33 Chapter – 33 An Agreement with the East Army Commander

Ryuma looked bewildered. "Wait what? Join the Revolutionary Army? Betty-san, are you serious?"

"Because of what happened that day, seven of my subordinates are confirmed dead," she said and folded her hands under her breasts before explaining, "They were crucial members of the East Army, and since the two of you are indirectly responsible for their deaths, you must make up for our loss. Carrying out their share of work seems to be a fitting punishment for your mistake, don't you think?"

Ryuma observed Betty's serious expression and was convinced that she wasn't joking about wanting him to join the Revolutionary Army. However, a dilemma arose for him.

"I want to become a pirate and sail the seas," Ryuma declared. "Revolutionaries are cool and admirable, but that doesn't mean I want to become one."

Betty nodded in understanding, not opposing Ryuma's desire to be a pirate instead of a Revolutionary. She inquired, "You're about to turn thirteen soon, right?"

Ryuma confirmed, "Yes?" He was unsure why she was asking about his age. 

Betty continued her line of questioning, asking, "And when will you set sail? I mean, at what age?"

Ryuma responded with a peculiar expression, "When I am seventeen." He had a hunch about what Betty might suggest next, but uncertainty lingered about whether it would be a favorable idea.

"Great," Betty exclaimed. "So, until you reach the age of seventeen, the time when you want to set sail, I want you to work for the Revolutionary Army. It's just four years, not too long, right? This should be acceptable," she added, expressing hope that Ryuma would agree to her proposal.

Certainly, Betty acknowledged that she couldn't and didn't want to force Ryuma into this decision. However, she held a genuine hope that he would accept the proposal, recognizing the significant assistance he could provide to the Revolutionary Army.

It wasn't solely Betty's idea; Koushirou had suggested it. Koushirou, aware of Ryuma's potential, believed it could be put to good use.

Since the incident eighteen months ago, the East Army had weakened considerably. Many top-tier figures were lost, and the previous East Army Commander was kidnapped to be wed to a Celestial Dragon who had taken a liking to her. Consequently, the Revolutionary movements in the East had become somewhat stagnant and sluggish. Betty saw Ryuma as a potential catalyst for revitalizing their efforts.

The East was in dire need of strong individuals, but cultivating such strength was a time-consuming task. Koushirou believed that Ryuma could provide the buffer time the East Army required, and thus, he suggested the idea to Betty. Upon reflection, Betty found merit in the proposal.

Recognizing Ryuma as a strong individual, Betty saw the potential value he could bring to the East Army. Accepting Koushirou's idea, she proposed to Ryuma, seeing the opportunity to have him work for her for the next four years. This timeframe would allow Betty to focus on rebuilding the strength of the East Army. In her view, Ryuma's contribution could serve as a crucial element in achieving this goal. 

"What do you think, Ryuma-kun? The proposal is not so bad, right?" Koushirou inquired.

Ryuma remained silent, grappling with his thoughts. The idea of becoming a revolutionary had never crossed his mind, leaving him uncertain about how to respond. While he felt a responsibility to make amends for the deaths of Betty's subordinates, a commitment to the Revolutionary Army was not something he had contemplated. However, the prospect of it being just for the next four years sparked a flicker of consideration in his mind. 'Maybe…' he pondered.

Observing Ryuma's contemplation, and sensing his hesitance, Koushirou took the opportunity to elaborate. "Ryuma-kun, to become a great pirate Captain and reach the apex, there's much you need to learn. The seas, especially the Grand Line, are rife with dangers beyond your imagination. While you're undoubtedly strong and possess incredible potential, that alone is not sufficient. You'll require an equally capable crew to support you. Moreover, you must be aware of the myriad dangers this world presents; otherwise, you risk becoming just another casualty at sea, forgotten by all." 

He emphasized the importance of not only individual strength but also the necessity of a knowledgeable and skilled crew, along with a keen awareness of the perils that awaited on the seas, and continued to lay out the advantages, saying, "While working for the Revolutionary Army, you can acquire all the knowledge necessary to become a great pirate. Information & resources that are hard to obtain through normal means will be at your disposal. You can establish connections all over the world using the Revolutionary Army's network. Most importantly, in these four years, you can gain a wealth of combat experience. It's a win-win situation for both sides, which is why I proposed this. What do you think?"

