The Warrior of Love

When Jiang Liu was exercising, a slightly frivolous voice of an old man sounded. He seemed to have drunk a lot of wine, and Rayleigh's expression looked very happy.

"The night is so beautiful tonight. I was thinking of enjoying the moonlight and drinking with my shadow to relieve my loneliness, but I didn't expect to meet you. On such a beautiful night, instead of enjoying the snow, moon, wind and flowers, are you sweating? What a waste."

Jiang Liu paused for a moment and put down the exaggerated "fitness equipment".

"I stay here for two hours every night. If you come here often, Rayleigh, you won't be unaware of this."

"I can't help it. I'm a man with rum and wind flowing in my veins." Rayleigh said coolly, "This bar is too small for me."

"Not only the bar, but even the Sabaody Archipelago is small." Jiang Liu said with a smile, "For someone as great as you."

"amazing?"

Rayleigh muttered something and asked, "Do you think I'm amazing?"

Jiang Liu was very curious as to why Rayleigh asked this question. You have to know that Rayleigh was a hero who had roamed the sea decades ago. He was not only the deputy of the Pirate King, but also a true legend.

No matter who you ask "Is Rayleigh great?", you will probably get the answer "He is indeed great", even if you ask the navy, just like the pirates will not deny the greatness of the hero Garp.

The legend is old, but not forgotten.

"Every man born in this world has a dream of going to sea. To see different countries and customs, to brave all kinds of dangerous storms and ocean currents, to find treasures that no one has ever seen, to meet many beauties, to become a warrior braver than anyone else...

Yes, this is a man's dream: to conquer the new world that emerges in dreams!"

Hearing these bold words, even Jiang Liu's blood began to boil, but Rayleigh quickly changed the subject.

“But I didn’t have such ambitions when I was younger.”

"what?"

"Should I say I was old and mature, or should I say I was a failure? Anyway, I was handsome and good at talking, and was very popular with girls. Although my family was not rich, we had no problem making a living.

If I had stayed in my hometown at that time, would I have had a completely different and leisurely life? However, there is no if. After meeting that idiot on that day, I was destined to not be able to continue living a peaceful life.

Sometimes I wonder how things would have turned out if I had said no to Roger... but I know for sure: I would never say no!

Even if I could do it again a hundred times, a thousand times, I probably wouldn't refuse. No matter how peaceful life is, once someone disturbs the beast inside, there's no going back!"

Rayleigh paused, raised the bottle and took a big gulp, then smiled with wine stains on the corners of his mouth.

"I am very grateful to Roger, but it is not because he brought me wealth, fame and other things, but because he gave me a life that I will never regret."

"It's really enviable, old man."

Jiang Liu said admiringly: "You live so clearly, your life must be extremely wonderful. If I had come earlier... I would have been born a few decades earlier and could have witnessed the time when the waves of the sea surged."

"If it were you, would you get on board?" Rayleigh asked with a smile.

Jiang Liu thought for a moment and said, "Maybe. Although I hate ordinary pirates, you guys, Roger and Mr. Rayleigh, are naturally different."

"Haha, that's true. With your character, you will definitely wipe out those pirates who make a living by looting without mercy."

Rayleigh shook his head. "Speaking of which, although Roger is called the Pirate King, he has actually never done anything serious as a pirate. He has wasted all his time on adventures. He really doesn't live up to his reputation."

"If even the Pirate King goes out to sea just for wealth, then the group of 'pirates' would have disappeared long ago." Jiang Liu nodded in agreement with Roger's approach.

Rayleigh sneered, "After all, pirates are a mixed bag. Calling all those who go out to sea to seek the truth and take risks together with the robbers who rob civilians as "pirates" is just a way for the World Government to make things easier."

Maybe it’s because to the World Government, these people are essentially no different - Jiang Liu thought thoughtfully.

Rayleigh suddenly asked Jiang Liu a question: "Speaking of which, Jiang Liu, what do you think of pirates and the World Government...and the Navy?"

"Me?" Jiang Liu shook his head in amusement. "I'm just a nobody. Is it my turn to express my opinion?"

He is very self-aware. Unless one is a strong man like Rayleigh and the three admirals, personal opinions mean nothing to the World Government!

Oh, please change it. Even the three admirals and even the marshal are not allowed to do so - at least that's the case with Akainu.

If I have to say, the ones who can influence the direction of this world are the Four Emperors and the mysterious Five Elders. As for "Lord Im" who only appears as a silhouette... there is too little information to consider him.

"Who said it's useless? You know, I wasn't called "Pluto" from the beginning."

