Pirate: I have a Hollow living inside me!

Unleashing attacks beyond one's own limits places an immense burden on the body.

Moria's bloodshot eyes were fixed on Rocks as he coldly said, "If you want to show off and ridicule me, then forget it."

"Defeat is defeat. I, Gecko Moria, am not one to deny it. Meeting a damned monster like you is just my bad luck..."

Did the opponent block it?

Of course it was blocked!

Although he injured the other party, he recovered in the blink of an eye, which was different from what he had imagined.

The other party doesn't even have the slightest injury...

This guy is a monster!

What is this kind of recovery ability?

"Since you admit defeat and I blocked your attack, let's stick to the agreement."

Locus grinned and said, "Join my Blackwing Demon Adventurer's Party and become my partner, Moria!"

"Hehehe, an agreement? When did I ever say that if I lost to you, I would join you and become your subordinate?"

Moria remained lying on the ground, letting out a sharp, mocking laugh: "I am Gecko Moria, how could I possibly become someone else's subordinate!"

"Don't be so stubborn."

Lox raised an eyebrow and said slowly, "I invited you sincerely, otherwise, given your murderous intent just now, I wouldn't have held back."

"..."

Moria narrowed his eyes.

The other party did indeed hold back.

No... I should say they held back at the very end.

Otherwise, I'd probably just be an incomplete corpse right now...

Moria let out a strange laugh: "Hehehe, I'm a little surprised by how much you value me."

"Why would a monster like you choose to recruit a loser like me...?"

He really couldn't understand what the other person was thinking.

Given their strength, reputation, and prestige, a single call to arms would undoubtedly draw countless people to join their ranks…

They might even be able to recruit some powerful individuals.

Why be so fixated on oneself?

He was just a loser, a loser who failed several times, a loser who still failed even with the help of "external forces"...

Why would such a monster, a powerhouse who could definitely rival the Four Emperors in the future, extend an olive branch to a loser like him?

"Don't belittle yourself like that. I said those things just now to influence you with my words, so that I could better recruit you after you've broken down your defenses."

Rocks chuckled, "You... well... perhaps not strong among the Seven Warlords of the Sea."

"At least excluding that one move, you are weaker than Crocodile and Hanafuda."

"But your strength is also greater than that of most people on the sea."

"Most importantly, although you are not a good person, you are at least a kind and righteous person."

"You dared to wield your sword against Kaido for the sake of your homeland, and that is the reason I recruited you."

Strength was one aspect, but Rocks wanted to recruit Moria because Moria was indeed quite benevolent.

It's inherently difficult to judge whether someone is good or bad.

Further discussion is pointless.

Moria used to be a chivalrous hero with dreams and a strong sense of loyalty, but Kaido shattered his "heart of the Way".

Only in the end did they go to extremes...

Well, even in extreme cases, the ferocity is limited.

What kind of vicious things do you expect a shut-in who hasn't left the house for years to do?

Regardless of whether it was for the sake of shadows, at least Moria didn't kill those whose shadows had been cut off...

In any case, Moria's actions did not cross Rocks' bottom line.

That's why Rocks wanted to recruit him!

"..."

Hearing Rocks's blunt words, Moria felt somewhat pleased and grinned, "Hehehe, you seem to know quite a bit, Blackwing Archdeacon..."

"But I..."

"Don't force me to use your allies to threaten you, Moria. It makes me feel like a villain."

Rocks interrupted Moria.

With a snap of his fingers, Rocks shook his head and said, "Your subordinate who ate the Spirit-Spirit Fruit has really angered my navigator."

"If it weren't for my desire to recruit you, what do you think would have happened to that ghost lady?"

Rocks said confidently, "My navigator is a very vengeful person. Although she is kind-hearted, she may not kill Miss Ghost."

"But it's certain that they will be humiliated and tormented for a long time."

"Your Ghost Lady's days are probably not going to be easy from now on."

"She will be treated as a servant or maid on my ship, and she will have to do all the dirty and hard work."

"Moreover, they didn't eat well, weren't dressed warmly, and had to do hard work all day long; if they didn't do well, they would be whipped..."

"This situation could continue until the end of her life!"

Rocks sighed deliberately, then said earnestly, "Moria, if you don't want to see Miss Ghost end up like that, you'd better seriously consider my offer to recruit her..."

Chapter 172 Moria's Choice... and the "Audacious" Perona!

"..."

Moria fell silent.

My lips started twitching uncontrollably...

Is this what you call not threatening him with his companions?

Just thinking about what might happen to Perona ignited a fire of rage within Moria...

Because he had lost his companions, his love and care for them were genuine.

Especially Perona.

This is the person he raised from childhood, whom he treats like a daughter.

He would never forgive himself if his daughter were treated like a slave or servant...

Thinking of all this, Moria gritted his teeth and said, "If you dare to do this, I will haunt you even as a ghost!"

"Don't threaten me with this useless nonsense."

Rocks chuckled: "If you were dead, nothing would really change. I'll be frank, Moria."

"Now you only have two choices."

"First, she will die a tragic death at my hands. The ghost girl will become our prisoner because of our defeat, and will become our servant and slave on our ship, living a life like a slave."

"Secondly, join us and become our partner. This way, you will not only have the possibility of taking revenge on Kaido in the future, but you can also avoid the tragic fate of the Ghost Girl."

As he spoke, Rocks walked to Moria's side and gave him a smug smile: "Then choose one, Moria!"

If they're not allies, then they're potential enemies.

Rocks never showed mercy to his enemies.

Perona will die too; there won't actually be any situation where they're captured and enslaved on the ship.

If Moria refuses, their fate will be to have their heads cut off by the Seven Star Sword...

"..."

Moria fell silent again.

A second later, he stared at Lockes with a fierce look, gritting his teeth and saying, "Aren't you afraid that I'll pretend to join you and then find a chance to kill you?"

"If this happens, what awaits you will not be as simple as death. I will use the cruelest methods to let you know the consequences of betrayal."

"This is not a threat, but a fact," Locke said calmly, though a murderous glint appeared in his eyes.

The murderous intent vanished instantly, and Locus smiled, saying, "Of course, if you don't betray us, then you are our partners."

"I have always been very caring and protective of my partners."

"Even my navigator dared to tap my head with her little fist..."

At this point, Rocks gave a genuine smile.

He certainly doesn't dislike bickering and joking around with Nami.

Some even enjoyed it.

With fun adventures and trustworthy companions to playfully tease each other, Rocks is enjoying his life.

"You cherish your partners, and I cherish them even more than you do. At least in this respect, we are the same kind of people."

"I believe that someone who knows how to cherish their partners is not a vicious person."

Rocks extended his right hand to Moria: "Join us, Moria. On the Black Demon, you don't have to worry about what happened before happening again."

"Because...we are very strong!"

"..."

Moria recalled the genuine smile on Rocks' face when he spoke of his comrades...

The smile he gave when he mentioned his partner was genuine; no one could fake such a heartfelt expression.

The other person is someone who cherishes their partners very much.