"Koushirou-san, now that you mention it..." Ryuma paused, reconsidering Koushirou's perspective. Gradually, he found Koushirou's words to be quite reasonable.

Ryuma didn't deny the inherent dangers of the sea. While he had some knowledge of this world from reading the manga and watching the anime, he acknowledged its limitations. The world displayed in that was limited, there is much more to this world than shown.

His understanding of the world was primarily based on fictional sources, and he realized that this alone wouldn't be enough to reach the pinnacle. Despite his attempts to learn more through his own means since arriving in this world, Ryuma recognized that only so much he could do without anyone guiding him.

He is self-aware enough to acknowledge that he wasn't Monkey D. Luffy, and consequently, lacked the plot armor and luck that often-ensured Luffy's safety in perilous situations. This recognition made him acutely aware of the need for extreme caution. He didn't want to find himself in a situation akin to the unfortunate fate of Useless 'Captain' Mid… uh… no, it was Eustass 'Captain' Kid, right?

Despite having almost everything—a formidable devil fruit, the will of a Conqueror, and a powerful Deputy Captain who was one of the eleven Supernovas arriving at the Sabaody Archipelago—so many things went wrong for that foolish red-haired arrogant Captain the moment he entered the New World.

He lost his arm to Benn Beckman in a confrontation with the Red Hair Pirates, unable even to lay eyes on Shanks. Against the Big Mom Pirates, he could only manage to injure one of BIGMOM's Sweet Commanders before being compelled to flee without significant progress. His deputy captain suffered the consequences of his defeat and capture by Kaido, forced to consume a failed SMILE for his safety. Despite eventually defeating BIGMOM with Law's assistance during the raid, his achievement fell short of Luffy's. To add to his setbacks, he was individually defeated by Shanks in a matter of seconds after acquiring a bounty of three billion berries, and his crew too was almost annihilated.

Eustass Kid serves as the perfect example of the challenges one can face on the sea without adequate support or luck. His experiences underscore the significance of having both luck and a reliable backup. If these elements aren't inherent from birth, then one must actively work to cultivate them. Acquiring knowledge becomes crucial in navigating the unpredictable and perilous waters of the sea.

Koushirou was extending this opportunity to Ryuma with a clear motive. His primary objective was to safeguard his daughter, Kuina, and assist her in realizing her dream by any means possible. Since she hasn't given up on her dream despite the setback she suffered against Ryuma, Koushirou has decided to help her, and he is interested in seeing how far she can go and whether she can become the World's Greatest Swordsman despite being a woman.

Kuina had already made the decision to join Ryuma's pirate crew, and as her father, Koushirou has a responsibility to take actions that would ensure her survival. Hence, the suggestion for Ryuma to join the Revolutionary Army. Koushirou believes that within the Revolutionary Army, they would be under protective guidance, allowing them to be much better prepared for their seafaring endeavors by the time Ryuma reached the age of seventeen.

After careful consideration, Ryuma finally spoke, "Maybe joining the Revolutionary Army isn't such a bad idea after all." 

Betty, sensing his shift in stance, eagerly asked, "Right?" Ryuma's affirmative response indicated his acceptance of the proposal, signaling that he was now open to the idea of dedicating the next four years to the Revolutionary Army.

Ryuma nodded, affirming, "Yes..." He couldn't deny the potential for learning various skills by working with the Revolutionary Army. Reflecting on the example of Nico Robin, who had also spent two years with them during the time skip, he acknowledged the valuable knowledge she must have gained and applied when later sailing with the Straw Hats.

However, a lingering concern surfaced for Ryuma, "But will the others in the Revolutionary Army accept me as one of their own once they discover I was the cause of the trouble they endured? I'm indirectly responsible for their deaths—how can they be okay working with me?" Ryuma, aware of the potential consequences, didn't harbor naive expectations of easy acceptance.

Betty sighed, acknowledging the gravity of the situation. She responded, "That is a problem... and to address it, there's only one solution: no one will be informed that you were responsible for that incident." 

"Are you sure about this, Betty-san?" Ryuma sought confirmation once again.

Betty nodded resolutely, "Sometimes, difficult decisions must be made... all for the greater good, all for the revolution." Pausing, she added with a strained tone, "But make no mistake, if it wasn't an accident, and all that was intentional, then I wouldn't have made such a proposal instead I would have done everything within my power to avenge their deaths. So, keep this in mind and make sure you don't repeat such a thing." 

"I understand..." Ryuma nodded in acknowledgment.

Betty posed the final question, "So, what's it going to be? Are you ready or not?"

Ryuma smiled and nodded, expressing his acceptance, "How can I say no to such an offer? Yes, I will work with you for the next four years."

"Great..." Betty smiled appreciatively, but her expression changed when Ryuma continued, "But... can we start this a few months later?"

The smile immediately turned into a frown as Betty questioned, "A few months Later? What do you mean?"

Ryuma explained, "Currently, I am learning Swordsmithing from Kozaburo-Sensei... If I leave now, then I won't be able to complete that... and Kozaburo-Sensei would kill me if I chose to leave without completing my Swordsmithing lessons." As he mentioned the old man's potential anger, Ryuma shuddered, recognizing that while Kozaburo-Sensei was generally chill, when it came to Swordsmithing, he could be truly fearsome.

"You are learning Swordsmithing?" Betty expressed surprise and curiosity.

But Ryuma remained tight-lipped about his reasons for delving into Swordsmithing. Despite Betty's curiosity, he refused to elaborate and continued to ignore any inquiries on that matter. Observing his silence, Betty stroked her chin thoughtfully. After giving it some consideration, she asked, "Since you are learning Swordsmithing from that legendary Swordsmith, then you can smith weapons for us, right?" 

"Uh... certainly can..." Ryuma's response held a touch of surprise. Betty's unexpected question caught him off guard, but he welcomed the opportunity with open arms. It presented another chance for him to practice and polish his Swordsmithing skills. Eager to contribute, he asked, "Do you want me to smith weapons for the Revolutionary Army, Betty-san?" 

"Hmm... it is difficult for us to obtain weapons from a reliable source," Betty began to explain. She continued, "There's always a risk of being exposed and pursued by the World Government. Many swordsmiths are hesitant to provide weapons for us due to fear of the World Government and Marines. Those who do sell to us often do so at a price higher than the market rate, affecting our operational budgets in various missions. So having a reliable smith would be great and solve a lot of our problems." 

"That makes sense," Ryuma nodded in agreement. He then expressed his willingness, saying, "Sure, I don't mind smithing weapons for you. This will improve my skills, and that's what I need most at this time."

"However," Betty interjected, "I would like to see the quality of swords that you have made first to ensure whether your craft would be useful for us or not. Having a reliable smith would only be useful if they are up to the task."

"Sure..." Ryuma agreed and took the sword tied at his waist, presenting it to Betty for inspection. "This is my latest craft."

Betty curiously examined the Odachi presented by Ryuma. Meanwhile, as she did so, Ryuma got up and left the room they were sitting in. He returned a few moments later with a wooden box, which he presented to Betty. "These are the other swords I have created. I consider them up to the mark, so they should be fine to be used in battle."

Betty's eyes widened as she observed the dozens of swords inside the wooden box. They were all beautiful and sharp she could tell at a glance. However, being not a swordsman, she couldn't discern the nuances of a sword hence she felt uncertain about judging their quality, she looked at the Dōjō master with a helpless expression, "Koushirou-sama."

Koushirou only smiled lightly and reassured her, "Don't worry... although not as good as a Meito, these are all first-class swords. If they were put into the market, they would be bought and sold as premium weapons. You can rest assured... Ryuma-kun's smithing skills are quite good." 

"I see," Betty nodded in understanding. She then turned back to Ryuma, stating, "Alright then, until you complete your Swordsmith training, I want you to work as the exclusive Swordsmith for the Revolutionary Army and create weapons for us. Of course, we will pay you for your service, but we won't be able to pay you too much since there is always a lack of funds."

Ryuma smiled, saying, "No problem. I will accept whatever you pay me. At this time, money is not really a problem for me. I am more interested in improving my smithing skills, so don't feel restrained at all. The more weapons you make me smith, the better my skills will get."

"I understand," Betty nodded in acknowledgment and then questioned, "So do we have an agreement?"

"Certainly!" Ryuma agreed with a smile.

Although things had taken a different turn from what he had initially planned, Ryuma was fine with it. A new and better opportunity had appeared before him, and an improved plan started to formulate in his mind around this new opportunity. He thought to himself, 'Hahaha... things are going to get fun from here on.'

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