Burgess raised both arms and laughed wildly:
"This time it's someone carrying a weapon—we can really have a good fight! Wahahahaha!"
Doc Q sat up, his smile mysterious:"Let him taste my miasma later. I just hope he doesn't die from the poison too quickly."
Hawkins shuffled his cards calmly and said in an emotionless tone:"From the moment he entered our sight… his fate was already sealed."
Law, holding Kikoku, had an icy expression, but for once a trace of anticipation appeared on his face:"I'm actually curious about this guy's sensing ability."
Gin looked at Chris and said with a twisted smile:"Captain, I'm getting better at using Armament Haki. I believe I'll fully master it soon."
"That guy's wearing a weird hat and an eyepatch on his right eye—seems like another problematic newcomer."
Nami looked at the small boat ahead with a sweet and innocent smile:"He must be quite strong, or else how could he dare sail the sea alone?"
Nojiko nodded and said with a bitter smile:"Everything else is fine, but his outfit is just too strange..."
Karina patted her shoulder and turned her beautiful eyes playfully:"Chris once said something that I think makes a lot of sense."
Perona, floating nearby, looked curious and asked quickly:"What did he say?"
Karina smiled and said:"'People with real strength often have strange personalities. You can't judge them by normal standards.' That's what Chris said."
Sweetheart Queen nodded with a gentle smile:"He really did say that. I remember it too."
"Actually, Chris has said many things that make a lot of sense. My favorite line is this—"
'In this world, strength rules. If you can kill me, it means you're stronger. Being killed by a strong person is an honor. What else is there to say?'
The women in the training room had all heard that quote before, so they weren't surprised.
But Lafitte and the others were hearing it for the first time—and they were stunned.
"No wonder he's the captain. That line is full of insight."
Burgess burst out laughing:"Exactly! If someone stronger than me kills me, then I've got nothing more to say!"
Doc Q, leaning on his chair, chuckled:"Captain's biased. He never said those things to us. Clearly playing favorites."
Law nodded and said coldly:"Just like our crew rules—everything is based on strength. If a strong person kills you, you can't blame anyone else. It's your own fault for being weak."
Gin, full of admiration, said:"Captain, your words are amazing. I'll remember them and keep getting stronger."
"Only I can be the vice-captain of this ship! I, Demon Man Gin!"
Lafitte stood his cane upright and smiled politely:"Very good, Gin. You're an ambitious man—I appreciate that. I look forward to your challenge someday."
Meanwhile, the small boat drew closer and finally appeared clearly in front of the Chris Pirate Ship.
"Today marks a turning point of fate."
"The captain is here. That young man must be our newest member."
As the two ships closed in, Lafitte looked across the sea and smiled slightly:"This guy's outfit is… quite interesting."
Twisting his cane in a gentlemanly manner, he said:"Judging by the way he carries his rifle, he really does look like a sharpshooter."
The young man on the small boat was the first to speak.
He had shot the directional bird on their ship from far away and then sailed over, asking to join the crew.
Who does that?
Isn't that a bit too presumptuous?
Law glanced at Burgess and warned coldly:"With that kind of marksmanship, he could easily blow your head off."
Chris, arms crossed, calmly looked at Van Augur and said:"Get on board."
Van Augur nodded slightly. A rare smile appeared on his usually serious face:"Captain, I've been waiting for someone like you to appear… This is fate."
Then, with a leap, he landed on the deck of the Chris ship.
He stood quietly to the side, not greeting anyone, maintaining a calm and aloof demeanor.
"Another problematic crew member."
"But in the end, nobody's perfect. What matters is strength."
Gin nodded coldly:"Even if you're joining the crew now, I won't forget your provocation."
Doc Q, smiling oddly, said:"Young man, you're in trouble. Gin's a real tough guy. If he's got his eyes on you, things won't end well."
"But you're lucky. I've decided not to attack you. Otherwise, you'd die a horrible death. Hehehe..."
The crew began discussing his strength.
Van Augur, holding his beloved rifle Qianlu, had a cold, expressionless face and spoke calmly:"My name is Van Augur. I'm from East Blue. I'm a marksman. I hope to join your crew, Captain Chris."
Hearing his words, everyone except Chris was stunned again.
"Captain, this guy's too arrogant. Let me poison him!"
Doc Q gave Van Augur a sinister look and smiled wickedly.
Burgess raised his arms and laughed:"Right! He even dared shoot the ship's directional bird. He's clearly trying to show off!"
"Who does he think he is? Let me kill him! Wahahaha!"
Hawkins, flipping his cards and observing Van Augur, muttered:"Judging by his aura, Burgess probably isn't his match."
Lafitte spun his cane and said humbly:"Didn't the captain say? People with strength are often eccentric. That's totally normal."
"If Van Augur could hit the bird, then even if he's proud, that's understandable."
The group could tell he was introverted and not talkative.
Karina looked at the girls, shrugged, and sighed with a helpless smile.
Perona, floating in the air, pouted:"Weird outfit, terrible attitude… I really don't like him."
Nojiko smiled sweetly:"In Chris' words—if you're strong, all those things can be overlooked."
Burgess, still glaring at Van Augur, growled:"You really piss me off. When the vice-captain contest starts, I'll make sure to beat you to a pulp!"
"This is the Chris Pirate Crew—the strongest crew in the world. We won't tolerate any disrespect."
"The captain must always maintain his authority. That's the only way people will follow."
Gin looked at Van Augur with a cruel smile and cold eyes:"Once I grow stronger, I'll make you pay for today. I'll never let anyone challenge Captain Chris!"
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T/N:
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