After Lynch arrived, the misunderstanding between the cat and the mouse was finally resolved. Tom held out three fingers, swearing never to dream of a big rooster again.
"You're a good cat," Lynch said, gently patting Tom's head. "I'll give you some dried fish later." Tom smiled shyly at the praise.
However, when the big rooster flew down, Tom couldn't resist showing his true nature.
"Ah ha, chicken feet exposed!" Tom laughed and grabbed the rooster, giving it a good beating. After all, this was the chicken that had thrown a basketball at him. It was time for some revenge, and Tom made sure to get his fill from morning to night.
Lynch sighed and held his forehead, speechless at the scene.
"Chi-chi-chi!" Jerry tugged at Lynch's pants, pleading for the rooster.
After all, they were teammates, and Tom had almost eaten Jerry before.
Lynch stepped in, pulling the big rooster away and giving Tom a firm punch on the head, causing a large lump to form.
"If you don't want to eat the chickens we have on board, then stop stealing other people's chickens, understood?"
With tears in his eyes, Tom nodded vigorously, holding a bulging half-meter bag.
"Look at you, your overalls are all crooked," Lynch said with a sigh, thoughtfully adjusting the big rooster's overalls.
He walked toward the village with Tom and Jerry, muttering to himself, "I used to have an old friend who also liked chickens and basketball."
"You can't just play basketball. You need to have other talents too."
"In my opinion, singing, dancing, and rapping are great skills to have."
In the big rooster's mind, he already pictured himself in overalls, playing basketball while singing, dancing, and rapping.
One last sentence: Do you think your Chicken Brother is awesome?
Just thinking about it made the chicken tremble with excitement.
The big rooster remembered Lynch's words and decided to go back to school.
Jerry and Tom followed Lynch like loyal companions, communicating with each other through gestures and writing, making the cat and mouse laugh.
Tom: Jerry, I have a good friend named Hawkeye. I'll take you to meet him someday.
Jerry: Hawkeye? What a strange name
Tom: Yeah, it's a bit odd. Let me tell you, he really loves to fight, but he's a good guy. He even gave me this necklace.
Tom: I can't beat him alone. Let's team up and try!
Jerry: "OK, OK, Jerry and Tom vs. Hawkeye."
Suddenly, Hawkeye, who was sipping tea far away in his castle, sneezed. "Achoo!"
Hawkeye looked around suspiciously. "With this sense of danger, someone is plotting against me in secret?"
His vision, hearing, and sense of awareness were sharp, like that of an eagle. His sixth sense was highly tuned and accurate. There was no way he would sneeze for no reason. Who was it that felt like they were targeting him?
Hawkeye lowered his sharp, eagle-like eyes and gently stroked the black sword, Ye, resting on his knee. "Whoever it is, I'll take them down with one strike."
After sending the big rooster back and resupplying, Lynch left the island. Pirates in the West Blue were being wiped out daily by Tsunade and his crew, leaving only a few behind.
During the past few days of sailing through the West Blue, Lynch hadn't encountered any pirates.
But today, finally meeting one, he became energetic.
"Don't even try to shoot. I'll handle it myself!"
Tom stood on Lynch's left shoulder, and Jerry on his right, as they landed on the pirate ship using the Moonwalk.
The pirate group, small and new, consisted of only about 80 members.
They had formed less than half a year ago and had carefully planned their route to avoid the West Blue Marines as they aimed to reach the Grand Line.
However, despite their precautions, they found themselves face-to-face with a Marine force of thirty, surrounded by a fleet of warships.
These pirates, who were used to killing without hesitation, were now so frightened that they considered dropping their weapons and surrendering. Some of them even looked like they might cry.
"Boss, why don't we just surrender?"
"Yes, it's said the King of West Blue treats prisoners well. If we're lucky, we might even be released after decades in prison. It's better than dying!"
Another pirate added, glancing at the warships, each armed with cannons, fearing they wouldn't even be able to recover their bones.
"Shut up!" Kondre, the big man leading the group, growled.
"I'm going to be the Pirate King! I won't give up here!" His smile was more twisted than reassuring.
"Don't give up. There's always hope until the end!" one of the pirates encouraged, pointing toward a figure flying toward them.
Kondre's eyes lit up. If they captured someone important, they could use them as a bargaining chip...
He quickly ordered his crew to hide, and his men rushed to follow. But when they saw the fallen figure's face, Kondre froze in shock.
The fire in Kondre's heart was completely extinguished, replaced by a cold shock that ran through him.
"Emperor... Emperor..." His voice trembled as the broadsword slipped from his hand. His knees buckled, and he collapsed to the ground, as if all his strength had drained away.
Though the pirates were uneducated, they weren't completely ignorant. They knew who the Emperor was.
Everyone in West Blue had heard of Lynch, the man who could challenge the World Government.
Before such a figure, Kondre realized, he wasn't even an ant—he was nothing more than a speck of dust, easily crushed by the slightest breath.
The pirates hiding behind crates and supplies hadn't seen Lynch yet, but they were still moved by their boss's willingness to sacrifice.
The pirates, moved by their boss's sacrifice, whispered among themselves.
"Uuuuuuuuu... The boss actually knelt down to the enemy to lure them in deeper,"
"Boss did this to save us. I'm so touched,"
"Don't worry, boss. We won't forget your sacrifice. We'll make sure it's not in vain!"
The pirates took their weapons and waited for the arrival to land on the deck. When the boss gave the order, they rushed out.
As Lynch landed on the deck with Tom and Jerry standing confidently on his shoulders, the pirates, still hiding in the shadows, prepared to spring into action.
"Who said pirates are rude?" Lynch remarked coolly. "This is our first meeting."
"Kill"
The pirates hiding in the darkness suddenly swarmed out and attacked Lynch.
"Boss, why are you still kneeling? Let's catch him together!" one pirate shouted.
"Shut up!" Kondre's face turned pale.
"You idiots, why aren't you kneeling when you see the Emperor in front of you?!"
"Your Majesty the Emperor? Which Emperor?"
"Idiot! There's no other emperor in our West Blue!" Kondre snapped, panic rising in his voice.
As the pirates rubbed their eyes and looked more closely at Lynch, their legs trembled, as if they'd fallen into an ice cave.
For the people of West Blue, Lynch's influence was overwhelming, deeply rooted in their minds. A wave of fear and respect swept through them.
Another famous scene unfolded.
The pirates who had been shouting to kill just moments before were now kneeling in front of Lynch, obedient and submissive.
"Your Majesty, please forgive our offense!"
The pirates knelt down in unison.
Kondre, heartbroken and ashamed, clung to Lynch's legs and cried loudly, 'Grandma, you're a pirate king! You can only have a future if you survive.'
"Emperor Lynch, our whole family is your fan. My grandma likes you the most. I'm so happy to finally meet you!"
"My admiration for you is like the endless flow of water from the sky, uncontrollable and ever-present!"
Lynch stood there, silent and confused, unsure how to respond.
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TO BE CONTINUED
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