"Are you... inviting me?"
"Formally inviting me? To join your faction?"
Loki pointed at his own nose, confirming again.
"Exactly." Michael nodded firmly, his expression resolute and brimming with self-moved emotion—though one hand behind his back was frantically signaling Rocks.
"You are one of the strongest warriors of the Giant Tribe, bearing the noble bloodline of the former king, possessing the legendary Devil Fruit passed down through Elbaf for tens of thousands of years... And now, I invite you, warrior, to raise your warhammer and join me in bringing Ragnarök to the mighty but corrupt World Government!"
Seeing Michael's gestures, Rocks immediately understood.
This old man, after losing most of his power, had grown sharper by the day.
Since joining the Angel Alliance, whether in cadre assessment scores or performance reviews, he had always been the undisputed top scorer.
Be it written exams or interviews, high-level planning or grassroots practice, he left everyone convinced.
Truly a born leader.
Having once been active in various grassroots units, deeply understanding the people and solving countless problems, Rocks worked seamlessly with Michael.
"Of course, what Michael said is just one aspect. What we value more is your talent. You are the dream recruit for the Angel Alliance, you are..."
"The person we need, the one we long for."
Michael and Rocks, working in tandem, served up grand promises followed immediately by heartfelt care.
A flawless combo...
Loki, who had been pretending to be deep and brooding, burst into tears on the spot.
Shanks watched from the side, his scalp tingling.
From his perspective, the scene wasn't exactly pleasant!
Two uncles with sinister grins were practically groping a forty-meter-tall child, conducting a downright inhumane recruitment!
It made even a pirate like him want to slash at them!
Still, despite the visual oddity, Shanks let out a sigh of relief.
He had genuinely worried that if Loki stubbornly refused to listen...
Michael might have just outright killed him.
After all, a Giant with a 2.6 billion berry bounty could unleash destruction on a scale unmatched by others of similar strength.
Michael... wouldn't risk his subordinates or civilians like that.
Shanks had clearly seen Michael's hand resting on his sword, ready to strike at any moment.
Only when Loki broke down in tears did he finally relax his grip.
"Since you have no objections! Then in one day, we'll lead Elbaf's army to march!"
"But... what about Charlotte Linlin? Will there be any issues?"
Loki asked with some concern.As Michael had previously thought, Loki had basically grown up without any proper education or supervision.
It was already quite remarkable that he hadn't turned out completely rotten.
Now he could even consider whether Charlotte Linlin, who had effectively taken control of Elbaf, would have any objections to Elbaf directly mobilizing its army.
"Whole Cake Island is also a member of the Angel Alliance... Before the war begins, we will definitely join forces with the troops dispatched by Whole Cake Island."
After Michael's explanation, Loki visibly relaxed.
Even though Loki had lived with all sorts of bad reputations for decades, he didn't want to add any new entries to that list.
Of course, after shedding these emotional burdens, the thoroughly relaxed Loki fully displayed the annoying personality traits he had developed from years of being left to his own devices.
"Wahahahaha! Since you've gotten weaker now, I won't hold it against you for beating me up before!" Loki roared with laughter, poking Rocks' shoulder with a finger and sending him swaying like a lone boat on the sea.
"When we get to the battlefield, you'd better hide properly behind me!"
"...Don't say I didn't warn you, Comrade Loki. While I may be your equal in personality as a comrade, I am your superior in terms of duty..."
As Rocks bounced around from the poking, he began giving Loki the most basic education.
A monster was born in Elbaf.
But the Angel Alliance will turn monsters into truly powerful warriors and outstanding talents.
From the very beginning when Michael led the rebellion, he never intended just to overthrow the Celestial Dragons.
Rebelling without building is just like the damn Taiping Heavenly Kingdom.
And Rocks' education of Loki was exactly what Michael had hoped to see.
This signified that the ideology he had spread was already taking root in some people's hearts, gradually spreading to others.
So...
Could this be considered as walking the path to revolutionary success?
Michael chuckled, then noticed Shanks' peculiar gaze fixed upon him.
Turning his head, he looked at this man who had inherited Roger's legacy yet carried Celestial Dragon blood.
"What's wrong? Why are you looking at me like that?"
"I think... I only asked you to take over Loki's education," Shanks scratched his head and removed his straw hat, "I never said I wanted to get involved in your affairs."
"You mean..."
"Ragnarök." Shanks shook his head, "I just... want to sail freely with my brothers and family... As for being called pirates or not, I don't really care."
"But have you considered that you're a Celestial Dragon?" Michael's eyes suddenly turned sharp.
"If you don't join this world-changing tide, sooner or later, you and your brothers will suffer because of this identity! The harm might come from civilians oppressed by Celestial Dragons, or from the bloodline itself... Don't forget the Figarland family—your biological father and brother are no saints... If they insist on dispersing and hiding completely in this world, we probably can't eliminate them all at once... Do you really want to experience another incident like Uta and Buggy being kidnapped?"
Seeing Red-Haired Shanks remain silent, Michael sighed.
Although Shanks had reached the pinnacle of strength, he was still too idealistic about certain matters.
However, Michael wasn't worried.
After all, in this world's Red Hair Pirates, there was Buggy the Clown serving as chief of staff.
This shrewd man... wouldn't let Shanks suffer losses.
"...I'll consider it." Shanks nodded solemnly, then changed the subject, "By the way, among your subordinates behind you just now... I spotted some familiar faces. Like that Luffy you once asked me to deliver the Devil Fruit to on his destined path..."
"What? Want to introduce yourself to him?"
"No, I'm more interested in his brother."
As he spoke, a glint flashed in Red Hair's eyes.
"Monkey D. Ace."