Chapter 321: Joining the Dragon Flame Pirates
"Mom, the Devourer Camon of the Dragon Flame Pirates already said it. If you want to join the Dragon Flame Pirates, you only need 100 million Beli. Mom… will you support me?"
The boy looked at his mother with an expectant expression.
"Th-this…"
The beautiful woman bit her red lip, a conflicted look showing in her eyes.
"Son, how about we wait until your father comes back and discuss it?" she said worriedly.
Although their family was the wealthiest in the town, 100 million Beli was not a small amount. She couldn't make that decision on her own. That amount of money would make their financial turnover difficult.
"Father won't let me become a pirate. Mom…" The boy looked at his mother with moist eyes, pitifully.
"So that's how you see me?"
At that moment, a deep voice sounded.
A serious-looking middle-aged man wearing a black coat walked in from outside, looking at the boy.
"Father!"
Seeing the man, the boy quickly lowered his head and called out nervously.
"You want to become a pirate?" the middle-aged man asked as he looked at him seriously.
The boy's frail body trembled. He gritted his teeth, then suddenly raised his head and looked directly at his father.
"Yes, Father! I want to become a pirate. I want to pursue freedom. I want to possess great strength. I don't want to keep living with this weak body!"
The boy shouted loudly.
The middle-aged man looked at him, a flash of light passing through his eyes.
"Then why don't you become a Marine?"
"I don't like the Marines. Last time I already heard you speaking humbly to them. Besides, the Marines aren't as strong as the Dragon Flame Pirates!"
It was as if the boy had finally opened his heart. With even more courage now, he stared straight at his father and spoke firmly.
Hearing his son say this, a trace of gloom flashed through the middle-aged man's eyes.
There were Marines stationed in this town, but pirates also came here. If he didn't want pirates causing trouble, he had to curry favor with the Marines.
Of course, he also knew that those pirates had the shadow of the Marines behind them—but he could only pretend to be ignorant.
"Son, do you truly want to join the Dragon Flame Pirates? Once you become a pirate, you might die on the seas."
The middle-aged man looked at the boy seriously.
"I'm sure. I'm not afraid!" The boy nodded heavily.
"Alright. Come with me."
Several complicated emotions flickered through the middle-aged man's eyes before he finally made up his mind.
They then went into a study. The middle-aged man took a box down from the bookshelf and handed it to the boy.
"This is a treasure of the seas—a Devil Fruit. If you sail out alone, your mother and I won't be by your side. You must have the ability to protect yourself before you can even stand before the Dragon Flame Pirates."
The middle-aged man opened the box, revealing a white fruit inside with spiral patterns across its surface.
"Father…"
Looking at the Devil Fruit, the boy stared at his father in disbelief.
He had never expected that his father—who had always been so strict with him—had actually kept a treasure of the seas for him.
For a moment, his eyes grew moist. He pressed his lips tightly together, refusing to let himself cry out loud.
"Son, the reason I was strict with you before was because I wanted you to be independent, to become a real man who could take over the family business. But now that you've chosen to join the Dragon Flame Pirates, then of course your father will support you."
"I'll prepare the 100 million Beli for you. From now on, you must learn to take care of yourself. Your mother and I won't be by your side to help you anymore."
The middle-aged man rubbed the boy's head and spoke gently.
Beside them, the beautiful woman had already broken down in tears. Covering her mouth, hot tears streamed endlessly down her face.