Chapter 14: Chapter 14: Is This Still Humane?
Lin Yan ceased beating around the bush.
No more idle chatter.
A direct refusal sufficed.
"You didn't want me aboard the Whitebeard Pirates, did you?" he asked, addressing Whitebeard.
"You were keen on casting me off the ship, weren't you?" he continued.
"Fine. Consider your wish granted! No need for you to act. I'll disembark voluntarily!"
Upon hearing the unequivocal words, "I refuse," Whitebeard narrowed his eyes.
Had he just been... rejected?
Marco, Jozu, Izou, and the rest exchanged glances, particularly Izou, who couldn't shake off his concern.
If Lin were truly pushed away, it left a sour taste in his mouth.
The crew members who had been hurling insults fell into a stunned silence.
Not a word was uttered.
The Moby Dick, once bustling, descended into a momentary hush.
The Whitebeard Pirates' prowess hardly needs elaboration. With their growth, they've only become more formidable, gradually becoming a towering presence, dominating the New World's peak.
In the hearts of many crew members, the Whitebeard Pirates occupy a position of supreme reverence.
Lin Yan's three-word declaration, "I refuse," may have been concise, but it struck deep, each syllable piercing the hearts of those present.
"What? You're just going to refuse like that? What happened to your earlier bravado? What happened to your indomitable spirit?"
"Weren't you Long Aotian? Weren't you launching into the fray? Weren't you peerless?"
If it were someone else extending the invitation and Lin Yan declined, that would be understandable. But you must realize, the one extending the invitation was our Father!
"Who's our Father? The head of the Four Emperors, the epoch's leader, the overlord of yore, one of the legendary Three Great Pirates. Who do you think you are, daring to spurn our Father's offer?"
"From the outset, it's been others vying to join the Whitebeard Pirates. Seeking shelter under a mighty tree isn't mere rhetoric. They seldom encounter someone bold enough to reject their patriarch's invitation!"
"Who wouldn't desire an affiliation with the Whitebeard Pirates? Who wouldn't swell with pride at the prospect?"
The crew's sense of pride and arrogance is precisely due to the Whitebeard Pirates' towering presence, which has allowed them to flourish.
Lin Yan, as a newcomer, publicly rejected the offer. If word of this spreads, where will they hide their faces?
"Lin, who gave you the right to refuse?"
"Yeah, aren't you being too flippant? Coming and going as you please? What do you take the Moby Dick for?"
"Heh, you may wish to depart, but today, we shan't acquiesce!"
"Until this matter is settled, none shall depart the Whitebeard Pirates!"
"You've landed yourself in hot water!"
"Today, you shall remain!"
Previously, it was mere bickering. Now, they descended upon Lin Yan, refusing to let him leave.
To the Whitebeard Pirates' crew, only they possess the prerogative to cast others away. Since when have others possessed the authority to exile them?
Now, Lin Yan claims disinterest in the Whitebeard Pirates. It's a direct affront! They won't permit Lin Yan to have his way!
In this moment, Lin Yan regarded the Whitebeard Pirates' crew with disdain, akin to an elderly commuter engrossed in his phone on the subway. Unbelievable. Previously deeming them mentally deranged was an understatement. They're beyond redemption!
A certain nation had a famous pre-Brexit quote that seemed like a treasure trove of national pride leakage: "These individuals are all idiots, plain and simple!"
Aren't the Whitebeard Pirates' crew in front of him precisely that?
Neither joining nor abstaining satisfies. Lin Yan has traversed much of life's terrain, never before encountering such twisted minds!
It's as though he should foot the bill for these shameless individuals' psychiatric evaluation.
How inflated must their egos be to attain such heights?
"What if I choose to be assertive today?" Lin Yan furrowed his brow, a hint of displeasure creeping in.
"You're cornering me, aren't you?"
"Then today, you're not leaving!"
It's obvious. They're the best experience points.
Thinking of this, Lin Yan smiled inwardly, but his face remained expressionless.
"Since you put it that way, let's battle. We'll show you why the Whitebeard Pirates are the number one pirate crew in the world!" one of the crew members sneered.
Of all the things to compare with the Whitebeard Pirates, you chose strength. That's truly seeking your own death!
Because Whitebeard had intentionally kept it secret, Lin Yan's defeat of Izou hadn't yet spread among the crew.
They thought he was just an ordinary rookie. And handling an ordinary rookie should be easy, right?
Today, they were determined to "flex their muscles" in front of this newcomer!
Let him see why the Whitebeard Pirates are considered the world's number one crew!
"But fighting isn't for free. I have a condition!" Lin Yan raised a finger, smiling.
"What condition?" The crew members paused, their faces showing displeasure.
"Simple! I won't act as a punching bag for free. I'm a bit tight on money lately. If you want to fight me, uh, it'll cost you, 200,000!" Lin Yan rubbed his hands, smiling with a no-nonsense expression.
However, his words caused an uproar among the Whitebeard Pirates.
"Two hundred thousand??" At that number, not just the crew members but even squad captains like Izou and Marco widened their eyes.
"Damn it! What the hell?? What the heck is this guy saying? My ears aren't deceiving me, are they? Where are we? We're on the Moby Dick, the ship of the Whitebeard Pirates!"
In the eyes of the Whitebeard crew, the Moby Dick is their home, their holy ground, a partner that has accompanied them through countless battles.
It's as sacred and immaculate as Mary Geoise to the Marines, like Athena, high and untouchable.
But now?
This shameless guy, this brazen pirate, is fighting on the Moby Dick and charging money for it. And not just any amount—two hundred thousand Beli?? Is this something a human can think of?
The key is, their "Dad," Whitebeard, the strongest man in the world, is sitting right here!
Throughout history, to say something like this in front of Whitebeard, you need a huge heart.
Lin, you're a genius!
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone