New World, Hachinosu Island.
Two prominent holes sat on the giant rock in the center of the island, resembling two eyes, making the yellowish-brown boulder look like a skull.
Under a coconut tree, San Juan Wolf complained to Blackbeard that annoying fish were biting his body when he fell into the sea just now.
"Champion Fighter" Burgess climbed a tree and was looking toward the interior of the island.
Dictator King Avalo Pizarro, Barrel of Wine Vasco Shot, and "Crescent Moon Hunter" Katarina Devon sat separately, their expressions somewhat grim.
"Hahahaha, Captain, there seem to be no other pirates here. This island is ours!"
Burgess, who had scouted the area from the tree, was very excited and shouted to Blackbeard below the tree.
"Zehahaha, of course! How could those narrow-minded, low-class pirates know about this place!"
Blackbeard Marshall D. Teach lifted his ugly, scar-covered face and burst into laughter,
"This island deep in the New World, far from Marineford, will be our base of operations from now on! Zehahaha!"
Blackbeard had recently started growing a beard; the hair on his chin and cheeks had grown out considerably, partially obscuring his features but making his face look even more ferocious.
Dictator King curled his lip and mocked, "Have you homeless dogs finally found a 'home'? Too bad a perfectly good pirate ship was ruined by that giant again!"
The Dictator King's words halted Blackbeard's laughter. His breathing grew heavy for a moment, and after a while, he feigned indifference and laughed again:
"Partners, now that we're here, don't worry about the pirate ship. Look, it won't be long before large numbers of pirates gather here. Then we can carefully select some new partners, Zehahaha!"
"Captain, but there's nothing here except coconuts. How will we attract pirates to gather?" Burgess jumped down from the tree, not understanding Blackbeard's meaning.
The others clearly hadn't understood either and all looked over at Blackbeard.
"Devil Fruit Ability! Join us and you can gain Devil Fruit Ability!" Blackbeard seemed full of confidence,
"That's a big enough temptation, right! Hahahaha!"
Burgess and the others instantly widened their eyes, then heard Blackbeard say:
"Those so-called 'Pirate Supernovas,' pirates with bounties over 100 million, and the remaining forces of the Whitebeard Pirates... they will all be our targets for hunting! Zehahaha!"
...Holy Land Mary Geoise.
"Hehehehe, the retired 'marine hero' came looking so quickly."
Momousagi's lips curled slightly. "Little Garp, it seems you're really worried about him!"
Garp picked his nose and said lazily, "Didn't you confirm that I would come by going to find Tsuru?"
Then, his expression became a little more serious. "Tell me everything you know, and what you intend to do?"
Momousagi shook her head. "I don't intend to do anything. Telling you those things was just repaying a favor!"
"A favor?" Garp frowned.
Momousagi remained silent, but Garp kept staring at her. Finally, she sighed,
"Before the 'Fleet Admiral Contest,' Kuzan came to Marijoa and met with Dr. Vegapunk! Not long after, Zephyr came too..."
Momousagi suddenly said something inexplicable, leaving Garp very confused.
"You owe Kuzan and Zephyr a favor? How could I...?"
Halfway through speaking, he noticed Momousagi's expression seemed somewhat mocking, and he realized,
"Are you talking about Vegapunk?"
Momousagi neither nodded nor denied it. After a long time, she said slowly, "I really don't know what's so great about that kid. All you people are so concerned about him!"
Garp's eyes flickered a few times. After a long while, he moved his lips, "What about the movements of those CP0 people?"
Momousagi crossed her legs and leaned back on the sofa.
"The Revolutionary Army. CP0 had been tracking clues related to the Revolutionary Army before!"
"And then, suddenly, people started traveling to and from Sabaody Archipelago. You should understand what that means, right?"
Garp was stunned upon hearing this and frowned.
"Are you suggesting that when CP0 was tracking the Revolutionary Army, they discovered Taro had connections with them?"
As he spoke, he didn't even believe it himself. He gently shook his head and sneered,
"Those guys previously suspected Taro was involved with the Nox Pirates, and now they're worried he's colluding with the Revolutionary Army? How could...?"
As he finished speaking, Garp suddenly widened his eyes, thinking of a possibility.
"Figured it out?" Momousagi raised an eyebrow and chuckled.
"Are you talking about Nico Robin? She's with the Revolutionary Army?" Garp was shocked for a long time before slowly uttering the sentence.
Momousagi nodded, agreeing with Garp's assessment.
"Exactly. The only thing that could make CP0 realize Taro is connected to the Revolutionary Army is this woman!"
"After all, during the Paramount War, Taro rejected Dragon's invitation. That fact is well known, so conventionally, no one would suspect they still have contact."
Garp still didn't quite believe it, and he shook his head again.
"Only the three of us know about the relationship between Taro and Nico Robin. Even if CP0 found that woman in the Revolutionary Army, they couldn't possibly connect her to Taro!"
Momousagi shifted on the sofa, finding a more comfortable position to lean against.
"Then I can't think of any other possibility!"
Garp's expression was volatile. After a long silence, he finally sighed, "What a troublesome woman!"
He then asked, "What's the deal with the new CP0 members?"
"We don't know who exactly they are yet; we only know that Spandine is orchestrating this." Momousagi gently shook her head, indicating she didn't know much.
Then, as if remembering something, she sneered,
"Oh, I know one: Spandine's son, Spandam."
Garp was momentarily stunned, seeming not to recall this minor character. It took him a while to react.
"The former Chief of CP9?"
Momousagi nodded dismissively. "That good-for-nothing. This suggests that the others aren't necessarily reliable either!"
Garp stood up and walked toward the exit. "I understand!"
After Garp left, Momousagi leaned on the sofa, closed her eyes, and murmured after a long period of contemplation:
"Dr. Vegapunk, why do you value Taro so highly?"
Just then,
The crisp sound of wooden clogs approached. Admiral Candidate Tokikake, "Tokikake," hands in his pockets and a cigarette dangling from his mouth, walked in.
He was slightly hunched over, wearing a kind smile, dressed in a checkered Marine greatcoat and capri pants, with a wooden sign reading "Tun" hanging around his neck.
Tokikake, looking like an approachable middle-aged man, quickened his pace as he looked at the stunning Momousagi, saying with surprise:
"Ah... Gion, please accept my 83rd confession and become my..."
Momousagi's face turned cold. "I refuse!"
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