Hearing this, Fleet Admiral Sengoku nodded slowly.
As long as the heavenly tribute remained safe, the World Government wouldn’t launch an investigation, which was a blessing in disguise.
He turned to Tsuru, who was sitting on the other side of the office, and asked, “Tsuru, what do you think of this pirate crew?”
Tsuru picked up her teacup and took a gentle sip.
“Their strength is no longer comparable to ordinary East Blue small-time pirates.
Being able to defeat a Marine Headquarters Vice Admiral is enough to prove their threat level.
We must take them seriously, issue bounty posters as soon as possible, notify the whole world, and keep an eye on their movements.”
After a brief pause, she added, “As for the leak of the Six Powers, there’s no need to worry too much.
Although it’s nominally a Marine secret, plenty of people in the world know its principles and training methods.
Even if they’ve acquired it, given their current strength, it won’t be of much use to them.”
Sengoku sighed, his voice laced with helplessness.
“You’re right, another group of troublesome fellows has emerged.
In that case, let’s issue the bounty.
Captain Arnos Moge, 100 million Berries.
As for his other crew members, I’ll leave it to the Staff Department to determine their amounts based on their strength and issue them together.”
Although Smoker had repeatedly warned him to take Moge’s crew seriously, Sengoku didn’t think that defeating Menard justified mobilizing a large force from Marine Headquarters for a suppression campaign.
After all, countless powerful pirates sailed the seas.
Simply raising their bounties, notifying the world, and having Marines everywhere keep watch was more than enough.
“Moge, Reverse Mountain is right ahead!
Once we pass through here, we’ll officially enter the Grand Line!” Carina gazed at the massive Red Line, her voice filled with excitement and anticipation.
After days of sailing, Moge’s crew finally reached the entrance to the Grand Line, Reverse Mountain.
It was a massive X-shaped mountain range where the currents of the four major seas converged, forming an upward-flowing waterfall that poured into the Grand Line.
At the center of the range was Mount Ryubas, the intersection point for the four major currents.
Moge stood at the bow, watching the rapid current converge toward the mountain peak.
“Then let’s charge straight up,” he said decisively.
As the Stellar Voyager entered the current’s range, the rushing water engulfed the ship, pushing it forward at breakneck speed.
The ship climbed all the way up the reverse waterfall.
The moment it reached the summit, it leaped down using its momentum, hurtling toward the entrance of the Grand Line.
At that moment, Carina suddenly pointed toward the entrance ahead and shouted, “Hey!
What’s that huge black shadow up ahead?!
Are there Sea Kings right at the entrance of the Grand Line?”
Moge smiled, completely unbothered.
“We’ll know when the ship gets closer.”
His hand rested on the hilt of his blade.
No matter what was blocking the way, he would cut it down.
As they drew closer to the monster, they finally saw its form clearly.
It was a giant blue whale, repeatedly ramming its body against the Red Line.
Each impact produced a deafening roar, causing the seawater to surge backward.
“An Island Whale?” Toniel asked in confusion.
“Aren’t Island Whales supposed to live in the West Blue?
Why would one appear at the entrance to the Grand Line?
And it’s constantly ramming the Red Line.”
As the ship’s cook, Toniel had specifically studied various species of the sea and knew all about the Island Whale’s habitat.
Looking at the giant creature, Moge suddenly remembered that this was Laboon, the whale that followed Brook.
However, if it kept blocking the path, he would have no choice but to kill it.
At that moment, the Island Whale seemed to sense danger, or perhaps it was just exhausted.
It stopped ramming the wall and dove down toward the seabed.
Seeing this, Moge dropped his intent to attack.
The Island Whale was comparable to a large Sea King, so it was best to avoid a fight if possible.
If an attack failed to kill it instantly, things would get incredibly troublesome, since the ocean wasn’t their home field.
He turned and instructed Carina, “Carina, watch the waves.
Head toward the left, the currents are weakest there.”
“Got it!” Carina immediately handled the helm, skillfully steering the ship through the area where the massive splash from the whale’s dive was least turbulent.
Once the sea regained its calm, the Stellar Voyager arrived at the shore of a small island.
The island wasn’t large, but signs of human life were clearly visible.
A simple wooden hut stood not far from the shore, with a small fishing boat moored behind it.
“Hey!
Look, someone’s over there!” Toniel was the first to notice, pointing toward the wooden hut.
Carina looked in the direction he was pointing.
“Huh?
It’s just an old man.
But why would anyone live in such a remote place?”
“Let’s go take a look,” Moge said, leaping off the ship first.
Carina, Kuro, and Toniel followed closely behind him.
The group walked quickly onto the island.
In the clearing in front of the wooden hut, an old man was reclining leisurely on a lounge chair, sunbathing.
He had a snow-white long beard and a unique hairstyle that flared out like a saffron flower, while the top of his head was completely bald.
Despite his advanced age, his physique remained sturdy, and his bright pink shirt was particularly eye-catching.
Carina stepped forward.
“Hey, old man, who are you?
Is that Island Whale over there yours?
Don’t you think it’s dangerous to let it block the middle of the waterway?”
The old man turned his head, his gaze landing on Carina.
“When asking for someone’s name, shouldn’t you introduce yourself first?”
“Ah, sorry, I…”
Before Carina could finish, the old man interrupted her, speaking to himself, “My name is Crocus, the lighthouse keeper of Twin Capes.
As for that Island Whale, his name is Laboon.
You can consider him my pet.”
Hearing this, Carina couldn’t help but snap, “Hey, you old geezer!
Why is your pet blocking the exit to the sea?
He almost hit our ship!”
Moge smiled slightly and stepped in.
“Carina, this old gentleman isn’t just some old geezer.
He was the ship’s doctor for the Roger Pirates back in the day.”
“What?!” Carina, Kuro, and Toniel all cried out in shock, their eyes widening as they stared at Crocus.
They couldn’t connect the old man before them with the legendary Roger Pirates.
Crocus looked up and sized Moge up.
“I didn’t expect anyone to still recognize me these days.
I only stayed on Roger’s ship for three years.”
Moge waved his hand dismissively.
“I don’t know you personally.
I just heard about you from my old man.
As for who he is, don’t bother asking because I won’t tell you.”
He couldn’t exactly say he knew it from watching anime in his past life, so he just made up an excuse.
Besides, no one would look into it anyway.
Crocus nodded understandingly.
“Is that so?
Then never mind.”
He didn’t press further since everyone had their own secrets.
After that, Crocus slowly began to tell Laboon’s story.
Decades ago, the Rumbar Pirates had come to Twin Capes with a young Laboon.
Because they were heading into the dangerous Grand Line and couldn’t take Laboon along, they asked Crocus to look after the whale, promising they would definitely return once their adventure was over.
But decades passed, and though Laboon grew into an immense size, the Rumbar Pirates never returned.
Yet Laboon firmly believed his crew was on the other side of the Red Line.
He was determined to go back and find them, but his body was far too massive to pass through the currents normally.
Because of that, he rammed the Red Line every day, attempting to carve out a path.