Chapter Three: The Guide (Third Update)

After spending eight months on Momo Island, Mord had not once consulted his Hunter’s Notes. Occasionally, some reckless pirates would drift onto Momo Island, but they were so weak that they hardly warranted wasting a page in the notes. After all, this was the East Blue, where the average bounty hovered around 3 million Beli. Here, pirates were truly either weak or strong—there was no middle ground.

Across the entire East Blue, the only worthwhile target was the Arlong Pirates. As a crew composed entirely of fish-men, they boasted many prime targets with formidable physiques. Though their overall bounties were not high, their raw strength was undeniable. Not to mention their captain, Arlong, even his top officers could easily take down a Navy Rear Admiral stationed in the East Blue. Coupled with the fish-men’s natural physical advantages, they were a force to be reckoned with.

Since Mord was in the East Blue, there was no reason to overlook the Arlong Pirates.

Today, the weather was clear and bright—perfect for setting sail. The group gathered on the beach, where their small sailboat lay stranded. This was the same small boat they had used eight months ago. Just yesterday, Thor had personally repaired it. A boat like this was suitable for sailing, though only within the East Blue’s waters.

Mord and Lafayette worked together to load fresh water, food, and supplies onto the boat. Once everything was aboard, all that remained was to push the boat out and hoist the sails to depart Momo Island.

After loading the supplies, Lafayette remained on the boat while Mord stepped onto the shore. No sooner had his feet touched the sand than Thor tossed him an old-fashioned flintlock pistol. Mord caught it instinctively. This was the only old gun Thor had preserved in good condition; the rest had all been destroyed by Garp.

Perhaps due to old-fashioned views or the greater power of single-shot flintlocks, Thor favored these over multi-shot firearms. Unsurprisingly, this ancient pistol was a single-shot weapon. Despite the inconvenience of reloading, its power surpassed that of the repeating flintlocks.

“I’ll take it,” Mord said simply, pocketing the precious weapon without any fanfare.

Thor nodded quietly.

Sunny looked at Mord with a reluctant expression. Though she had long prepared herself, the reality of this day stirred an inexplicable desire to keep Mord from leaving. Jabba smoked calmly, while Jaya smiled with narrowed eyes. All the parting words had been spoken before they reached this beach.

Mord looked toward Jaya and smiled. “Jaya, are you sure you won’t reconsider?”

Jaya shook her head calmly. “I don’t like pirates, and I don’t want to be one.”

“Alright,” Mord said, unable to hide his disappointment. He greatly valued Jaya’s medicinal cuisine, but she held pirates in such disdain.

At times like this, he wished he could drag out those foolish pirates who recklessly came to Momo Island and give them a thrashing hundreds of times. If not for them, Jaya, who grew up on this island, wouldn’t have hated pirates so much. Thinking of this, Mord felt a lingering regret.

Determined to bring Jaya aboard, he set aside all other concerns.

“Jaya, the Grand Line holds many strange ingredients. For example, there’s an island called the Little Garden, home to enormous beasts and dinosaurs. Aren’t you even a little interested?”

Jaya’s eyes fluttered open slightly, her hesitation obvious. Her knowledge of the outside world was limited to murals in ruins, a handful of books in her home, and Jabba’s tales. She had heard of dinosaurs—ancient creatures from a bygone era—but knew nothing of their flesh or how to cook it.

Jaya was moved.

Jabba exhaled a plume of smoke and suddenly said, “It wouldn’t hurt to venture outside.”

He would not interfere with Jaya’s decision, but personally hoped she would see the world beyond Momo Island, rather than staying here all her life.

“Jabba…”

Jaya remained hesitant.

Jabba smiled. “The choice is yours alone. No one can force you.”

Jaya fell silent.

Seeing a glimmer of hope, Mord was pleased but did not press further, allowing her time to consider. After a few moments, Jaya still shook her head. Though eager to see the world, she was resistant to the idea of becoming a pirate.

Disappointed, Mord sighed. But Jaya’s long hesitation indicated a genuine desire to set sail. Ultimately, it came down to her aversion to the pirate identity.

“Jaya, we plan to sail the East Blue for a while,” Mord said.

“Hm?” Jaya looked at him in confusion.

Mord spoke earnestly, “Next month, we’ll return to Momo Island. If you change your mind by then…”

Jaya could sense Mord’s persistence and nodded slightly.

Mord smiled faintly—there was at least some possibility.

He then bid farewell to Thor and the others before boarding the small boat with Beli. At Mord’s signal, Lafayette lowered the sail. The wind caught it, gently carrying the boat away from the shallows.

Watching their boat fade into the distance, Sunny’s eyes glistened as she waved vigorously.

Mord called out, “Sunny, intelligence is a kind of strength. If you join the Revolutionary Army, don’t slack off!”

“Got it!”

“Thor, try to smoke less and live longer!”

“You brat…”

The small boat gradually vanished into a tiny black dot in the distance.

Thor looked up at the blue sky and white clouds, leisurely saying, “I’ll be waiting.”

...

On the sea, the small boat moved slowly forward.

Beli hid in the cabin, feeling listless after parting with Sunny.

Mord stood at the bow, gazing out over the endless ocean. He too thought of Sunny—if she grew stronger within the Revolutionary Army, he could borrow her intelligence network, and in return lend her his own strength. This was their promise before parting.

Lafayette approached Mord and suddenly said, “Jaya isn’t suited to be on the ship.”

Mord was surprised. “Why’s that?”

“Too upright,” Lafayette explained.

Mord fell silent, then nodded after a moment. If she weren’t so rigid, Jaya would have boarded by now.

Lafayette continued matter-of-factly, “Besides that, with her strength and that so-called medicinal cuisine, she’s definitely worth the effort you’re putting into recruiting her.”

Mord glanced at Lafayette but didn’t want to dwell on the topic. They would return to Momo Island in a month; by then, things would become clear.

Instead, he shifted the conversation.

“Lafayette, what does following me mean to you?”

“Hoohoo...” Lafayette’s eyes narrowed as he raised a finger skyward.

“To reach the highest peak and behold extraordinary sights.”

“You really have a lot of faith in me.”

“Hoohoo,” Lafayette chuckled softly.

When that day comes, he would be the guide to the summit!

Spending eight months on Momo Island was nothing compared to that.

This was Lafayette’s heartfelt belief.

...

Ten days later, the small boat reached the northwest section of the East Blue. This was the territory of the Arlong Pirates.

And naturally, Mord’s target was the Arlong Pirates.