Due to the large number of pirates, the Endless Dream couldn't accommodate them all, so Zyhark had no choice but to temporarily place them on the Tactician's pirate ship.
He contacted the nearest Marine base via the public Den Den Mushi to have them send a warship to pick up the prisoners.
While Zyhark and the others were busy tying up and packaging the Krieg Pirates, Gin sat on the deck with a grim expression, remaining silent throughout.
Once they finished and returned to the Endless Dream, Gin slowly stood up, pointing a steel-ball flail directly at Zyhark's head, initiating a do-or-die battle to the end.
Despite his internal conflict, being a member of the Krieg Pirates, he felt compelled to fight until the final moment.
Zyhark, seeing the determination in Gin's eyes and despite the fatigue on his face, decisively accepted his challenge.
Words were unnecessary between men.
Soon, the two, weapons in hand, were fighting on the deck of the Endless Dream!
Surprisingly, Aqua did not interfere this time. Instead, she poured herself a glass of chilled cola from the first-floor restaurant and sat on the side with her legs crossed, watching the fight.
King maintained his indifferent stance, arms crossed, with a slight furrow in his brow, seemingly still pondering why the pirates hadn't fired at him.
Although they hadn't known each other long, both Aqua and King knew what kind of person Gin was and weren't particularly concerned about this so-called "battle to the death."
As expected, it didn't take many exchanges before Gin's weapon was disarmed by Zyhark, leaving him sprawled in a 'big' character on the deck.
Besides the obvious disparity in their combat skills, a bigger reason was that Gin had never intended to win from the start.
"It's over, Gin."
Zyhark stood with his sword in hand, the sharp tip pointed at Gin's head.
This was the first time he addressed Gin by his real name.
The cold gleam of the blade reflected both their faces.
Gin looked straight at the sword inches away from him, his eyes calm, showing no trace of fear.
"Mr. Zyhark, thank you, as well as Lady Aqua and Sir King, for the days I spent on the Endless Dream. They were the happiest of my life."
"Go ahead."
Gin slowly closed his eyes, awaiting death.
Having chosen the pirate life, he was prepared to die at the hands of other pirates or the Marines.
Dying at the hands of the man who avenged his family's destruction was the greatest grace he could ask for from fate.
Thinking this, a faint smile appeared on Gin's lips.
Whoosh!
The sound of the sword cutting through the air was followed by a slight vibration under him.
The expected pain and release did not arrive.
"Mr. Zyhark, what are you..."
Gin, reopening his eyes, saw the blade embedded in the deck beside his head, filled with confusion and astonishment.
"Ridding the world of pirates in the name of justice isn't something a mere sea restaurant owner like me should be doing."
Zyhark pulled the sword from the deck and sheathed it, then turned to gaze at the wreckage of the Krieg fleet floating on the sea.
"The Battle Commander of the Krieg Pirates died just now, and you are just a temporary worker I mercifully kept on board."
"Don't die too easily before you've paid off your debt, Biskin."
He reverted to calling Gin by his alias.
Gin stared dumbfounded at the imposing figure bathed in sunlight, unable to articulate a proper response.
With Zyhark's strength, it was clear he didn't care about the trivial debt.
Soon, Gin understood Zyhark's true intention.
He was giving him a chance, a chance to atone for his many sins.
With that realization, even the hardened warrior couldn't stop the tears that sprang to his eyes.
"Thank you, thank you, Mr. Zyhark..."
Gin, or rather Biskin, covered his face as he wept uncontrollably.
"So, Biskin, would you consider joining my crew? It might not earn as much as being a pirate, but you'll definitely be well-fed," Zyhark said, turning back around.
After defeating Krieg, he still had the strength to handle emergencies.
His apparent fatigue was largely an act for Gin, the battle commander, to see.
The results spoke for themselves; Gin's response passed his "test."
Considering the man's decent talents and intelligence (importantly), and how he could be helpful to the crew, Zyhark extended an invitation.
"That's right, Biskin, stay on the ship. I find you quite agreeable, even though you're a pirate," Aqua chimed in from the side, sipping her cola.
Having Biskin on board meant she could finally say goodbye to all the dirty and tiring tasks on the ship.
Compared to such crucial benefits, whether he was a pirate didn't matter at all.
"Mr. Zyhark, Lady Aqua, even knowing I'm a ruthless pirate, you still..."
Lying on the deck, Biskin widened his eyes in disbelief.
Looking up at the clear sky, he reflected on his past deeds, which flashed through his mind like a movie.
After wiping the tears from his eyes, his gaze became resolute.
"Sorry, please forgive me, I cannot accept your offer."
"Until I have atoned for the sins I have committed, I do not deserve to stay on this ship."
...
In the end, determined to change, Biskin left the Endless Dream on a dilapidated small boat.
"Lady Aqua! Can someone as terrible as me also join the Axis Church?!"
Alone on the waves, he turned back and shouted to Aqua on the deck.
During his time working at the sea restaurant, as the proactive and narcissistic goddess of water, Aqua had naturally shared with him the teachings of the Church of Axis.
"Of course, as long as you believe in me and spread the doctrine, you will always be a follower of the Church of Axis!" Aqua responded.
Spread the doctrine...
Hearing this, Biskin's tears flowed once more.
Feeling somewhat redeemed, his ferocious eyes sparkled with an out-of-character frenzy.
"Although it's a bit shameless to say, Lady Aqua, Mr. Zyhark, and Sir King..."
"Let's met on the Grand Line!"
(End of Chapter)