"Pirates are dumb brutes, you know? I always was good at setting traps, and escaping was easy... The ocean is big..."
Nodding, Bill asked, "Why did you need money so badly?"
Borodo smirked at this question, shook his head, and said, "Well, I didn't particularly need the money. Sure, I enjoyed having fun, and I had to make a bit more when I took Akisu in... I guess it was all about the adventure? I'm not even sure."
Looking at the navigator, Bill calmly said, "What if I offer you an adventure?"
At that moment, Bill needed to expand his operations. He didn't think he could find anyone more reliable or capable than his friends, but considering he could directly promote six lieutenants, his unit could have ten ships before he would need to return to Vegapunk for authorization.
Borodo replied, "An adventure in the Marines? Ha-ha-ha, thanks, but no thanks!"
Not deterred by the refusal, Bill used a different approach. "Listen, we're not your typical Marine assignment. We're part of the Science Division and can offer you something you won't find anywhere else."
Rolling his eyes, Borodo said:
"For example?"
Bill knew he had piqued his interest. His team needed an experienced navigator, and Bill was ready to use two tactical moves to secure him.
Bill said:
"We can offer you a proper cybernetic arm instead of that old mechanical one. You can even keep it after your contract ends."
Looking at his hand, Borodo shrugged, and his hand formed a fist. Bill immediately understood how it worked.
He acknowledged that the invention was ingenious, but ultimately, it was just mechanical movement.
Seeing that Borodo was contemplating, Bill used his final tactic:
"Listen, Borodo. Normally, I would let you go for the help you gave us today. You've more than earned turning a blind eye to it."
Borodo tensed, but Bill continued:
"But. I can't allow you to ruin this boy's life."
When Borodo tried to argue, Bill interrupted him:
"No, he would follow you. I can see it, and you know it." If you were to leave him in the middle of the night, the boy would feel abandoned for the second time.
So I'd rather be the bad guy and lock you up. This way, even if he ends up hating me, he'll be removed from these criminal circles.
To this, Borodo didn't even try to argue, and Bill concluded:
"Listen, you don't need to make a decision now. We have a few days until we reach Loguetown, and you can give me your answer there."
Having said this, Bill stood up and told the navigator that he needed to see a couple more people by the end of the day, and they quietly left the captain's cabin.
Akisu:
"No! I can't! I'm a brave warrior of the sea!"
Turning to see Borodo and Bill, the gray-haired boy ran to them:
"I told them we can't stay, right, brother?! We have new adventures ahead!"
Seeing this, Bill looked at Borodo, who seemed burdened, but after a moment, he smiled and said:
"In fact, Akisu, this will be our next adventure! Captain Ox just hired us!"
Confused, Akisu looked back and forth between Bill and Borodo and quietly said:
"But the navy? What kind of adventure is that?"
"A kind that you'll like!"
Turning their heads, they saw Yoko approaching them, wearing a marine cap backward. She was assisting Miyagi in the medical section, as some of the island's inhabitants were elderly and needed treatment after their hasty descent from the beanstalk.
"Kid, you said you're a brave warrior of the sea, right? Well, there's no one braver than a marine!"
While Yoko was scolding the child, Bill noticed his face starting to turn red as she got closer. Thinking he didn't like it, he decided to advise Yoko to keep her distance from Akisu in the future.
However, after some time, Akisu's attitude changed, and he started following Yoko around as she showed him the ship.
"So, what's next?" Borodo asked theatrically.
Laughing, Bill put his arm around Borodo's shoulders and said:
"Great choice! Now, as the navigation officer on the 'Frontier Run,' and technically a warrant officer, you need to devise a plan to either get the caravels sailing or guide the barge through the whirlpools surrounding the island!"
Nodding in agreement, Borodo headed to the navigation room to start planning. Bill saw nothing wrong with the title, as warrant officers only had authority in their area of expertise, and even then, their power extended only to those working in the same field.
When Borodo left, Bill turned to Akisu's parents and invited them to his office.
They expressed their gratitude once more for Bill's help in relocating them, and Bill told them about the island of Little East Blue.
"There are currently fewer than a hundred people living on the island," Bill said. "But it has enough natural resources to support around five thousand people. However, there are no ready homes there yet.
The elderly man nodded in understanding, looked at Bill, and asked:
"And what do you want us to do?"
In response, Bill opened one of the drawers of his desk and pulled out a map of the island. Handing it to them, he said: