pertwk Page 95
Page 95
Sabo has been gone for more than three years without saying goodbye. Although we know that with his strength, he should be fine, the lack of news from him is always worrying.
Rouge browsed through the news carefully, then gently shook her head: "Today's economic news mainly focuses on the 'Seven Warlords of the Sea' system, the plan to recruit the last-ranked member, and the Navy's movements in the New World... I didn't see any news about Sabo or Kuina."
"Ugh—nothing again!" Luffy slumped into his chair like a deflated balloon, his lips pouting. "That idiot Sabo, where did he go?! Not a single word from him!"
A flicker of disappointment crossed Ace's eyes, but he quickly masked it, patting Luffy on the back of the head: "Idiot, Sabo is definitely undergoing intense training somewhere! When he comes back, he'll be incredibly strong!"
"Of course!" Luffy immediately regained his energy, waving his fist. "But I'll become stronger than him! I'm going to be the Pirate King!"
Watching the two children interact, Rouge couldn't help but chuckle. Her gaze fell on Ace, noticing that while he recognized most of the words in the newspaper, he would still frown slightly when he encountered some complex vocabulary.
A thought popped into her mind.
She put down the newspaper and looked at Ace gently: "Ace, would you like to... understand the contents of the newspaper more clearly? Not just to find information about Sabo, but to be able to read all the news articles yourself and understand everything that is happening on this sea?"
Ace paused for a moment, then looked up at his mother. He had grown up in the Uncertainty Terminal, and later in Dadan's bandit den; for him, improving his strength was far more important than learning to read and write. Most of the characters he knew were taught to him by Rouge as a child, and later he taught himself to understand bounty posters and simple news articles.
Seeing Ace hesitate, Rouge continued softly, "Look, Sabo went out, and Kuina and the others went out too. They're seeing the vast world and experiencing all sorts of things. If you, Ace, could also understand these messages from all over the world, you'd better understand the outside world, know what your brothers might be going through, and be better prepared when you go to sea in the future."
She paused, looking into Ace's eyes: "Besides, Mom can teach you. Let's learn a little every day, okay?"
Ace looked at his mother's expectant and encouraging eyes, then glanced at Luffy beside him who was still shouting "The Pirate King doesn't need to know how to read," and a thought stirred within him.
He remembered how Sabo had always known more than them, always spoke with wisdom, and possessed an air of nobility. If he could understand more... wouldn't he be one step closer to that vast world?
Wouldn't that help us better understand why Liu Jiu left twice? Wouldn't it have been better to stay and live with everyone?
He was silent for a few seconds, then nodded vigorously: "Okay. Mom, you teach me."
Rouge's face immediately lit up with a bright smile, as if the sunlight itself had become even brighter.
She always hoped that Ace could become a scholar like Robin, always with a book in his hand. The quiet child was more like her than the one who was always fighting outside.
Now that Ace is willing to learn, it's exactly what she's been dreaming of.
"Great!" She happily grabbed Ace's hand. "Let's start today, beginning with this report about the Seven Warlords of the Sea, okay? If you encounter any unfamiliar words, Mom will tell you."
"Hmm," Ace responded, unusually patient and attentive. He leaned closer to the newspaper, pointing to a word, "Mom, what does this 'system' mean?"
Seeing her son finally settle down to study, Rouge felt a surge of relief. She began to patiently explain, her voice gentle and clear.
Luffy, who was standing to the side, watched Ace and Aunt Rouge suddenly start "studying," tilted his head and looked at them for a long time. Feeling bored, he yawned widely.
"Learning to read is such a hassle... Ace, let's go fight later! Or we can go ask Makino for some meat!"
Ace didn't even look up, just waved his hand and said, "Idiot, go play by yourself. I'll talk to you after I finish learning this chapter."
Luffy pursed his lips, but didn't disturb him. He ran outside to the open space and started practicing his "Gum-Gum" move on the wooden stakes, muttering to himself:
Phrases like "One Piece," "meat," "Sabo, come back soon," "Kuina is a three-sword style user," "Robin is smarter than me," and "Ace can't beat me"...
Inside the cabin, the sunlight was gentle and quiet, with only Rouge's gentle explanations and Ace's occasional questions remaining.
The seeds of knowledge were quietly sown this afternoon.
It may not change anything immediately, but in the future, when Ace truly sets sail and faces the complex and ever-changing situation at sea, it will become one of his indispensable forces.
As for whether he will be moved by Whitebeard's sincerity after setting sail, and foolishly board his pirate ship and recognize him as his father?
Or will they continue down the path of self-destruction?
To find out what happens next, stay tuned for the next installment!
Chapter 114 Setting Sail on the Grand Line Once Again
The tranquil days in the Twin Straits slipped through my fingers like sand through my fingers for over a month.
During this period, Sabo spent almost every day with Laboon, either feeding it all sorts of novel foods brought from the Western Sea, or sitting on its huge head and adventuring in the nearby waters. Unfortunately, the biggest adventure was Laboon.
Wherever it goes, the creatures nearby wish they could grow wings and fly away.
Sabo then went on and on about his adventures on the Grand Line to Laboon, vividly describing the unique architectural styles he had seen, such as towering spires and colorful glass windows.
They recounted the wondrous melodies they heard on a certain island, melodies that seemed to cleanse their souls; they even gesticulated comical movements of a dance characteristic of the New World.
Although Laboon couldn't fully understand, it could sense the excitement and joy in Sabo's words, and it would always let out a low, cheerful chirp, splashing large sprays of water with its tail, its eyes sparkling with satisfaction.
Kuina used this time to further consolidate and digest the gains from her first Grand Line closed-loop journey in three years.
