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Seeing Jessica's renewed resolve, Arthur relaxed. He wouldn't have known what to do if she had a complete breakdown.
"So, still want to bet?" Arthur asked, glancing at the dimming lights on the ground floor as auction staff brought out the slaves.
Jessica bit her lip, her expression troubled. After a moment, she said, "No more bets. You win. Let's just get out of this disgusting place…"
"Hahahaha! So, you agree to be my chef?" Arthur beamed.
"Let's just go, you lying jerk!" Jessica snapped, her expression suggesting she wanted to bite him.
"Looks like I'll never go hungry again!" Arthur nodded, satisfied.
He was pleased with Jessica's cooking.
And after three days together, she knew too many of his secrets. He wouldn't let her go, regardless. Having her join his crew was a win-win.
"What are you waiting for?" Even when angry, Jessica lacked any real menace—just like when she'd tried, and failed, to make him eat vegetables.
"My first crewmate…Welcome to the Thunder God Pirates!" Arthur laughed, stepping out of the VIP room.
Jessica, a faint, unnoticed smile playing on her lips, followed silently.
Three days of constant interaction, coupled with Arthur's subtle influence, had made her accustomed to his presence.
At fifteen, her worldview still malleable, her sense of self still developing, she was easily influenced. This experience would force her to mature quickly.
They left the auction house, their invisibility dissipating as they walked towards the harbor.
Arthur had no business here. He wanted to reach the New World—the Haven for the strong, the true proving ground.
"We don't have a ship…How are we leaving?" Jessica asked.
Arthur burst into laughter.
"What's so funny?" She ripped the red scarf from her neck and threw it at him.
"We're Pirates! We steal ships, stupid!"
Jessica, still clinging to her Marine mindset, hadn't fully embraced the Pirate life.
"Don't call me 'Stupid'!" she shrieked, lunging at him.
Arthur caught her by the scruff of her neck, lifting her off the ground like a kitten. She was light as a feather in his grasp.
"Put me down, you jerk!"
As they approached the harbor, still playfully bickering, Arthur stopped abruptly, releasing Jessica and ignoring her weak punches.
"Come out!" He turned, looking down a narrow alleyway.
Footsteps echoed, slow and steady. A Marine in a Justice coat emerged.
"A Marine? Are you here to die?" Arthur asked calmly, Blue Electricity flickering in his eyes.
"No, Seabury D. Arthur. You misunderstand. I'm here for Miss Jessica." The Marine's expression was calm, as if unconcerned by the threat.
"For Jessica…" Arthur glanced at the Den Den Mushi in the Marine's hand, its receiver shaped like a Marine cap. He turned to Jessica. "Looks like he's here for you. I'll leave you two alone."
Despite her outward hostility, Jessica had warmed up to Arthur.
He believed in giving his crew personal space. Constant surveillance and mistrust were no way to run a ship.
He walked away, stopping when he could no longer hear Jessica's voice, waiting patiently.
He knew she'd return. Having tasted freedom, she wouldn't willingly return to a life of restrictions.
Soon, he heard raised voices, followed by Jessica's muffled sobs. It seemed her family disapproved of her joining Arthur.
Her parents were Head Chefs at Marine Headquarters, They wouldn't be happy about their daughter becoming a Pirate, especially joining the crew of a man targeted by the World Government.
A few minutes later, Jessica, her eyes red-rimmed, returned, holding the Den Den Mushi. The snail's face was contorted in anger. Her father wanted to speak with Arthur.
"Hello," Arthur said, his tone neutral.
"Seabury D. Arthur? Tell me, what will it take for you to release my daughter?" The voice on the other end was a man's, strained with barely suppressed rage. Arthur could even hear the grinding of his teeth.
Arthur scoffed. "You misunderstand. Your daughter is joining my crew of her own free will."
"You—do you even know the risks? You've made enemies of the World Government and the Celestial Dragons! You're a marked man! There's nowhere left for you to hide!" Jessica's father roared, his anger exploding.
"I know. But I'm confident I can protect Jessica, even from the World Government. If they come for me—I'll fall before they even touch her." Arthur's voice was firm, unwavering.
"You arrogant fool! You'll get her killed!" The voice on the other end raged.
Arthur ignored the insults. "Sir, with all due respect—do you even know what Jessica's dream is? Do You have a dream?"
The man on the other end was speechless.
"Her dream is to find the All Blue. Isn't that every chef's ultimate dream? Did you ever chase your dreams when you were young?"
Jessica's father's breathing grew ragged, as if struck a nerve. "What do you know? The All Blue is a Fantasy! It doesn't exist! It's a childish dream! You can't chase illusions!"
"Shut up!" Arthur roared, interrupting him. "Jessica wants to find the All Blue! Are you going to stop her? Force her to live out her life trapped at Marine Headquarters with you? You Pathetic, Dreamless waste!"
"I wanted to find the All Blue too! But a sea where all the ingredients from the four seas meet? Tell me! How?! How can such a place exist?!" Jessica's father's voice cracked with emotion.
"That's not your concern—At least she's brave enough to take the first step. You're just running away! You have no right to stop her from chasing her dreams!" Arthur moved to hang up.
"You have no right to tell me what I can and cannot do, you Pirate!"
"Take care of my daughter. If you don't—I will hunt you to the ends of the earth…"
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