Chapter 129: Let Me Follow You

Ever since Roger was executed in public, the Great Pirate Era had dawned.

In the aftermath, the Navy began to settle scores, using iron-fisted tactics to implicate everyone connected to Roger. Anyone who had even the slightest association with him could not escape. If it hadn't been for Garp intervening back then, Ace would never have survived to this day. Naturally, the large-scale manhunt also targeted the remnants of the Roger Pirates, causing them to flee or go into hiding.

To the Navy, that operation was supposed to be a fight to the death. However, what they never expected was that the treasure Roger tossed out before his death would stir up heroes from all walks of life, each one a formidable figure stepping onto the stage known as the sea. Faced with the sudden explosion in the number of pirates, the Navy was overwhelmed. The strain on their manpower inevitably affected the efforts to hunt down the remnants of the Roger Pirates. Consequently, the intensity of the manhunt gradually waned, until it eventually fizzled out entirely.

It is difficult to say whether this outcome was within Roger's calculations, but one thing is certain: the words he spoke before his death not only launched the Great Pirate Era but also, in some mysterious way, helped his crewmates. After that, the members of the Roger Pirates scattered across the world. As time passed, many lost contact with one another.

Gaban was one of Roger’s right-hand men and one of the few people Thor still kept in touch with. Now, with the fall of Mad Hatter Town, Thor had no intention of remaining in the West Blue. The only destination he could think of for the immediate future was Momon Island, located in the East Blue, where Gaban was staying.

Momon Island was a standard, small-scale island. It had no national government, no Navy presence, and was home to only a small, simple town. Remote islands like this, unprotected by the Navy, were usually seen as easy prey by pirates. However, a figure like Gaban was living in seclusion on Momon Island, so the fate of any pirates who dared to target the island went without saying.

For Thor to go to Momon Island to find Gaban, the prerequisite was that the Navy must not know his whereabouts. This was inherently difficult to achieve, but with Shanks's help, it was no longer a problem.

A night passed. A hint of pale light appeared on the horizon, and only embers remained in the campfire on the flat ground. Having held a banquet all night, everyone had fallen asleep scattered across the ground, quite carefree.

Sunny was the first to wake. It was a habit she had developed in Mad Hatter Town. No matter how late she went to bed, she had to wake up early to prepare breakfast for Thor and the others. This was a habit she could not change in the short term. Sunny stood up, glanced at the still-sleeping Maude and Thor, and headed toward the forest. After some effort, she returned with two wild rabbits and some berries. She stoked the fire and roasted the cleaned rabbits over the flames.

An hour or two later, the aroma of the roasted rabbit drew everyone to wake up one by one. Yasopp was the first to approach, giving Sunny a thumbs-up and praising, "Little Sunny is so thoughtful, knowing to prepare breakfast for us."

"This isn't for you." Sunny didn't even lift her head, keeping her eyes on the heat.

"Er..." Yasopp retracted his thumb in embarrassment.

Half an hour later, the Red Hair Pirates watched as Maude and Thor enjoyed the breakfast Sunny had prepared. Shanks was fortunate enough to get a piece of fragrant roasted rabbit leg from her. As for the others, they had to find their own food.

Near noon, Sabo and his group were the first to depart from Cute Island. Before parting, Morley, a giant with a delicate heart, was in tears, showing his deep reluctance to leave. It was clear he liked Maude and Sunny, but he liked Bailey even more. Bailey, however, showed no reaction, even ignoring Morley's subtle hints that he wanted a hug. Are you kidding? Even with all his padding, he wouldn't be able to withstand one of Morley’s "loving" embraces.

Koala hugged Sunny and said earnestly, "I'll be waiting for you."

"Okay," Sunny nodded with a smile. Because of their shared experiences, they had become good friends in just a few days.

Sabo shook hands with Maude and smiled, "Until we meet again."

"Yeah, watch your step on the road, and make sure Tatamu gets plenty of rest to heal."

"No problem," Sabo replied with a laugh. Tatamu had been frozen by Aokiji for a while back in Mad Hatter Town, and the extensive frostbite across his body was quite severe. As for the real reason Tatamu couldn't get off the ship... well, it’s better not to mention it; it would hurt Morley’s feelings a bit.

Under the gaze of Maude and the others, the mast ship carrying Sabo and the Revolutionary Army left Cute Island and headed into the distance. According to Sabo, the mission to rescue the slaves was complete, and the Revolutionary Army in the West Blue would make proper arrangements for them. As for the group themselves, there was no need to stay in the West Blue; they were heading straight back to the Grand Line.

"The Grand Line, huh..." Maude whispered to himself, watching the ship sail further and further away. If he ever went to the Grand Line, the first thing he would do is find a way to visit Little Garden. There were two giants there; if he could complete a hunt, it would definitely bring in a huge profit.

After Sabo and the others left, the Red Hair Pirates didn't plan to stay long either. Before leaving, the crew, under Shanks's instructions, went into the forest to resupply for their voyage.

"Momon Island in the East Blue..." Maude was still quite surprised to learn the next hiding place from Thor. After all, the island was located in the East Blue. Although the East Blue was known as the "weakest sea," it was, after all, Garp's hometown. Thor hadn't mentioned Gaban to Maude or Sunny, so Maude wondered if Thor was playing a game of "hiding in plain sight." Since this was Thor's decision, the two juniors couldn't really say anything.

"Sunny, do you know Momon Island?"

"No." Sunny shook her head. Since she was born, she had stayed in the West Blue. Even though she read the newspapers every day in Mad Hatter Town to stay informed, she had never heard of a place called Momon Island.

"I see." Maude mused. It was a pity Thor didn't want to say more, leaving him unable to learn anything else about the island. If possible, he had hoped Momon Island would be a lawless zone like Mad Hatter Island.

"Maude, even Thor thinks you should go with Shanks, so why did you refuse?" Sunny suddenly brought this up.

"Er, didn't we agree on this?"

"If it's about looking after Thor in his old age, I'm enough on my own."

"What’s this about 'old age'? I’m not a cripple, do I need you two to worry about me? When the time comes, just get out of here and go wherever you want." Thor suddenly interrupted, glaring at the two youngsters.

Hearing Thor's words, Maude and Sunny instinctively glanced at Thor's empty left trouser leg. Everything was understood without words.

The Red Hair Pirates were efficient and soon finished resupplying. As they prepared to set sail, Maude suddenly thought of Laffitte, who had been left out. After all, Laffitte had saved him once, so he felt he should at least check in.

"Laffitte, we're leaving. Do you intend to stay on the island, or...?" Maude knew Laffitte had the ability to fly, so he didn't need a ride.

"How about you let me join you?" Laffitte looked at Maude with a smile, a faint glimmer in his eyes.

Maude looked at those slightly glowing eyes and couldn't help but fall silent.

"Laffitte, look, how should I put this... I know I'm very handsome, but I'm the type who, well... I'm not into men. Do you understand what I mean?"

"..."