Chapter 42: Joining Of Naguri

"All of this was created by the inhabitants of the terminal under Roja's leadership," Fujitora explained, despite his visual impairment, he had a clear understanding of the stark contrast between the current terminal and its earlier state.

"The profound emotions of everyone here serve as the most compelling evidence."

"Roja? Is that the boy from earlier?" Naguri inquired in surprise. Initially, he sensed that the boy held a significant position in this place.

"Yes, that's him," Fujitora confirmed.

"It's unbelievable, truly unbelievable. That such a young boy could accomplish all this—it's nothing short of a miracle," Nagurii used the term "miracle" to express his amazement at the transformations he witnessed.

"For someone who knows what this place used to be, this transformation is truly a miracle," Fujitora acknowledged.

Accompanied by Fujitora, Naguri strolled through the entire camp. His expression shifted from initial shock to a more complex demeanour by the end.

"Old man, judging by your tone, have you been here before?" Fujitora inquired.

At this moment, Naguri, still a mysterious pirate who had battled Roger, posed a potential threat. Fujitora aimed to uncover his origins and gather more information.

"You might find it hard to believe, but I actually grew up here," Naguri shared with emotion.

"I grew up in the terminus of uncertain matters. I've been a resident here for over 20 years. I understand the challenging conditions better than anyone else. That's why I desperately escaped and ended up becoming a pirate," Naguri revealed.

"In the blink of an eye, more than forty years have passed. I never thought I would return here again, but unexpectedly, here I am," Naguri's expression showed a hint of relief.

Initially cautious of Roja and the camp, especially due to his severe injuries, Nagli's wariness lessened. Upon discovering that this place was once the terminus of uncertain matters where he spent his early years, he developed a deep appreciation for Roja, who had transformed everything.

After a thorough tour of the entire camp, Naguri gained a comprehensive understanding of the situation.

Throughout this process, his wariness towards Fujitora and Roja considerably diminished.

With many years of piracy and life experience, Naguri, at least in terms of character, was not someone to be overly concerned about.

He intimately knew the conditions of the terminus of uncertain matters before and understood the considerable challenges involved in its transformation.

Someone capable of such an accomplishment couldn't be a malevolent individual.

Consequently, in response to Fujitora's inquiry, he readily disclosed his identity.

"Pirates?" Fujitora responded with a well-timed surprise.

"Yes, a pirate, but you can rest assured, I'm not some malicious pirate. I've never engaged in harming civilians," Naguri clarified.

"I trust you," Fujitora stated with his perceptive, emotional understanding, sensing that Naguri was not a malevolent individual.

"You can take a few days to recuperate here, and there's no need to worry about anything else. Once you've healed, you can decide whether you want to stay or not," Fujitora assured.

"Thank you very much," Naguri expressed his gratitude.

Fujitora, without uttering any further words, turned and departed.

Through the short interaction, Fujitora gained an understanding of the kind of person Naguri was.

He harboured no concerns about Naguri's actions within the camp.

Moreover, Fujitora sensed that the ageing Naguri held some indescribable sentiments for the hometown that had once been marred by unsightliness.

Perhaps, after a few more days, Naguri might decide to stay.

Fujitora possessed a keen ability to discern people accurately, a skill enhanced even more after sacrificing his eyes.

Time elapsed swiftly, and five days had passed since Naguri was rescued ashore.

Over these five days, Naguri's robust physique allowed for a complete recovery from his injuries.

Originally meant to be a reserved move, Roger's knife, considering Naguri's level, was not fatal.

During this period, Naguri seamlessly integrated into the camp, appearing like an ordinary elderly man.

In the mornings, he participated in training, and during the afternoons, he engaged in farm work, exchanging conversations with some elderly residents of the camp.

In the evenings, Naguri even took part in the ideological discussions within the camp.

Upon learning about Naguri from Fujitora, Roja gave him the green light, though there wasn't much to hide regarding the daily affairs of their camp.

Naguri frequently approached Roja with various questions, some of which genuinely surprised him.

Through these exchanges, both of them found themselves gaining valuable insights.

Roja's progressive thinking and innovative methods clarified many uncertainties for Naguri, drawing from the accumulated knowledge gathered during his more than 40 years of sea voyage career.

In return, Roja absorbed the rich life experiences of Naguri, a man in his sixties or seventies, gaining a clearer and more comprehensive understanding of the current state of the world.

Living through decades in this chaotic world and sailing the seas for over forty years, an old man in his sixties or seventies accumulates invaluable knowledge through what they see, hears, and experiences.

Their conversations became an exchange of precious wealth — a compilation of perspectives, life experiences, and insights.

As the night's conversation concluded, Naguri, deep in thought, seemed to reach a decision.

"Mr. Roja, can a former pirate like me join the Revolutionary Army?" Naguri inquired earnestly.

This question had been on Naguri's mind for some time.

After his defeat by Roger, he had essentially abandoned his pirate career in his heart.

While he had considered searching for his lost comrades in the past, he eventually let go of that idea. At nearly seventy years old, his old companions were no longer young, and at this stage of life, Naguri began contemplating different priorities.

Naguri had once ventured onto the seas to escape from his hometown. The ocean had encapsulated his life for over forty years. Yet, unexpectedly, a desire to pursue something different had now sprouted within him.

Initially, this thought was fleeting, but during his time in the camp over the past few days, it took root in his heart and began to flourish.

Escaping from a hometown filled with painful memories over four decades ago, Naguri looked back to find it transformed into a peaceful and hopeful place.

This realization brought about both astonishment and a yearning feeling. The past few days spent in the camp had been fulfilling for him.

Naguri had never experienced such fulfilment. As a child, he had often dreamt of scenes like this in the dreamland within the garbage dump, and now, it had become a tangible reality.

His desire to join the Revolutionary Army stemmed from seeing hope in changing this decadent world.

"As long as you haven't committed any unforgivable crimes, the Revolutionary Army welcomes comrades like you to join," Roja declared.

"Welcome to join, Comrade Naguri," Roja smiled, extending his hand in camaraderie.

Naguri extended his hand in a daze. At that moment, it was as if he saw the sea within this young man—boundless, expansive, and all-encompassing.

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