That smile enraged O'Cardi.

"If you're going to keep a low profile, why did you attack the town? Didn't that just draw the navy's attention to us?"

That kind of sarcastic and unsettling argument would seem strange to any ordinary person.

"Well, it's not my decision. Although I'm the captain, I can't control the will of my crew. Human will is free, and we can't control it. We're just a pirate crew that came together for the sake of free will. What each of us does is our personal freedom. However, the Longsword Pirates won't be moving as a group. It requires a vote of more than half of the members for me, the captain, to make the decision."

Franz laughed and said, "You'll understand once you stay longer."

O. Kadi didn't understand, nor did he want to understand. If he weren't an undercover agent with his own mission to keep an eye on the Longsword Pirates, he would have killed the captain right now.

But as he spent more and more time there, he realized that killing the captain was pointless. Once the captain died, a new captain would be elected, and as long as more than half of the people agreed, that person would be the new captain.

The hilt and the blade are one. The hilt is necessary for the blade to exist, and the blade can be used to swing the blade.

Then he discovered that, just as Franz had said, those pirates who raided the towns were only a few, making up a small part of the 10,000-strong pirate crew. The majority of the pirates simply lived their lives on the islands, just like ordinary people.

When O'Cardi couldn't resist his curiosity and asked a man who made a living by fishing every day and was more like a fisherman than a pirate why he became a pirate, his answer was that his kingdom exploited him too much, leaving him no choice but to go to sea and become a pirate.

Other pirates had various reasons for fleeing. Some felt that the local kingdom's army was bullying them too much and couldn't help but resist. Others were attacked by pirates and killed them, but were then oppressed and forced to flee by officials who colluded with the pirates.

There are many reasons, but they all boil down to one thing: they can't survive.

This is a pirate crew made up of members who couldn't survive, and it has existed for a hundred years.

Of course, there are also pirates who join purely for plunder, but after joining the Longsword Pirates, they either leave to start their own crew or share the loot with these people.

They also survive, no different from ordinary people. The only difference is that they don't have the protection of the navy, but they are also free from heavy taxes and oppression. They are free.

Franz, rather than being the captain, was more like the mediator of these more than 10,000 people. He was responsible for resolving conflicts between people, illnesses, and troubles.

His cheerful smile easily and peacefully resolved the issue.

This pirate crew doesn't accept people with families; they only take in down-on-their-luck pirates. They support each other and work together as a group. When someone leaves, no one stops them; instead, they celebrate.

After seeing all this, O'Cardi finally couldn't contain his curiosity and asked the question.

“Kadi, we don’t actually have such grand ambitions. This pirate crew has existed for over a hundred years, always acting on the collective will. Whatever they want, the Longsword Pirates will do. If they want to be a real pirate crew, then we are a real pirate crew. If they want peace, then we will be peaceful.”

That day, Franz stood on the edge of the island, pointed to the sea, and said to O. Kaddy beside him:

"Once they find their own goal, they can leave on their own. Before they find their goal, we are their safe haven. They can leave on their own, whether it is good or bad, it is their own choice."

Franz grinned broadly: "The tradition of the Longsword Pirates is that of a knight's longsword—to protect people until they no longer need it!"

That day, the sun shone brightly on Franz's smiling face, making him appear radiant and captivating O. Kaddy.

This is another form of justice; although it disregards the laws of the world government, it is still justice...

From that day on, O. Kadi suppressed his hatred and began to seriously observe the Longsword Pirates, gradually integrating into their ranks.

He will still send out intelligence, but he will also participate in the Longsword Pirates' operations.

Gradually, his status rose higher and higher, and he would take the initiative to share the skills of the Navy to improve the strength of the pirates, which made his reputation grow stronger.

When he saw the happy smiles on the faces of those people who were able to hunt and fish faster thanks to their newly learned martial arts skills, O'Cardi smiled too.

He would also instruct the pirates who were plundering not to kill anyone, only to collect supplies.

With the addition of this corrupt naval captain, the Longsword Pirates are doing better than before, and their lives are more in line with their own sense of justice.

Should we go now...?

Let this place remain as it is; they are just a group of people who want to live freely.

Until Franz died.

Yes, Franz died from overwork and heart disease.

When he learned of this, O. Kadi stood there stunned for a long time.

The captain is dead, but the Longsword Pirates still exist, and will always exist.

Faced with the earnest expectations of the crowd, O'Cardi picked up the longsword, but his thoughts were in turmoil at that moment.

He's a Marine, but he's also... a pirate.

He will shoulder the responsibility of the 'hilt' of the Longsword Pirates and, as captain, continue to uphold the tradition.

He changed his name to Robert Henry and began to be known as the captain of the Longsword Pirates.

But he seemed to have overdone it.

During the time he became captain, the Longsword Pirates gradually transitioned into a more naval-like structure, making their raids easier and more unchallenged.

At some point, the members of the Longsword Pirates began to get arrogant. They were no longer satisfied with living on this island in the South Blue. They wanted more resources, and they wanted to... establish a country!

No one in the South China Sea can stop them; they will succeed.

As a Marine, O.C. had to stop this, and as Robert Henry, he couldn't go against the will of the Longsword Pirates.

This is tradition; their will is there, and the Longsword Pirates are there.

"Let's go to the Grand Line! Our chance lies there!"

When O. Kadi said this, everyone agreed, and the Longsword Pirates would be mobilized as a whole.

And he was already prepared.

As a naval officer, he reported the message and fulfilled his duty.

As a pirate, he was prepared to stand with the Longsword Pirates.

If the Navy wins, then he should die as the last captain, so as not to betray the pirates.

If the Navy lost, then he will fight against the Longsword Pirates as a Marine Headquarters Captain, and he will not let the Navy down.

But the final result...

...

His lowered eyes lifted, and O'Cardi gave a silent laugh. "You wouldn't understand..."

A contradictory individual, a contradictory person—who can truly understand them?

No need for further words, let's fight!