"Two years have passed so quickly..."
Meiser glanced at the timetable beside him, a trace of emotion flashing in his eyes.
Hearing his words, the others who had been chatting nearby immediately fell silent.
Hancock then said sadly, "So... you're leaving, right?"
"Yes, it's time for me to depart."
"Then I shall—"
Before Hancock could finish her sentence, Granny Nyon interrupted, "Hancock!"
"Don't forget what we discussed earlier."
She knew all too well the temperament of Kuja Island's empresses, so she had to remind her.
Hancock: .—
"I know!" Hancock said irritably to Granny Nyon. "I won't recklessly follow Meiser away!"
Really, did she have to keep reminding her?
Granny Nyon nodded upon hearing this and said nothing more.
Once Granny Nyon fell silent, Hancock turned her gaze to Meiser, looking pitiful as she said, "Meiser, I'll miss you..."
"If you miss me, just call me," Meiser said with a laugh.
"Right, call me!"
Hancock pulled out the White Transponder Snail that Meiser had previously obtained from Shakky and said, "If I miss you, I'll contact you with this."
After a pause, she added, "Then... can I go to the New World to find you?"
"Hancock..."
"Crack!"
At the sound of Granny Nyon's voice, veins bulged on Hancock's forehead. She turned and snarled with a shark-like grin, "Can you just shut up?!"
Granny Nyon: .
Calmly wiping her face, Granny Nyon said, "I just wanted to remind you that you can go to the New World to find Meiser, but you cannot board the Straw Hat Pirates' ship. Otherwise, it could easily be used against us!"
"If the World Government discovers our connection to Meiser... they would immediately destroy our Kuja Island in a fit of rage."
It was no longer just about the title of Royal Seven Warlords of the Sea.
Given Hancock's relationship with Meiser, the World Government would undoubtedly come to eliminate them, so their connection must not be exposed!
At least... not now!
Noticing Hancock's dazed expression, Meiser spoke up, "Granny Nyon is right."
"The World Government despises me to the core. If they find out about our relationship, they will definitely retaliate against Kuja Island. Capturing the Straw Hat Pirates might be difficult, but attacking Kuja Island is simple."
"After all... this island is right here!"
Hancock fell silent for a moment upon hearing this, then sighed and said, "I... I understand."
Though she longed to leave without a care, for the sake of Kuja Island, for Granny Nyon and her sisters... she could only endure it...—
"That's a relief..." Granny Nyon sighed with relief.
She had genuinely feared Hancock would recklessly leave with Meiser without a second thought. After all... things were different now compared to the past!
"By the way, Brother-in-law, shouldn't you disguise yourself?" Sandersonia suggested.
If they went directly to Sabaody Archipelago like this, wouldn't they risk drawing the World Government's attention?
They might not even be able to leave afterward.
"That won't be necessary."
Meiser picked up the sunglasses from the table and put them on, saying, "I've changed so much over these two years, they won't recognize me."
With that, Meiser stood up and walked to the mirror to carefully examine his appearance.
He then nodded in satisfaction.
He had grown at least thirty centimeters taller, now standing considerably higher than Hancock.
Combined with his current style of dress...
Even if he stood right in front of the Marines, they wouldn't recognize him!
After hearing Meiser's words, Sandersonia studied his appearance carefully before nodding. "Well... that's true."
If they hadn't been staying with Meiser all this time, they probably wouldn't have been able to recognize him either.
"As long as Meiser doesn't actively expose himself, there shouldn't be any problems," Granny Nyon said.
At the very least, they should be able to safely reach the New World.
"Indeed."
Meiser nodded. "However... if that guy Kizaru appears near me, he'd still be able to detect me."
Although his appearance had changed dramatically, his aura remained the same.
If Borsalino used Observation Haki to sense him, he could still be identified.
"The Marines don't have the resources to station an Admiral at Sabaody Archipelago," Granny Nyon shook her head.
Over these past two years, the number of pirates had skyrocketed!
Therefore, the Marines couldn't possibly station an Admiral at a place like Sabaody Archipelago.
"Hmm..."
