The spoils distribution meeting was grandly held on the dauntless's spacious, ice-skating-rink-like deck.
Roger stood on the captain's command platform.
Below him, a dense crowd of skeletons of various forms stood, along with a small group of "normal" pirates who hadn't yet adapted to their new skin.
The scene was filled with a post-modern sense of eeriness.
"Brothers!"
Roger cleared his throat, feeling very much like a CEO about to ring the bell for an IPO.
"Last night's operation was a great success!"
"We proved a point to the Royal Navy with our actions."
Roger paused, then raised his voice.
"As long as our spirit doesn't falter, there will always be more solutions than problems!"
"As long as our guts are big enough, even warships can be brought home!"
"Roar!"
The skeletons below were very supportive, their bony frames trembling with excitement.
Roger nodded in satisfaction, pressing his hand down to signal the fervent fans to quiet down.
His gaze swept over the sea of skeletons, landing on the two incongruous legendary captains at the back of the crowd.
Jack Sparrow was pinching the wig he had pulled from Norrington's head, examining the dandruff on it with a look of disgust.
Hector Barbossa, meanwhile, stood with his arms crossed, watching everything absently, like a poor soul dragged to his ex-girlfriend's wedding.
"Jack."
Roger called his name.
Jack flinched, quickly hid the wig behind his back, and sashayed forward.
"Oh, Lin, what's your command?"
His smoky eyes were full of anticipation.
"You said before that you wanted a fleet."
Roger pointed to the surrounding circle of warships that flew the Union Jack but now belonged to Lin.
"Now, they are all yours."
Jack froze.
He looked at Roger in disbelief, then at the new warships of all sizes around him.
He had only wanted a few ships, never expecting Roger to actually fulfill his promise and hand over the entire fleet.
Happiness came too suddenly, making his rum-soaked brain a little unable to process it.
"Lin... you mean..."
"That's right."
Roger snapped his fingers.
"This fleet, from the dauntless to those small, broken ships, is now under your command."
"I only need my the explorer."
Roger's little abacus was clicking away.
A free gift?
How could that be!
This was called venture capital!
Package Jack Sparrow, the chosen one and trouble magnet, and send him off to attract Davy Jones's firepower.
He himself would develop peacefully in the background, stealthily accumulating gold.
Once he developed, he would then harvest Davy Jones's beating heart.
Perfect!
"But!"
Roger changed his tone.
"The ships are yours, but you have to figure out the crew yourself."
"My excellent employees are all valuable assets of our the explorer, not a single one can be missing."
Jack's joy, which had just soared to the clouds, was instantly doused by this cold water.
A lone commander?
"Oh, Lin, you can't be so cruel!"
Jack wailed.
"A captain without a crew is like a drunk without rum; he'll be mocked by the entire Caribbean Sea!"
"Then go find your old mates."
Roger pursed his lips, motioning him to look towards Tortuga.
Jack immediately shut up.
Alright, that's still acceptable.
After all, his recruitment methods were still top-notch.
"Alright, the fleet is yours."
Roger extended his hand.
"Now, it's your turn to fulfill your promise."
"I need to lend the compass to someone who needs it."
"Of course, the compass's ownership is still yours."
Upon hearing this, Jack made a constipated expression, but in the end, he reluctantly nodded.
Roger took the compass from his 懷.
Hector stepped forward and took the compass Roger handed him.
Opening the compass, the needle spun wildly a few times before slowly pointing northeast.
Hector stared intently in that direction.
On his weathered face, a rare hint of tenderness appeared.
The clamor on the deck quieted down at this moment.
"Sparrow."
Hector put away the compass, turned around, and looked at Jack with an extremely complex gaze.
"Thank you."
Jack was stunned.
He had known Hector for so many years, and this was the first time he had heard these two words from the old scoundrel's mouth.
"Cough, cough."
Jack awkwardly shifted his body.
"Don't misunderstand, I only did it for my fleet."
"I know."
Hector nodded.
The two old rivals who had fought their entire lives were now speechless.
An awkward and strange atmosphere filled the air.
"Hey, are you two making Brokeback Mountain here?"
Roger really couldn't stand it anymore and kicked Jack in the butt.
"If you're leaving, hurry up, don't delay my celebration feast!"
"Oh! Right! Celebration feast!"
Jack seemed to wake from a dream.
He spread his arms and gave Hector a big hug.
Hector's body stiffened for a moment, but in the end, he reached out and awkwardly patted Jack's back.
"Take care, you old scoundrel."
"You too, you despicable traitor."
The surrounding pirates watched this epic reconciliation scene of the Caribbean Sea, each one moved to tears.
Billy even pulled out a handkerchief and began wiping his tearless eyes.
Only Roger rolled his eyes, feeling like he was about to vomit.
"Ding! Host, friendly reminder, according to big data analysis, there is a 73% probability that prolonged hugs between males are for discussing how to trick someone else."
The system's voice sounded at the opportune moment.
"Get lost, don't disturb me from appreciating this deeply moving brotherhood."
Roger retorted in his mind.
Finally, after a minute of "reluctant farewells," Jack and Hector parted.
Jack, with a few old crew members he had conned from Tortuga Port, boarded a small boat with high spirits.
the dauntless required too many hands, and he couldn't sail it away, so he could only take a small boat to Tortuga to "recruit" pirates first.
"Lin!"
Standing at the bow, Jack looked back one last time.
"Once I deal with that octopus-face, I'll come back for you!"
"No problem!"
Roger waved his hand.
"By the way, I'm planning to go to a distant Eastern land next."
"A magical country where gold is everywhere, and even the toilets are made of gold."
"Island nation?"
Jack was stunned for a moment.
He made a mental note of this.
A place that could interest a madman like Roger must be extraordinary.
Watching Jack's receding figure, Roger showed a relieved smile.
Go, Pikachu.
No, go, Jack.
I hope you can last a few more rounds against Davy Jones.
Having sent away the biggest source of trouble, Roger was in a great mood.
He turned around, facing his crew who were already eyeing the supplies like hungry wolves.
"Alright! The guests are gone!"
Roger spread his arms and let out the most pleasant shout of a capitalist.
"Open the rum! Distribute the gold!"
"Tonight! We drink until we drop!"
On the deck, a cheer erupted instantly, even more enthusiastic than when they had just plundered Port Royal.
The pirates rushed towards the chests filled with gold coins, scattering the gleaming gold into the sky, creating a lavish golden rain.
Elizabeth watched this crazy scene from the shadows of the ship's cabin.
Her heart, however, was surprisingly calm.
Just destroy it.
Quickly.
She was tired.
She also wondered if her father would be punished for this incident.
But she couldn't bring herself to hate Roger.
Her left and right brain constantly conflicted.
Elizabeth suddenly snorted at Roger and slammed the dauntless captain's cabin door shut.
Roger was dumbfounded.
What was that about?
Seeing Elizabeth's loyalty drop again, his head ached.
Forget it, he'd better physically increase her loyalty later.
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