"Hahaha, hahaha, hahahaha!"
Red Count hadn't laughed this heartily in a long time. Back before he made a name for himself, there were still people who admired his strength and came to invite him.
But after he became the solitary and proud Red, no one dared to invite him to join them anymore.
This kid Chronos actually dared to speak to him like that—it truly exceeded his expectations.
"Are you sure? If I were to board your ship, would you really still be the captain here?"
Red Count's expression turned amused. He wasn't yet as old and powerless as he would be in the future.
"Hmm..."
Chronos pondered for a moment before continuing, "How about this? Considering I'm taking you, senior, to the Florian Triangle, why don't you stay on the ship for now and guide us youngsters?
Then, after some time, we can formally decide who the captain really is?"
Compared to other old-timers on the sea, Red Count was indeed both the easiest and the hardest to recruit.
Easy because Red Count, who seemed to despise human hearts, actually yearned for connection.
Hard because if Red Count truly looked down on someone, he wouldn't even bother engaging in conversation.
For now, given that Red Count had been willing to talk with Chronos for this long, the difficulty wasn't really an issue.
"Seems like I don't gain much whether I win or lose," Red Count shrugged. If he lost, he'd have to submit to someone else; if he won, he'd end up leading a bunch of kids.
If he became Chronos's captain, Whitebeard would definitely come after him with everything he had.
"Oh, I misspoke. It's actually not about being captain," Chronos directly shifted the topic.
Although he had personal security from the start because of Pops, that very fact also made it somewhat inconvenient for Chronos to negotiate with these seniors.
"I'm planning to build a country of my own. Senior Red Count, wouldn't you want to make that 'Count' title of yours truly legitimate?"
"A country?"
Instantly, Red Count's eyes flickered, thinking about the current changes in the world's structure.
Looking back at Chronos, Red Count seemed to see the future through the person before him.
He was already a pirate, and that likely wouldn't change in this lifetime. Nor did he feel ashamed of being a pirate, because the Great Kingdom could legalize it.
But there was also Patton.
Red Count didn't want his child to end up like him, forced to become a pirate. At the very least, Patton should have a path he could choose for himself.
The Marines were unreliable, and Red Count himself was used to being a loner. It would be difficult for him to build a country, and he wasn't skilled in interpersonal dealings.
So, finding a promising prospect to invest in was a good choice.
Red Count patted Patton's head and smiled at Chronos, his meaning clear.
At that moment, Patton obediently kept his mouth shut, knowing not to interrupt the conversation between his boss and Chronos.
Moria, meanwhile, watched with a strange look in his eyes. Why did this situation feel so familiar?
"A Count's partner should at least be his equal, shouldn't they?"
Chronos smiled appropriately.
Red Count picked up his hot tea again, drank it all in one go, and finally said, "When do we set off for the Florian Triangle?"
Chronos smiled at Patton in Red Count's arms, grateful for a parent's love.
"Anytime is fine, but Torrance Island also has some nice scenery. How about taking the kids to play?"
As he spoke, Chronos looked toward Little Fu Gui and the others. Having been on the ship for a day, they were surely feeling restless.
Red Count thought for a moment. Although he really wanted to see Brook again, he shouldn't neglect the present for the sake of the future.
"Alright."
With that, he patted Patton toward Jade's direction, letting the child go play.
The two children ran over to each other in delight—could they continue being friends?
"Shall I show you to a room?"
Chronos stood up and invited.
Red Count nodded in agreement.
...
On Torrance Island, Chronos had Angeles take good care of the children, while Red Count also gave Patton his own Avatar Leaf.
And so, one older child led a group of little ones off on an adventure to play.
Next, Red Count went to his small boat to organize his luggage.
Chronos and the few who had already been to the island stayed behind to watch the ship, taking turns with Flam and Jun Shiro.
"I still can't quite believe it, Chronos—you actually invited such a notorious pirate!"
Jackie Chan was still shaken. Red Count was simply too terrifying for someone like him.
Chronos patted his shoulder reassuringly. "Don't say that. Pops is a great pirate, but he's also the guardian of a sea."
"You mean Pops?" Jackie Chan looked puzzled.
"My Pops," Chronos clarified.
"Oh, sorry."
"Don't worry, that senior can be trusted."
Moria chimed in, a hint of resignation flashing in his eyes.
"I saw a familiar shadow in his gaze. Like me, because of the children, he has also let go of some of his so-called ambitions."
Chronos nodded. Exactly—having a soft spot made things so much easier.
The group chatted about this and that, mainly marveling at how Chronos had dared to invite Red Count onto the ship and nearly succeeded.
Being a little bolder never hurt.
Chronos felt this could become his motto.