After recalling some intelligence he'd seen earlier from Sister Shakky, Meiser nodded. "You're right."
Because of Whitebeard's declaration, the entire sea had gone wild, so the Marine Admirals truly had their hands full.
At that moment, Marigold inquired, "Brother-in-law, what happened to your sword?"
Just a few days ago, Brother-in-law had that sword at his waist. Why wasn't it there now?
"You mean the Kusanagi Sword," Meiser said. "I don't need it anymore, so I sealed it inside a scroll."
"Why, do you need it?"
With his current strength, he had no use for such ordinary blades, so there was no need to carry such a distinctive weapon.
"Not really, I was just curious," Marigold shook her head.
Given her size, she couldn't use such a small weapon anyway, so it would be useless to her.
This time, Meiser simply nodded without saying anything more.
"Brother-in-law, will you depart for the New World immediately after gathering with the others?" Sandersonia asked.
"Of course," Meiser nodded.
Merry and Uncle Rayleigh, who had returned to Kuja Island, had already been gone for half a month. The ship must have been coated by now.
So after gathering, they would set sail immediately to quickly shake off any Marine pursuit.
"I see..."
Sandersonia fell silent for a moment upon hearing this, then said, "Who knows when we'll meet again next time."
"It might not be that long," Meiser said cheerfully. "Maybe we'll conquer the Grand Line within a year."
"One year?"
Sandersonia was taken aback. Was that even possible?
Not even the Pirate King had been that outrageous.
"Nothing is absolute," Granny Nyon interjected. "So there is such a possibility."
Although it sounded like a fantasy... this sea itself is full of miracles, isn't it!
Sandersonia pondered for a moment before nodding. "That's true."
"Well, it's time to set off," Meiser stood up and said. "Let's go pick up that guy Luffy first."
After living on that island for so long, he's probably turned into a primitive man by now.
As if thinking of something, a smile appeared on Meiser's face.
"Then let's go," Hancock stood up and said. "This princess will personally see you off."
This way she could spend more time with Meiser.
"Alright."
Meiser didn't refuse, nodding in acceptance of Hancock's suggestion.
Subsequently, Hancock led Sandersonia and her sister outward, intending to sail the ship out first.
Meanwhile, Meiser looked seriously at Granny Nyon and said, "Granny Nyon, I'm leaving."
"Go ahead."
A kindly expression appeared on Granny Nyon's face. "Be careful on your journey."
"Don't worry, with our strength, nothing will happen," Meiser grinned.
"Hmm."
Granny Nyon nodded, then continued, "Remember to protect Merry well."
Hearing this, Meiser smiled and said, "Granny Nyon... Merry isn't that little kid who needs protection anymore."
"Her current strength is nothing to scoff at!"
After hearing Meiser's words, Granny Nyon felt somewhat dazed for a moment.
After a while, she said, "Yes... that little one isn't weak now either..."
Unknowingly, that little one who only knew how to act cute had become so capable.
Thinking of this, a touch of emotion appeared in Granny Nyon's eyes.
Seeing Granny Nyon's expression, Meiser smiled and said, "Granny Nyon, if Kuja Island encounters any trouble, give me a call. I'll return immediately."
"Alright."
The composed Granny Nyon nodded with a smile. "If that day really comes, I won't stand on ceremony with you."
"But... as long as your relationship with Hancock isn't exposed, there shouldn't be any danger."
After all... Hancock is one of the Royal Seven Warlords of the Sea!
So the World Government and Marines wouldn't attack them without reason.
As for whether the Royal Seven Warlords of the Sea might be abolished...
Don't be ridiculous, why would the World Government do such a thing?
So it's absolutely impossible!
Thinking this, Granny Nyon nodded with certainty.
"Don't worry, it won't be exposed," Meiser smiled.
"Hmm."
Granny Nyon nodded, then said, "Go now, have a smooth journey."
"Alright!"
"Ahhh... I'm so full..."
Luffy, with his round belly from eating, lay on the ground contentedly.
"Roar?"
The giant lion looked at Luffy who had stopped eating, tilting its head and letting out a low growl.
Its expression seemed to say: Boss, aren't you eating anymore?
Luffy glanced at the prey the other had just caught, then waved his hand and said, "I'm full, you can have it."
"Roar!"
The giant lion nodded upon receiving the affirmative reply, then proceeded to share the mammoth in front of him with his smaller companions. Seeing this, Luffy grinned before turning his gaze to the nearby bonfire, muttering, "I wonder if it's been two years already... There's no way to track time here, so I've got no idea how long it's been."
After pondering for a moment, Luffy gave up on thinking.
"Whatever, Meiser will come get me when the time comes, so no need to rush," Luffy declared.
Having settled this in his mind, Luffy closed his eyes to rest.
A short while later—
"ROAR!!"
A tremendous roar echoed from the distance, as if some colossal beast were driving intruders from its territory.
But before the roar could fully fade, it transformed into a shriek of agony.
"Roar!"
Followed by a thunderous crash.
"BOOM!!"
"Eek!"
Hearing the distant commotion, several giant beasts instinctively trembled, then stared warily toward the source of the sound.
If memory served... that was the saber-toothed tiger's territory!
"Huh?"
Sensing something amiss, Luffy sat up and used Observation Haki to assess the situation over there.
The moment he "saw" the familiar presence, his expression lit up with excitement.
"Meiser!!"
Meiser had come for him!
"Roar?!"
Hearing that name, the giant beasts immediately tucked their tails between their legs, cold sweat pouring down their faces.
In that instant, they recalled the terrifying memories of being pummeled by that man.
It was truly...
Exchanging glances, the beasts collectively shed tears.
Shortly after, Meiser arrived riding a saber-toothed tiger sporting a large bump on its head, looking utterly relaxed.
"Yo, Luffy!"
Seeing Luffy's excited face, Meiser grinned. "Long time no see!"
Come to think of it, they hadn't met for a year and a half.
"It has been too long!" Luffy grinned widely, baring his teeth.
"The two years are up. Come with me."
"So it's already been two years..."
A trace of nostalgia flashed across Luffy's face before he said, "Wait for me, I need to get my hat back."
He'd left his hat at the very center of the island, so he had to make a trip there first.
"Sure."
Meiser nodded and tossed Luffy a set of clothes. "Change into these while you're at it."
Luffy was currently dressed like a wild man—it'd be better for him to change.
"Alright!"
Still grinning, Luffy nodded, took the items, and hurried off.
Watching Luffy depart, Meiser turned his attention to the giant beasts nearby.
"Eek!"
Feeling his gaze, the beasts shuddered involuntarily.
"Look how scared you all are," Meiser chuckled. "I'm not going to eat you."
If he'd really wanted to devour them, they'd have ended up in his stomach a year ago.
"Phew..."
Hearing they weren't on the menu, the beasts collectively sighed in relief.
Tears welled up in their eyes.
To avoid being eaten by these two calamities, they had paid far too much...
"Roar?"
The saber-toothed tiger looked at Meiser with a fawning expression, as if saying: Could you spare me too?
"I won't eat you either," Meiser said irritably.
"Roar roar!"
After receiving confirmation, the saber-toothed tiger visibly relaxed.
Soon after, it lay down comfortably, its breathing returning to normal.
Shortly, Luffy came running back in fresh clothes, wearing his treasured Straw Hat.
"Let's go, Meiser!"
"Alright!"
Meiser nodded, then patted the saber-toothed tiger, signaling it to carry him and Luffy to the seaside.
"By the way, why haven't I seen Merry?" Luffy asked after climbing onto the tiger's back.
"Merry went to Sabaody Archipelago half a month ago."
Luffy was taken aback, then frowned. "Did she go alone?"
"No, she went with Uncle Rayleigh."
"That's good..." Luffy sighed in relief.
He had been genuinely worried that little Merry might have sailed back alone—after all, that could have been dangerous!
"Luffy, Merry isn't the same little girl she was two years ago," Meiser said.
Luffy: ???
What did that mean?
What did he mean by Merry not being the same little girl from two years ago?
Seeing Luffy's expression, Meiser understood what he was thinking.
Having not seen Merry for over two years, Luffy obviously wasn't aware of the changes in her.
"You'll understand when you see Merry," Meiser said with a laugh.
"Alright then."
Luffy nodded, then grinned. "Let's head to Sabaody Archipelago first and talk about it there."
"Okay!"
Meanwhile, at Sabaody Archipelago.
In Shakky's Rip-off Bar, Rayleigh and the other two were chatting happily.
"The ship's coating is finished, right?" Shakky said.
"Yes, it was completed yesterday," Rayleigh nodded. "We can set off immediately once everyone has gathered."
As for the ship's safety...
The hiding spot for the Pirate Ship was very secret, so there shouldn't be any issues for now.
Hearing this, Shakky nodded, then poured Rayleigh a special drink. "Here, drink this."
"I prepared it especially for you."
Once Merry and the others left, she and Rayleigh could resume their wonderful life together.
At this thought, Shakky couldn't help but smile.
"More to drink?"
Looking at the drink pushed in front of him, Rayleigh made a complicated expression.
"Hmm?"
Rayleigh:
Seeing Shakky's expression, Rayleigh reluctantly picked up the drink from the table and started drinking.
Shakky smiled contentedly at this, then turned to pour Merry a glass of juice.
"Thank you, Sister Shakky!"
"You're welcome."
Shakky chuckled and ruffled Little Merry's head, then glanced at the time. "It's already been two years since we agreed to meet. I wonder where the others are now."
"I'm not sure about the others, but Meiser and the other one should be arriving soon," Rayleigh said.
Given the speed of the Kuja Ship, it would only take a few days to reach Sabaody Archipelago.
If Meiser used his Water Release Technique to travel, they'd be even faster.
"That's true."
Just then, a man pushed the door open and entered, looking very pleased.
"Oh?"
Sensing the familiar presence, Rayleigh turned with a hearty laugh and said, "You've finally arrived!"
"Well now," Shakky chuckled, "if it isn't the Pirate Hunter~"
"Zoro!!"
Seeing that familiar face, Merry immediately took flight, darting swiftly toward Zoro!
Zoro: !!
Watching Merry fly straight toward him, Zoro was utterly dumbfounded.
Instinctively catching the little one, Zoro exclaimed, "Merry... how can you fly?"
Could it be that this little one ate a Devil Fruit during these two years?
It wasn't impossible.
"Because I awakened the power of wind, so I can fly," Merry explained.
"So it's an awakening..."
"Huh?"
Zoro trailed off, then gasped in shock, "Awakening?"
"You didn't eat a Devil Fruit?"
"No, I didn't eat a Devil Fruit," Merry shook her head.
"Then how were you able to awaken the power of wind?"
Merry thought for a moment before replying, "Probably because I'm a spirit. That's what Meiser told me."
She couldn't think of any other explanation.
"Meiser said that?!" Zoro's eyes lit up instantly. "So that brat really is still alive!"
When he saw the second newspaper, he already thought the World Government was spouting nonsense. Now it seemed his hunch was right!
"Of course!" Merry laughed. "Meiser is doing just fine!"
"That's good..." Zoro breathed a sigh of relief.
As long as he's alive... that's all that matters!
Just then, Merry noticed the condition of Zoro's eye.
"Zoro, your eye..."
Seeing Merry's tearful gaze, Zoro smiled and said, "Just the price of tuition."
If it meant becoming stronger, what was the loss of one eye?
"Do you want Meiser to take a look at it?" Merry asked. "His Medical Ninja Technique might be able to heal it."
"No need," Zoro shook his head without hesitation. "This is proof of my growth, a mark to remember something important. I won't restore this eye."
"Well... alright then..."
Chuckling, Zoro reached out and ruffled Merry's head before looking up at Rayleigh. "Have the others arrived yet?"
"No."
Rayleigh shook his head. "Besides Merry, who came back with me early, you're the first one here."
Hearing Rayleigh's words, Zoro fell silent for a moment, then a grin spread uncontrollably across his face.
Finally, he even laughed out loud.
"Haha, so I'm the first one here," Zoro said. "These guys are hopeless."
Heh heh heh... now he had a reason to mock that damn cook.
The thought made Zoro laugh even more heartily.
"Huh?"
Watching Zoro's continuous laughter, a question mark popped up above Merry's head.
Why was Zoro so happy?
Was it because he didn't get lost this time?
The thought made Merry fall into deep contemplation.
It seemed... not impossible.
Shakky smiled, then glanced toward the door and said, "Aren't you going to invite the one outside to come in?"
"Outside?"
Hearing this, Merry wriggled out of Zoro's embrace and noticed Perona floating behind him.
"Eh?!"
"You're that... that villain who plays with ghosts!"
Recalling what had happened before, Merry nodded affirmatively.
Perona:
Just as Perona was about to greet them, she pulled a face upon hearing Merry's words and said irritably, "How am I a bad person???"
What's with this kid? Accusing people right off the bat.
"You used your abilities to bully us before—isn't that what a bad woman does?"
"That's because we were enemies back then, okay?" Perona retorted helplessly.
They had been on opposing sides, so of course she had to use her abilities against them—how else could she have lived up to Lord Moria's expectations?
"She's not an enemy, Merry," Zoro interjected. "I was only able to come here because of her."
Though he hated to admit it, Zoro knew he couldn't have made it back to Sabaody Archipelago on his own.
So he was genuinely grateful to Perona.
"Not just that," Perona added. "I saved your life, you know!"
"If it weren't for me, you would've starved to death after getting lost!"
Zoro: ???
That was something only the two of them needed to know—why did she have to bring it up?
"Pfft—" Shakky and Rayleigh couldn't hold back their laughter.
Zoro:
Suddenly felt like crawling into a hole.
"So that's how it is..."
Merry studied Perona seriously before nodding. "In that case, I'll forgive you." She paused, then continued, "Also, thank you for saving Zoro."
"That's more like it," Perona said, a smirk tugging at her lips.
She then floated past Zoro into the room and asked, "I heard from Zoro that you're an information broker?"
"Yes," Shakky replied with a cheerful nod. "Are you looking to buy information from me?"
Perona hesitated before asking, "How much would it cost?"
If it was too expensive, she'd have to find a way to raise the money first.
Shakky glanced at Zoro and said, "Tell me what you need first."
"Do you have any news about Lord Moria?" Perona asked, her eyes full of hope. "Is he still alive? Where is he?"
"You came here for him?" Shakky countered.
"Yes," Perona nodded. "I saw news about Lord Moria in the newspaper and want to go to the New World to find him."
A few days ago, she'd read in the papers that Lord Moria had appeared in the New World.
The report said he'd fought a powerful opponent and then vanished.
She was desperate to know if he was still alive.
Seeing the hopeful look in Perona's eyes, Shakky fell silent for a moment before lighting a cigarette.
Perona's head visibly sprouted a question mark at Shakky's reaction.
What did that mean?
Did she know or not?
"Sister Shakky, Moria once saved my life," Merry said earnestly, having followed Zoro to the counter. "So... if you know anything, please tell her. I can pay for the information."
Meiser had given her plenty of money over the past two years, so she could probably afford it.
Perona was taken aback by Merry's words.
She hadn't expected this little one, who had only just forgiven her, to offer to buy the information for her...
Is she really this kind?
"I..."
Without giving Perona a chance to refuse, Shakky took the initiative to say, "No need, I wasn't planning to take her money anyway."
Perona was stunned again upon hearing this. No charge?
Was she... benefiting from the Straw Hat Pirates' reputation?
At this thought, Perona fell silent.
Unknowingly, she had incurred a favor.
Glancing at the dazed Perona, Shakky calmly blew a smoke ring and said, "Young lady, to be honest with you, I don't know whether Moria is still alive either."
"The information I have is about the same as what you read in the newspaper."
What she knew aligned with Perona's knowledge—Moria had fought someone and then disappeared without a trace.
As for whether he was still alive... she had no idea.
