Chapter 64: Farewell
“Mm, alright, I understand. I’ll make the arrangements.”
She hung up the Den Den Mushi, rose from the chair, and sank the Millennium Puzzle back into the depths of her soul from her chest.
Yesterday morning after she returned to her residence, the Millennium Puzzle hidden in her soul suddenly began to show an anomaly, with the “Eye of Uto” on its front continuously flickering with light.
This immediately caught her attention.
It concerned the major matter of going home, so she didn’t dare neglect it in the slightest.
After she actively entered it to check, she discovered that the black mist enveloping the Gate of the World seemed to have faintly lightened a bit.
At the same time, the outlines of more “gates” emerged from the depths of the darkness.
This seemed like a positive change, as if something was injecting energy into the Millennium Puzzle.
But from yesterday until now, no matter how she tried, she still couldn’t find the source of the anomaly, and could only wait for the next change to appear before summarizing the pattern.
……
Today was already the third day after the Beasts Pirates set out, and this somewhat remote small island remained peaceful, with no sign of the anticipated enemy sneak attack.
Except for the Beasts Pirates flag that had always been planted above the town gate being taken away by Burufaruto, the residents on the small island hadn’t felt any unusual changes.
If one had to point out something, it was that the town felt a bit quieter than usual.
Previously, during every Beasts Pirates expedition, one could still see a few lingering pirates idling around the town, but this time not a single one was seen, making the townsfolk can’t help but overthink……
In the New World, ordinary residents living alongside pirates was the norm.
As a sea area the World Government could hardly reach, the New World could be called the most chaotic and mixed bag region in the world.
Under this chaotic disorder, after years of adaptation, a peculiar ecology of ‘pirates and civilians blending’ had formed here instead.
Simply put, the pirates had replaced the ecological niche of the World Government and Navy, becoming the protectors of the island and maintainers of order.
Of course, the pirates only protected their own territory, and their attitude toward commoners was generally not as friendly as the Navy’s, but that was enough.
After all, even the worst order was better than complete disorder.
Moreover, even in countries under World Government rule, the nobles’ bone-sucking exploitation of commoners was everywhere.
Some excessively outrageous ones even pirates couldn’t stand to watch, let alone the affiliated countries having to pay exorbitant Celestial Gold to supply the Celestial Dragons.
The reason the New World had a steady stream of fresh pirate blood flowing in every year was largely thanks to the “benevolent rule” of these nobles and lords.
After locking the gate, she arrived at the Beasts’ garrison, where a small number of logistics personnel hadn’t left with the main force.
These people were either too old or valuable technical talents; in any case, the Beasts Pirates weren’t short on that bit of combat power yet.
According to Boss Kaido’s order just now over the Den Den Mushi, she was responsible for escorting this last batch of people to Fenrir Island.
As for the supplies and such, they would stay directly on the island for the new garrison personnel arranged by the pirate crew to continue using.
Boss Kaido had no intention of giving up this small island; after all, as a former main stronghold, it had already been managed by the Beasts Pirates for a long time, and there was no reason to abandon it for nothing.
“Cook Dad, pack up your things as quickly as possible. We’ll be heading to Fenrir Island soon.”
She knocked on the open door of the canteen and called inside.
Since most of the Beasts Pirates had set out these past two days, this place had become a spot for the idle lingering pirates to brag and chat every day.
“Ah? Fenrir Island? Isn’t that John’s territory?” The old pirates playing chess inside asked curiously.
“It’s ours now. Captain Kaido said it will become our new stronghold from now on, and we’re all to relocate there.” She explained.
“Hiss~ You mean Boss Kaido went out this time and seized Fenrir Island?!”
The remaining pirates only knew Boss Kaido had gone to attack Hachinosu Island, but didn’t know Fenrir Island was his real target; Boss Kaido had only let Burufaruto inform the subordinate pirates after setting out.
“Mm.” She nodded.
“What about the remaining supplies on the island and those townsfolk…” Old Cook spoke up and asked.
He got along well with the townsfolk; this old chef who seemed out of place among the pirates, like a gentleman, had already bonded with them during daily procurement of ingredients.
