Rhett shook his head. "Idiots. There can't be three Pirate Kings. No one would accept that."
Joy Boy patted him. "But we think we are."
Rhett paused. He had become the old, rigid man he used to mock. At least he caught himself.
The three idiots went back to work, even more energized.
He looked at the girl. "See? Idiots."
She watched them, a hint of curiosity in her eyes. She nodded, then shook her head.
He led her toward the cooking fires.
---
Days passed. The town was rebuilding. Rhett needed to fix his ship.
He asked around. No one knew how to repair a sailing ship.
"Troublesome."
He bought a Know-Leaf. The front page didn't mention their liberation. The World Government, in its early form, wouldn't show that.
But in the corner, there was a small article.
"Bloody Pirate Kills King." "Rubber Devil Overthrows Government." They were labeled as monsters.
Joy Boy was shocked. "We're villains?"
Rhett laughed. "Nobles and their tricks. We did it. Why hide it?"
Then he saw another article. A short piece about their town. It showed people working, hope in their eyes.
The writer was anonymous.
"Destruction sometimes brings new life."
Rhett smiled. "Smart words."
He called to Joy Boy. "The ship can wait. I'll find a place that can fix it."
"Sure! We'll dance when you get back!"