OPTC Chapter 233 Running Away Really Is the Best Choice?
Although the process had been a bit twisted, Zhang Da Ye eventually managed to get some useful information. After meeting up with Shark Chili, the two exchanged intel.
Shark Chili summed it up: "Biznis arrived at Water Seven around mid-July. He made a huge profit here and then left with his merchant ship. It's said he was taking his crew to celebrate in the Gourmet City of Pucci before setting sail again."
Zhang Da Ye thought back. "I remember when he came to our tavern, it was early June. Then by early-to-mid July, the Baroque Works assassins had already been taken care of by us.
So in just one month, he managed to rush from Sabaody Archipelago to Alabasta, establish ties with Baroque Works, then head to Water Seven and pull off a huge business deal?"
Zhang Da Ye felt this man's sailing speed was unnaturally fast. When they themselves left Sabaody on October 15, they didn't reach Water Seven until November 7—over twenty days. Was that really normal?
Shark Chili gave him an answer. "From the timeline, it's entirely possible. Our speed is slow because from me as navigator to you guys as sailors, we're all rookies. Every time the weather turned bad, we always took the safest approach—sometimes slowing down, sometimes anchoring, and occasionally I even had to dive underwater to scout the route.
And when the weather was really good, we often stopped to rest, train, or play. Plus, the Devil's Triangle delayed us too. So our pace was much slower than a typical ship."
That made sense. Merchant ships value time as money. Their group, however, was just out adventuring. They'd stop and go as they pleased as long as there was food. No rush at all.
In twenty-some days, the Straw Hats could've taken down several bosses. Meanwhile, they'd only completed a stretch of travel. It really was a laid-back pace.
Zhang Da Ye sighed. "Looks like finding Biznis today is hopeless. From Water Seven, Pucci Island is only the second stop on the sea train. Even by ship it wouldn't take a full day. From mid-July till now, over three months have passed. Biznis could be anywhere by now."
Artoria clasped his hand in encouragement. "Da Ye, don't draw conclusions yet. Things aren't over. Maybe if we go to Pucci Island, we'll find new clues. If you go, I'll go with you."
Zhang Da Ye looked at her. "Is it that you'll go with me, or that you want me to go with you?"
Artoria turned her gaze away, the ahoge on her head tilting right with her. "Either way, the result's the same. We'll be together."
If Shark Chili hadn't just mentioned "Gourmet City," Zhang Da Ye might've been moved. He could only sigh helplessly. "Alright, let's adjust the plan. Tomorrow we'll take the sea train to Pucci. The day after, we'll visit the other two islands."
With the investigation temporarily at a pause and daylight still left, they went to a nearby station to copy down a train schedule. Then they chose a different waterway back, sightseeing along the way until they returned to the ship.
When returning the Bulls, the two baby Bulls rubbed affectionately against Shark Chili and Tom, grateful for the meaty treats earlier.
Tom, enjoying the snuggles, suddenly twitched his nose and came up with a bold idea—an elaborate one that involved frying, stir-frying, roasting, baking, and braising.
Seeing Tom's mischievous grin and arched brow, Zhang Da Ye immediately knew he was up to no good and dragged him away quickly.
"Looks like everyone had their share of gains today." Zhang Da Ye noticed Ye Yan, Rui Meng Meng, and Brook all carrying a pile of shopping bags. Perona was hugging a teddy bear that barely resembled Kumashi.
"Yohohoho! Thanks to everyone's help, I bought so many new clothes. Yoho~ I haven't worn new clothes in forty years!" Brook happily rubbed the shopping bags against his cheeks like a spoiled old man.
Ye Yan wasn't entirely satisfied. "We got plenty of regular clothes, but custom outfits take longer. Guess we'll have to stay here a few more days?"
Zhang Da Ye nodded. "Yeah. Tomorrow we'll head to Pucci, then to the other two sea-train-linked islands. We'll stay about a day at each. If we like any place a lot, we can always extend our stay."
Traveling should be about enjoying the journey, not rushing around checking things off a list—especially when time and money weren't an issue.
That eased Ye Yan's worries. If time were short, he'd have had to spend big to rush the tailors into finishing early.
Meanwhile, Perona was torn. While trying on clothes earlier, Ye Yan and Brook hadn't gone into the shops, so only Rui Meng Meng kept her company.
She knew Rui Meng Meng had no way of countering her negative ghosts, so she'd had plenty of chances to escape—but she couldn't bring herself to do it. She didn't even know where she'd go.
This ship had…
A cute, fun cat who made hot cocoa and desserts.
A scary-looking, but actually kind, big sister with a huge appetite.
A silly perverted skeleton who never got mad no matter how much she beat him.
And an annoying guy who forced her to memorize nonsense, but who maybe—just maybe—sometimes cared a little. Only a little.
Back on Thriller Bark, every adorable zombie had obeyed her orders. She could eat whatever she wanted with no lectures about nutrition. Sleep whenever she wanted with no one warning her about stunted growth. Sit or lie down however she pleased with no one nagging her to exercise.
Back then, every day was fun. Now… sometimes fun, but not the same.
So should she try escaping tomorrow?
Hmm… but today she hadn't managed to get a toy identical to Kumashi. The shopkeeper said it'd take at least three days to custom-make one. Then maybe she'd stay for now? That sounded like a good excuse.
She lifted her head. Zhang Da Ye was asking Rui Meng Meng about her day, worried she might've been too timid to enjoy herself.
But clearly, he'd underestimated her. Rui Meng Meng held up her items. "Don't worry about me! While helping Perona shop, I picked out a few things too. Oh, and I bought little charms for everyone! They can go on keys—ah… but we don't use keys anymore…"
Rui Meng Meng looked embarrassed, but everyone accepted her gift warmly. Perona even got one too, a bit dazed.
"Sorry." The words slipped out of her mouth.
"Huh?" Rui Meng Meng blinked in confusion.
"I mean… thank you." Sorry. I even thought about using a negative ghost on you today.
Zhang Da Ye noticed. "Perona, you seem down. Didn't find the toy you wanted?"
"It needs a few days to custom-make," she explained, then carefully asked, "Tomorrow… when you go to Pucci Island, can I come too?"
"Of course. We were planning to bring you anyway." Zhang Da Ye paused and teased, "Wait. If you come with us, what about your homework?"
"What? You liar!" Perona shouted. "Yesterday you promised! You said if I helped with my negative ghosts, I wouldn't have homework!"
"Right. No homework today. But today's work can roll over into tomorrow. Double the fun!" Zhang Da Ye smirked wickedly. Teasing little girls could be amusing.
Perona was stunned. Then she angrily flung her teddy at his face and stormed off to her room, slamming the door.
She threw herself onto the bed, burying her head in her pillow. Ugh… she really hated this place. Tomorrow, she'd escape!
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Notes from the author's logbook:
- June 11: Biznis spotted at Sabaody
- July 8: Baroque assassins arrived at Sabaody
- July 14: Biznis was invited by CP5 for tea at Gourmet Town, Pucci. Around the same time, Crocodile learned of his agents' failure and sent Mr. 1 to assassinate Biznis
- August 15: Newspaper reported Hawkeye clashing with Crocodile in Alabasta
- October 15: Protagonist crew set sail
- October 21: Arrived at the Devil's Triangle
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