Marco, gnawing on a piece of meat, sat down next to Jozu and still asked, somewhat unconvinced, “Hey, big guy, are you really only nine years old?”
“Of course, why would I lie to you?” Jozu wolfed down his food, taking a moment to reply to Marco amidst his busy eating.
Marco, who had suddenly lost his appetite, looked unhappily at Jozu, who sat beside him like a small mountain.
“Then do you have a secret to growing so big?”
“A secret?
Does eating a lot count?
I’ve been a big eater since I was little.” Jozu was momentarily stunned by the question, then thought carefully before giving a simple, honest answer.
“Sō desu ne!” Hearing this, Marco seemed to make a decision, throwing himself at the food and devouring it.
After the banquet ended.
“Gurararara, Marco, what happened to you?” Newgate asked, seeing Marco with a bulging belly, breathing heavily, and looking uncomfortable.
“Ugh, it’s nothing, Oyaji, just a few trials and tribulations on my path to becoming stronger.”
Newgate burst into laughter, amused by Marco’s comical appearance as he strained his neck like a seal, trying to get his face past his swollen stomach.
Seeing Marco in this state, Thatch walked over with interest, squatted down beside him, and poked Marco’s ball like stomach with his finger.
“I say, it won’t explode, will it?”
“Ugh,” Marco, nearly spitting up, quickly covered his mouth, making whimpering sounds, wanting Thatch to understand the concept of keeping a proper distance.
But Thatch, having found a fun new toy, would not let him go so easily.
So, poor Marco once again became someone’s plaything.
“You are saying this is Captain John’s treasure map?” Thatch asked the tied up blacksmith, Bryant, with an incredulous look.
“Absolutely, Lord Sword Demon.
I found this treasure map in Captain John’s hometown.
There is no mistake.” Bryant nodded repeatedly like a pecking chick.
“Oyaji, you used to sail under Rocks with John.
Do you think it is credible?” Thatch then turned to ask Newgate, who had fallen into contemplation after hearing Bryant’s words.
Newgate slowly said, “It is most likely true.
Back then, John was obsessed with hiding his wealth.
I remember he once left the ship around the New World seas and took quite some time before rejoining us.”
Hearing Newgate’s words, Bryant nodded even more vigorously.
“Yes, yes, it must be true.
Then, Lord Sword Demon, you promised to spare my life…”
“Hmph hahaha, I will not go back on my word.
I will spare your life.
When we reach Dressrosa…”
Under Bryant’s hopeful gaze, Thatch continued, “…I will hand you over to the Marines.”
This sudden turn of events left the blacksmith’s face completely ashen.
“Brother Thatch, you really have a wicked sense of humor,” Marco pouted weakly while holding his stomach.
Jozu, on the other hand, did not care about anything, simply stuffing another large piece of meat into his mouth.
Returning to the deck, Thatch began to adjust the course, steering the ship toward the waters near Dressrosa.
After half a month of sailing, the Whitebeard Pirates finally arrived near Dressrosa.
“Hey, Marco, you are not on any wanted list yet.
Go take this guy to the Marines and claim the bounty.
Remember, it is 80 million Berries, not a single coin less, got it?” Thatch threw the unconscious Bryant at Marco’s feet.
“Yes!
Mission accepted.” Marco, a pirate, gave a rather exaggerated salute, then transformed into a phoenix, grabbed Bryant, and flew toward the Marine base.
“Hmm, Oyaji, are you going to the pleasure district again?” Thatch approached Newgate with a teasing grin.
Bang
“Gomen nasai.”
Newgate beating Thatch, who already had a bounty exceeding 500 million Berries, was no different from disciplining his own son.
“You brat, I am just going to take a look around.
Do not speak nonsense.” Newgate spoke with a righteous tone, then carried Murakumogiri and walked toward the town without looking back, though his steps were unusually brisk.
“Damn Oyaji, at his age, he still refuses to admit it…”
Staring at Thatch, who was rubbing his head and muttering, Jozu could not help but laugh.
“Hahaha, Brother Thatch, why did Oyaji hit you?”
“Hmm?” Thatch turned his head, revealing an unfriendly expression, which immediately scared Jozu into covering his mouth.
During this time, he had suffered quite a bit under Thatch’s teasing.
Seeing Jozu’s reaction, Thatch nodded in satisfaction and wrapped an arm around his shoulder.
“Come on, little Jozu, I will take you to eat something good.”
Hearing this, Jozu instantly brightened, looking as happy as a giant child.
The two walked arm in arm toward the town.
As for guarding the ship, with the Whitebeard Pirates’ flag flying high, there was hardly anyone in the New World foolish enough to approach.
After a short rest, the Whitebeard Pirates set sail once more, heading toward the island indicated on the map.
“Oyaji, do you even know how to read a map?” Thatch complained, looking at the same waterfall they had already passed several times.
After less than half a day of circling around, the group finally arrived at the island marked on the map.
The island was mostly covered in dense jungle, with only a few traces of human presence.
“Uh, trust your Oyaji, I will not make a mistake this time.” Newgate awkwardly stroked his beard.
This was his first time leading a treasure hunt, and his experience was clearly lacking.
Finally, after returning to the same waterfall yet again, Thatch could no longer endure it.
He snatched the map and quickly realized that Newgate had been holding it upside down the entire time.
“I say, Oyaji, you cannot even tell front from back, so why are you leading the way?” Thatch said helplessly.
Newgate acted as if he had not heard anything, whistling while looking at the scenery that had already become far too familiar.
Marco and Jozu stood behind them, trembling slightly and not daring to speak.
They both understood that while Thatch would never truly get angry at Oyaji, they themselves would not be spared if they said the wrong thing.
In such a situation, staying silent was the wisest choice.
“This way.” Thatch studied the map carefully, confirmed the direction, and then took the lead.
After some time, led by Thatch, the group arrived before a cave blocked by a massive rock.
Thatch drew his twin blades and slashed several times.
The enormous rock was instantly cut apart like soft tofu, scattering into pieces.
Behind the entrance was a long, narrow tunnel.
Seeing this, Newgate took the lead, Thatch guarded the rear, while Marco and Jozu stayed protected in the middle as the four of them stepped inside.
There were no traps or mechanisms as one might expect.
The path was unexpectedly smooth.
After winding through the tunnel for some time, the group finally arrived at a man made chamber.
The space was not large, but more than a dozen treasure chests were neatly arranged inside.
Newgate stepped forward and opened the nearest chest, revealing it to be filled with gold, along with a letter placed on top.
The letter read:
“Lucky fellow who found my treasure, I am Captain John, once a member of the Rocks Pirates, a name that shook the seas…”
After reading only a couple of lines, Newgate casually tossed the letter aside.
“That guy still talks too much, even after all this time.”
He then tilted his head slightly toward Thatch, signaling for the rest of the chests to be opened.
Thatch understood immediately, stepped forward, and began opening the remaining treasure chests one by one.
As each chest was opened, their contents were finally revealed before the four of them…