"You don't know either..." Perona nodded somewhat disappointedly. "I see."
She had thought she might get some news about Lord Moria here, but it turned out to be a dead end...
Never mind, she'd just go to the New World and search herself!
As if reading her thoughts, Rayleigh spoke up, "Young lady, are you planning to go to the New World alone to look for him?"
"Yes!"
"Then I'd advise you to give up," Rayleigh shook his head.
"Why?"
"You have no idea how terrifying the New World is," Rayleigh said calmly. "Going there alone is practically suicide."
As the former vice-captain of the Pirate King's crew, he knew this all too well.
"Rayleigh is right," Shakky added. "You should think it over carefully."
"Think it over..."
Perona lowered her head in serious contemplation, then suddenly looked up and asked, "Who did you just say?"
"Rayleigh."
"The Dark King Rayleigh?!" Perona stared at him in shock. "You're the vice-captain of the Pirate King's crew?!"
Why would someone of such stature be here?
This was unbelievable!
"That's right."
Rayleigh laughed. "Didn't Zoro tell you?"
Perona: !!!
He absolutely did not!
"Uncle Rayleigh really is the Pirate King's former vice-captain," Zoro confirmed. "So you should listen to him."
This time Perona didn't respond, her expression just darkened slightly.
But asking her to give up was impossible.
After all... Lord Moria was the benefactor who raised her!
"Seems like another stubborn girl."
Shakky shook her head, having discerned Perona's thoughts, then said, "If you're truly determined to go, you'd better find some reliable companions to venture into the New World with."
As she spoke, Shakky glanced subtly at Zoro and Merry, her meaning clear.
With her intelligence at peak capacity, Perona immediately understood Shakky's implication.
"When will Straw Hat Boy arrive?" Perona inquired.
She didn't try to leverage any favors to make demands of Zoro, as that might put him in an awkward position.
So... she planned to discuss things with Straw Hat Boy, the captain of the Straw Hat Pirates.
"That's unclear," Shakky shook her head. "But it should be within the next few days."
"I see..."
Perona lowered her head thoughtfully upon hearing this, then looked up and said seriously, "In that case, I'll be troubling you for the next few days!!"
"But don't worry, I'll pay!"
"Just staying a few days doesn't warrant charging you." Shakky shook her head.
Since she was Zoro's friend, Shakky wouldn't bother charging her such trivial amounts.
Then she continued, "But I don't have many rooms here, so you'll have to share with Merry."
"Merry..."
Perona glanced at Merry with some hesitation in her eyes.
Would this girl who had just been disliking her really be willing to share a room?
Perhaps sensing Perona's thoughts, Merry proactively said, "I'm fine with it."
Since she said she forgave the other party, she wouldn't view her through colored lenses, so she was willing to room together.
Perona fell silent for a moment before saying, "Then I'll be troubling you."
"No problem, it just means one more person to feed and house, nothing major." Shakky waved her hand dismissively.
This time Perona simply nodded without saying anything more.
Shakky didn't mind and turned to pour Zoro a drink.
"Here, try this," Shakky said. "The newest arrival at Sabaody Archipelago."
"Newest arrival?"
Zoro's eyes immediately lit up as he picked up the glass saying, "Then I must taste it."
During those two years of training with Hawkeye, he hadn't touched a single drop of alcohol.
So... this time he was going to drink to his heart's content!
After taking a sip from the glass, Zoro gave a thumbs up and said, "Really good!!!"
That feeling of all his pores opening up after drinking it... was absolutely fantastic!!
"Hehe, glad you like it." Shakky laughed.
Hearing this, Rayleigh blinked and said, "Pour me one too."
Shakky glanced at Rayleigh, then at the glass in his hand.
Her look seemed to say: Finish what you have first!
Rayleigh:
Rayleigh fell silent for a moment, then with a pained expression drank down the alcohol in his hand, which finally made Shakky show a satisfied expression.
Then she poured him a new drink.
After taking a sip from his glass, Rayleigh's eyes lit up as he said, "Good drink!"
"Don't worry, there's plenty more here."
"Great!"