Chapter 53 - Zoro's invitation to join Big Mom -51
Drew shrank back when scolded and said nervously:
"Should I get someone to treat him?"
Raf shouted angrily and spat in his face:
"Idiot!!! What if Hawkeye wakes up during treatment, loses control, and tries to kill us?! Do you think you can defeat the greatest swordsman in the world?!"
Drew wiped the spit off his face sadly and asked:
"Then... what should we do?"
Raf replied coldly:
"We wait... we wait until Lord Perospero wakes up."
"Sir, he just choked on water. He's not seriously hurt and is still at full strength. But Hawkeye is heavily injured— even if he wakes up, he wouldn't stand a chance against Lord Perospero."
Then Raf's eyes glinted cunningly. He leaned toward his brother and whispered in his ear with a raised finger:
"When Hawkeye wakes up, if he admits we saved his life, then the world's greatest swordsman will owe us a favor! And if he denies it, even injured, Lord Perospero can subdue him and drag him back to his mother. Either way, you'll be the hero who saved Hawkeye. Lord Perospero and your mother will never forget such a deed."
Thanks to his brother's words, a fire lit up in Drew's eyes. He shook Raf's hand with the back of his own, moved:
"This is all thanks to your guidance, big bro. And if there's any reward for this, I'll share it with you without hesitation!"
Raf patted his brother's shoulder with a satisfied look, then said sternly:
"Idiot... I'm too smart. I'll earn great achievements sooner or later. Just take the reward for yourself."
"Brother!!" Drew was moved to tears, while Raf tilted his head toward the sky, not wanting his brother to see his own tears.
The two brothers had relied on each other since childhood. No external force could ever break their bond.
After more than ten minutes of CPR, Perospero finally coughed up the last bit of water and slowly opened his eyes.
The pirate administering first aid cried out with joy to the survivors:
"He's awake! Lord Perospero has regained consciousness!"
Immediately, the few pirates who had survived the disaster gathered around him.
"What's wrong with me? What just happened? Where are we?"
Perospero asked his three classic questions as he came to.
Zoro was squatting nearby, shirtless, with three swords resting on his legs. He opened his eyes and smiled:
"Hey, you're finally awake. We got hit by a tsunami. These are the few who made it out alive. Look at the bright side... you're lucky to have survived."
"You... you..." Perospero stammered, clearly confused, but he recognized the man who had previously snuck onto the ship.
At that moment, the pirate who had resuscitated him jumped in proudly:
"Sir, after the tsunami, the brothers searched everywhere for you. If it weren't for our little brother Zoro, we wouldn't have saved you from the sea."
"Is that so...? I thank you deeply."
Perospero looked at Zoro with genuine gratitude in his eyes.
He never expected that this young man—who had merely acted as a guide—would end up being the one to save his life after falling into the sea. Could this really be fate? Was this man destined to be of great value to me?
Having escaped death, Perospero's mind flooded with contemplation. But no matter what, he wasn't someone who forgot favors—he wasn't that kind of pirate.
He said, "Zoro... brother, would you like to join our crew of mighty pirates? We're well-known in the Grand Line, and as your sponsor, I would never treat you unfairly."
One pirate beside him added:
"We don't just have a little fame. Maybe you haven't heard of the Four Emperors here in the East Blue, but Big Mom's pirates are one of the four most powerful crews in the world.
Lord Perospero is the eldest son of our captain, Lady Charlotte Linlin. Joining us means stepping into the elite class of this world."
"The Four Emperors?! Seems I really did meet someone important," Zoro said with mock surprise, scratching his head awkwardly.
"Even though I'm from the East Blue, I've heard of them—especially Whitebeard. Hard to imagine I'd be in his league. But... I'm honestly grateful for your invitation."
Perospero smiled with satisfaction. He had feared that Zoro hadn't even heard of the Four Emperors, but since he had, he surely wouldn't refuse their offer... or so he thought.
But the winds of fate are never so predictable.
"Sorry, but I've already joined another crew. Just like you did me a favor, they saved my life as well. I think you understand what I mean."
Zoro looked at him calmly, a silent stubbornness flashing in his eyes that left Perospero briefly stunned.
"You... I've always felt you weren't an ordinary man."
For the first time, Perospero showed genuine interest in someone outside his family.
Zoro smiled and replied:
"Yeah, I think so too. I aim to become the world's greatest swordsman."
Perospero glanced at the three swords on his lap and said with admiration:
"That's an incredibly difficult path..."
"I know it's not easy, but... no matter what obstacles I face, I'll push forward. I'll never regret it."
Even though Perospero wasn't a swordsman himself, he had seen many. His sister Smoothie was a great swordswoman, one of the family's strongest generals.
That's why he sensed something special in Zoro—something only a few great swordsmen possessed: unwavering resolve and dedication to the path of the blade.
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A new week and a new competition
don't forget to bring some stones, guys!