A few days passed in the blink of an eye.
Inside the G5 Branch office.
Jin was sitting at his desk, his brow furrowed as he looked at Hancock standing before him.
Her hands were behind her back, her chin slightly raised, a smug smile on her face, her eyes full of anticipation and pride, as if waiting for Jin's praise.
Looking at her like this, Jin couldn't help but feel a headache, a few strands of black lines appearing on his forehead.
"If you ask me, you might as well just join the Navy."
He couldn't help but say, his tone laced with helplessness.
However, Hancock shook her head repeatedly, the smile on her face not diminishing but increasing, the corners of her mouth curling into a playful arc.
"Being a pirate is much more free, why join the Navy with so many rules and regulations."
Her voice was soft, with a hint of teasing and cunning.
Jin was speechless and could only continue listening to her.
Hancock rolled her eyes and continued,
"Although we arrived a bit late this time, we haven't killed any fewer pirates. When you return to the Navy Headquarters, remember to say a few good words for us."
At the end, her voice became soft and glutinous, with a hint of coquetry.
Jin sighed inwardly, as expected of the most beautiful woman in the pirate world, even though she is just a girl now, this appearance coupled with this coquettish voice is enough to make people's hearts waver.
However, he forcibly suppressed that trace of wavering, his expression remaining calm and indifferent.
"I will report your contributions truthfully, but as for how the higher-ups decide, that's not something I can decide."
Jin's tone was steady, trying to make himself look unaffected by her.
Hearing this, Hancock nodded repeatedly, the smile on her face becoming even brighter.
She knew that as long as she got Jin's promise, it meant that this trip was not in vain.
"Yay!"
She suddenly cheered, her voice full of joy and satisfaction, like a little girl who had received a beloved toy, not concealing her excitement at all.
Looking at her cheerful appearance, Jin felt a little complicated.
She is still a little girl after all, unable to hide her thoughts completely.
Although she is a pirate now, one day she will stand at the pinnacle of this world and become the Pirate Empress that makes countless people fear.
But he didn't want to watch her step by step towards that fate.
Pirates are always thieves.
Even with the Shichibukai system established by the World Government, it is only a temporary expedient.
Looking at Hancock's innocent and radiant smile, Jin felt a hint of worry in his heart.
This system will be abolished sooner or later, and when that time comes, the World Government will likely mercilessly liquidate those pirates who once enjoyed the benefits.
Thinking of this, Jin's brow furrowed even tighter.
He sighed softly, sighing for the world's difficulty in achieving peace.
Thinking silently in his heart: Who said that the Navy can't have freedom?
In the end, the rules of this world are still made by those with the biggest fists.
Isn't Garp living freely and unrestrained?
Without too many restrictions.
Jin clearly knew that this kind of freedom is based on strength.
As long as you have enough power, the Navy's rules and regulations are not that difficult to get rid of.
Now, Hancock and the Kuja Pirates have a good impression of and trust in the Navy.
No, to be precise, it's Jin.
This feeling was built up through countless battles side by side and mutual support.
Jin understood how hard-won this trust was.
But precisely because of this, he was even more unwilling to see Hancock walk down that old path that was destined to be full of danger.
However, he also knew that changing someone's mind, especially someone like Hancock, was not something that could be done overnight.
Her personality is stubborn, and her inner desire for freedom is deeply rooted in her soul.
Jin understood that if he rashly persuaded her to join the Navy, it would only backfire and might even destroy the trust they had worked so hard to build.
"Let's take it slow."
Jin said to himself in his heart.
He decided not to rush to change Hancock's mind, but to influence her little by little through actions, letting her see different possibilities.
Maybe one day, she will understand that the Navy does not necessarily mean restraint and loss of freedom.
On the contrary, as long as she has enough power, she can still pursue the freedom in her heart as unrestrained as she is now.
Jin was interacting with Hancock, Hancock's eyes twinkling, a hint of undisguised smile on her lips.
The tacit understanding between the two seemed particularly natural at this moment, as if they were good friends for many years.
Just then, a light cough broke the tranquility of this tacit understanding.
Crocodile stood not far away, watching them with a cold gaze, as if reminding them that this occasion should not be occupied by only two people.
Hearing the sound, Jin turned his head, a playful smile on his face, his tone teasing:
"What's wrong, Old Sand, can you still catch a cold?"
He deliberately used a relaxed tone to break the somewhat awkward situation.
Crocodile was unmoved, the expression on his face still cold.
He narrowed his eyes slightly, his tone mixed with a trace of dissatisfaction, as if he had been neglected,
"Don't talk about those irrelevant things, I also put in a lot of effort this time."
Jin certainly understood what Crocodile meant.
Although this man is a pirate, he did not hesitate to bring his team all the way from the first half of the Grand Line to the G5 Branch for this battle.
Such an action is not something anyone is willing to do, let alone someone as proud as Crocodile.
Jin nodded secretly in his heart, Crocodile was indeed very kind this time.
The smile on Jin's face did not diminish at all, but became even more obvious.
He knew Crocodile's personality and understood his self-esteem, so he was not in a hurry to thank him or express anything.
He just smiled and patted Crocodile on the shoulder, and said in a light tone:
"Old Sand, I have seen your performance this time. When I return to Headquarters, I will say a few good words for the Kuja Pirates and your Baroque Works. As for how to thank you, we will naturally thank you properly given our relationship."
Crocodile's furrowed brow loosened a little, although he didn't care about those rewards or thanks, he still needed an attitude from Jin.
And now, he had received the answer he wanted.
Although he already highly agreed with Jin in his heart, he wouldn't say it directly with his personality, he was very concerned about face.
"I hope you keep your word."
Crocodile replied coldly, then stopped speaking, just stood aside, took out a cigar and lit it, slowly exhaling a puff of smoke, as if this smoke could dispel the dissatisfaction and irritability in his heart.
Jin glanced at Crocodile's expression and smiled secretly in his heart.
Old Sand is cold on the outside, but he actually has weaknesses, but he never easily reveals them.
Jin knew that this battle had made the trust between them even stronger, even if Crocodile still looked cold on the surface, in action, he had already regarded Jin as a partner he could cooperate with.
"Don't worry, I won't forget your contribution."
Jin thought silently in his heart, his gaze returning to Hancock.
He knew that in the days to come, they would fight side by side again, and this battle was just the beginning of their alliance.
...
