#353 - Chapter 353: Conquering Moria
Jin leaned his sword gently against Gekko Moria's neck, the blade cold, almost touching Moria's skin.
A playful smile touched the corner of his lips:
"So? Still want to take my shadow?"
Moria's eyes widened as he stared at the blade, a mere centimeter from his neck, cold sweat instantly beading on his forehead.
His whole body stiffened, barely daring to move, his heart pounding in his chest like a drum.
He swallowed hard, forcing a dry laugh:
"Admiral Jin, what are you saying? You're like a big brother to me, how could I ever think of taking your shadow? If you tell me to go east, I'd never go west. Just now... just now I was just joking with you."
Jin's eyes flickered slightly, his gaze fixed on Moria with a hint of mockery:
"Oh? Now I'm your big brother?"
Moria nodded repeatedly, his eyes filled with terror and flattery:
"That's right, that's right! You're my long-lost half-brother from another mother!"
His voice trembled slightly, but he still forced a smile, trying to defuse the crisis.
Jin's gaze remained unchanged, simply watching Moria.
That indifferent expression seemed to strip away all pretense in his heart, leaving him nowhere to hide.
Moria's heart sank, feeling like a prey cornered by Jin, with no chance of escape.
Moria forced a smile, quickly adding:
"Just treat me like a fart and let me go..."
His voice grew softer and softer, as if afraid that saying another wrong word would lead to his death.
His eyes were fixed on Jin's expression, trying to find a sign of relief.
However, Jin's face remained unchanged, and the cold blade showed no sign of retreating.
Just as Moria felt like he was about to suffocate, Jin finally chuckled and slowly withdrew his sword.
In that instant, Moria felt his neck was finally saved, and his whole body slumped down in relief, even his breathing became much easier.
"You're quite bold," Jin said blandly, his tone laced with mockery, "But Moria, you better remember, I'm letting you go this time, not because of your sweet talk, but because... you still have some use."
Moria nodded repeatedly, secretly relieved, but he didn't dare show it, lest he anger Jin again.
He knew that Jin's release did not represent true safety, but rather a warning.
"Thank you, Admiral Jin, from now on you are my savior!"
Moria quickly flattered him, his tone extremely obsequious.
Jin said nothing more, just hummed softly, turned and left the battlefield.
Moria watched his back gradually disappear, and the feeling of being approached by death finally receded.
He raised his hand and wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, his heart filled with both the relief of surviving a disaster and a deep fear of Jin's invisible pressure.
"Jin..." Moria muttered to himself, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes.
He understood that Jin was an opponent who should never be provoked easily.
Moreover, he had to find a way to keep himself safe in the following situation, even if it meant temporarily succumbing to Jin's pressure.
On this sea, survival is far more important than dignity.
......
Jin stepped onto the deck of the warship, and as soon as he looked up, he was greeted by deafening cheers.
All the naval soldiers were lined up neatly, looking at him with excitement, their eyes flashing with admiration and awe.
Jin was slightly stunned, then revealed a faint smile, but felt an invisible pressure in his heart.
Most of these soldiers were new recruits transferred from headquarters to his command after he was appointed as an admiral.
They may have heard of Jin's legends in their hearts, but today, they witnessed Jin's duel with Gekko Moria with their own eyes, and the real sense of shock made them unable to control themselves.
The soldiers stepped forward one after another, their eyes filled with excitement and admiration.
"Admiral, you are too strong!"
"Moria wasn't your opponent at all!"
"This is the true strength of a naval admiral!"
"......"
Jin stood in front of them, with a faint smile on his face, his gaze swept over these soldiers, seeing the worship and fanaticism in their eyes.
He felt somewhat complicated.
These young faces may have only heard rumors about him, but never truly understood the cost of power.
Their cheers and admiration made him feel gratified, but also made him realize that his position was no longer a simple warrior, but a legend in the minds of these people.
"You did a good job," Jin nodded, his tone calm but firm, "This mission is our first, and we will carry out many more missions together in the future."
The soldiers were even more excited because of Jin's affirmation, they waved their fists vigorously, shouting Jin's name.
That kind of excitement permeated the deck, as if even the air was ignited.
Jin felt the enthusiasm of the soldiers, but sighed lightly in his heart.
After becoming an admiral, he found that he had become a symbol in the eyes of many people - a symbol of power, a symbol of victory, and even a symbol of hope.
And this symbol also made the responsibility on his shoulders heavier.
"Everyone, don't be too happy too soon, there are still many tasks waiting for us ahead," Jin waved his hand gently, signaling everyone to quiet down.
His voice was not loud, but it carried an irresistible majesty, quickly silencing the cheers.
The soldiers put away their smiles and stood up straighter.
They knew that although Jin didn't say it clearly, the firmness in his eyes told them that the road ahead was not easy.
"Haha, who is afraid of those tasks after becoming a navy soldier."
"We joined the navy to hunt pirates."
"......"
Every move and every word of Jin seemed to carry invisible power, deeply influencing these soldiers.
After dealing with Moria, he stood at the bow of the ship, looking at the gloomy mist in the distance.
He had completed the main goal of this operation - bringing Gekko Moria under his command.
Now, in this eerie Devil's Triangle, the only one that interested him was that very old skeleton - Brook.
After arranging the tasks for the navy soldiers, Jin was not in a hurry to return to the warship, but decided to take a stroll around Thriller Bark.
...
