Kapitel 69: Judge of the Guilty

Thirteen arrived at the Merry and saw the man in a swan suit.

The man turned around and shouted "Tiger-chan! I'm so happy to see you!" Thirteen was stunned and White peeked his head out from the backpack, looking at the man. The swan man pirouetted in the air and landed on the ground, hugging Thirteen as he said "It's been so long! I'm Bentham, remember me?!"

Thirteen stepped back and Bentham smiled happily before getting serious and saying "Tiger-chan, we have a problem. The Marines are currently surrounding Alabasta. They went for your ship just before and I brought it here, thankfully I thought ahead after Crocy-chan was captured."

Thirteen's ear twitched and he looked at the ship, specifically where the storage area should be. Bentham looked at the ship before patting his chest and saying happily "I would never scratch the ship! I promise! Anyway, Tiger-chan, I called Strawhat-chan. They should be on their way right now, but we gotta go, can you help me set up to sail?"

Thirteen looked at him and nodded.

He wasn't going to leave the crew after all. His mom convinced him not to.

Not to mention, he had been feeling different since he talked to her, as if a weight had been lifted off his shoulders. He felt faster, lighter, and stronger, but he couldn't tell if it was just an illusion or reality, he really didn't know anymore…

Thirteen helped Bentham prepare the Merry, Bentham talked to him a lot but Thirteen never answered.

Eventually, the Crew got back to the Merry.

Luffy hopped on and shouted "You're here! I thought you'd leave again!" Zoro grunted, Sanji clicked his tongue, Usopp wiped his forehead in relief, Chopper hugged Thirteen's leg, and Nami shouted in Thirteen's face "You really scared me!" before kicking him in the shin and holding her foot with tears in her eyes.

Thirteen blinked and Bentham took over, saying "Friends!" Luffy shouted "Bon-chan!" Bentham explained the situation before jumping on his out ship that came sailing over, adding "We will be the distraction~!"

The Merry took off as Luffy shouted "Wait!" Bentham gave Luffy a Thumbs up and said "See you… my friends." before pointing ahead, shouting "Let's go, guys!" his crew cheered and rushed out to sea.

Luffy watched as Bentham and his crew sailed towards the marines. He was silent as the Merry sailed east, Thirteen went under the cabin to the storage room to see All-Sunday sitting on a box of apples.

She smiled and waved "Tiger-chan is it?" Thirteen blinked at her before turning around and walking away, deciding that he wasn't going to deal with her.

Her smile and hand froze as he actually just walked out of the storage room and closed the door.

Thirteen went back to his room and put his bag down, White hopped out and Thirteen looked at the earrings in his hand. They were literally small solid gold rings, if he put them on his ears they would hug tightly.

He put them down and left them on his desk as White hopped to his head. Thirteen turned around and left the room to see cannonballs flying towards them. There were also large metal spikes flying all over the place.

Sanji kicked a cannonball and looked at Thirteen, saying "A little help?" Chopper shouted "Don't mov-" Thirteen was already in the air and caught a giant metal spike. He landed on the deck and looked at it.

He walked to the edge of the Merry and looked at the Marine ships.

His arms bulged and hardened as he gripped the iron spike. He reeled back before throwing it like a missile back at the marines.

The iron spike pierced through 5 ships before blasting a hole in the water, blowing it everywhere.

Usopp's jaw dropped as he said "What the f- EEEEEEEEP!" before dodging a cannonball coming for his head.

Thirteen caught a cannonball with one hand before throwing it back and blowing up another marine ship.

As far as he was concerned these people weren't innocent. All the marines were aware of the white city to some extent which made them guilty.

He would personally judge whether they were innocent enough to be spared.

The Merry sailed on and passed by the island.

Vivi waved from the coast, saying over a speaker "Thank you all! I had a great time!"

Luffy shouted "Vi-" Nami covered his mouth and said "Shut up idiot! The government will arrest her if she has any connections to us!" Luffy quieted down and Vivi continued on the mic "I made new friends that I would've never thought to make. I saw things that I never thought I'd ever see! The only thing that made this possible was you guys!"

She wiped her eyes and waved with a smile on her face "I'm sorry! I'm staying here! I have things to do that only I can do… That's why… I hope we can still be friends!" she looked expectant but the crew turned around, showing her their backs.

Thirteen sat on the upper cabin, looking at Vivi along with White.

Luffy raised his right arm and showed the X that Nami drew on their arms. One by one, the rest of the crew showed their marks, except for one person.

They all looked at Thirteen, who stared at Vivi. She stared back with tears in her eyes half happy half sad, until…

Thirteen's finger turned sharp and he cut the bandages on his right arm, revealing an X. White jumped up and down, showing an X on his arm too.

Vivi laughed and sobbed at the same time, shouting "I'll never forget you all!" before crying heavily.

Luffy grinned and the Merry sailed away.

A while later~

Thirteen was sitting on the railing of the upper deck, letting Chopper swing on his chains when he heard a voice next to him "Can I try too?" He glanced to his left without turning his head and saw All-Sunday sitting there.

He ignored her and continued swinging Chopper, who turned pale and slammed on the ground. White jumped up and down, running down to the chain and shaking it. Thirteen started swinging again as the rest of the crew, except Luffy, shouted "WHAT!?"