Rayleigh said with a smile: "Even a pawn has his own ideas, and it's okay to say them out loud. Well, let me just put it this way: Which side do you think is right, the navy, the pirates, or the revolutionary army?"

Jiang Liu's heart was shocked, and his eyes narrowed slightly: "This is really a grand question. No matter which scholar wants to solve this problem, it will take a lifetime to explore it."

"It's either black or white. Is that so difficult?" Rayleigh seemed to be joking. "As the Navy often says, justice is pure, and evil should also be pure. It should be easy to distinguish the two."

"Don't tease me, old man."

Jiang Liu laughed: "Black? White? If it's really that easy to distinguish, then this world would be too monotonous."

"Oh?"

"The Pirate King Golgotha ​​Roger is indeed something that people yearn for. Pirates like the Four Emperors Red Hair and Whitebeard are also real men, but you cannot deny that 80% to 90% of pirates are trash and sinners. Pirates who are chivalrous and righteous are just anomalies.

Can such a pirate be called white?"

Jiang Liu whispered, "The navy that is opposed to the pirates, or the world government behind them, although they are enemies of the pirates, does that mean they don't have a trace of black?

In order to prevent people from exploring history, they persecuted innocent scholars. In order to maintain their rule over the sea, they allowed the existence of the Seven Warlords of the Sea. In order not to damage their own dignity, they would not admit their mistakes, but would erase their faults along with the victims.

Even more, there are the Celestial Dragons and Tenjojin... This can't be called "justice" anyway, right? As for the final revolutionary army... I haven't come into contact with it, so I can't comment on it. "

Rayleigh frowned slightly: "Then what do you think? Do you think neither side is worthy of your attention?"

"No..." Jiang Liu denied, "I think that although there are so many scum among pirates, there are also many outstanding people. The navy and the government have done a lot of dirty work, but the vast majority of grassroots navy have indeed protected the people from the harm of pirates and bandits."

"Interesting, I'm beginning to be a little confused about your thinking."

"It's very simple. I think it's not enough to simply use justice and evil to distinguish the two sides. The confrontation between the navy and the pirates is definitely not because of this.

Between them is the opposition between order and chaos, obedience and rebellion.

The navy’s reason is justice, the pirates’ reason is freedom, but these are all illusions of the world.

Order doesn’t matter whether it is just or not, as long as it is useful to the vested interests, it is right. Chaos doesn’t matter whether it is free or not, as long as you feel free and unrestrained, everything is fine. "

"Well said, this kind of argument is rare."

Rayleigh laughed. "So tell me, boy - should this world be white or black?"

"Neither."

Jiang Liu drew out the Sun Blade from his waist, which reflected a hazy shadow in the moonlight.

"It's gray!"

Rayleigh suddenly shouted: "Then where are you going to devote yourself?!"

Jiang Liu was unaware of the shocking shout and smiled calmly.

"Old man, in this gray world, it doesn't matter where you are. What's important is - don't forget what color you are."

"Oh..."

Rayleigh raised his head slightly, a glimmer of light passed across his lenses, and the corners of his mouth couldn't help but curl up.

"correct!"

Chapter 73: The Eve of Turmoil

For many years to come, whenever Jiang Liu recalled that night, he would feel lucky. Perhaps no matter whether he had chosen the navy, pirates or the revolutionary army at that time, it would not have satisfied Rayleigh, and there would not have been the opportunities that followed.

Fortunately, he did not try to cut corners, but answered the questions honestly and expressed his true thoughts, which was exactly what Rayleigh appreciated.

The myriad affairs of the world are just like this vast ocean, with clear ocean currents and turbid undercurrents, warm monsoons and biting cold waves and sudden storms.

Using human strength to fight against it is like sailing a small boat in the raging waves, which is in danger of capsizing at any time.

All we can do is to stick to our original intentions and not let this little boat get lost in the boundless ocean.

He is himself, neither bound by the navy's "justice" nor tempted by the pirates' "freedom".

His basis for judgment is always his own values, outlook on life and values, and has nothing to do with others.

Rayleigh didn't know why, but after that night he, who had no intention of accepting any disciples, began to instruct Jiang Liu in his domineering practice.

At the beginning, Reilly hung out for a long time, coming back once every ten days or half a month to give Jiang Liu some guidance, but gradually he stayed in the bar longer and longer, and Jiang Liu received more and more teachings.

Although the two did not truly establish a master-disciple relationship, they seemed to have some kind of unspoken understanding.

It’s like a certain ancestor and a monkey: I can teach you skills, but don’t go out and say that it was me who taught you.

Although Rayleigh was not afraid of the navy, he had retired after all and was unwilling to cause trouble unless it was absolutely necessary.

