Chapter Sixty-Nine: A Satisfying Hunt

West Sea, Naval Base Branch 158.

Inside the training hall, Gion was drenched in sweat.

By the time she finished the last set of her training routine, her entire body glistened with fragrant perspiration, as if she had just emerged from water.

As one of the rare female powerhouses in the Navy, such daily high-intensity training was a given.

After training, Gion returned to her quarters, put away her sword, and headed straight to the bathroom for a quick shower.

Once clean, she sank into the sofa, closed her eyes, and rested.

Ever since taking on the request from her two elders, except for official duties requiring her return to the Grand Line, she had spent nearly all her time in West Sea, holidays included.

This lifestyle had continued for more than two years.

But to her, whether stationed at headquarters or a branch, it never interfered with her pursuit of self-improvement.

If there was any difference, it would be the recently transferred Colonel Robby at Branch 158—constantly trying to curry favor, to the point of being an annoyance.

The den den mushi’s bubbling ring startled Gion’s eyes open.

She rose, her long legs carrying her to the table where the den den mushi sat. She picked up the receiver.

Upon connection, Mousewolf’s voice came through.

“He took the bait.”

“Excellent.”

Hearing Mousewolf’s report, Gion’s eyes lit up, then her tone deepened. “This is the final test. Are you confident in seizing the ‘critical moment’?”

There was silence from Mousewolf.

Gion waited patiently.

“I am.”

A moment later, Mousewolf’s voice came, firm and resolute.

“Then you’ll judge when to act.”

Gion placed her full trust in Mousewolf.

Even across the den den mushi, Mousewolf could feel the weight of that trust.

“Understood.”

With that, the call ended.

Gion gently set down the receiver, pondered for a moment, then dialed Vice Admiral Tsuru’s number.

This might be the closest they’d ever come to their chance.

...

Mad Hatter Town.

Mousewolf carefully stowed away the den den mushi.

He recalled how, when he cast the bait, Maud had seemed utterly disinterested.

Had Maud not afterward asked Tatamu to investigate the gang, Mousewolf would have truly believed Maud was nothing more than an outsider called Usopp.

It was precisely that request that convinced Mousewolf the fish had bitten.

“Forgive me,” he murmured to himself.

Through the intelligence Gion provided, Mousewolf had learned Maud’s identity and what he had endured.

Thanks to this, Mousewolf understood Maud’s seemingly unprovoked attacks on the pirates in town.

From his perspective, Maud—used as a pawn against the Ghost Gun—was in essence an innocent victim.

But Gion had given no opinion.

Thus, Mousewolf would not speak further.

He was a marine; following orders and completing his mission was his duty.

Perhaps because of this, any grudge from being tricked by Maud before had long since faded.

A while later.

Mousewolf left his room, went downstairs to the bar, and sat at his usual spot.

“Tatamu, bring another bottle of Bacardi rum.”

He had drunk most of the previous bottle and had grown quite fond of the taste.

“You haven’t paid yet,” Tatamu said, pointing at the empty glass.

“It’s just money, isn’t it?”

Mousewolf clicked his tongue, reached into his pocket, then paused, sheepishly saying, “Put it on my tab.”

Tatamu shook his head helplessly. After a moment, he eyed the empty bottle of Bacardi, lost in thought.

Mousewolf noticed Tatamu’s reaction, his eyes flickering.

After so much time together, he knew that beneath Tatamu’s bear-like exterior lay a subtle mind.

His earlier deliberate actions had probably aroused Tatamu’s suspicions.

Even so, he would reveal nothing.

...

After leaving Nightfall Tavern, Maud did not linger outside but returned directly to the weapon shop.

Under Sunny’s disapproving gaze, he began his daily training.

Sneaking out might pass, but slacking off in training would certainly earn him a beating from Thor.

Bailey sat at the counter, cradling a cup of hot tea, watching Maud sweat with idle amusement.

After two months of hearty meals at the shop, Bailey had grown plump; curled up, he resembled nothing so much as a meatball.

Sunny put down her teacup and said coolly, “Pour the tea.”

“Right away, Boss Lady!”

Bailey set his own cup aside, grabbed the teapot, and filled Sunny’s cup.

Under her threat, he no longer called her “Mama” but had switched to “Boss Lady.”

Sunny took a sip and resumed reading the newspaper.

Bailey set the teapot down gently, careful not to make any noise that might disturb her.

Afterward, he picked up his tea again, watching Maud train.

Such a life was not without its charms.

Mainly—the food was just too good!

It was nearly noon before Maud finished his training, and Sunny had lunch ready.

But at mealtime, Thor had yet to return.

The two, used to this, made no plans to wait for him.

After eating, they went back to minding the shop.

As for cleaning up, that had become Bailey’s job.

In the afternoon, Maud began the tedious task of reloading practice.

Time slipped by, and still, as night fell, there was no sign of Thor.

“Why isn’t Thor back yet?” Maud asked as he helped Sunny prepare ingredients for dinner.

“He probably went to fetch some liquor.”

Sunny stirred the meat broth with a spoon.

“Fetch liquor? From where?”

“An uninhabited island called Little Darling. That’s where Thor hides his stash. Oh, and the name ‘Little Darling’—that’s what Thor calls it.”

Maud was silent for a while.

“When will he be back?”

“At the earliest, five days.”

Sunny tasted the broth, then continued, “He’s always been like this. When he wants to fetch liquor alone, he just slips off without a word.”

“All right,” Maud nodded.

Still, he couldn’t help but wonder—what a coincidence.

...

Late at night.

Thor still had not returned.

Clearly, as Sunny had said, he had most likely gone to Little Darling Island for his liquor.

Time was of the essence. Maud dressed and prepared, heading for the shop’s weapon rack.

He glanced around, then took up the Crowblade.

It had been two months since he last held it, and now it felt almost unfamiliar.

“Tonight, let’s hunt to our heart’s content.”

He tucked the Crowblade at his waist, left the shop, and stepped into the streets.

That morning, he’d gotten a stack of bounty posters from Tatamu, each one now transcribed into his Hunter’s Notebook.

These were all pirates with bounties between five million and fifteen million—not worth the effort of deep investigation.

Though the overall profit would be less, quantity would make up for it.

Maud made his way through winding alleys and out onto the main street.

“I’ll start with the Battle Axe Tavern.”

After crossing a few streets, he arrived at the familiar door.

He pushed it open; the tavern was bustling, rich with the scent of alcohol and heat.

Standing in the doorway, Maud scanned the lively room.

To others, it looked as though he was searching for a seat.

In truth, he was searching for familiar prey.

At a table near the door, a pirate recognized Maud and nudged his companion.

“That’s Usopp…”

Surprised, the pirates at the table whispered among themselves.

As if triggering a chain reaction, more and more pirates in the tavern recognized Maud.

Gradually, the noise died down.

Most of the pirates present turned their eyes to the man standing at the entrance.

Such was the effect of reputation.

No matter where one went, as long as one’s identity was known, attention would naturally follow.

That was the nature of the pirate world.