She diligently practices swordsmanship every day without fail, either practicing exquisite sword moves on the open ground by the shore or sitting quietly on the rocks, feeling the rhythm of the waves crashing against the shore, and integrating the magnificent power of nature into her own sword intent.
The purple cloud seemed to come alive in her hands, and its buzzing sound became even clearer.
Robin, on the other hand, spends most of her time in the cabin of the "Whirlwind" or communicating with Crocus.
Because of Liu Jiu's connection.
She obtained a great deal of detailed information from Crocus about many islands in the first half of the Grand Line, climate patterns, and some secret legends circulating among old sailors.
She also shared some rare books and historical rubbings that she had brought with her over the past three years with Crocus.
Unfortunately, the other party was only a highly skilled doctor with a superficial understanding of certain historical doubts or ancient texts, and could not provide deeper insights.
Liu Jiu remained the quietest presence. Sometimes he would help Sabo prepare food for Laboon, and sometimes he would sit atop the lighthouse, gazing at the ever-changing horizon with deep, unfathomable eyes, lost in thought.
And it was always in these moments that his strength quietly improved without him even realizing it.
This can no longer be measured by grades.
Taking his sword strike as an example—wherever the blade points, the sky splits open.
More often than not, he simply stays quietly in a corner, as if he has become one with his surroundings, yet he is always guarding this brief peace.
To put it bluntly, it's about riding on the coattails of those who have good fortune in this world!
However, a peaceful rest is ultimately for a longer voyage.
The time for the four to set off had come.
The morning sea fog had not yet completely dissipated, and the rising sun cast a golden-red glow on the sea.
The "Whirlwind" has made all the necessary preparations for setting sail; the sails and cables are in place, and the rudder has been calibrated.
Sabo stood by the dock and patted Lab's cold, rough skin one last time.
"Lab, we're leaving again!"
His voice was still cheerful, but a hint of guilt and reluctance was hidden deep in his eyes.
Laboon seemed to sense the impending separation, letting out a long, deep cry, its huge eyes fixed on Sabo with unblinking affection.
Sabo took a deep breath, a bright smile returning to his face. He extended his fist and gently pressed it against Laboon's skin, as if making a solemn promise:
"This time, we're venturing along a different route, setting foot on even more islands! We'll definitely keep an eye out for more news about your companions! I promise, when we return from another circumnavigation of the world, we might have definite news for you! So, you need to stay here and wait for us, and for them! Don't crash into the Red Line again, understand?"
His tone was firm and full of commitment.
Although the promise made last time could not be fulfilled, he never forgot his feelings.
Lab seemed to understand, and it nudged Sabo with its head very gently, letting out a series of short and clear chirps.
Kuina and Robin also stepped forward and gently stroked Laboon.
"Take care, Labu," Guina whispered.
“We will remember our promise,” Robin added gently.
Liu Jiu stood at the ship's side and nodded slightly to Labu and Crocus who were walking over.
“Then, let’s set off.” Sabo gave Laboon a final hug, turned around, and was the first to jump onto the Cyclone.
Kuina and Robin followed closely behind.
Liu Jiu gently stomped on the deck, and a gentle force shook the cable apart.
With its sails full of wind, the "Whirlwind" slowly sailed away from the simple dock, heading towards the third of the seven possible routes on the Grand Line.
Labu echoed from behind with a long, farewell-like whale song, its massive tail fin slapping the surface of the sea, stirring up countless sparkling waves that refracted rainbow-like light under the rising sun.
Crocus stood beneath the lighthouse, having brought along a rare bottle of fine wine. He raised his jug, gestured towards the receding ship, and then tilted his head back to take a sip.
"Have a safe journey, little ones... This sea won't always be so gentle."
The "Whirlwind" had broken through the azure sea and plunged headlong into the waters ahead, gradually turning into a small black dot and disappearing from sight.
The Grand Line, the third route, in the waters near the starting island.
The thick, grayish-white sea fog, like some kind of living thing, eternally shrouded this sea area.
Sunshine is a luxury here.
Even at noon, a cold, damp, and gloomy atmosphere permeated the surroundings.
Any experienced sailor, the moment he steps into these waters, will not hesitate to turn the ship around.
This is a forbidden zone for life, a strange sea area marked with a deep red skull on the nautical chart, which old sailors call the "Whispering Mist".
However, there are always some ships driven by greed, despair, or pure ignorance that venture into this place.
For example, the "Sea Serpent" is currently struggling on the edge of the fog.
This is a medium-sized three-masted sailing ship. Its originally bright paint has long since become mottled and peeled due to the erosion of dampness and fog over the years, as if it has suffered from a serious skin disease.
The sails were torn in several places and hung limply, while the ropes were tangled together, wet and sticky.
The entire ship exuded a smell that was a mixture of rotting wood, salty sea breeze, and some kind of deeper mold.
On the deck, the survivors huddled in a corner, less than half the number they had when they set out.
Their eyes were vacant and bloodshot, their lips were chapped, and their skin had an unhealthy grayish-white hue due to long-term lack of sunlight and malnutrition.
No one spoke; in the deathly silence, only the creaking of the ship's planks as they rocked and the heavy, suppressed breathing of each person could be heard.
They had been sailing in the fog for seventeen days and were completely lost.
For seventeen days, I didn't see the sun, the stars, or even a decent cloud.
The pointer kept pointing to the island's location, but it just couldn't reach it.
They wanted to turn back and start sailing again, but got lost in the thick fog and lost their way back.
Chapter 115 The Strange Fog
Seventeen days later, the fresh water had long been exhausted, and the food was almost gone. What was even more terrible was the mental torture.