If we exclude the mecha gods in "Light Warriors", Rayleigh is probably the strongest being Jiang Liu has ever seen, a power that surpasses humans and general non-human beings.

He is not a fruit ability user, nor does he have a gifted body, all he has is swordsmanship and domineering aura that have been trained to the extreme.

And this is exactly the most suitable cultivation direction for Jiang Liu now.

The swordsmanship in the world of "One Piece" focuses on "realm" and "strength". In terms of skills alone, it is not that profound. Jiang Liu's own swordsmanship level is already quite good in this world. Compared with the swordsman, the only thing he lacks is a strong physique.

And this is exactly what Jiang Liu focuses on and where he makes the fastest progress!

Physical fitness, swordsmanship, and domineering power, the three go hand in hand. Jiang Liu develops his potential day by day in Xia Qi's bar and becomes more and more powerful.

One month, two months, three months...Unknowingly, one year and three months have passed since Jiang Liu came to this world, and more than half a year has passed since he became Lei Li's disciple.

During this period, Jiang Liu also paid attention to collecting information about the protagonist group.

However, when he first arrived, there was no news about the Straw Hat Pirates in either the newspapers or the bounty notices. He could only conclude that they had not yet set out to sea, but he could not remember in which year Luffy had set out to sea...

About ten months ago, news about the Straw Hat Pirates just appeared in newspapers, occupying a small section.

But since then, it has been out of control. Wherever it goes, it inevitably causes many incidents and attracts widespread attention from the world.

After the "Judicial Island" incident, even the residents of the distant Sabaody Archipelago knew that an unusually "arrogant" supernova had appeared on the Grand Line.

Jiang Liu, who has been paying attention to Luffy, has also thought about looking for the protagonist group. After all, Luffy and his crew will be exposed to many secrets and major events, which are opportunities for him.

But after calming down and analyzing it a little, Jiang Liu gave up this idea.

It's very simple. This is the world of "One Piece". Going out to sea is not enough for one person. To go out to sea alone like Hawkeye, you must be very brave or have lost your mind...

Secondly, he is looking for the Straw Hat Pirates, not the idol group. It is impossible for them to send you the coordinates of every place.

Want to locate a specific pirate ship in the vast ocean?

Well, I believe the Navy also wants to master this technology!

Besides, Jiang Liu is now training under Rayleigh, and there are so many criminal gangs from the Sabaody Archipelago coming to test their skills. The training and actual combat are seamlessly connected, and it is the period of rapid growth in strength, so naturally he is reluctant to leave.

This has caused great hardship for the gangs and slave traders in the lawless zone. In the past year or so, countless slave markets have been destroyed by Jiang Liu, and countless gangs that bullied the weak have been thrown into the sea.

However, even so, the No-Man's Land has not changed at all.

It is still the same as it was when Jiang Liu came. The slave traders may have changed, but the industry still exists here.

Rather, it is said that because Jiang Liu eliminated several "giants", the middle-level players began to compete, and the entire industry became more vibrant...

There's nothing we can do about it!

The Sabaody Archipelago is an important node on the Grand Line, and it can even be said to be a must-pass route. Pirates who want to go to the New World will come here, and evil will attract evil. As the number of pirates increases, a large number of gray industries will also be nurtured.

Not to mention, even if we put aside the factor of pirates, Shampoo is also an extremely rich port, very suitable as a trade transit point.

In other words, what is most lacking here is all kinds of evil people!

The "lawless zone" is a gray area tacitly accepted by everyone, including the World Government, in order to concentrate the "evil" of the entire Sabaody Archipelago.

Rather than losing the entire archipelago, it is better to abandon part of it.

It is impossible and unrealistic for Jiang Liu to fight against this collectively acquiesced "evil" with his own strength...

Even though he has become as powerful as a billion-dollar bounty criminal under Rayleigh's guidance, the result will not change at all.

There has always been only one force that can truly clear up the lawless zone: the World Government, or the Navy.

But the world government won't do that.

It's not like they were afraid of the bosses behind the slave trade - what was that compared to the World Government?

But they are afraid of the biggest customers of the slave trade - the Celestial Dragons!

After all, the Tianlong people are recognized as the rulers of Shampoo!

That's why the Navy allowed such a corrupt lawless zone to exist so close to their homeland. This is the so-called "justice".

After Jiang Liu realized this truth, he no longer worried about anything, but just focused on killing these "wild monsters", treating them as a dungeon where he could level up infinitely.

Anyway, he was the type who got stronger as the fight went on, and he didn’t have to worry about people stealing his house and seeking revenge: of course he had to conceal his identity when doing the dirty work.

As a ninja's apprentice, if you can't even perform stealth operations, you'd better go home and hug your children early!