"How was the outing?"
Sami walked over to greet them, his gaze naturally settling on the unfamiliar face beside Aldo.
"And who's this?"
"Haha, boss!" Aldo grinned and slapped the boy next to him on the shoulder.
"This kid's name is Sargins. I met him while we were out having fun."
"Sargins, hurry up—say hello to the captain!"
"C… Captain."
The boy's voice was very quiet. His head lowered even further.
"What's going on here?" Sami asked calmly, directing the question to Aldo rather than acknowledging the greeting.
"Boss, listen to me!"
Three Hours Earlier – Faris Valley Town
"Hahaha! Brother Aldo, this way! I found a place with really strong liquor!"
"Really? Lead the way!"
Aldo and a few of his companions followed a sailor excitedly through the busy streets.
As they passed a small park, a burst of harsh laughter made Aldo stop.
In a corner, several rough-looking youths were surrounding someone, shoving and mocking him.
The figure looked like a teenage boy.
He wore a faded linen shirt, brown trousers, and an oversized old jacket that clearly didn't fit him.
His face was bruised and swollen, and dried blood clung to his forehead.
His appearance was completely ordinary—so ordinary he could disappear in a crowd without anyone noticing.
But his eyes stood out.
Empty.
Expressionless.
He simply endured the pushing and insults in silence.
"Pah! A fool is still a fool—won't fight back, won't talk back!"
"Hey Sargins, bark like a dog! If you do it well, I'll give you some bread! Hahaha!"
Seeing the boy's numb expression, a surge of anger shot through Aldo.
"Damn it! The kid's already slow in the head and you're still messing with him?!"
Aldo roared and charged forward.
Before the youths could react, his huge hands grabbed them one by one.
Within seconds he tossed them into a garbage pile outside the park.
Their screams filled the air.
"Get lost! If I see you bullying people again, I'll break your legs!"
After chasing them away, Aldo turned to the boy.
The boy still stood there blankly.
Aldo slapped his shoulder hard.
"Hey kid! You're this big—how can you let them push you around?"
"Listen. If someone bullies you again, hit them back."
"Use your fists. Got it?"
The boy slowly raised his head.
Those hollow eyes looked at Aldo.
Then—
He gave a tiny nod.
"Good. At least you heard me."
Satisfied, Aldo waved to his crew.
"Let's go! Don't waste time—we've got drinking to do!"
They headed off again.
But when they reached the tavern, Aldo glanced back.
Sargins had followed them the entire way.
He stood a few meters behind the group, stopping just outside the tavern entrance.
"Aldo, that kid… he's been following us," one sailor whispered.
Aldo frowned and walked back.
His tall shadow loomed over the boy.
"What are you doing? Shouldn't you go home?"
Sargins shook his head.
"You want to follow me?"
He shook his head again.
"Then what do you want?"
A third shake.
"…."
Aldo finally gave up.
"Fine. If you want to follow, then follow. Just don't block the business here."
He went inside.
The waiter glanced at Sargins' shabby clothes and vacant expression.
Naturally, he stopped the boy from entering.
Inside the tavern, the noise continued.
Aldo and the others drank happily, quickly forgetting the little incident.
About an hour later, Aldo was halfway drunk.
By chance he looked toward the door.
The thin boy was still standing there.
Motionless.
Completely out of place with the lively tavern behind him.
Aldo waved over the bartender.
"Hey, do you know that kid outside?"
The bartender looked out.
"Oh, him… that's Sargins. Everyone here knows him."
He tapped his temple.
"Something's broken up here."
"A few years ago, bandits attacked his home. They killed his parents right in front of him."
"The shock was too much. When he woke up afterward… he was like this."
"Doesn't cry, doesn't talk much."
"Seems like he forgot most of his past."
"No relatives?"
"None left."
"He's all alone."
"Sometimes the townsfolk give him food. He wanders around all day."
"Some punks bully him now and then."
"But he never fights back."
"If the beating gets too bad, he just curls up."
Aldo tightened his grip on his drink.
Something in his chest twisted.
Just then, laughter erupted outside again.
A group of drunken men had surrounded Sargins.
They began pulling at his worn jacket for fun.
Aldo frowned and started to stand—
But suddenly paused.
Something had changed.
Sargins' empty eyes looked the same as before.
But he suddenly reached out and grabbed the drunk man's wrist.
Then—
In full view of everyone—
The seemingly weak boy lifted the grown man with one hand.
"AHHH!"
The drunk barely managed to scream before his body flew through the air.
Left!
His back slammed into the ground.
Right!
Wooden baskets from a nearby stall exploded into splinters.
Sargins' movements were clumsy.
There was no technique at all.
But his raw strength was terrifying.
Like a child swinging an oversized toy, he flung the hundred-kilogram man left and right.
The ground thudded under the impacts.
The other drunk men sobered instantly and stumbled back in terror.
"Crazy! The idiot's gone crazy! He's beating people!"
Inside the tavern—
Aldo's eyes lit up.
He drained the rest of his drink and slammed the cup down.
A wide grin spread across his face.
"Heh… the kid actually listened to what I said!"
He licked his lips.
"Interesting…"
"That strength… not bad at all."
He paid the bill and strode outside.
The drunken man was already unconscious, foam at his mouth.
Sargins had returned to standing silently.
Aldo looked him up and down, more satisfied the longer he looked.
He slapped the boy's shoulder.
"So, kid."
"How about coming with me?"
"I'll take you out to see the world."
"Stick with me and no one will dare bully you again."
"What do you say?"
Sargins slowly lifted his dull eyes.
They met Aldo's bright, open smile.
Then he nodded.
"Okay."
Back on the Ship
Sami finished listening to Aldo's animated retelling.
His gaze returned to the boy.
Sargins still kept his head down.
But his exposed forearms showed solid muscle that didn't match his thin appearance.
"That's the story, boss!"
Aldo wrapped an arm around Sargins' shoulders.
"I like the kid."
"Not the brightest, but honest."
"And he's strong!"
"So I brought him back. What do you think? Let him stay."
Sami didn't answer immediately.
He looked at Sargins.
Then at Aldo.
After a moment of silence, Sami spoke softly.
"His story…"
"It reminded you of yourself, didn't it?"
Aldo's smile froze for a moment.
Then he nodded.
"Yeah."
"When I was a kid in the West Blue, I was just like him."
"My parents were killed when I was a teenager."
"I had no one."
"You took me onto the ship and gave me a way to live."
"I know what that kind of life feels like."
"You pulled me up back then, boss."
"So now… I want to pull him up too."
"Just this once. Alright?"
The deck fell quiet.
Several watching sailors grew serious.
They all looked at their captain.
Sami studied Aldo's face.
Then glanced back at Sargins.
Finally—
A faint smile appeared.
"Well then…"
"Let him stay."
"Thanks, boss!!!"
Aldo excitedly slapped Sargins' back.
"You hear that, kid?!"
"The captain approved!"
"You're one of the Jellyfish Pirates now!"
"Come on—say it again. Thank the captain!"
Sargins slowly raised his head.
For the first time, he looked directly at Sami.
In those hollow eyes—
A faint ripple seemed to pass.
"Th… thank you, Captain."
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