章節 23: Chapter 23:The Weight of Conviction
Jason walked home through the dimly lit streets of Sabaody Archipelago, his heart pounding. The excitement of his plan had given way to a heavy sense of nervousness. His parents, Silvers Rayleigh and Shakky, had always been overprotective, especially when it came to anything involving the World Government or the Red Line. He knew they would be angry, worried—perhaps even refuse to let him go. But this was important. Freeing the slaves wasn't just an opportunity for him to do good; it was his chance to prove himself.
As Jason reached the familiar sight of the bar his parents owned, he hesitated at the door, drawing a deep breath. His parents were inside, unaware of the storm he was about to bring into their lives.
Pushing the door open, Jason stepped into the cozy bar. The warm smell of alcohol and food hit his senses, and he spotted Rayleigh and Shakky behind the counter. They looked up and smiled, though their expressions shifted when they saw the uneasy look on his face.
"Jason, darling, what's wrong?" Shakky asked, her voice soft yet curious as she put down the glass she was cleaning.
Jason swallowed hard. "There's something I need to tell you," he said, trying to keep his voice steady, but his nerves betrayed him.
Rayleigh raised an eyebrow, while Shakky's smile faded slightly. "Go ahead, son. You can tell us anything," Rayleigh said, his deep voice calm but attentive.
"Promise you won't get mad?" Jason asked, his eyes darting between them.
They exchanged a quick glance before Shakky smiled reassuringly. "We promise," she said. Rayleigh nodded in agreement.
Jason exhaled slowly and decided to bend the truth just a little. "I overheard some of the Sun Pirates talking about Fisher Tiger. He's planning to climb the Red Line and free the slaves in Marie Joie."
The atmosphere in the bar changed instantly. Both Rayleigh and Shakky's faces hardened, their expressions shifting from curiosity to concern. Rayleigh set down his glass and leaned forward, eyes narrowing slightly.
"And what does that have to do with you?" Shakky asked, though her tone indicated she already had an idea of where this conversation was headed.
"I... I want to go with him," Jason said, his voice faltering for a moment before he regained his composure. "I want to help free the slaves. I have the strength, the skills... I can make a difference."
Rayleigh's eyes flared with anger, and Shakky's face filled with worry. "Are you out of your mind? Do you know how dangerous that is? You could get yourself killed!" Rayleigh snapped, his usually calm demeanor replaced by sharp intensity.
"This is reckless, Jason," Shakky added, her voice shaking slightly as she stood up, moving closer to him. "The Red Line, Marie Joie... that's no place for you, not yet."
"I know it's dangerous, but I have to do something! I can't just sit by when people are suffering like this," Jason insisted, his own frustration growing. He had anticipated their reaction, but it still hurt to feel their disapproval.
"You're not ready for this. It's not just about fighting. There are bigger threats out there—world powers that would crush you without hesitation," Rayleigh said, his voice quieter but filled with a deeper warning.
Jason clenched his fists, his determination not wavering. "I know what I'm getting into, but I'm not a child anymore. I can handle it. I've trained, and I've fought—this is something I need to do."
Tension filled the air as the room went silent. Rayleigh and Shakky looked at each other, their anger beginning to ebb but replaced by deep concern. They knew their son—how stubborn and determined he could be. There would be no convincing him otherwise once his mind was made up.
Shakky sighed, her worry evident in her eyes. "Why do you want to do this so badly?"
Jason's gaze softened as he looked at his mother. "Because I want to help people. I have this strength, this power... I don't want to just use it for myself. I want to do something good with it. The slaves in Marie Joie—they need someone to stand up for them. I can do that."
Rayleigh's expression softened as well, though the concern remained. "If this is something you're determined to do, then we can't stop you. But what's your plan? How do you think you're going to convince Fisher Tiger to let you join him on something this dangerous?"
Jason straightened up, knowing this was his chance to prove he had thought things through. "I have a plan. I'll target a slave ship carrying fish-men from Fish-Man Island. If I can rescue them and bring them to Fisher Tiger's crew, it'll show him that I'm serious about this mission. It'll give me a chance to talk to him and convince him to let me join."
Shakky's hand rested on Rayleigh's arm, both of them exchanging a long look. Finally, Rayleigh sighed deeply. "If you're going to do this... there's one condition."
Jason's eyes lit up with hope. "What is it?"
"You have to promise us you'll come back in one piece," Shakky said, her voice gentle but firm. "You have to promise us that no matter what happens, you'll come back."
Jason nodded solemnly. "I promise."
Rayleigh stared at his son for a long moment before giving a slow nod. "Alright then. But be careful, Jason. This is dangerous territory."
Jason felt a surge of relief, but also the weight of responsibility. His parents' approval, even if reluctant, gave him the confidence to move forward. He wasn't just doing this for himself anymore—he was doing it for them too.
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