Boom!
Ranga leapt from the sea and slammed down hard onto the deck of the Moby Dick. The tremendous impact caused the entire ship to rock violently.
"Who the hell are you?! How dare you provoke the Whitebeard Pirates!"
"I'm so sorry! Ranga didn't mean it!" Rimuru quickly released his tight grip on Ranga's fur and scolded him, "Geez, Ranga, don't jump so high next time! We're here to say hello, not to start a fight. Be more careful!"
"Wooo... my Lord…"
Ranga whimpered in protest, looking pitiful. He hadn't done it on purpose.
"There, there, I'm not mad at you," Rimuru said gently, stroking his fur to comfort him.
Encouraged by Rimuru's words, Ranga perked up immediately. "Yes, my Lord!" he responded cheerfully, wagging his tail so fast it looked like a spinning fan.
While Rimuru and Ranga conversed, the Whitebeard Pirates stared in complete confusion. Even Whitebeard himself was surprised. His Observation Haki clearly sensed that the blue-haired little "girl" was incredibly powerful—so powerful that her presence alone radiated an overwhelming pressure. The wolf beside her was also a threat.
"When did the seas gain such powerful beings?" Whitebeard thought to himself.
"Hey, kid! Do you even know where you are?" one of the lower-ranked pirates shouted.
"Kid?" Rimuru twitched at the word. I'm an adult, thank you very much!
Taking a deep breath, the Demon Lord decided to let it slide. I shall not lower myself to argue with this fool.
Then Rimuru looked toward the massive man seated ahead. "Is that... Whitebeard?! The living Whitebeard!"
His eyes sparkled as he stared intently at the man.
"What? You've seen me dead before?" Whitebeard asked with a smirk, catching Rimuru's look.
He had seen countless people, but never eyes like Rimuru's—so pure, so clear, so bright. They made him instinctively relax. Such eyes couldn't be faked. Only a newborn could possess a gaze so untouched by the world.
"⊙⊙! No, that's not what I meant!" Rimuru panicked. "I mean, I kind of did see you before, but that doesn't really count… how do I explain this…"
"Gurararara! Enough. Don't hurt yourself trying to explain," Whitebeard laughed heartily, amused by Rimuru's confusion.
"Wait… you're not bothered by the idea of your death?" Rimuru asked, a little surprised.
"Kid, everyone has to face death someday. But a man who sails the seas—how could he possibly fear it? I'm Whitebeard. Not even the gods can take me down so easily!"
Whitebeard lifted the massive jug beside him and took a deep swig.
"That's right! Pops would never die! We won't be defeated!"
The surrounding pirates erupted in cheers at Whitebeard's bold words. This was their captain—the strongest man in the world!
Rimuru couldn't help but smile. "As expected of you!"
"So cute..." thought a few of the nearby pirates, blushing at Rimuru's smile.
"What's your name?" Whitebeard asked, setting down his jug.
"I'm Rimuru Tempest! A good slime, thank you very much!" Rimuru declared proudly. "Also, I'm a Demon Lord."
"A Demon Lord? A good slime? O_o"
Whitebeard was dumbfounded. "Since when does a Demon Lord look like that? And what the hell is a slime? A Slime Demon Lord? What, do you kill your enemies by making them laugh to death?"
"Hey! What's that supposed to mean? Why can't I be a Demon Lord?!"
Rimuru's face flushed with anger. Was that not a personal insult? What, just because I'm a slime, I can't be a Demon Lord? I don't eat your rice, man!
"I've read books, kid. Every Demon Lord is fierce, muscular, and evil. You? You're more like… the Moe Lord!" Whitebeard snorted.
That instantly reminded Rimuru of Milim, Ramiris, and the others… Okay, maybe he wasn't entirely wrong.
"I am a Demon Lord!" Rimuru growled through clenched teeth, glaring at Whitebeard.
"Fine, fine, you're a Demon Lord, sure you are," Whitebeard laughed uncontrollably. "So, Your Adorable Majesty, what brings you here?"
He's doing this on purpose! Rimuru nearly exploded. Who said Whitebeard was a serious man?! He's just a dirty old tease!
"Pffft—!"
The whole ship trembled with suppressed laughter. Some pirates couldn't hold it in.
Rimuru's eye twitched. Unforgivable! Wait a sec...
"Ranga-chan! I can forgive them laughing at me, but you too?!"
Rimuru turned to see Ranga grinning. That was the last straw!
"Ugh, never mind... Whitebeard, where are you guys headed anyway?" Rimuru sighed, calming down.
Unexpectedly, Whitebeard's face turned solemn.
"We're going to send off a friend... Gol D. Roger."
"NANI?!" ⊙▽⊙
Rimuru was stunned!