit! What do you, One-Eyed Man, know!"
"Have you forgotten how Brother Roger led us through the Devil's Triangle, and how he took down that spanish warship?"
"With him, there's nowhere we can't go!"
After much discussion, the pirates on the sea serpent felt restless.
On one side, there was their mad, uncertain old Captain.
On the other side, there was a brilliant, generous good brother who led everyone to constantly create miracles.
This choice was simply too easy.
That night, a dozen sea serpent crew members, led by the old pirate Hanson, quietly left the sea serpent under the cover of darkness.
They didn't go to the tavern, nor did they look for women.
Instead, they went straight to the explorer's dock.
The dock was brightly lit, and Roger's crew were still working overtime.
Seeing Hanson and his group approach, Gibbs, who was directing everyone, paused.
"Hanson? What are you doing here so late?"
Gibbs asked cautiously.
After all, there was now a subtle division between the two groups, and he had to be on guard.
Hanson rubbed his hands, a hint of embarrassment and fawning smile on his face.
"Brother Gibbs, we... we've come to see Big Brother Roger."
"What do you want with Roger?"
Billy also walked over, carrying a log, looking at them unkindly.
Hanson gritted his teeth, as if making a huge decision.
He said solemnly to Gibbs and Billy:
"Brothers, we're not working for that madman Barraba anymore!"
"We... we want to follow Big Brother Roger!"
The dozen pirates behind him also nodded, their eyes full of anticipation.
"We want to join the explorer!"
Gibbs and Billy exchanged glances, both seeing great shock in each other's eyes.
They never expected Barraba's men to voluntarily come over and ask to switch sides!
This was simply... too damn impressive!
Billy was secretly overjoyed, but he still deliberately put on a stern face and said:
"Want to join? It's not that easy!"
"the explorer doesn't just take anyone!"
"Brother Billy, we're all veterans who've been at sea for over ten years!"
"Sailing, steering, fighting, we're good at everything!" Hanson said eagerly.
"We sincerely want to follow Roger and achieve great things!"
"Please, just let us see Big Brother Roger!"
As he spoke, Hanson and the group of pirates behind him were about to kneel before Gibbs and Billy.
"Hey, hey, hey! Don't do that!" Gibbs quickly stopped them.
Although he felt pleased, he was still a bit undecided.
After all, these were Barraba's men.
He turned to look at the figure on the ship who was concentrating on drawing blueprints.
"I'll go ask Brother Roger."
Gibbs jogged onto the ship and explained the situation to Roger.
Roger put down his pen, and after listening, there was no surprise on his face.
All of this was already within his expectations.
He who wins the hearts of the people wins the world.
Barraba's greed and madness were destined to make him lose everyone's loyalty.
And the strength, generosity, and clear goals he displayed would naturally attract smart people who yearned for hope and a future.
"Let them come over," Roger said calmly.
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