Buck and Billy, the two ace security guards of the explorer, dragged a... no, a half-dead Octo-man onto the deck.
Davy Jones, the deep-sea devil who once struck fear into the hearts of the Seven Seas, had now completely lost all his flair as a legendary villain.
He was dragged across the deck, leaving unsightly scratches.
His proud octopus-tentacle beard hung limply, adorned with a few suspicious sunflower seed husks.
His entire being exuded a philosophical aura of "Who am I, where am I, and why am I here?"
"Captain, he's here!"
The moment Buck let go, Davy Jones slumped onto the deck like a jellyfish thrown ashore.
Billy leaned over and poked Davy Jones's leg with his own bone foot.
"Captain, this guy's leg isn't great. Should we cut it off and replace it with one of our black iron ones? Feels sturdier."
"Don't mess with the company's fixed assets."
Roger rose from the Captain's Cabin throne and slowly walked over, scrutinizing the newly arrived "employee" from above.
"He seems a bit unstable mentally. Was the welcome ceremony just now too enthusiastic?"
Davy Jones slowly raised his head, and his single crimson eye reflected Roger's face, so handsome it provoked both gods and men.
Humiliation.
Unprecedented humiliation.
He would rather be besieged by the Royal Navy fleet, rather be swallowed by the Norwegian Sea Monster, than relive the embarrassing public dance from earlier.
"Gibbs."
Roger snapped his fingers.
"Here, Captain!" Gibbs, clutching his abacus, scrambled over, a roll of parchment in his hand.
"Present our company's standard employment contract to Mr. Jones for his review."
Roger pulled up a chair, sat down in front of Davy Jones, and crossed his legs.
"Mr. Jones, welcome to the explorer, a family full of opportunities and challenges."
"Considering your unique talents and past experience, the company has decided to make an exception and hire you. Your position will be 'Chief Executive Officer of the Interdimensional Shipping Division' and 'Gold Manager of the Soul Ferrying Project'."
Davy Jones: "..."
He didn't understand a single word, but he could feel that every word the other party spoke was an insult to him.
"Of course, we are a legitimate company, and everything must follow proper procedures." Roger took the parchment from Gibbs's hand and unfurled it before him.
"Come, let's review the contract terms."
"First, regarding remuneration. Your basic monthly salary is one copper coin. For every hundred years of service, you will receive one opportunity for a raise, with an increase of half a copper coin."
"Second, regarding performance. Your KPI is to generate 1 million gold coins for the company each month. Exceeding this will earn you a commission; failing to do so..."
Roger paused and smiled kindly.
"Your heart will be displayed as the 'Best Employee Incentive Ball' in a month-long internal company exhibition."
Davy Jones's tentacled face began to twitch slightly.
"Third, and most importantly."
Roger's finger tapped heavily on the parchment.
"Given that your previous personal brand image conflicts significantly with our company's corporate culture, upon joining, you must publicly announce that you voluntarily transfer all relevant titles and intangible assets, such as 'Ruler of the Seven Seas' and 'Deep Sea Devil', to the company's current chairman, which is me, without compensation."
"As compensation, the company will award you honorary titles such as 'Outstanding Employee' and'Sales Ace'."
"What do you think, Mr. Jones? Aren't our company's benefits and treatment very humane?"
"You... wish... not..."
Davy Jones practically squeezed these three words through his teeth.
He could die, be imprisoned, be tortured.
But he, Davy Jones, the ruler of the oceans, would never sign such a document, more shameless than a devil's pact!
"Oh? It seems Mr. Jones isn't quite satisfied with our terms." Roger wasn't surprised at all.
"No problem, our company always respects the personal wishes of its employees."
He turned to look at the two Giant Octopuses who were still flirting with the Norwegian Sea Monster, frantically exchanging contact information.
"Number One, Number Two!"
"Roar?" The two behemoths reluctantly turned their heads.
"This new colleague doesn't seem to be adapting to our company's corporate culture very well. You two, play a little game with him to help him relax."
Roger pulled a pebble, seemingly from nowhere, out of his pocket and weighed it in his hand.
"The game is simple, it's called 'Monkey Steals the Peach'."
No sooner had he spoken than the clear, innocent eyes of Number One and Number Two lit up instantly.
Hundreds of massive tentacles, whistling through the air, swept towards Davy Jones from all directions!
"No!!"
Davy Jones let out a desperate shriek.
Ten minutes later.
Davy Jones, bruised and swollen, knelt on the deck, trembling, holding a quill with his giant crab claw, and signed his name on the humiliating contract.
His other hand was firmly protecting his vital parts.
