White Wolf Magnus actually invited me to dinner… has he finally noticed my charm?

Stussy's heart raced at Magnus' invitation.

Most pirates were ugly and boorish, but Magnus was nothing like them.

Two years ago, she'd asked to join the White Wolf Pirates.

Back then, Magnus told her plainly: the crew needed a doctor, but not a mediocre one. If she could match even half of the Goat Doctor's skill, he'd let her aboard.

That was why Stussy had worked so hard on her medical skills these past two years.

As for helping the poor?

Glancing at the sickly man trembling in front of her as Magnus stood aside, Stussy secretly sneered. I'll help you for now, for my future captain's sake.

But the line of patients was long.

By the time Stussy finished her work, the sun was nearly set.

"Sorry to keep you waiting, Captain Magnus."

She jogged out of the clinic, brushing aside damp golden hair as the sunset's glow lit her face. Her arm, pressing against her white coat, drew the eye to her generous figure.

Even Magnus, seasoned as he was, found himself briefly dazed at the sight of the eighteen-year-old girl presenting her best self without reservation.

"…Captain Magnus?"

Thankfully, he recovered quickly, diverting his gaze through sheer willpower.

"Mm. Let's go."

But Stussy noticed that fleeting lapse—

And in her heart, she was secretly delighted.

So even the White King's will isn't so unshakable after all…

With that thought, her steps grew lighter.

"Hmph hmph~"

"You seem to be in a good mood, Stussy."

"My instincts tell me something good is about to happen."

"Oh? So you've already guessed?"

At an open-air restaurant by the shore, Magnus ordered a few dishes and handed her the menu.

"I told you once, Stussy: when your skills reached half the Goat Doctor's level, I'd let you join the White Wolf Pirates."

"And now, it's time to keep my word."

"You're inviting me to join, Captain?"

"That's right."

Even though she had already guessed, hearing him confirm it still made Stussy's heart flutter.

"But."

Magnus' tone shifted.

"This isn't necessarily a good choice."

That brought her back down.

"The White Wolf Pirates are wanted by the World Government. Every crewmember carries a bounty, branded as a criminal."

He looked her in the eye, calm and steady.

"You, Stussy, are different. Here on Sphinx you have stable work and a respectable income. Even without us, you can live a comfortable life."

"As I told you two years ago."

"The White Wolf Pirates don't need a clumsy doctor. You could continue learning at the clinic, gaining experience, and decide later."

Stussy was not like Rocks and the others.

When Rocks gripped his blade and set out to sea, his life had already been bound to the path of a pirate. Newgate was the same.

Battle was their destiny.

For them to achieve greatness, they had to fight.

But Stussy… she still had a choice.

Joining the White Wolf Pirates meant being branded by the World Government. If they couldn't win in the end, she'd never know peace again.

If she stayed…

The clinic was just a humble hospital under their protection. Even if the crew was destroyed someday, no one would bother punishing a little clinic.

Reality wasn't a game.

With your life on the line, who could guarantee constant victory?

"Stussy, everyone only gets one chance to choose their path."

She knew this was the final question before joining.

If she answered right, she'd be accepted.

But what was her answer?

Did Magnus see through her carefully cultivated facade? At the clinic, she was the kind, beautiful, skilled young doctor.

But deep down…

Only Stussy knew her true nature. Everything she'd done was for this moment—joining the White Wolf Pirates, climbing into Magnus' bed, and someday milking him for his fortune.

She was far from pure—ugly, even.

It all went back to her childhood, when her father sold her to slavers for less than ten thousand Beli. She escaped and hid in the orphanage on Sphinx—only for it to go bankrupt soon after.

That's when she decided: money was everything. With money, you could buy power, status, strength.

Then she met the Goat Doctor—a good man who treated the poor kindly and scorned pirates. She was grateful, but secretly thought he was a fool.

Money you don't take is money wasted.

Her so-called purity had always been a commodity, saved for the right price.

And Magnus was the perfect buyer.

Older, fabulously rich, handsome—a far better option than the revolting pirates she'd seen. If not for his infamy, he could pass for a refined nobleman.

If she could snag him, her "purity" would finally pay off.

Love? Too luxurious for someone like her.

Even now, faced with his question, she already had her answer.

The clinic is hard work for little pay. Joining the crew means just keeping Magnus and his men healthy—easy, and more lucrative.

And who says anywhere is truly safe? If there is a safe place in this world… it's probably by his side.

Remembering how he'd rescued her from that hulking pirate earlier, Stussy's hand tightened on her drink. That feeling of safety lingered.

It wasn't love. Just adrenaline—the so-called suspension bridge effect.

She forced herself to stay composed.

"If I join the White Wolf Pirates… you'll protect me, won't you, Captain?"

"Haha, of course."

Even taking her on, Magnus never expected her to be a fighter.

Her job was to sharpen her medical skills and get his people back in shape quickly.

"Then… I'll join."

She smiled faintly.

"Besides, wasn't this what you promised me? I worked so hard for this answer. If I gave up now, it would all be for nothing."

"Then as you wish."

Magnus shrugged, extending his hand with a smile.

"Stussy, welcome to the White Wolf Pirates!"

…

(End of Chapter)

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