Chapter 25
Reverse Mountain (2)
Arthur landed beside the injured Crocus and knelt calmly to begin treating him.
His movements were precise, steady, devoid of hesitation—as though the rage that had erupted moments ago had completely vanished, leaving behind only cold focus.
The crew watched him in silence, deeply confused.
As Arthur had said…
those two were scum.
They had tried to hunt Laboon and nearly killed Crocus without mercy.
They had laughed, showing no remorse or fear.
So why, in the world, would anyone spare people like that?
Conflicting thoughts clashed in everyone's mind.
Should they follow their hearts and let the girl escape?
Or follow Arthur's harsh logic… and end it?
No one had an answer.
After some time, Arthur finished bandaging Crocus' wounds.
He carefully lifted him, seated him back into his wooden chair, and adjusted his posture so he could rest comfortably.
Arthur raised his gaze.
The girl was still there, trembling, crying, her eyes filled with terror.
Arthur exhaled quietly…
then leapt back onto the ship.
Everyone was there.
Zoro and Sanji were cleaning the deck of what remained of the man's body.
Luffy sat at the bow, silent, lost in thought.
Nami and Usopp sat without speaking.
Arthur stepped forward and spoke in a calm, sincere voice, looking directly at Luffy:
"Luffy… I'm sorry.
I lost my temper and crossed the line this time."
His apology was genuine.
He knew it well.
He hadn't stopped when told to.
He had almost struck Sanji—and ended up hitting Zoro.
He had allowed his anger to lead him.
Luffy turned toward him, a small, warm smile on his face as always.
"There's no need to apologize, Arthur… really.
Yeah, anger took over you—but you weren't wrong.
They tried to kill Laboon, and the old flower-head too.
Your anger wasn't misplaced."
Luffy finished speaking, then sighed lightly and raised his head to look at the painted sky above them.
Arthur understood why.
Luffy, despite his stupidity and recklessness, was kind… frighteningly kind.
And that kindness was also his greatest weakness.
He does not kill his enemies.
And he does not make harsh decisions easily.
If this had happened in any other crew, the man and woman would have been executed without hesitation.
They had tried to harm a companion.
And even though Luffy had known Crocus for only a short time, he had liked him and considered him a friend.
Yet even so… he could not make the decision.
Arthur heard a light clap from behind.
He turned.
Zoro and Sanji had finished cleaning.
Sanji looked at Arthur with a twisted gaze filled with disgust, without saying a word.
Then he jumped off the ship and headed straight toward the girl.
Arthur knew that well.
Sanji does not like him.
Does not respect him.
Does not value him.
And since their first meeting, nothing had changed.
In Sanji's eyes, Arthur was nothing but a filthy, demonic killer—
one who gives his enemies no chance,
one who does not understand the meaning of mercy.
Arthur did not care.
The only ones in the crew he held respect for…
were Luffy and Zoro.
And the only one he truly valued was Nami.
As for Usopp…
he did not like him, but he did not hate him either.
Just a crewmate.
Zoro sighed, then said while looking at Arthur,
"What a long… and terrible day."
Arthur smiled faintly and replied in a slightly sarcastic tone, "Really?"
Zoro smiled as well, then said calmly,
"You need to learn how to calm down—and not let anger control you."
Arthur nodded with a sincere smile. "Yeah… thank you, Zoro.
For stopping me."
Zoro stepped forward, patted Arthur's shoulder, then headed toward the ship's kitchen.
Moments later, he returned carrying a beautiful ceramic bottle and two small cups.
He opened the bottle—
and a warm, fragrant scent spread through the air.
Sake.
Zoro lightly bumped Arthur's shoulder, as if to say: come on.
Arthur smiled and followed him.
Zoro jumped off the ship and sat on Crocus' small island near the sea.
Arthur followed and sat opposite him.
Zoro poured sake into both cups.
He handed one to Arthur and kept the other.
Arthur took the cup and drank it in one gulp.
Then he smiled.
Zoro smiled as well and drank his cup.
The two of them sat there, drinking away their turmoil…
and everything that had happened moments ago.
And after some time…
Crocus awoke.
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