A few days later, the weather cleared up.
The violent winds and heavy rain that had lasted for days finally stopped, leaving the blue sky completely cloudless.
The outskirts of the island were still surrounded by ocean currents, but they were no longer terrifying.
The water had become much calmer, which was exactly the moment they had been waiting for to set sail.
Moge stood at the bow of the Voyager, facing the sea breeze, and called out loudly, “Is everyone ready?
We’re about to set sail!”
“Ready, Captain!” Carina and Toniel responded in unison.
As soon as they finished speaking, they moved to their respective positions, skillfully checking the rudder, adjusting the sails, and making the final preparations before departure.
Looking at the two of them, the corners of Moge’s mouth turned up slightly, and he shouted, “Depart!”
As the words fell, he drew the saber at his waist.
Unlike the last time when he had to give it his all, he was much more relaxed now.
With a swing of his arm, several Flying Slashes burst through the air one after another.
The Flying Slashes hit the ocean currents, instantly cutting out a wide and stable channel.
Using the wind, the Voyager moved along the open path.
Before long, it successfully broke through the surrounding currents and entered the vast, calm open sea.
Compared to the previous struggle and exhaustion, this time Moge only used a few slashes to easily break the blockade, making it exceptionally effortless.
“Captain, a pirate ship has been spotted ahead!
Looking at the flag, it seems to be the Black Cat Pirates!” Toniel shouted while holding a telescope.
Moge, who had been lying down leisurely, raised his eyes.
“Black Cat Pirates?
Are they famous?”
“They are quite famous in the East Blue.
The captain is Kuro, with a bounty of 16 million Berries!”
Moge was slightly surprised.
“Kuro…” He stroked his chin, and suddenly his eyes lit up.
This guy—wasn’t he the man who had an intellect not inferior to Red Hair’s Vice-Captain Beckman?
“Has he not gone into hiding to be a butler yet?” Moge muttered to himself.
He had a deep impression of Kuro.
In his memory, Kuro went into hiding under a false name to become a butler three years before Luffy set sail.
Since it was currently three years prior, Kuro hadn’t started his plan yet.
“But since I’ve run into him, it wouldn’t be bad to recruit this guy onto the ship.
His brains should be able to help out a lot,” Moge thought.
He immediately spoke up, “Pull the ship alongside.
I’ll have a chat with him.”
On the other side, the Black Cat Pirates had also spotted them.
Jango, the hypnotist wearing heart-shaped glasses, quickly reported, “Captain!
A ship is heading towards us!”
Kuro’s gaze turned cold.
“Another Bounty Hunter?
Coming to take my head for money?”
He was already tired of the days spent being endlessly hunted by the Marines and bounty hunters.
In his heart, he was already planning his grand play of faking his death to retire.
Jango said, “I’m not sure, but they aren’t pirates.
They aren’t flying a pirate flag, so they’re likely Bounty Hunters.”
“I’m truly sick of these days.
Deal with it quickly, and don’t delay our plans,” Kuro replied coldly.
“Yes, Captain!” Jango was just about to go make arrangements when a loud burst of laughter echoed across the deck.
“Wahahaha!”
Moge had already brought Carina and leapt directly onto the Black Cat Pirates’ ship.
“Kuro, I think highly of you.
Come to my ship and join me,” Moge got straight to the point and issued an invitation.
The veins on Kuro’s forehead pulsed.
He was so angry he laughed.
“Bastard!
I am the captain of the Black Cat Pirates.
Why should I serve under a nobody like you?
Besides, I’ve long grown tired of being a pirate!”
“Oh?
That’s a pity then,” Moge lit a cigarette and slowly blew out a smoke ring.
“But I think you’ll change your mind in a moment.”
Carina glanced sideways at Kuro, and Moge said, “I say, didn’t you say his IQ was very high?
Why does he look not very bright to me?”
“Well, who knows.
Maybe he’s a bit confused right now,” Carina replied with a shrug.
“You two bastards, you’re looking for death!!” Kuro was thoroughly enraged, trembling with fury as he roared, “Open fire!
Kill them!”
The pirates opened fire, and a dense hail of bullets swept toward them.
Moge’s body merely swayed slightly, his steps casual.
Every bullet grazed past his body and clattered onto the deck.
Carina didn’t even move.
The bullets hit her body without leaving a single trace of blood, only causing small bursts of flames to rise.
Kuro’s eyes went wide.
“A Devil Fruit user…
is it a Logia?”
He asked with some uncertainty.
After all, the knowledge of pirates in a place like the East Blue was somewhat lacking.
There were too many types of Devil Fruits, so it was normal not to recognize one immediately.
He didn’t hesitate any longer, revealing the claws on both hands.
His figure blurred as he charged in front of Carina, thrusting his sharp claws out fiercely.
“Shakushi!”
The claws passed straight through Carina’s body without harming her in the slightest.
With just this one strike, Kuro was certain.
“It really is a Logia Devil Fruit user!” His expression changed drastically as he blurted out, “Damn it, why are users with such abilities still in the East Blue instead of going to the Grand Line?”
The deterrent of a Logia was still very strong.
In a place like the East Blue where Haki didn’t exist, turning into an element made a person completely invincible.
Moge smiled.
“We only set sail a little while ago.
We’re heading to the Grand Line.
My name is Moge.
Do you want to join my ship?”
Kuro pushed up his glasses and said with a dark expression, “Idiot, I won’t join you.
Don’t think you can do whatever you want just because you have a Logia.
She’s a Logia, and there’s nothing we can do about her, but we can still deal with you.”
“Is that so?
Then you can try,” Moge replied calmly.
“Shakushi!” Kuro didn’t waste any more words, launching another attack toward Moge.
His footwork was very strange and his speed was extremely fast.
But a red light flashed in Moge’s eyes, and he accurately used Future Vision to dodge the attack.
“Damn it, you dodged?
You won’t be so lucky next time!” Kuro grit his teeth and used his eerie speed to rush at Moge again.
The two figures moved back and forth across the deck, moving so fast that only afterimages remained.
Moge looked completely relaxed, accurately predicting Kuro’s movements every time and casually dodging all attacks.
Furthermore, his speed was much faster than Kuro’s, consistently suppressing him.
“Huff…
huff…” After only a short while, Kuro stopped, panting heavily, his chest heaving violently.
He knew in his heart that Moge’s strength was far superior to his own and that he was simply no match.
Continuing to fight was pointless, so he stopped his attack.
“What, you’re done already?
Your stamina is a bit poor.”
“Damn it…
I…” Kuro’s face flushed red.
He wanted to argue, but he was suddenly hit by an intense pressure.
“Geppo!”
Moge’s figure moved so fast using Geppo that Kuro couldn’t even see him before Moge appeared right in front of him.
Immediately after that, a powerful side kick landed right on the side of Kuro’s stomach.