Now with the Beasts Pirates withdrawing, he was very worried about the townsfolk’s future.
Seeming to see Old Cook’s concern, she explained: “Just take enough supplies for the voyage; Fenrir Island probably doesn’t lack these either.
As for this island… they should send people back after settling things there.
It’s not far from Fenrir Island, and Captain Kaido has no plans to directly abandon it.”
“That’s good, that’s good.” Hearing her words, Old Cook felt slightly relieved.
“I just got the notification that a ship has been sent from there; it should arrive soon, so everyone pack up.”
“Alright, got it.”
Hearing her words, the pirates scattered in all directions: some went home to pack clothes and Belly, some went to the tool shed to pack their eating utensils, and some planned to bid farewell to familiar people in town……
“Cook Dad, aren’t you going home to pack?” She saw everyone else had left, leaving only Old Cook standing there, and couldn’t help asking.
“Sigh~ La, I’m old, I can’t travel anymore.
Tell Boss Kaido that I’ll stay here.”
Old Cook sighed while packing up the scattered chess pieces.
He was almost seventy this year; since being robbed by pirates on a cruise ship over thirty years ago and sold, he had been drifting in the New World.
During that time, he kept trying to return to the Four Seas to reunite with his wife and son, but all attempts ended in failure.
Now that he was old, his body couldn’t withstand the sea’s winds and waves anymore; he just wanted to quietly retire on this small island.
“Mm, alright.”
Her voice remained as calm as ever, as if she wasn’t surprised by Old Cook’s decision.
Her crimson eyes now reflected the weary soul of the elder before her, weathered by trials, and the longing emanating from it for a final peaceful haven made her understand his choice.
“La, if… I mean if, if you get a chance to go to the East Blue someday, could you then…”
Seeming unable to let go of his lingering concern, Old Cook finally spoke with some difficulty.
“Sure, if there’s a chance, I’ll check on them for you.” She knew what Old Cook wanted to say and agreed directly.
During the days learning writing from Cook, she had heard him mention his wife and son more than once.
In his descriptions, his wife was a beautiful yet strict woman, born into a small knight family, with striking golden hair like his.
Though female, she strictly adhered to the family’s knight spirit and had always dreamed of becoming a knight before meeting Cook.
And his son…
Mm, in Cook’s words, a rebellious one who perfectly inherited his cooking talent and his mother’s knight spirit, yet always wanted to set sail as a pirate.
“Good, good~ Thank you…”
Old Cook seemed to finally let go of his obsession, revealing a smile from the heart.
He clasped his hands behind his back, gazing into the distance.
The morning sun was still slowly rising, the sea surface remained very calm; though this small island was remote, the climate was very mild, standing out from the rest of the New World.
After watching for a while, until the sunlight shone through the window onto his wrinkled face, he turned back and looked at her with his somewhat cloudy eyes.
“La, you’re the most talented child I’ve ever seen.
Whether reading or cooking, skills others take years or decades to hone, you master in days.
This small island can’t contain Captain Kaido, nor can it contain you; your future is destined to be as vast as this great sea.
This old man only knows how to fiddle with pots, bowls, ladles, and basins; not much use, and now I’ve taught it all to you.”
Looking at her bright eyes that were almost too dazzling to meet, Cook said contentedly: “La, from today, you’ve graduated.”
“Thank you for your teachings these past days.” She bowed seriously in respect.
Cook was her first teacher in this world; this kind and gentlemanly old man never skimped in teaching.
She could tell he had always treated her like a granddaughter: strict but not harsh, tolerant but not indulgent.
This old man, separated from his family for half a lifetime, in the final years of his life poured all his longing for them onto the girl before him.
Thanks to him, wrapped in such profound and sincere emotion, she finally felt a sliver of her missing sensibility being slightly filled.
This was also why she respected him so much.
“Go on, go on, don’t worry about this old man.” Cook turned away, not looking at her anymore, just waving his hand.
……
Farewells should be sentimental, or at least calm, but accidents always come so unexpectedly.
Just as she was about to leave, a pirate came running over shouting.
“Bad news! Lady La, two warships spotted on the sea surface; they’re signaling they want to dock.”
