Chapter 568 - 742 – Jabra’s Desire to Survive Reaches Its Limit

Jabra did not know exactly how powerful a Marine admiral was.

However, he knew one thing: if he were to fight Admiral Kuzan himself, it would not take even a single exchange before Kuzan effortlessly froze him.

Even if several hundred—or several thousand—versions of him attacked a Marine admiral together, they would probably still be slaughtered instantly.

Jabra was proud, but he was no fool.

Even if he believed he might someday grow into someone as powerful as a Marine admiral, that was a matter for the future.

Right now, he was absolutely no match for Admiral Kuzan.

Similarly, he could not possibly defeat Ain in her current state.

Perhaps Ain could not defeat hundreds or thousands of him as effortlessly as Kuzan could, but judging by the abilities she had displayed, she was unquestionably capable of defeating several hundred versions of him.

If Ain already possessed that much power, there was even less need to mention Arton standing before him.

Although Jabra had never met Arton before, he had heard countless rumors about him.

This was a man whom not even the combined military might of the Marines and World Government had managed to capture.

Jabra alone knew that the Marines and World Government had launched several operations specifically targeting Arton.

Yet none had succeeded.

As Jabra, who had initially been unfamiliar with Arton, and the CP9 members who had once believed the Marines had exaggerated both Arton and the danger of the Flameblade Pirates gradually came to recognize Arton's true capabilities, they understood that not even the combined forces of the Marines and World Government had been enough to take him down.

The Marines and World Government had even suffered considerable losses.

From that fact alone, Jabra knew that the Arton before him was someone he could never handle.

Although following Arton and Ain away—and taking the unconscious Spandam with them—was unquestionably a serious crime, Jabra could not afford to consider that right now if he wanted to keep his two companions alive.

"I understand. I'll follow you obediently."

"I'm a Devil Fruit user. Once we reach the sea, you won't have to worry about me escaping."

Jabra nodded solemnly to Ain, then voluntarily activated his Devil Fruit ability as though to prove himself.

Before Arton, Ain, and Hina, Jabra instantly transformed into his towering wolf-man form.

It should have been an imposing sight, yet at that moment he looked more like a husky amusing Arton and Ain.

Hina could not help feeling emotional as she watched.

How many people on these seas could make a CP9 agent display such humility?

At the very least, Hina now knew that Arton was one of them.

"All right. Bring the people you're carrying and keep up with us."

"We don't want to waste any more time here."

With those words, Arton turned and took the initiative to step onto the frozen path Ain had created with her power.

Ain and Hina followed closely behind him.

"I'm coming."

Seeing this, Jabra hurriedly started moving as well.

...

Jabra did not dare flee now.

Even though Arton and Ain had their backs turned to him, he believed that if he dared to run, either of them could eliminate him in an instant.

As for taking Hina hostage, Jabra did not believe he could accomplish that either.

Hina already possessed a certain degree of strength.

Although Jabra believed he was capable of defeating her, doing so would certainly take some time.

Under Arton and Ain's watchful eyes, he would probably be defeated by them before he could bring Hina down.

After thinking it through, Jabra decided his only option was to obediently follow behind Arton and Ain. That way, he could protect both himself and his companions.

All he could do now was hope that Arton and Ain truly bore him no ill will. Otherwise, today might be the day he met his end.

"It's a good thing I didn't cause trouble for that woman Hina when she was imprisoned earlier."

"Otherwise, I probably would have ended up just like Chief Spandam."

"I only hope Hina won't decide to cause trouble for me now and make Arton attack me."

At that thought, Jabra cast Hina a wary glance.

Hina found his behavior somewhat strange, unaware of what was going through his mind.

She soon shook her head. Arton was what mattered to her now, and she no longer cared what anyone else thought of her.

...

Some time later—

"Look! Captain and the others are back!"

Standing in the lookout atop the Flameblade Pirates' ship, Uta called out before swiftly leaping down.

Raki, Conis, Nami, and the other crewmates heard her voice and gathered beside her, looking in the direction she indicated.

Before long, they saw Arton and Ain approaching across an icy path laid over the ocean.

Besides the two of them, Uta and the others naturally noticed the beautiful pink-haired Hina as well.

"Hina really is beautiful. No wonder Captain wanted to rescue her."

Raki sighed in admiration.

Although she had previously seen Hina through Arton's voyage diary, she felt that the real woman was still somewhat different from the image she had seen there.

Looking at Hina now, Raki could not help gaining a little more confidence in herself.

"I hope Miss Hina will accept Captain's feelings this time and choose to join our pirate crew—to join... us."

Conis's cheeks flushed faintly as an image involuntarily formed in her mind of herself and Hina kneeling before Arton and competing for his attention.

Although Conis was currently the only one aboard who had ever competed with Hina for Arton's favor, she had imagined a scene in which every crewmate served him alongside her.

Everyone was aboard the same ship, after all. Conis believed it was only a matter of time before they all shared such an experience.

In her eyes, every person on the ship held Arton in their heart.

Conis sincerely hoped Hina could become one of them.

Of course, the person who most hoped Hina would join their group was undoubtedly Tashigi, who had once served in the Marines and acted alongside her.

...

For every 2 reviews → +1 extra chapter.

For every 50 Power Stones → +1 extra chapter.

Read 50+ chapters ahead on Patreon! [patreon.com/METARLN]