He felt he was no longer a deep-sea devil; he was a pathetic little octopus surrounded and beaten by a hundred hooligans.
"Why didn't you just do this earlier? See, cooperation leads to win-win." Roger collected the contract with satisfaction, blowing on the ink.
"Alright, now that Mr. Jones has officially become one of us, next is the brand handover ceremony."
"Attention, everyone! Meeting!"
Half an hour later.
On the deck of the explorer, what could be described as the most rudimentary and bizarre "transfer of power ceremony" in history was taking place.
Number One and Number Two were forcibly dragged back by Roger to serve as a backdrop. Each used dozens of tentacles to hold up a sign temporarily pieced together from rotten wood.
The left sign read: "Heartfelt Congratulations to the explorer Group on Successfully Acquiring the Distressed Assets of the Flying Dutchman."
The right sign read: "Welcome Mr. Davy Jones to Visit Our Company for Guidance and Re-employment."
The Norwegian Sea Monster, Miss Kraken, as a special guest, lay on the sea surface not far away, occasionally emitting curious "gurgles" from her huge cloacal mouth.
All the skeleton pirates, dressed in strange costumes acquired from Japan, stood crookedly on both sides of the deck, serving as an honor guard.
"Ahem!"
The master of ceremonies, Captain Jack Sparrow, now stood on a rum barrel, holding a speech written by Roger himself, clearing his throat.
He had now completely resigned himself to his fate.
What Western Governor, what a hundred maidservants, all were fleeting illusions.
Saving his life and becoming a registered sycophant under Roger, this devil, was the only way out.
"Esteemed leaders, distinguished guests, and friends of the marine world!" Jack began his hosting with a tone full of deep emotion.
"Today is a good day!"
"Today, we gather to witness the end of an old era and the beginning of a new one!"
"This is a historic moment!"
"Now, with our warmest applause, let us welcome the core figure of this asset restructuring and brand upgrade, our great former Ruler of the Seven Seas, Mr. Davy Jones, to the stage to deliver his abdication speech!"
"Clap clap clap clap!"
Buck and Billy led the way, clapping their bone hands to produce thunderous applause.
Davy Jones, ashen-faced, was hoisted onto the rum barrel by two skeleton pirates, one on each side.
He looked at the bizarre skeletons below, at the two giant octopuses holding signs beside him, and then at the Norwegian Sea Monster in the distance who was still batting her eyelashes at him.
He felt his heart, no, the heart in Roger's hand, twitching violently.
"Speak." Roger's voice echoed faintly behind him. "Read from the script. If you mispronounce a single word, I'll dismantle your broken ship for firewood."
Davy Jones took a deep breath and accepted another script handed to him by Jack.
With a voice full of sorrow and resentment, he read out each word distinctly.
"I, Davy Jones, due to personal reasons, voluntarily resign from the position of 'Ruler of the Seven Seas'."
"After careful consideration and friendly and in-depth communication with Mr. Roger, the great Chairman of the explorer Group, we unanimously believe that..."
"Mr. Roger possesses both virtue and talent, is far-sighted, and is the undisputed leader and helmsman of the new era's maritime order."
"Hereby, I solemnly declare."
Davy Jones closed his eyes, and two lines of clear tears flowed from his single eye.
"From today onwards, Mr. Roger will officially succeed me as the new..."
"King of Kings, Lord of the Four Seas, Guardian of Trade Routes and Monsoons, Notary of Contracts and Treasures, the Great..."
"Pirate King!"
When the last three words were uttered.
"Ding! Congratulations, Host! You have successfully completed the legendary mission 'Divine Right of Kings'!
"You have officially obtained the title: 'Pirate King (Corporate Certified Edition)'!
"Title Effect: You will gain a natural boost in deterrence and leadership when facing all pirates and marine creatures! Your commercial negotiation success rate will increase by fifty percent!
"Special Reward: Because you peacefully resolved the issue of leadership in the Seven Seas through a non-violent, sustainable business model, you are hereby rewarded with a legendary item—one 'Map Fragment of the Fountain of Youth'!
An ancient, faintly glowing piece of parchment appeared out of thin air in Roger's hand.
"Well done, Mr. Jones." Roger patted Davy Jones's shoulder, a look of relief on his face, like an HR manager seeing an intern complete their KPI ahead of schedule.
"The company is very satisfied with your performance."
"To reward you, I've decided to assign you an even more important task."
Davy Jones numbly looked up.
"Go." Roger pointed in the direction of the Captain's Cabin. "Clean my toilet."
"Remember, use the beard on your face to brush it."
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