One Piece: Pirate King? I just want to kill all of you-Chapter 71: Am I Just Supposed to Be Hunted by the Marines?!

After Will had walked a few streets away, the roads began to bustle with lively crowds once more. On the faces of these people, Will saw no trace of worry or fear—clearly, they were long accustomed to sudden battles erupting around them.

At that moment, a little girl holding an ice cream cone, her face beaming with a bright smile, came running toward him. But just then, a burly man, built like a bear, abruptly stepped out from a side alley. The girl couldn’t dodge in time, and with a look of panic, she collided head-on with him, her ice cream smearing onto the man’s clothes.

"Hm?!" The burly man glanced down, noticing that his brand-new outfit, bought just a few days ago, now had half an ice cream cone splattered across it. Fury surged within him, and with a face full of indignation, he roared, "Arghhh! My new designer clothes!" He glared at the girl. "You little brat! Don’t you watch where you’re going?!"

With that, he reached out, seemingly intent on grabbing the girl and hoisting her up.

Snap.

But at that moment, the man’s hand froze in midair, as if locked in place, unable to move an inch further.

"Who’s there?!" The man, realizing he was being restrained, turned his head with a vicious snarl.

Will, lightly gripping the man’s arm, saw his attitude and decided there was no need for words. With a swift motion, he yanked the man’s arm, spun around, and flung him upward into the sky.

"Aaahhh—!" The man’s terrified scream echoed as he soared rapidly toward the horizon, vanishing into the distance beyond the island.

Will paid no mind to the panicked onlookers around him or the stunned little girl standing frozen in place. He continued his unhurried stroll toward the port. He wasn’t looking for gratitude—he simply couldn’t stand seeing someone raise a hand against a child.

Of course, Momonosuke was an exception. That kid might look like a child on the outside, but inside, he was a cowardly, lecherous old man. A naturally wicked brat like that? Will would deal with him personally.

A short while later, Will returned to the port. But as soon as he arrived, he spotted Smoker, whom he had defeated earlier, sitting quietly on a wooden crate, as if waiting for something. Nearby, on their new ship, Nami and Carina were keeping a wary eye on him.

Smoker, with two cigars clamped between his teeth, was wrapped in thick bandages, looking like he’d taken quite a beating. He had clearly noticed the gazes from the ship but paid them no attention.

When Will appeared at the port, all three turned to look at him instantly. Before Nami or Carina could say anything, Smoker stood up, his brow furrowed as he spoke gravely, "Madman Will, can we talk alone for a moment?"

Will paused, then a slight smirk curved his lips. "Sure, come with me."

With that, he turned and headed toward the old ship nearby. Smoker said nothing more and followed without hesitation. Nami and Carina exchanged a glance, both puzzled but not overly concerned with Will around. They turned back to the ship’s cabin to continue sorting things out.

Will led Smoker onto the deck of the old ship, stopping at the railing to gaze out at the calm sea in the distance. Before Smoker could bring up what had happened in the plaza, Will suddenly extended a hand toward him, his tone earnest as he made an offer.

"Smoker, join my crew."

"What?!" Smoker’s eyes widened, clearly caught off guard by the sudden proposition. It was completely beyond his expectations. Truth be told, for a fleeting moment, his heart stirred at the idea. But then he thought of the principles he’d always held dear and the comrades who had supported him all along.

After a few seconds of silence, Smoker shook his head, rejecting the offer. "Sorry, I still have my duties and the justice I need to uphold. I can’t just follow you out to sea as a..." He paused, reconsidering his words before continuing, "...as a pirate."

Will wasn’t surprised by the refusal. He slowly withdrew his hand and slipped it into his pocket. He had known the odds of convincing Smoker were slim from the start—after all, the man was stubborn and set in his ways. Still, it was worth a shot.

But after hearing Smoker’s words, Will couldn’t help but frown slightly. "Who says you can only uphold justice by being a Marine? Does the justice you talk about really need that Marine coat to be carried out?"

"I..." Smoker’s brow tightened, momentarily at a loss for how to respond.

Will didn’t wait for an answer, continuing in a serious tone. "Everyone’s understanding of justice might differ, but it has to align with what’s in your heart. What you should be doing is pursuing the justice you believe in, not just upholding the Marines’ version of it."

Smoker’s expression grew complex. "Pursuing the justice in my heart..."

Will’s eyes gleamed as he pressed on. "Smoker, stop thinking you have to follow the rules set by the Marines—or the World Government, for that matter. Rules are made for those who can’t survive without them. Someone like you, with your strength, doesn’t need to follow those rules. Instead, you should be thinking about how to create better ones. Only then can you truly uphold the justice in your heart and help those who deserve it."

Smoker’s brows furrowed tighter, his cigars clenched between his teeth as his expression turned pensive.

Will turned to look at the calm sea in the distance, continuing as if speaking to himself. "I won’t deny that the Marines do maintain some order on the seas, to an extent. But don’t forget, above the Marines sits the World Government—and above them, the Celestial Dragons, who oppress ordinary people and do whatever they please."

"You know exactly what kind of people the Celestial Dragons are. So tell me, are they good or evil? I killed one of them in the Land of Bridges, and now I’m branded as some kind of villain by certain people. Am I just supposed to accept being hunted by the Marines with a bounty on my head?!"

"And what about those innocent civilians, ordinary people just trying to live peaceful lives? Are they supposed to just endure being trampled by those disgusting Celestial Dragons?!"

At this, Will turned sharply to face Smoker, his gaze piercing. "Tell me, Smoker—those powerless people who can’t fight back, do they even have a chance to live out their lives in peace?"

--

Support me & read more advance & fast update Chapter on my patreon: 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

pat reon .com/yuuwand